Select Your Language

May 30, 2012

From Pew Warmer to Prophet

By Tony V. Hammack 

Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast



Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 
Thesis:
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him in faith. We cannot come to God unless he draws us. When he draws us and reveals himself we will be changed forever.
 
Outline:
1. Seek God
2. See the Holiness of God
3. See yourself as in need
4. Receive atonement forgiveness and value
5. Enter obedient service
 
 
 
 
Isaiah’s sin Atoned for
 
Isaiah 6:3-8
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
 
1. Seek God
 
2 Chronicles 16:9a
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
 
Hebrews 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
 
Acts 17:27
27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
 
2. We Must See God in His Holiness
  • Isaiah saw God in a heavenly vision. (Isaiah 6:1-4)
  • Holiness means set apart or special and unique.  (Do you see God in his holiness or is he the “Man Upstairs?”; or maybe “The Big J.C.?)
  • This is why worship in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4:24) is so very important. This will thrust us into God’s presence where we can be challenged and changed.
  • No one can be saved unless the Spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44)
  • No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.
No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

*Centurion Soldier
  • Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
 *Jesus Son of David Have Mercy on me
  • Blind Bartimaeus
  • Mark 10:52 your faith has healed (sozo’d) you.
*The Thief on the cross
  • Luke 23:41 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
*Peter
  • Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
3. See yourself as in need

Isaiah saw himself as guilty, insignificant and in need of a savior when he clearly saw the Lord.

Sin, aroused by the Law is designed to create hopelessness in an individual driving them to Christ. (Rom. 7:8)

If a person doesn’t see a need they will not look to find a solution to their problem.

Everyone has a different “rock bottom”.

The philosophy of humanism teaches that man is inherently good.   Humanism is the “religion” of many people in our country.

Many “good” people will not make it to heaven because they will stand before God with their sinful nature still intact before him.

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and God esteem.

When almighty God says your sins are forgiven it is tremendously empowering.

This forgiveness is a form of approval by God himself.  When God is for us who can be against us. Again very empowering. (Rom 8:31)

Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5. Enter Service

After Isaiah saw a glimpse of God’s holiness, was forgiven for his sin and empowered he was immediately motivated to be sent into service for the Lord.  God commissioned him as a prophet.

They can’t hear unless there’s a preacher (Romans 10:14)

Romans 12:1,2 also shows a similar pattern we see in Isaiah 6

Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We see the holiness, our sinfulness, the atoning sacrifice of the Lord here. What follows this?

Offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. Here am I, send me!

God’s not mad at you!

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ God is not mad at you. His justice has been satisfied toward you in the suffering of Jesus.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Conclusion:
We need a good look at God’s Holiness, mercy and kindness. When immersed in God we will be changed from the inside out.

This Change is nothing short of God himself working to will and to accomplish his good purposes through us.

Prayer Focus
  1. We would Seek God
  2. Then God would show us himself in holiness.
  3. We would comparatively see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness recognizing our own need.
  4. God would extend us mercy because it’s in his heart to be kind and merciful.
  5. We filled with gratitude would enter service, lovingly building God’s kingdom faithfully obeying the voice of the one we have come to love.

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

(870) 793-9124



View Larger Map

May 24, 2012

So You Want God to Show Up?

By Tony V. Hammack


Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast




Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 

5 Steps to God being with You

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.




Outline:
  • Rejoice
  • Strive for Full Restoration
  • Encourage One Another – (Console and Comfort one another)
  • Be of one mind – (Be agreeable)
  • Live in Peace
  • And then the God of Love and Peace will be with You
Thesis:
When we rejoice in Christ, strive for maturity, encourage one another, become of one mind and walk in peace, God will manifest himself in our midst.

1. Rejoice

Revelation knowledge is usually followed by rejoicing.

Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Find your joy in Christ. When he’s your life source other deceptive sources of life won’t have any appeal.

Deceptive desires will cause us to not have our Joy in the Lord. We will look for satisfaction in other areas.

Ephesians 4:22
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Knowing what you know in the grand scheme of things brings tremendous joy.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

2. Strive for Full Restoration

Aim for perfection or strive for full restoration. Full restoration is speaking of total practical sanctification. The maturity of the believer causing the Christian to reflect Christ’s glory in this life. The Greek for this verb (restoration) is used elsewhere in the NT for mending nets (MK 1:19) and bringing factions together (1 Co 1:10).

Ephesians 4:13
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Colossians 2:9-10
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

3. Encourage One Another With words

1 Thessalonians 4:17
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. We are instructed in v. 18 to encourage one another with these words. Encourage one another when we come to Church.

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Being Encouraged Softens our Hearts

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

Being encouraged by the body of Christ prevents a person from getting hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  

4. Be of One Mind

Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:6

6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

When the people were united there was nothing impossible for them. God had to stop them.

Pentecost

Acts 2:1 KJV
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. When the believers were all together in one place and with one accord the Holy Spirit came.

The Early Church

Acts 4:32,33
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all With oneness comes great power and powerful grace working in all!

5. Live in Peace

Peace is the absence of internal strife.

1 Thessalonians 5:13
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

6. God will be With You

Matthew 1:23
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
  • God will be with you to protect you
  • God will be with you to give you wisdom
  • God will be with you and confirm his word with signs wonders and miracles
God protects

Luke 4:28-30
28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

God will give you wisdom

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

Mark 16:20
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Acts 14:3
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

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

(870) 793-9124




View Larger Map

May 22, 2012

The Works of the Believer

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast


Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 

Our righteousness comes from God and is the result of our faith in Christ’s work on the Cross.
True saving faith will spur the believer onto good works as this sanctifying work of the Cross begins to express itself practically through the life of the person of faith.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.   34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Many believe this judgment will occur at the beginning of the earthly millennial kingdom. It’s purpose will be to determine who will be allowed to enter the kingdom.
Ultimately, how one treats the brethren of Jesus reveals whether or not one is saved.
It’s mind boggling in light of this section of scripture how some can teach that there is no eternal judgment.
We have to be careful that we don’t believe what we want to believe. We must allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.
Outline:
  • Jesus is coming back in glory to rule.
  • All nations will be judged and people will be separated based on righteousness. 
  • The righteous do things for Jesus; the evil do not. 
Jesus is coming back in Glory to rule

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 2:44,45
44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.

John 14:28
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. The Blessed Hope of the Church

Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Revelation 19:11-16
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:    KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

All nations will be judged and people will be separated based on righteousness.

How to be a Sheep, not a goat!

Romans 1:17
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 3:21-26
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Now in the message of the Cross, where a person puts true faith into the work of Christ there, there comes a flow of power from heaven that starts by faith and comes in the form of grace. This grace gives us life changing power to live differently, having different priorities, different dreams, different vision and a different focus.

Grace gives power to overcome all forms of ungodliness.

The righteous do things for Jesus; The evil do not

How do we do things for Jesus?
Mt. 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

The work of the Righteous
  • Feeding the Hungry
  • Relieving the Thirsty
  • Comforting a stranger
  • Clothing the needy
  • Looking after the sick
  • Visiting those in prison
I believe one of the ultimate purposes of our work is to lead people to Christ through soul winning and then discipleship. Service is a proven strategy that softens the heart of the one being served; making a way for the good news about Jesus. Our motive is love; our goal is soul winning.

Conclusion
Our righteousness comes from God and is the result of our faith in Christ’s work on the Cross. However, true saving faith will spur the believer onto good works as this sanctifying work of the Cross begins to express itself practically through the life of the person of faith.

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

(870) 793-9124






View Larger Map

May 18, 2012

God Has Called Us to Relevance

By Tony V. Hammack
Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast




Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 
 
 
Relevance
Having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand.

The reason most people who consider themselves Christians don’t attend a place of worship on Sunday probably has to do with their inability to see the relevance in attending.  They can prioritize trips to Wal-Mart over attending Church.

Let’s consider, this morning, how we can be relevant to the rest of the body of Christ as well as the lost world.

Relevancy to the Body of Christ
  • Equip the Saints for works of service
  • Provide a place for community to take place
    • The formation of meaningful relationships
  • Foster an environment where body ministry is encouraged
Equipping the Saints

Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The works of service are motivated to and accomplish the goal of building the body of Christ up.

We’re growing in unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God

Maturity defined - attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

What edifies the Church?

1 Corinthians 14:5
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
  • Prophecy
What edifies the individual?

Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
  • Praying in Tongues
The formation of Meaningful Relationships

John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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

1 John 4:11-12
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Provide a place where body ministry is encouraged

Our life groups are the place where this really happens.  Be encouraged to attend a life group where you can be used and receive the life of Christ from his body.

Many people in our Church are very gifted, knowledgeable and anointed in various areas.

How We Learn
  • 10% of what we READ
  • 20% of what we HEAR
  • 30% of what we SEE
  • 50% of what we SEE and HEAR
  • 70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS
  • 80% of what is EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
  • 95% of what we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE
          ~William Glasser

1 Corinthians 12:14-21
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

Relevancy to the Lost World

Offer a solution to the sin problem that plagues mankind.

Be used in healing and deliverance.

A Natural Approach

1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Meet physical needs

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

Conclusion
We want to be authentic and relevant in order to accomplish the goal that Jesus has given us.
  • To Win Souls and Make Disciples

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

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





View Larger Map

May 14, 2012

God's Plan for Church Growth

By Tony V. Hammack



Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast



Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.



Raising up Fruit Bearing Disciples

John 15:8
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast

Matthew 13:31-33
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 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."   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."

Discipleship
  • The Call to Discipleship
  • The Commitment to Discipleship
  • The Commission to Discipleship
What’s a modern day disciple?

1 Corinthians 11:1
Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). (Amplified) The Call to Discipleship “follow me.”

Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Samuel 22:2
All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. A book and a chapter later

2 Samuel 23:8
David’s followers are now called Mighty men.

The Call to Discipleship

The call to discipleship is not theologically complicated.  Simply enter into a relationship with someone and let them taste and see that the Lord is Good.  If you’re working with the right person they should start following you.  When their heart opens to you in this way you’ve got yourself a disciple.

The Commitment to Discipleship

Entering into a discipleship relationship is very easy.  Staying in that relationship can be a challenge. It requires commitment by both parties.

Sometimes Disciples Leave

John 6:67-68 67
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.  68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Commitment

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

The Commission to Discipleship

Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Concentric Circles of Influence

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124




View Larger Map

May 5, 2012

Overcoming Discouragement

By Tony V. Hammack
Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast

Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
Abundant Life Today U Stream Video
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. 




What causes discouragement?
How to prevent it
How to overcome it

Thesis: Overcoming discouragement is a battle we all fight at times and when we do what we’re supposed to do we will be victorious.


Causes of Discouragement

1.  Proverbs 13:12a
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,…

2.  Disobedience = Discouragement
Sometimes discouragement comes when we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing.   Some people create a false reality to appease their disobedience.  This makes it very difficult to overcome because the false reality masks the true problem, even defending the disobedience.

Disobedience can come in the form of doing more than God asked you to do or less.   You are responsible for being faithful and obedient to what God has told you.  Nothing more, nothing less.

You have to obey the written word of God for the believer but in the specific activities of our lives you must hear the spoken voice of God for yourself.  Trust the Lord to direct your life perfectly.

I believe ultimate joy and fulfillment is found in extending God’s kingdom.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Galatians 6:7-10
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

3.  Discouragement from the Flesh.
When we sow to the flesh we can reap discouragement.  We must not give up because the harvest God has for you may be on it’s way.  Be encouraged!

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

4.  Discouragement from Others.
People can tire of doing good because they are around people who are idle, disruptive, and  busybodies.  When we’re around people who are like this, we can get discouraged.

Preventing Discouragement 

1.  Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

Philippians 3:13,14
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.      

2.  Trust that God loves you and wants to bless you.

Matthew 6:26
 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Overcoming Discouragement

Proverbs 13:12b
…but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Sometimes all we need to overcome discouragement is patience.  The answer is on it’s way we just need to wait for it.

Daniel 10:12-14
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

Hope against hope

Romans 4:18
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

What has God told you to do?  If He told you to do it, He is somewhat responsible for the results.  You are responsible to be obedient and faithful to do the task He’s given you.  Once you do this you can rest!  Do what you can and leave the results up to God.

Hebrews 4:9-11
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Consider Joseph

Joseph means, “may he add”.  Rachel was a woman of faith believing for another son even as Joseph was conceived.

Joseph has a great dream where his brothers and parents subordinate themselves to him.  His brothers conspire to kill Joseph then sell him to Ishmaelite traders.

He becomes a slave in Potiphar’s house and is falsely accused of sexual assault and convicted to the kings prison.  He get’s promoted to being the head guard of the prison.

Joseph correctly interprets the dream of the cup bearer and the baker.

Pharoah puts everything in the land of Egypt under Josephs control except the actual throne.

How did Joseph maintain himself through all these challenges?  The Lord was with him but in addition to that, Joseph had an awareness that the Lord was with him and inside of him.  Joseph held on to the dream the Lord had given him.   He would one day be a ruler over his family.

What about us?  Do we know the Lord is with us?  If we don’t, why don’t we?  Maybe we’re using the wrong criteria to measure His presence.

How about the dreams God has given you.  Are you living the dream?  Are you working toward the dream?  Have you given up on the dream?

My dream is to win souls and make disciples and when I’m not doing this I get discouraged.  When the Lord uses me in this way I get encouraged.

Let's dream, get a goal, and work towards it!

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

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124




 
 View Larger Map