Speed the Return of the Lord, Release the Kingdom

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.
Fact #1 Jesus is coming back.

Fact #2 He’ll be looking for some things when he returns.

Fact #3 We can speed his return

Final Point:  what is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Jesus is Coming Back!

Acts 1:9-11
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

The coming of Christ will be instantaneous and worldwide. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." —Matthew 24:27

The coming of Christ will be visible to all. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." —Matthew 24:30

The resurrection of the righteous will occur. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." —1 Thessalonians 4:16

The saved who are alive at Christ's coming will be caught up together with the resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." —1 Thessalonians 4:17

Jesus will be looking for some things when he returns Jesus is Looking for… Faith…

Luke 18:8b
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Faithful and wise people who will help and feed others the Word of God.

Matthew 24:45-51
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Speed the Return of Christ?

Speed His Coming

2 Peter 3:10-12
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. How do we speed the return of the Lord?

Matthew 24:14
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.

We can’t predict the return of the Lord. No man knows the day nor the hour however we can speed the coming of the Lord by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to every nation.

What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Obviously, central to the gospel of the KINGdom is an understanding that Jesus is the King of the kingdom. In the Bible Jesus, because of his position as king, had authority over sickness, demons, and even death. This was before the ascension. Now seated at the right hand of the father he is interceding for us to also exert the influence of the kingdom according to Romans 8:34.

What is the gospel of the Kingdom?

It’s inclusive of us being sinners, Jesus dying on the cross and me believing in that to be reconciled to God. But it’s really more than that! The Kingdom is within reach or it’s at hand. This is part of the message of the gospel of the Kingdom. The kingdom of God is a different reality than the kingdoms of this world.

The Kingdom has been available for 2000 years.

Everyone who bows to him is a citizen of that kingdom. The Lords prayer teaches us to pray the kingdom to increase from heaven to the Earth.

The terminology “Kingdom of Heaven” is in the gospel of Matthew. It’s used interchangeably in the same parables as Mark and Luke use Kingdom of God.  Matthew was written primarily to Jewish readers. Jews don’t like to use the name of G_d.

Our reconciliation is founded in the death of Jesus.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is founded in everything Jesus did. By virtue of the covenant we also are seated with him in heavenly places with authority, healing power, delivering power, Jesus is the King!

On Pentecost in Chapter 2 Peter preaches that Jesus is alive! V. 32 Because Jesus is alive he’s now seated with the father, raised from the dead and now pouring out the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of the Kingdom puts an emphasis on a living King. Check out Romans 10:9,10. Our life has to come into alignment with the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The gospel of the Kingdom is focused on Jesus being raised from the dead.

There is more to the kingdom gospel than reconciliation. Reconciliation is very important however there is kingdom life available (at hand) to the citizen of Heaven.

There is a power flowing from heaven (The Holy Spirit) that prompts people to bow to King Jesus.

In the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the message. The proof of the kingdom is God heals. You can’t separate it from healing and power.

1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

The gospel of the Kingdom is intrinsically tied to obedience. If he’s our king we will obey him. The Holy Spirit is available to all flesh in the gospel of the Kingdom.

Acts 2:39 39 
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Jesus is Alive!!

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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Be Filled to Pour Out

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.
The obvious purpose of being filled up is to be poured out.

We tend to focus a lot on the being filled part but not so much on the being poured out part. Today we’re going to look at both ideas with an emphasis on being obediently and joyfully poured out for Jesus.

Poured out like a drink offering.

Philippians 2:17 & 2 Timothy 4:6

A Drink offering is an offering that pre-dates the law and is to be accompanied by other offerings. It was to be strong wine (pure drink) and represents a type of joy at the finished work of Christ. I believe Paul is saying, in reference to being poured out like a drink offering, that his life is being poured out in obedience to God and it’s bringing God, Paul, and the people joy.

I just want to remind everyone, there are no hearses with trailer hitches. We have one life to live and it soon will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

He is no fool who gives up what he can never keep to gain what he’ll never loose.

James 4:14 (Amplified)
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].

Being poured out includes the idea of willing sacrifice. We see in 2 Timothy 4 that Paul has willingly laid down his life and the joy this gives God is now imparted to Paul. Willful and obedient sacrifice brings great joy to the individual carrying out this mission when God’s revealed the outcome of the sacrifice to the individual.

Hebrews 12:2
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Bible tells us to be filled five times in the New Testament. Ephesians 3:19 is the passage we’re going to focus in on. This filling just isn’t for our benefit, it’s for the benefit of others.

In the context of Paul praying for the Ephesian Church, we see this verse as part of his prayer. He prays that they would know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. All the fullness of God is pretty full!!

There is also a relational positioning before God that could be described as “getting under the spout where the glory comes out”. Staying in that place until God touches you and does a work in you. This work in you is vital. It’s been my observation that hurt people hurt people, healed people heal people. We must receive what we need from the Lord in order to be effective for Him in the long term.

To get filled we must ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us. Implied in any infilling is also a pouring out. As we pray to be filled we should also pray for God to direct us as to where we are to pour out.

God is able to refill the poured out vessel but sin separates.

Isaiah 59:1,2
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Luke 11:9-13
9 So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!

Another way to understand this concept is, “you can’t give what you don’t have”.

Acts 3:6-10
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I want you to know that the messages I share on Sunday morning with you are generally the messages the Holy Spirit shares with me in my quiet time. So the Lord is calling me to a higher level of joyful sacrifice.  I want to challenge you to pray about how and where the Lord can pour you out. We must first be filled but then it’s time to pour out!

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

You know, if you are weary in well doing, today is a great day to get filled. Get your spiritual battery recharged.

Other people today may be like the red sea. A flow coming in but nothing going out (except through evaporation) raising the salinity level in your soul so high that nothing can grow. You’re critical, grouchy, and very unhappy.

Other people may have a creek flowing out of their lives but they want a river. Others may praise you but you know God is calling you higher so you’re not satisfied.

Today is a day of increase. God will increase what he’s doing in and through you if you’ll ask Him to.
   

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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The Importance of Miracles

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.

What is a miracle?
A miracle is when perceived reality gets altered by God in order to demonstrate His supremacy over all things on the Earth. The outcome is repentance and the re-prioritization of people’s lives.

There are many miracles described in the Bible but I’d like to focus on the ministry of Jesus and the miracles he and his disciples were used to operate in. I believe that the same Holy Spirit that filled them is the same Holy Spirit that is promised to us today.

Many in the Body of Christ have re-defined miracles in order to make them a bigger part of their lives. I’m not trying to minimize some of these things just point out that when Jesus walked on the Earth he left us a pattern to follow.
*The miracle of Child Birth, yes this is amazing.
*All the lights turning green when you’re driving down the street.
*Getting the best parking place at Wal-Mart.

Jesus heals an official’s son.

John 4:48
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

In reading this passage one has to interpret the attitude in Jesus' heart.

• Is he saying this is a bad thing?
• Is he saying this is just how it is?
• Is he saying this is a good thing?
• Is it wrong to Believe for Miracles?

Matthew 12:38
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The context here is different because the Pharisees were testing Jesus. They were not moved by compassion or love.

If this passage means exactly what it says in any and every situation, every person who asked Jesus to heal their child, servant, or loved one would be wrong and Jesus would be violating his own word here if he went and healed these people. So it’s obviously not an indictment against asking God to perform a miracle in all situations. It is an indictment to ask God to perform a miracle like some kind of show with love and compassion not at the heart of the asking.

Matthew 14:14
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Galatians 5:6b
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Is this passage literally referring to Miracles?

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Well, if you want to make it refer to miracles, by implication perhaps, one could make that connection but I believe it’s literally speaking about seeing the physical Jesus which is a miracle because Jesus was raised from the dead. However, the point isn’t, “Seeing a miracle or wanting to see a miracle makes you less of a Christian.” The point is, there is a blessing for all who believe in the risen Christ but have not seen him in bodily form.

Can one believe in Jesus if they’ve never had any kind of experience? Can a person have no feelings whatsoever about something and still dedicate their lives to this cause? That truly would be strange. I’d have to argue that everyone who calls Jesus Lord has had some kind of experience with God, or they have little to no zeal for the Lord.

Miracles are really under attack in many ideological camps. It’s unfortunate that our circumstances can at times speak louder than our Bibles however this is a large component of the “Fight of Faith” we’re called to engage in.

God using people today to believe for and see miracles is under attack because of unbelief which can sometimes be rooted in trusting other natural solutions to our problems in life.

I thank God for the skills of people who can solve health, financial, family, or whatever problems with natural understanding! Sometimes we need to turn our trust to the Lord, especially if there is no natural solution. It’s unfortunate that people, me included, have an inclination to reach for a natural solution to our problems before we turn to God but this has been the nature of man for a long time. (Woman with the issue of blood Mark 5:26)

A Word on Cessationism

1 Cor. 13:8-12
8 Love 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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When 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 the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a 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.

People are afraid of miracles but the testing ground for the miraculous is found in Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Another testing ground for a miracle is in the fruit of the miracle. If someone says they have seen a miracle and then they turn away from God there is a possibility that the miracle was a false wonder. However, a house divided against itself can not stand. (Mark 3:25)
If a miracle is manifested and it causes people to look for Christ, it causes an increased hunger for the Word, it illuminates the importance of the Kingdom of God and thus causes people to re-arrange their priorities putting God first. You want to say the devil did that? That’s pushing foolishness!!

Matthew 12:25
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Miracles can be a fore runner for repentance!

Luke 10:13
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Now let’s talk about America. If miracles bring about repentance for some nations, don’t you think there’s a high likelihood God wants to manifest his miracles in our day and time?

We as God’s people have to embrace this reality and begin to hear from the Lord; pray, decree, and declare the will of God for our nation and over the lives of people we come into contact with.

Miracles can also harden hearts when the miracles push for an agenda other than the one in the individual who’s hardening their heart. You see this with Pharoah in Exodus 8:32 and you also see it with the Pharisees in many places in the New Testament.

John 20:30, 31
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Our belief is in Jesus but it’s in Jesus because of the signs that God performed through him, culminating in the resurrection. People are the same today as they were then, they want to see a sign in order to believe. God wants to use you and I to be vessels of honor to release his glory into the lives of people we come into contact with.

   

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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Abounding in Every Good Work

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.   2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Outline:
1. God is able
2. All grace abounds to you
3. In all things at all times
4. Having all that you need
5. Abounding in every good work

1. God is able

Now here’s where some of us struggle.

• Can he? Yes, we know he can.
• Would he? Well, not so sure but I suppose he might.
• Would he, for a person like me? (If Jesus knew what kind of a person I was…)
• Would he, for a person like me right now? Jesus might be busy doing something else or God moves in mysterious ways or whatever other story we come up with.

Mark 1:40-42
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Indignant - feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy.

I believe Jesus became angry because of the man’s lack of understanding regarding Jesus nature and mission. I believe Jesus was also angry at what this leprosy had done to this man’s life. He was willing and he was willing right then to do for the leper what he wanted to do or was willing to do.

Is Jesus willing to touch you? I say YES!!

2. All grace to abound to you

This portion of the passage states that there are various levels of Grace and when grace comes it comes in various forms.

Grace to serve others

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Grace to operate in Holy Spirit manifestations

Romans 12:6
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

Grace to overcome ungodliness

Titus 2:11-12
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,

3. In all things at all times

Where are the limits here? There are none! In every situation and at any time the situations are happening, God is able to make all grace abound to you and me. Power is available for every situation I’m facing no matter when I’m facing it.

John 3:34b
for God gives the Spirit without limit.

4. Having all that you need

1 Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. Our contentment should rest in food and clothing. I believe it’s O.K. to have more than these things but I also believe that if this is all we have we should be content in our heart as we pursue God for the abundance he’s promised.

Having all that you need means you don’t have any lack. Sometimes we may have trouble with step #5 because we’re consuming more than we need and thus are unable to abound in every good work.

I believe sometimes people can have their identity in their accomplishments and things instead of hidden in Christ. When our identity is in our stuff, the stuff has way too much control over our lives.

Money is not evil, having money is not evil. Loving money is evil.

5. Abounding in every good work

Ok, so we have all that we need but if that’s all we have, can we give over and above that? Can we create something from nothing? I would make the point that in order to abound in every good work we must have an abundance above our needs.

Emotional abundance

That abundance can be in the area of our emotional ability to walk with someone through some difficulty.

Spiritual abundance

It can be in the Spiritual realm for healing.

Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Material abundance

I believe it also applies in the material realm. If you don’t have the resources, you can’t give them. In order to get you and I to abound in every good work, we are going to have to pursue God for these various abundances.

Review:

• God is Able
• All Grace Abounds to You
• In all Things at All Times
• Having all that you Need
• Abounding in Every Good Work

Conclusion:

2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
   

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

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

Mark 5:36-43

36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

• Revelation
• Verbalization
• Manifestation
• Duplication

Spending Time with God/Communion Every expression of God’s Kingdom starts with communing with the Father. He is the source of life and only He has the ability to prompt you to move and empower you in the supernatural. Jesus was empowered with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38) and we must spend time with the Father in communion if we are to hear and know his heart.   Why Mary is commended by Jesus (Luke 10:38-42) This is why it’s so important to be a Mary over a Martha. Mary was poised for revelatory and thus supernatural works because of her position. Martha on the other hand was poised for only natural works.   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.   Jesus would get up very early and go to a solitary place to pray. I believe during this time, According to Hebrews 5:7, “[Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted [a]but needed]   From this base of communion with the Heavenly Father all other operations were flowing. While praying and studying God’s word, we train ourselves to recognize God’s voice so when he speaks again we don’t wonder if that’s him but we are trained to the frequency of heaven, having courage to step out into what seems irrational.   Revelation - Apokalupto

1. to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up disclose, make bare
2. to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown
 

The Rock of Revelation

 

Jesus is the Christ

 

Luke 2:28-32

28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[d] your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

 

Jesus, Fully God and Fully Man

 

The revelation God gives you will often seem irrational to others or even yourself. This is a big test  and many fall away here.

• Are you really hearing the Lord?
• Am I crazy?
• What will people think?
• What if God doesn’t do what I think he’s telling me he’s going to do?

One of the biggest problems with moving out beyond revelation and getting to declaration is having a greater fear or respect for God than you do man. All this can be dealt with through communing with God.

 

Fear of the Lord

It can be taught and thus caught

 

Psalm 34:11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD .

 

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

 

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [ The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote one who is morally deficient. ] despise wisdom and discipline.

 

Sin in the life of the believer will “clog” the communication lines between God and you. Sometimes this will make us want to hide in a Martha ministry; working but not wanting to give up sin, maybe even using the good works to justify the wrong position of our hearts.

 

Psalm 66:18

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

 

I believe this is one of the primary reasons God hates sin and Jesus told many to stop sinning. God wants a relationship and a clear line of communication with you so he can move you to do his will, even his supernatural will. Everything to God is natural. We are the one’s who separate the natural from the supernatural.

 

Revelation is a Key to Heaven

 

Peter's Confession of Christ

 

Matthew 16:13-20

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”    14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”    15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ,[b] the Son of the living God.”    17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter,[c] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[d] will not overcome it.[e] 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[f] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[g] loosed in heaven.” 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

 

Being able to clearly hear God’s voice is the foundation upon which all other kingdom activity must be built. If we are to be a church of power and relevance in a society of humanistic sin, tolerant, and lost people, we must be able to hear God’s voice.

 

Verbalization

 

Matthew 17: 19–20

19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn't we drive it out?”    20He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

So we flow from communion to revelation to verbalization to manifestation.

 

Have you ever heard a referee say, “I call it like I see it?” I have. In life we have two concurrent realities going on. We have the circumstantial realities that most people can see, but then we also have heavenly realities that many don’t seem to see.

 

I believe these last three steps, revelation, verbalization, and manifestation, can happen all together in seconds.

 

God spoke to Jesus and told him by revelation that the Girl was not dead, she was asleep. A very irrational reality from the perspective of all the mourners. So irrational that they laughed at him. He sends them out perhaps because their thoughts, ideas, and feelings about the situation are affecting him.

 

But Jesus verbalized the revelation even though I’m sure his natural mind knew it was irrational. However, he heard the voice of the Father, which trumps rational thought. Jesus is not running his “own program”

 

John 5:19

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

 

The girl is raised from the dead when he tells her “Little Girl, I say to you, ‘Get Up!’” At the moment when heaven and earth intersect there is no communal prayer time. That has already happened earlier. There is not one single example of communal prayer in the New Testament that brings about a healing at the intersection of heaven and earth.

 

I’m 100% for prayer. I believe it’s foundational for us to know and recognize the voice and will of God. However, once this is known we should be declaring His plan and will over situations if we want to see the manifestation of Heaven. Not simply lip service but revelatory release. So many in the Body of Christ are not doing this but many are awakening to the supernatural components of the Christian life.

 

Conclusion:

• Communion
• Revelation
• Declaration
• Manifestation
• Duplication

Duplication

Jesus invites three men to be with him during this process. These three men will catch what is going on here to such an effective level they begin to do what Jesus did.

 

Acts 3:3-7

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

     

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

 

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124

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Concerning Spiritual Gifts

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

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

A look at the 9 manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12v.1 tells us that he wants the church to be informed. He’s noticed that when the Corinthians were lost or pagans they were led astray by mute idols. Now he’s wanting to give the church some guidelines regarding manifestations of God’s Spirit. It’s implied that they may be prone to error due to their gullibility from the past.

The rule is, the manifestations of the Spirit have to give glory to Jesus, v. 3 says, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, Holy Spirit

John 16:13-15
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Imagine, if you will, a flow chart with the Holy Spirit at the top flowing down into an individual person. What flows out of that person are works. These works consist of service and spiritual gifts. Imagine the flow chart now consisting of many people. There’s only one Holy Spirit but many expressions of the Holy Spirit through people.

God Gives Good Gifts to those Who Ask

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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 good gifts to those who ask him!

1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Meaning these gifts are not only for you but to help others.

If the gifts become self serving then things are out of order. (Tongues, without public interpretation, are for self edification 1 Cor. 14:4)

1. Message of Wisdom
2. Message of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of Healing
5. Miraculous Powers
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing Between Spirits
8. Speaking in Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues

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. Supernatural wisdom would have a God component to it that would make it elusive to anyone without the Holy Spirit. Sometimes lost people are very wise in their synthesis of facts.

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.

Knowledge

Holy Spirit Knowledge-
John 1:47-51
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[k] the Son of Man.”

Faith

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The Faith of the Centurion

The Centurion’s faith was rooted in his natural understanding of authority and his supernatural understanding of who Jesus was. Combining these two components leads Jesus to proclaim, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

If we want to be people of great faith like the Centurion we also will have to know who Jesus is. Compare the Centurion to Martha.

John 11:21-24
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Gifts of Healing
As an extraordinary charism, gifts of healing are supernatural enablements given to a believer to minister various kinds of healing and restoration to individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Greek of the New Testament, both the words gift and healing are plural.

I have noticed that some people who have gifts of healing may have greater success with healing some people with certain diseases over other diseases. I have a ministry friend that says, “Send me people with fibromyalgia”. They’ve seen a lot of success with the Holy Spirit flowing through them in healing this particular disease. I’ve also known a man who could touch a wart and it would disappear within a few days. It seems strange, but gifts and healing are both plural in the Greek.

Miraculous Powers
Every time something happened for the first time in the Bible it had never happened before. Today, in our time, if God did something that was not recorded in Scripture that was miraculous and brought glory to Jesus, there are some in the Body of Christ who would say, “That’s the Devil”. Be open to God doing miracles that don’t necessarily fit into our box, but the manifestation must point people to Jesus.

Signs and Wonders by their very nature will make a person wonder.

John 21:25
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Prophecy

Foretelling – Knowing the future, knowing hidden knowledge.
Forth telling – Expressing the heart, mind, and will of God about a situation supernaturally.

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

A word of Wisdom regarding directional words. Be careful. You should be able to hear God for yourself any way but if God uses a prophet to speak a directional word please be cautious. You don’t have to do what the person prophesying says. Unfortunately some can “prophelie” their own feelings or use the prophetic platform to manipulate.

A Truly Seeker Sensitive Environment

The gift of prophecy when in operation
1 Corinthians 14:24,25 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Distinguishing Between Spirits
Demons have various agendas usually tied to a sinful habit or behavior. A spirit of lying for example that influences a person’s thinking and words to lie. When a demon is manifesting they seem to try and mask their true nature because, for a reason I don’t fully understand, they lose part of their hold on the person when their true nature is revealed. In the Bible a name=nature.

In Mark 5:9 we see Jesus asking the Gaderene demoniac’s demon what its name is. The demon answers it’s name (nature or character) is legion for we are many.

When the nature of a demon is uncovered it’s exposed and less likely to retain it’s hold on the person.

Tongues
A sign that consistently accompanies the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:4, Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:14-16, Acts 15:7-9

A sign in a one on one setting for unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:22
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; A Language to God 1 Corinthians 14:2 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

Personal Edification

1 Corinthians 14:4a
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves,

Jude 1:20
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Interpretation of Tongues

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified)
31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces).

1 Cor. 14:1
Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy ([a]interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).
   

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

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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God Frustrates Humanism but Empowers People with the Holy Spirit

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

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

A comparative look at the tower of Babel and Pentecost                                                                                       It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness but today we’re going to talk a little bit about darkness before we get into the light.                                                                            Humanism - a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.

 

I believe humanism has so infiltrated many Christian systems that we don’t even recognize it. It’s accepted as normal and we just go on.

 

Building with Humanism

 

Genesis 11:1-9

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward,[a] they found a plain in Shinar[b] and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 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. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel[c] —because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

 

Pray

 

Abraham, Israel, and Jesus Christ were decendents of Shem. The possible jealousy of the Hamites towards the Shemites is revealed in Genesis 11:4, since,'let us make us a name' is an intriguing statement since the Hebrew for 'name' here is actually 'Shem'

 

Many today like to look at how other churches are doing things. There is some value in this, but I challenge those in Christian leadership to hear what God is telling you to do, don’t necessarily pattern the work that you’re doing after another simply because they have numbers or some other method of success. I believe a house built on sand can get very tall… until the rain comes.

 

Psalm 127:1

Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

 

How the Church is Built

 

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

 

Everything the Hamites did was motivated by their own hearts, their own desires, and their own reasoning. The scripture in v. 3 doesn’t say they asked the Lord and the Lord said. It says, “they said to each other”, and again in v. 4 they said, “let’s build a city and a tower.” None of this grandiose activity was directed or blessed by the Lord.

 

The Power of Human Agreement

 

With innate human power the Hamites built a massive city and were in the process of building a massive tower when God stepped in saying, “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.” (Gen 11:6)

 

The purpose of the tower that went to the heavens was two fold:

1. Make a name for ourselves
2. Prevent scattering

Make a Name for Ourselves

This has been the motto of humanity, "let us make a name for ourselves." Think for yourselves how many public edifices make a plaque somewhere on which the names of all the public officials who were in power when it was built are inscribed: the mayor, the head of public works, etc. "Let us make a name for ourselves," is a fundamental urge of a fallen race. It reveals one of the basic philosophies of humanism: "Glory to man in the highest, for man is the master of things." That is the central thought of humanism, glory to mankind.

 

James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

 

1 Peter 5:5

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

 

Human effort apart from the spoken voice of God has potential to produce a lot of things but God wants us to hear his voice and obey. This is the way we are to build.

 

No Scattering

The second reason they built a tower and a city was so they wouldn’t be scattered across the Earth. God certainly desires that people live in unity but it must be for the right purpose and motivation. Unity that has disobedience as it’s purpose or outcome is not something God desires. The people of Babel where unified in such a way that they were working against God’s intent that humanity multiply, fill the earth, and glorify God in the process. Instead they had united in one place in order to secure their own position and in some way raise themselves up to God. The building of the Tower amounted to an assault on heaven. It was a statement saying that they could approach God on their own terms and in some measure as equals. The confusion of languages forced them to scatter across the earth  in order to fulfill the command to tend it and care for it.

 

One of the biggest temptations facing humanity today is trying to build something “for” God with human effort and strategy being the central theme of the work. Very often the motive is self, money, ego, or some other not so noble heart condition.

 

You hear it when pastors get together. They almost always want to talk numbers immediately, to almost jockey for position based on this. Numbers are important because they potentially represent people who a coming to know Christ and growing in their faith but not at the expense of our obedience to God’s spoken word. Now this will never be stated in a mission statement, vision statement, or church document but it will be in the hearts of the people in leadership if it’s in place.

 

God restores the languages of man but only with himself at the center of the process.

 

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Approximately 15 different nationalities and corresponding languages are listed here in Acts 2.

 

I’m concerned in our modern world that there are many religious systems that are built upon man’s abilities, man’s strategies, and man’s personality. I find this most unfortunate but know that “the tower” will come down. God will frustrate these systems.

 

I want every Christian to know how incredible the Holy Spirit is. He’s not Casper the Friendly Ghost, He’s God!

 

Romans 8:14

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Holy Spirit Accepts the Gentiles

 

Acts 11:15-16

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Cornelius the Gentile has a Vision to call for Peter

 

Acts 10:44-46

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

 

Acts 19:4-7

4 Paul 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.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

 

All believers should persistently seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes an increase in the activity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the recipient. The Holy Spirit gives dunamis power for life and service, as well as the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.

 

Humanism says, “I don’t need that”.

 

When God restores our language and He becomes the center of our life and work I believe the statement found in Genesis 11:6 “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.” This will come to pass in a righteous way with the Holy Spirit at the center, giving glory to Jesus.

   

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

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

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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