The Devil is Defeated

By Tony V. Hammack

I met a very interesting person today while out sharing the Kingdom of God with people.  His name was Benjamin and we had a talk about evil, demons, and the Devil.  It was an interesting talk and I want to state some things here for you that may help you.

Genesis 3:15; Luke 10:19

• The Devil Did not Want Jesus to Go to the Cross

You know, in the 1990's I was a pretty big fan of Carmen and some of the dramatic music videos and portrayals of spiritual battles he created.  I however have come to understand, from my take on what the scriptures say, that Satan "did not think he'd won" after Jesus died on the cross and I have some scripture to substantiate my beliefs about this.

• Matthew 16:21-23  ²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”  ²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

We see from this passage, that the Satanic agenda that Peter has come into agreement with for Jesus, didn't include suffering and being raised from the dead.  So where does Satan take the biggest hit?  The suffering or the resurrection?  Well I don't think Satan much liked any of it but let's look at how the suffering of Jesus dealt a huge blow to the enemy.  The cross is the culmination of the suffering Jesus endured.  What a contrast to the idea that some have of the Devil thinking he'd won when Jesus was dying on the cross.  I think Satan knew, if Jesus went to the cross, he was toast.  This is the reason why Satan prompted Peter to try and stop the suffering. 

•  Colossians 2:15 ¹⁵ [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. 

The imagery that this scripture portrays is of a conquered king being pulled through the city of the winning nation.  The king is in a small cage where He can't stand and has possibly had his thumbs removed while the citizens of the conquering city throw trash and mock the disposed king.   So, Satan has been defeated and if you believe the Bible you must come into agreement with this scriptural reality. So, how does evil still exist?

Even an enemy that's been disarmed will continue to fight and take territory if not challenged.  Many today in the Christian Church are completely ignorant (lacking revelation knowledge) to the authority they've been deputized with to disposes the enemy.   This is exactly the way the Devil wants the Church to stay.  He's even convinced many that he doesn't even exist!  What a brilliant ruse the enemy is playing on the people of God.  I have to share with you that you are not what the Devil says you are.  You are what God says you are. 

• Ephesians 1:17-22 ¹⁷ [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), ¹⁹ And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, ²⁰ Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], ²¹ Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. ²² And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],  

Now this passage that talks about us understanding who we are and what Christ has given us is great.  It's cool how Jesus is seated above all rule authority power and dominion and every name that is named.  Basically I understand this passage to say that Jesus is above every demon, every principality and he's above Satan.  Well, that's great for Jesus but how about you?  Where are you if you are a believer in Jesus Christ?  

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

So the great news is that the follower of Jesus is seated with Christ positionally above all these nasty realities that are on the Earth.  I also believe that the believer has available to him/her deputized authority over these principalities because of what Colossians 2:15 says.  So as long as people stay in darkness to their God given authority they will not exercise it and therefore evil will remain.  However when the Church rises up into her role of Kingdom of God establisher, the enemy will have to flee.   The days are coming when Christian people will rise up in this authority because they don't see them selves as only "sinners saved by grace", but they see themselves as saints, son's and daughters of a mighty king, who has paid a great price to equip them to extend his kingdom.  This is why Paul was praying Ephesians 1:17,18 for the Church of his day.  How we today need this revelation that we have been made mighty because of the work that Jesus did. 

Rise up Church!

(see also Philippians 2:1-11; Ephesians 6:12) 
 

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

God's Will for My Life

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.     Thesis: Everyone has a place and everyone has an evolving purpose in the Church.

*This is determined by the revealed will of God first.
*Second, it’s determined by our desires.
*Third, it’s determined by what we are good at.
*Fourth, it should be confirmed by people in authority.



The Revealed will of God

Romans 12:1,2
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.

1.  View God’s mercy
2.  Offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God
3.  This is true and proper worship
4.  Don’t be conformed to the pattern of this world
5.  Be transformed by mind renewal
6.  Then the good and pleasing will of God will be recognized.

1.  In View of God’s Mercy

The great price God paid for us in Christ’s death on the cross.

Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

True value is not determined by appraisers but by what someone will literally pay.



2. Offer Your Body

We need to offer our Body as a living sacrifice, following the example Christ has given us.

The most popular saying of Jesus Christ judged by the number of times it appears in scripture is “If anyone would come after me he must deny himself take up his cross and follow me.”

Obviously the number of times this is recorded puts a priority to the concept.

3. True and Proper Worship

The Bible calls the viewing of God’s mercy and the subsequent response of the believer to also sacrificially lay their life down as true and proper worship.

John 4:23,24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

4.  Don’t be Conformed to the Pattern of this World

We are called to break the mold the world is trying to put us in.

The Century of the Self, a 4 part documentary released by the BBC is an amazingly eye opening display on how we are manipulated by various forms of media. This manipulation is usually financially driven.

There is a battle for control of your mind. Many forces want to influence your thinking but as Christians God should be the one we’re listening to.

We are instructed to allow God to put us into His mold. This way we are transformed into God’s image, getting our minds renewed.

5.  Be Transformed by Mind Renewal

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

A great way to understand mind renewal is to understand the expression, “garbage in; garbage out.”

6.  The Good and Pleasing Will of God

Then we will KNOW the will of God. We can know it but unfortunately many in the Body of Christ are perplexed about the will of God. Perhaps they haven’t followed the pattern in Romans 12:1,2? I believe if anyone will do this the specific will of God will be opened to that person.

Our desires become God’s desires when we follow the process in Romans 12:1,2

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Doing what we're good at.

Doing what we’re good at just makes sense. If we’re very grouchy and can’t seem to change, we wouldn’t make the best door greeter.

Confirmed by Authority

Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

1 Peter 5:2-4
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

A culture of service and humility from everyone in the Church.

Matthew 23:11,12
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

One of the responsibilities of those in spiritual authority is to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph 4:12)

There is a direct relationship between authority and responsibility. Those that have the responsibility also have the authority. Some who have no responsibility feel like they should have authority but this just isn’t fair or realistic.

The Church has people who are responsible and they should also be the most humble. This helps establish the right culture of love, and service for the entire body.

Sometimes there are people in the congregation who are very gifted but don’t want to take much responsibility. This will weaken their authority.

 

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

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

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.  

Proverbs 4:7

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Thesis:
We as the people of God, need to grow in wisdom if we’re going to be successful in this life and properly be an agent of Christ in the world.


Outline:

• What is wisdom
• The Admonishment to Get Wisdom
• How to Get Wisdom
• The Benefits of Wisdom
• Christ is our Wisdom

I believe the Bible teaches that there are at least 4 different types of wisdom.
    -Types of Wisdom (James 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13)

• Natural Wisdom
• Carnal Wisdom
• Selfless Wisdom
• Wisdom from on High

What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is the synthesis of knowledge (facts).  It causes one to draw conclusions that people without wisdom cannot draw.  Facts and knowledge are the building blocks upon which wisdom is built.

It’s often been said that this life consists of the sum total of our decisions and the resulting response of others from our decisions. Consequently, if our decision making ability is so vital to the direction and thus outcome of our lives, we need to make wise choices. Wisdom is the principal thing.

The Admonishment to Get Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get [Wisdom is supreme; therefore get] wisdom.   
     -Though it cost all you have, [Whatever else you get] get understanding.

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

How to Get Wisdom
-Not everyone gains wisdom the same way.
-There are two main tracks. The Mocker track and the wise track.

Proverbs 21:11
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

Ask God for Wisdom

James 1:5,6
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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Become a Companion of the Wise

Deuteronomy 34:9
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

Laid his hands on him in the prayer sense or laid his hands on him in the he worked with him closely for many years.

Read and Study
To grow in natural wisdom a person must be able to accumulate facts into their mind, synthesize the facts, compare them to other processes or systems and then draw a conclusion about the outcome that is correct.

For Example:
The used car you are interested in buying that is blowing blue smoke and knocking. What do you think? Good idea?

Factor in the demeanor of the salesman, any known knowledge of cars and engines, a comparison between other cars that are new, and a correct conclusion can be drawn.

Wisdom can also include a supernatural component. This heavenly impartation adds a new component to natural wisdom.

Heavenly Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:10b-13
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

The Benefits of wisdom

Solomon our Old Testament Example

1 Kings 3:7-15
7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor —so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke —and he realized it had been a dream.

Wisdom brought wealth, possessions honor, and a long life to Solomon. How about today?

Ecclesiastes 2:26a
To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

Proverbs 9:11
For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 19:8
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Christ is Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
We must seek Christ’s face for wisdom in the time that we live in. Without wisdom to know what to do we can become victimized or miss out on a blessing.

God open our eyes to see what you want us to see. Give us the unction to search a matter out.



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

We Must Prepare Our Hearts for the Revival that's Coming

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.  

We must prepare our Hearts for the Revival that’s Coming… …And in some ways it’s already here

Revival – means to revive or to bring something back from the brink of death. A true revival is not a series of meetings scheduled for a weekend. It’s when life, zeal, hunger, holiness, passion and excitement returns to the people of God for a prolonged period of time. These realities produce new converts, disciples and incredible willingness to serve. If the revival isn’t engineered by men it should also have Holy Spirit manifestations in it.

Marvin Goorman had a vision in his office down in Louisiana several years ago after a guy in his church brought him some lunch. He saw what he called the end time, Pentecostal revival. Some of the things he saw included a revival that didn’t have a human personality associated with it. Children were being used in demonstrations of power as they simply prayed for people.

God’s Kingdom is Expanding

Daniel 2:35

35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

Some in the Church today have a hope in a coming rapture that can happen at any minute. I also have this hope, however, my hoping doesn’t make it happen any sooner. What does make the return of Christ come sooner?

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The, “hurry up God and get us out of here mentality” has done a lot of harm to the Church and especially the lost. If I’m saved and sitting in my lounge chair pleading with the Lord to return, in some senses of the word I’m telling the rest of the world, they can just go to hell!

I know sometimes escaping this world can be attractive but there is much work to be done here before Christ returns. This may sound like a contradiction but If He comes today I’m ready, if He doesn’t then I’m compelled to express the kingdom of God through my life because of Christ’s love shed abroad in my heart. (2 Cor. 5:14; Rom. 5:5)

Rather than attempting to simply save a few souls before the rise of the anti-Christ, we should see ourselves as overcoming and victorious in the fact that the Church must come into “fullness of Christ" as taught by the Apostle Paul.

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.

Ephesians 5:25b-27

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Romans 5:20b

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

I believe that as the world gets more and more depraved, God’s power will increase upon his people.

Before the Harvest, the rain.

James 5:7,8

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Before the harvest, comes the rains, is metaphorical for a move of God that causes growth of the valuable crop, the Church.

A major feature of this revival will be the children of God being revealed. As the end of the age approaches the Christians with overcoming faith will arise within the Church. These revealed Children of God, ones who have come into the full stature of Jesus Christ, will receive the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34) They will be as Jesus was when he was on earth (John 14:12) and will manifest God’s Kingdom in the same manner Christ did.

Romans 8:14-19

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Outline

• In order to be Children of God we must be Led by the Spirit of God.
• The Children of God have a ministry paradigm shift away from slavery and fear to sonship and love.
• We can have assurance that we are God’s Children.
• Sharing in the Christ Life means sharing in his sufferings and glory, however the Glory outweighs the suffering.

1. In order to be Children of God we must be Led by the Spirit of God.

John 3:3
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

John 3:8
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

2. The Children of God have a ministry paradigm shift away from slavery and fear to sonship and relational fatherly love with God.

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.

We can have assurance from the Holy Spirit that we are God’s Children.

1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Sharing in the Christ Life means sharing in his sufferings and glory, however the Glory outweighs the suffering.

Suffering for Christ

Matthew 10:24,25
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

When the body of Christ doesn’t upset any of the existing power systems in their realm of influence, there won’t be much persecution. However when the KINGDOM of God continues to be expressed and that expression increases, there will be a power shift, causing those in existing positions of power to get angry.

• Demonized Man with Pigs-Mt. 8:31-33
• Tables of the Money Changers- Mark 11:15
• All the Healing
• All the Deliverance

Persecution will also be greater where the darkness in society is the greatest. Where the contrast is the greatest and the understanding about what’s going on is the least.

The Glory revealed in us…
Is this only talking about dying and going to heaven? The CREATION is waiting in eager expectation for the Children of God to be revealed. I believe this is not just talking about heaven because the Creation is waiting.

What does a person do who’s walking in the glory of God? The word glory talks about the manifest presence of God. This person will express God’s glory in a way that would at times resemble Christ.

Things will get worse and Worse

Matthew 24:12,13
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Prayer

Every revival in our modern time has been predicated by fervent effectual prayer.

James 5:16
16Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified Bible)
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].

Make a disciplined and loving effort to get into God’s presence, experiencing his good father’s heart for you. This will revive each of us individually. Corporately we’ll be prepared to receive and thus spread revival fire across our region. Revival is coming, the only question is, is it coming here? Let’s pray.

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

A Tale of Two Trees

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download To watch the video, click here.

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.    

John 15:1-8

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I. verses 1,2

There is a true life source and false life sources. Christ is the only true life source. The father is the developer of the person who’s abiding in Christ.

II. verses 3-5

The Word of God, when received will make one clean. (Eph. 5:25-28) This word is received through abiding in Christ or remaining in Christ. Apart from this abiding in Christ we can do nothing with any lasting importance for God.

III. If we do not remain and abide in Christ we will be unfruitful. Unfruitful branches wither because they have the wrong life source. They are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. The wood in a vine has no real value but to be burned.

• The fruit is the only reason it’s allowed to take up soil.
• Things that make a tree unfruitful (Mark 4:19)

           *Worries of this Life
           *The deceitfulness of wealth
           *Desires for other things

God does not want to make a better you. The best good you have to offer this world is to realize that Jesus can flow through you. He wants you to come into agreement with him that you must die to yourself.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

IV. If we are abiding in Christ, it opens up God’s response to our prayer life! God wants us to produce fruit and when we’re abiding in Christ our prayers are going to be all about God’s will. When God answers these prayers it brings glory to himself.

1 John 5:14,15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

What does it mean to be Fruitful?

Fruit Production is twofold:
1. It is developing the character of Christ in oneself.
2. It’s also being a part of reproducing Christ in others.

The order is significant. A man drowning in sin should not think he has much righteous help to offer another drowning man.

Character

Galatians 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Reproducing Christ in Others

God expects us to abide in Christ and thus be an agent to multiply the kingdom of God into the hearts of others.

The Greek word translated 'bear' in 'bears no fruit' is the word phero, and the Greek word translated 'fruit' is karpos. Both are used in the Parable of the Sower found in Mark 4:1-8

'It came up, grew and produced a crop [karpos: fruit, crop, harvest] multiplying [phero: bearing] thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.' (Mark 4:8).

By using the same Greek words in both teachings, the Bible is showing that producing a crop in Mark 4 and bearing fruit in John 15, are one and the same thing.

Have you ever wondered why some are effective at reproducing Christ in others while some are not? Well, John 15 tells us that when we abide or remain in Christ we’ll bear fruit. I believe this is true but sometimes we can have things that hinder us from being "others" centered that Christ wants to deal with as we abide in him.

The wounded tree is focused on it’s own problems. It has a gaping wound that it must contend with in order to survive. The sap and water that would normally be pushed down the branches and into budding fruit is consumed on this problem.

Luke 13:6-9
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

I believe that in Christ there is healing power for the wounded soul.

I believe there is mercy and grace from the throne of God to heal our hurting emotions.

I believe this healing process takes time but can be accelerated by our pursuit of Christ.
     *Overcoming Sin
     *Prayer/Bible Meditation/Communing with Christ/Abiding

Christ Life Ministries is also a valuable tool to minister to the hurting soul of people. Please consider being a “Good Samaritan” Pouring on the oil and wine to the wounded. (Luke 10:34)

It’s God’s will that we would be whole and fruitful for him.

People that are treading water, barely keeping their head up, in this life sometimes have a difficult time getting out there and rescuing someone else.

It’s hard to fulfill the great commission when we are drowning in our own problems. Abide in Christ, receive healing, become others focused, and make disciples.

Matthew 28:18b-20
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Then we will have confidence that we are fulfilling our role as fruit bearing disciples of the Lord.
  Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music. Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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