To watch the latest water baptismal service click here.
Nancy and Rebecka get baptized!
Jubilee Family Church
December 29, 2008
December 27, 2008
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
December 25, 2008
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
Part 1(Stockings)
Part 2(Around the Tree)
Jubilee Family Church
December 22, 2008
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!
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!
December 19, 2008
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
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
December 18, 2008
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.
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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.
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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
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
December 17, 2008
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
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
December 13, 2008
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
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Tony
Jubilee Family Church
December 10, 2008
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
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
December 3, 2008
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.
November 25, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
I wanted to remind everyone that thankfulness is directly proportional to prosperity. Thankful people are typically more prosperous because their appreciation for the source of things allows them to comprehend how blessings come.
Remember the story of the 10 lepers?
Luke 17:11-17
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
The leper who returned to give thanks received not just a physical healing but his thankfulness showed that his soul had been healed of sin by the cleansing power of Jesus.
Announcement:
We won't be having our usual Wednesday evening services on November 26th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Have a great Thanksgiving and don't eat too much turkey!
Blessings on you and your loved ones!
Pastor Tony
November 23, 2008
The Kingdom of Heaven Part 4
I shared this Sunday from Matthew 13 and the kingdom parable of the net. Jesus is going to wrap this age up and when he does you definitely want to be considered righteous. Receive Jesus today so when that day comes you are ready!The Parable of the Net - Matthew 13:47-51
47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.
Click here to watch the video
Jubilee Family Church
November 18, 2008
What's Happening this Week at Jubilee Family Church
Wednesday night we have services at 6:30 PM
The youth are meeting at the parsonage, children are meeting upstairs, and the adults are in the sanctuary. Coffee Provided!
Thursday the worship team will be practicing at 5:30 PM
All you little league soccer fans out there. Taylor plays at 10:15 AM and Nate plays at 12:45 PM.
We have the much anticipated Men's Breakfast at Ron and Carlotta's house on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM.
And the grand finale is Church this Sunday morning. Adult Sunday school is at 9:00 AM Worship starts at 10:00 AM and the preaching of the word starts around 11:00 AM. We'll see you on Sunday.
Jubilee Family Church
Vote for Content Improvements
Hi, I'm considering some content changes to my blog and I wanted your input. I have a "vote" button on the upper right hand corner and I was wondering if you could take 20 seconds to go to the blog and cast your vote. I'm interested in what kind of content you want to see. I have been concentrating my efforts in putting spiritually uplifting content and teaching on but wondered if you guys liked the occassional rambling story about something that happened to myself, Andrea or one of the kids. The blog can also help with communication in the church as it relates to upcoming events at the church. Thank you in advance for you input. The results will be in in 7 days so cast your vote today.
Go to the Blog and Vote
November 16, 2008
The Kingdom of Heaven Part 3
We're called to preach the Kingdom of Heaven is Near With Authority
Preach means – to proclaim, to announce or to spread the message.
Try and lose the image of a preacher in a church because this isn’t what Jesus is talking about. Here he’s specifically sending his disciples into the Israelite world / marketplace to share the message that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Preach with Exousia
Matthew 10:1,7,8
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
7As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
What is the Kingdom of Heaven Like?
Matthew 13:31He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
Matthew 13:33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Matthew 13:44”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.
1. A Planted Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:32
32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”
Small Seed
Big Plant
The common mustard of Palestine is the Sinapis nigra.
It’s also true, that the black mustard seed in Israel will typically grow to heights of 3.7 meters, or twelve (12) feet) -- plenty large enough to hold “the birds of the air”.
Jesus is in effect saying, don’t despise small beginnings. The kingdom of heaven is a small beginning, Him, but has had a huge outreach and offers a habitation for all society. There is a place for the believer to function and flow in the kingdom.
Where does the seed exist?
In our hearts
When we first came to Christ we had a seed of the kingdom in our hearts. If we protected, cultivated and nurtured that seed, we would allow that seed to grow and take over a larger part of our thinking, attitude, priorities, lives and time.
The parable of the Sewer
Matthew 13:18-23
4 types of soil or heart conditions to receive the seed of God’s word.
The Path symbolizes people who hear the word of God but don’t understand or comprehend it. V.19
The Rocky Places symbolize people who hear the word of God and receive it immediately with Joy. But because they have no root , when trouble or persecution comes they immediately fall away. V. 20,21
The seed that fell among thorns symbolizes a person who hears the word but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke out the word making it unable to produce fruit. V. 22
The seed that fell on good soil symbolizes a person that understands the word and produces a crop 30, 60 or 100 times what was sown. V. 23
A quick question?
What type of heart do you have?
Are you bearing fruit?
If not, what should you do?
Nurture the seed. Try and understand the Word of God, prepare for difficulty, deal with worry, anxiety, and stress over finances. Study the word, get training in soul winning.
Where does the seed exist?
Outside our hearts
Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
This kingdom seed gets spread through our communication.
By our actions
By our attitudes
From our mouth to the hearts of others
2. Yeast worked in
Matthew 13:33
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Different Illustration similar Meaning
Something small Yeast effecting the whole.
A little bit of yeast when it is worked through the dough effects the entire loaf.
The Yeast represents the kingdom of heaven in the heart or in the world.
The dough represents the individual heart of an individual and/or the entire world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jwV8OVCKnk&feature=related
Short video of yeast being worked through dough.
Properties of Yeast
Yeast, is used in baking as a leavening agent, where it converts the fermentable sugars present in the dough into carbon dioxide. This causes the dough to expand or rise as the carbon dioxide forms pockets or bubbles. When the dough is baked it “sets” and the pockets remain, giving the baked product a soft and spongy texture. The use of potatoes, water from potato boiling, eggs, or sugar in a bread dough accelerates the growth of yeasts. Salt and fats such as butter slow down yeast growth. Sugar and vinegar are the best conditions for yeast to ferment. In bread making the yeast respires aerobically at first producing carbon dioxide and water. When the oxygen is used up anaerobic respiration is used producing ethanol as a waste product however this is evaporated off during the baking process.
3. Hidden Treasure
Matthew 13:44”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.
Treasure – something of great worth or value.
Hidden – being out of sight or not readily apparent : concealed
Suppose one day your walking around with a metal detector. While scanning for metal in Cushman you find $10,000,000.00 worth in Gold Bullion. Wouldn’t you try and hide the gold and then figure out who owned that land? Then offer them a fair price for the land. If they wouldn’t sell it to you wouldn’t you offer more? Wouldn’t you sell everything you own, if you had to, to acquire that land?
When a man finds this treasure he hides it again.
Why would he hide it again? Because he wants to secure his legal right to the treasure.
He doesn’t want someone else to get it.
In order to do this he has to sell everything he has. In other words he has to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness according to Matthew 6:33.
What does Matthew 6:33 Promise the believer who puts God’s Kingdom first?
To meet the believers needs.
Clothes
Food & Drink
What does Mark 10:28-30 promise the believer who leaves everything to follow Jesus?
29”I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.
What you give up for Jesus he’ll return to you 100 times as much in THIS PRESENT AGE
Homes – Places to live, investment property
Brothers – Spiritual and Natural Relationships
Sisters – Spiritual and Natural Relationships
Mothers – spiritual and Natural Relationships
Children – Spiritual and Natural Relationships
Fields – Businesses
This re-prioritizing of his life is a direct result of his understanding the worth of the treasure or the worth of the Kingdom of Heaven relative to his current worth.
Notice that the man in the parable JOYFULLY sells all that he has in order to buy that field. Why is he joyfully giving up all his worldly possessions?
Because he’s found something that is MORE VALUABLE.
Has the Devil lied to you telling you something of this life is more important than something in the kingdom?
If he can get you to prioritize this life over the age to come he can hinder your 100 fold blessing.
Come to the altar now and let the Lord speak to you about it. Let the Lord deal with your heart.
November 12, 2008
Make a Difference
I don't normally do this but I want to encourage you to watch this video. It is deeply moving. I encourage you to take 5 minutes to watch it. It is life changing and priority shifting.
It's about the power of believing in someone.
Click Here to watch the video
Jubilee Family Church
It's about the power of believing in someone.
Click Here to watch the video
Jubilee Family Church
November 9, 2008
Israel in the News
To Visit Rabbi Dale Cohen's Website, Click Here
Rabbi Dale Cohen shares with us some relevant truths for Israel and the United States.
Jubilee Family Church
November 2, 2008
The Kingdom of Heaven (Part 2)
Enjoy the video on the Kingdom of Heaven
Preach means – to proclaim, to announce or to spread the message.
Try and lose the image of a preacher in a church because this isn’t what Jesus is talking about. Here he’s specifically sending his disciples into the Israelite world / marketplace to share the message that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Preach with Exousia
Matthew 10:1,7,8
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
1. Humility is Key to Kingdom Greatness
Matthew 11:11
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Humility
1: not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive 2: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.
Jesus Exemplifies the Least in the Kingdom of Heaven
Philippians 2:3-11
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Humility checks our motives
We are instructed to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
We’re to be others focused
1. God First
2. Others Second
3. Self Third
Don’t drain your tank!
Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified)In the days of His flesh [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father].
Jesus acted like a Man even though he was also God
Shouldn’t we, if we’re really good at something be humble. Not blowing our own trumpet saying, “Notice Me!” or “Hey, I’m good at this” or whatever.
How much more should we be humble since no one can say that they are in very nature God in the way Jesus was.
Remember the song, “Lord it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Jesus was able to do it, and because of that, in the kingdom of Heaven he was given the highest name in all the universe. King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Anybody want a promotion?
In the Kingdom promotions come because of humility.
Humility Brings Obedience
When we’re truly humble we obey a higher authority.
When we obey this higher authority, if this authority is righteous, we position ourselves for a promotion.
Humble Obedience Glorifies our Heavenly Father.
When we, like Jesus, humble ourselves before God and walk in obedience to his commands we bring glory to God the Father.
Obedience = Glory
Not to take away from music, a shout and a dance but Obedience brings our Heavenly Father Glory.
2. Be Forceful to hold Kingdom
Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Matthew 11:11 the verse before the force verse talks about humility. Men forcefully humbling themselves like John the Baptist is the way to take hold of the Kingdom of Heaven. The way to apprehend kingdom power for yourself.
3. Use Vision to determine actions
Matthew 13:11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
In the Kingdom it’s important that we use vision to determine our course of action and not just respond to circumstances as they come to us.
Jesus vision for the world caused his disciples to be an extension of himself. This was his focus and everything else he did was secondary. Not unimportant just secondary.
With no vision the people perish
Ministry can easily become a plate spinning exercise.
Is Jesus purposely speaking to the crowds with veiled or dark speech? Speech that is hard to understand? Yes He is!
Why would Jesus not be clear in his message to the people who were coming around to listen to him?
Jesus teaching method required a person to ask questions or walk away confused. Jesus purposed to have relationships with a few people who he was going to entrust the mission of world evangelization to.
Men were Jesus method.
Matthew 13:12-14
Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
Kingdom dynamic of the rich in God getting richer in God and the spiritually poor staying spiritually poor. Laziness is not rewarded in the spiritual realm.
If a person wants to be spiritually rich they must dig into God’s word to find truth and revelation that set’s them free and gives them wisdom.
4. The Parable of the Weeds
Matthew 13:24-30
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "
The parable is a Kingdom of Heaven parable.
The parable is of the harvest of the souls of mankind.
The servant harvesters are angels.
The weeds are the wicked
The stalks of wheat are the righteous
The two grow together so that the wheat can come to full maturity without being uprooted by the destruction of the weeds.
It’s interesting that the wicked are first tied in bundles and then burned
Then the wheat is collected and stored in the barn.
We don’t know when the Lord will return but we know that we’re one day closer today than we were yesterday
We know that the Lord will return at a time when we don’t expect it.
We know that many of the things that need to happen prophetically have already happened.
Will you be tied up and burned?
Or will be collected and stored in the Barn?
If you’d say today that I think I’d be tied up and burned that can all change. Today if you’ll open your heart and ask the Lord to come in, by faith. You can be considered a righteous person by God and be saved on Judgment day.
Jubilee Family Church
October 31, 2008
Hallelujah Ho Down
We had a Halloween alternative party at Jubilee Family Church in Batesville Arkansas. I hope I got everyone on the video that wanted to be on it.
Enjoy the video.
Jubilee Family Church
Enjoy the video.
Jubilee Family Church
Preach The Kingdom of Heaven is Near
The disciples were instructed by Jesus to preach the kingdom of Heaven is near
A Kingdom is a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen.
Matthew 10:7,8
– As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 4: 17
– From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Jesus begins his preaching ministry after he’s water baptized, baptized in the Holy Spirit and overcomes the temptations of the enemy.
Their are three things that should predicate an authoritative preaching ministry
1. Personal Repentance – Water Baptism is a symbolic event that demonstrates an immersion into Christ and a death to self and selfish desires. Jesus never sinned but was water baptized as an example to us.
2. Holy Spirit Empowerment – When we are Baptized in the Holy Spirit we are endued with power (dunamis) from on high to be witnesses for the Lord.
3. Walking in Victory – Jesus overcomes the temptations that he’s faced with. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
What’s the Kingdom of Heaven Like?
Of the 35 times the words kingdom and heaven appear together in the New Testament, 32 times they appear in the book of Matthew. Let’s take a look into the book of Matthew to try and develop our understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Poor In Spirit
– Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
People who come to a realization that they are lost without a savior thus poor in spirit and come to saving faith in Christ will receive the kingdom of Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Before a person can come to Christ they must see some kind of need. This need generally comes when they realize they are poor in spirit. They may be wealthy in other areas of their lives but people who are poor in spirit are never satisfied and always striving for something. When Christ comes in they find the life that is truly life.
The Law is very good at getting people to see their need. It crushes a person’s ideas of self righteousness and brings them to a place of realization that they are a sinner in need of a savior.
Let’s watch this video clip of Ray Comfort sharing the Law of God with a young man so they come to an honest realization that they are poor in spirit.
• Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Watch this video now
2. The Persecuted– Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Persecution will come to the righteous.
• John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
• 2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
• The Persecution Curve
3. Taught by example– Matthew 5:19
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Break and Teach commandments
– Least in the kingdom of Heaven
• Practice and Teach commands
– Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
• Jesus is saying here that what you do teaches others very loudly. What you do springs from what you are. We must allow Jesus Christ to have our hearts and lives so we become transformed into his image and likeness.
4. True Righteousness– Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees.
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
• 1 Peter 1:16
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
• Luke 18:9-14
– To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
• Self Righteousness will not allow a person to see the kingdom of Heaven.
– Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Jonathan Edwards
July 8th 1741
Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock.
• Righteous By Faith
Romans 3:21
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Romans 4:9
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.
5. Pray for the Heavenly kingdom to take over the Earthly kingdoms– Matthew 6:10
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
• Jesus teaches us to pray that the Kingdom of God would come.
– This can come in majesty and glory with the heavenly angels and the triumphal second coming of Christ.
• This is somewhat out of our realm of control
– This can come in our daily witness where the kingdom of God within our hearts expresses itself through words, deeds and attitudes. People around us surrender their hearts to the Lordship / Kingship of Christ as a result. This causes the kingdom to advance and thus take over the kingdoms of this world.
• The kingdom of heaven is a hidden kingdom now that will one day be revealed.
Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
6. Obedience is a key to entering the Kingdom– Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Obedience prompted by faith is a true measure of a kingdom person. Kingdom people will be about the business of the kingdom. They won’t be only talking about the kingdom they will be talking and working.
It’s important to not get faith and works reversed. Works without faith are dead just like faith without works is dead.
7. Heaven is not a birthright– Matthew 8:11,12 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Romans 9:30-32
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Jubilee Family Church
A Kingdom is a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen.
Matthew 10:7,8
– As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 4: 17
– From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Jesus begins his preaching ministry after he’s water baptized, baptized in the Holy Spirit and overcomes the temptations of the enemy.
Their are three things that should predicate an authoritative preaching ministry
1. Personal Repentance – Water Baptism is a symbolic event that demonstrates an immersion into Christ and a death to self and selfish desires. Jesus never sinned but was water baptized as an example to us.
2. Holy Spirit Empowerment – When we are Baptized in the Holy Spirit we are endued with power (dunamis) from on high to be witnesses for the Lord.
3. Walking in Victory – Jesus overcomes the temptations that he’s faced with. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
What’s the Kingdom of Heaven Like?
Of the 35 times the words kingdom and heaven appear together in the New Testament, 32 times they appear in the book of Matthew. Let’s take a look into the book of Matthew to try and develop our understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Poor In Spirit
– Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
People who come to a realization that they are lost without a savior thus poor in spirit and come to saving faith in Christ will receive the kingdom of Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Before a person can come to Christ they must see some kind of need. This need generally comes when they realize they are poor in spirit. They may be wealthy in other areas of their lives but people who are poor in spirit are never satisfied and always striving for something. When Christ comes in they find the life that is truly life.
The Law is very good at getting people to see their need. It crushes a person’s ideas of self righteousness and brings them to a place of realization that they are a sinner in need of a savior.
Let’s watch this video clip of Ray Comfort sharing the Law of God with a young man so they come to an honest realization that they are poor in spirit.
• Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Watch this video now
2. The Persecuted– Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Persecution will come to the righteous.
• John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
• 2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
• The Persecution Curve
3. Taught by example– Matthew 5:19
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Break and Teach commandments
– Least in the kingdom of Heaven
• Practice and Teach commands
– Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
• Jesus is saying here that what you do teaches others very loudly. What you do springs from what you are. We must allow Jesus Christ to have our hearts and lives so we become transformed into his image and likeness.
4. True Righteousness– Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees.
Leviticus 19:2
"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
• 1 Peter 1:16
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
• Luke 18:9-14
– To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
• Self Righteousness will not allow a person to see the kingdom of Heaven.
– Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Jonathan Edwards
July 8th 1741
Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock.
• Righteous By Faith
Romans 3:21
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
Romans 4:9
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.
5. Pray for the Heavenly kingdom to take over the Earthly kingdoms– Matthew 6:10
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
• Jesus teaches us to pray that the Kingdom of God would come.
– This can come in majesty and glory with the heavenly angels and the triumphal second coming of Christ.
• This is somewhat out of our realm of control
– This can come in our daily witness where the kingdom of God within our hearts expresses itself through words, deeds and attitudes. People around us surrender their hearts to the Lordship / Kingship of Christ as a result. This causes the kingdom to advance and thus take over the kingdoms of this world.
• The kingdom of heaven is a hidden kingdom now that will one day be revealed.
Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
6. Obedience is a key to entering the Kingdom– Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Obedience prompted by faith is a true measure of a kingdom person. Kingdom people will be about the business of the kingdom. They won’t be only talking about the kingdom they will be talking and working.
It’s important to not get faith and works reversed. Works without faith are dead just like faith without works is dead.
7. Heaven is not a birthright– Matthew 8:11,12 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Romans 9:30-32
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Jubilee Family Church
October 25, 2008
Low Power FM Radio Station
I wanted to update you all on the progress with the radio stations. Right now the Low Power FM Radio Station KCCJ 106.9 is on the air! The format is contemporary worship and their are some sponsorship spots that randomly appear about once per hour. I'm very excited to finally get the station up and running.
We however have to improve the signal strength by increasing its wattage from 1 Watt to 17 Watts. We also have to purchase a larger antenna and tower to help get the signal out farther. This will probably run around 3 thousand dollars to get all the necessary components. I just decided on Thursday that I was going to get something going on the station. The unfortunate part about the project as it currently stands, you have to be very close to the transmitter to pick up the signal, about 1/4 th of a mile.
If you're in the Meadow Heights subdivision in Batesville (North West of the Fair Grounds) be sure to tune in 106.9 FM to hear contemporary worship. It won't be long and the signal will cover a much larger area. Please continue to pray with me that this project will get completed in a timely manner and that the word of the Lord and anointed worship will blanket Batesville. To God be the glory!
If you are considering a donation please make your check out to the Literacy Council of Independence County. The L.C.I.C. is a 501 (c) 3 organization and donations are tax deductible.
Jubilee Family Church
October 19, 2008
Exousia
Enjoy the video on Authority
Matthew 10:7,8
As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
It’s interesting to note that this is what the disciples are instructed to do by Jesus.
This is a very simple statement but this obviously means that the disciples are able to accomplish the directive. It’s also interesting that there is no record at this point of the disciples receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
John 20:22
And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
This is because in verse 1 Jesus gave the disciples authority. What is authority?
Authority Illustration
• One simple illustration is the local law enforcement officers. When they turn on their blue lights you pull over. They have authority over you. If you decide to not pull over there are other steps that the “authorities” have a legal right to take in order to enforce the law of the land.
• The law enforcement officers have the legal right to “ramp up” the pressure on a suspect should they decide to disobey their commands.
Exousia
There are 5 different dimensions to the word Exousia in the NT.
Exousia addresses the question, “Who do you think you are?”
Only By Revelation
• Ephesians 1:17
– I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
– Jesus living inside of you gives you Christ’s authority as He flows and moves through you to accomplish his divine purposes
1. Authority
• Authority – Exousia comes from the Greek word exesti, which means, “it is lawful". Exousia means power of authority, the right to exercise power, or "the power of rule or government," the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others,
• Matthew 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority (exousia) on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."
• Matthew 21:23
– 23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority (exousia) are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?" (exousia)
• Jesus Authority is the element in His ministry that really sets him apart from all his contemporaries.
• This made him very different
• Luke 4:36
– All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"
• 2 Corinthians 10:8
– For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority (exousia) the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
2. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction means – 1. the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law 2. the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate the power or right to exercise authority : control 3: the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised.
• Luke 23:7
– 7When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction (exousia), he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
3. Freedom
• Exousia is rendered “freedom" in 1Co. 8:9
• Food Sacrificed to Idols
• 1 Co. 8:9
– 9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom (exousia) does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Power to Bring Under
• Denotes "freedom of action, right to act;" used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted, e.g., "right of disposal" is what is indicated; used of men, authority is delegated. Angelic beings are called "powers" in Eph. 3:10 (cp. 1:21); 6:12; Col. 2:15 (cp. 2:10).
God’s Authority is Absolute
• Luke 12:5
– 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power (exousia) to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
God’s Authority is Absolute
• Acts 1:7
– 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (exousia)
Angelic Beings
• Ephesians 3:10
– 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities (exousias) in the heavenly realms,
• Ephesians 6:12
– 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, (exousias) against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Angelic Beings
• Colossians 2:15
– 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, (exousias) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
The Legal Right
• a "right" possessed in virtue of the "authority" given them by Christ, "freedom to act" and then "authority for the action."
• John 1:12
– 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right (exousia) to become children of God—
• 2 Thessalonians 3:9
– 9We did this, not because we do not have the right (exousia) to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
• It’s important that we have a very clear understand of the Authority that Jesus gives to his disciples here because I am convinced this same authority is available to the modern day follower of Christ.
• Matthew 28:18,19
– Then 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,
• Say, I’ve been given Exousia
• Preach the Message the kingdom of heaven is near
• Luke 17:21
nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
• Jesus repeatedly told people that the kingdom of Heaven was near.
• Heal the Sick
Jesus healing the sick with authority
Mark 3:5
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
Peter Healing the Sick with Authority
• Acts 3:1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"
• 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
• Raise the Dead
Jesus raises the dead with Authority
• Mark 5:41,42
– 41He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ). 42Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
• The Apostle Paul Raises the dead with Authority
– Acts 20:9-12 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
4. Cleanse those who have leprosy.
Jesus cleanses the leprous – leprosy represented the incurable disease of Jesus day.
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
• Drive out Demons
Jesus Drove Out Demons-
Matthew 12:22
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
• The disciples drove out demons
• Mark 6:6b-7,13
– Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
– 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
• Luke 10:17
– 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
Jubilee Family Church
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