Peace on Earth - One Pastor's Response to the Sandy Hook Shooting

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.    Scriptural Basis:
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Genesis 6:13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.
Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
Mark 13:7 Says When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Introduction:  We know we live in a volatile environment where wars can start in various places in the world. These things can be alarming especially if you are serving or have loved ones serving in our military. Today however I want to speak on the shooting in Connecticut and what I believe will happen and how we as God's people should respond. Our First response should be found in Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. As painful as it can be I believe the Lord has called us to be empathetic to other people's loss and suffering.

Empathy - the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.

Once we move through this phase of understanding I believe the next logical step is to start to think, “How can we prevent something like this from happening again?” There are two basic ways to control someone's behavior.

Creating External Controls & Fostering Internal Controls

External Controls are modifying the environment of an individual or society limiting their choices by external restrictions. Putting someone in prison would be an example of applying an external control to a person who has trouble meeting societal standards for co-existing.

Internal Controls are modifying the environment of an individual or society giving them freedom but instilling in the individuals in that society an internal code of conduct that prevents them from engaging in anti-social behavior.

Let's explore the success or failure of external controls related to the shooting in Connecticut. The first thing folks seem to think about is gun control.

The Second Amendment:  I want to touch briefly on the 2nd amendment and then we'll move right along. I would define gun control under the category of external controls. The Constitution of the United States of America is the highest legal document and has the highest authority in our country. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. A Militia is a body of citizens organized for military service From the checks and balances in our government and the founders leaving the tyranny of a monarchy it's clearly understood that they knew what Jeremiah knew (Jer. 17:9) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? William Pitt said, "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" (Speech to the UK house of Lords 1770) A more familiar quote that sums up what I believe our founders felt is dated from 1887 and is from Lord Acton. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." So when talking about the 2nd amendment we're not just talking about the right to hunt or defend our homes against burglars or our country against an invasion. The spirit of the 2nd amendment was to equip the citizenry with enough military might to fight against the governments military should that government turn tyrannical. So if we want to get real, right now in our country it would be next to impossible for our citizenry to stand a chance against our military in open combat because military weaponry and technology has developed to very effective levels. In 1791 a 1,000 man army with muskets vs. 1,000 guys with muskets was a relatively even fight. Today A guy out in the woods with a 30-06 against an AC-130 specter gunship wouldn't stand much of a chance. So when gun control folks start talking about restricting the size of the clips and the type of rifles we're allowed to own it's really an infringement on our 2nd amendment rights. To me a better approach in the gun control realm would be better training for people who buy guns and certain safety requirements for gun owners. It should be difficult for someone to steal your guns and people should have to exhibit a certain level of competency before being allowed to purchase a gun. We could take some time to compare the gun laws and rules as well as the gun related deaths in various countries like Japan as well as Switzerland but that would go beyond the scope of what I feel is appropriate for a Sunday morning.

Let's focus in on the internal controls. I believe when a person has a relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit begins to convict that person of their sin. This sin can be challenged by the Holy Spirit at the thought level. If you have your thought life in check, you will never have to commit an act of sin ever again. John 16:8 The Holy Spirit can prevent crime when a person has a relationship with Him. The Spirit of the Lord will speak to a person clarifying what's right and wrong coupled with the Word.

Human behavior is not a simple subject and there are obviously many factors that go into driving our decisions but one thing we can all do is introduce someone to Christ and open the door for the Holy Spirit to begin his work of revealing God's ways to a person.

One other thing we can do is sign a petition I've written. Unfortunately this petition did not reach the threshold requirements the Obama administration required to release a statement about it. This petition would've let our lawmakers know that we, as American citizens, as Christians, believe prayer is important and faculty initiated voluntary student prayer (like what we had before 1963) is a move in the right direction to begin to rebuild the damaged moral fabric of our country.

Let's continue to pray for national revival.

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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The Introduction to "What Ever Happened to the Polarizing Jesus?"

By Tony V. Hammack

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

 These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.   Matthew 10:34-39
 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
 

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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Be Baptized in 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. With things being the way they are and fewer and fewer American citizens believing biblically sound doctrinal truth, I’m convinced that sweeping revival/awakening/renewal is coming to our shores. I believe this revival will be recognized because signs wonders and miracles will return to the Church in the USA.

John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The U.S. Citizenry needs to have internal controls or external controls will be applied causing our nation to spiral out of control into despotism. We need a spiritual awakening again in the U.S.A. and it starts right here, right now.

We need heart knowledge and we need to be ready with our spiritual surf boards when this wave hits. We can miss it…

Luke 19:41,42,44
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Thesis:
We need to power of the Holy Spirit like never before and we should be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues. With the baptism comes power, boldness to witness, and holiness.

Power

Jesus is the Fire Baptizer

Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The Baptism = Power

Luke 24:49
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Baptism is a Gift

Acts 1:4
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Boldness to Witness

Power to Witness in Concentric Circles of Influence

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

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.

Baptism Illustration

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 and praising God.

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 water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Sometimes people like to make Acts Chapter 2 a unique experience only for the 120 in the upper room, but here we see “the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. ”

How are we filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit today? We ask, believing we have received, and we can also have people lay hands on us.

Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Acts 19:6
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Refill People

Ephesians 5:18b
be filled with the Spirit.

“be being filled” or “keep on being filled.” (present tense)
“be continually filled by the Spirit.” (passive voice)

 

 

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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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
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We Need a Revival

By Tony V. Hammack

Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

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


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

Steps to Revival
1. God’s people are in control
2. Humility
3. Pray
4. Seek the face of God
5. Repentance



I. The People of God
if my people, who are called by my name,

This passage is incredibly indicting and also very empowering. The passage basically states the people of God got us into this mess and the people of God can get us out of it.

The passage is indicting because it puts the responsibility for change onto the people of God. We can’t point any fingers and blame someone else. The reason there is a problem is because the people of God have sinned against God.

The passage is empowering because it gives us all the power to bring the correct changes to our culture.

II. Humility
will humble themselves

Humility is acknowledging your dependence upon God. It is not thinking you can’t do anything or you’re not good enough to do certain things. Simply recognizing God’s greatness.

Numbers 12:3
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

God used Moses in amazing ways to lead a nation out of bondage into the promised land.

Humility before man
Philippians 2:3
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Grace is the substance God gives to humble people. When grace is given it makes practical and powerful changes in the lives of the people who are given it.

Humility leads to grace which leads to

• The favor of God and man
• Power to resist sin
• Sufficiency to handle any situation

Grace by definition is unmerited favor. This favor comes from God and can also come from men.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

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,

Weakness can = Grace
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
III. Pray
Mark 14:37,38
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Abiding with God in Prayer
Spending time with God in prayer is one way we get our spiritual batteries charged.
Galatians 5:16,17
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

It’s not a performance thing, it’s a relational thing. You can’t pray enough to earn God’s favor. That’s not what prayer is about. It’s about spending time in the loving presence of your heavenly father.
IV. Seek the Face of GodWhat does this mean?
This is different than seeking the hand of God.
God wants a relationship with us, we can be intimate with our heavenly father or be the kind of spiritual children that just want the keys to the car, figuratively speaking.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 7:7,8 (Amplified)
7Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

V. Repentance
Turning from our wicked ways. National Repentance is in order. There are other places in the world that are doing worse things than we are, however I don’t live there, I live here. I want God’s best for our nation and people.

Moses - Moses identified himself with sins he did not commit in regard to worshiping the golden calf: “Pardon our iniquity and sin, and take us as your inheritance.” Exodus 34:9

Moses - After Israel’s rebellious refusal to enter the Promised Land, after the bad report of the 10 spies, Moses interceded for Israel: “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Numbers 14:19

Ezra - Ezra 9 records a Prayer of National Repentance. Although Ezra had not personally committed most of the sins he was repenting of, on behalf of the land, he fully identified with the sins of his people. He tore his garment and his robe, plucked out some of his hair, fasted and fell on his knees, spreading out his hands to the Lord (Ezra 9:3-5). Ezra prayed: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt is grown up to the heavens…We have forsaken Your commandments…” Ezra 9:6-10

Nememiah – Nehemiah while in captivity prays a prayer for national repentance Nehemiah 1:5-7

Jeremiah Repented on Behalf of his Nation
Jeremiah 3:25
Jeremiah 14:7
Jeremiah 14:20
The prophet Daniel also prayed a prayer of national repentance on behalf of his people, confessing sins which he was not personally guilty of. - Daniel 9:4-19

God is looking for intercessors. “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land that I should not destroy it…” Ezekiel 22:30

What are the sins of our nation?

• Greed
• Abortion
• Selfishness/Lust
• A nation of laws and people looking for loop holes. Laws w/o ethics.
• We went from the largest lending to the largest borrowing nation in world history.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM or click here to listen to contemporary worship music.

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


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Cruizin' with Pastor Tony (January 21, 2011)

By Tony V. Hammack



Watch this weeks video blog by clicking here.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here and watch all four videos on the page.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church 45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124

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We Need a National Revival

By Tony V. Hammack

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

The Problem
The Problem with the Church in the United States

The Kingdom of God is an ever increasing kingdom. If it’s not increasing around us that doesn’t mean that the gospel is being hindered in other parts of the world.

Parts of Africa are on fire with the Gospel. People are hungry and miracles are prevalent.
China has a huge underground church movement.

The 9 Point Evangelical Questions
If you answer in the affirmative to these 9 questions then you would be considered a 9 point evangelical.

1. Is your faith very important to you today?
2. Is there a literal devil?
3. Is Salvation based on grace not works?
4. Do you have a personal responsibility to share your religious beliefs?
5. Is God the top priority of your life?
6. Do you believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth?
7. Do you believe the Bible is totally accurate in all of it’s teachings?
8. Has your life been greatly transformed by your faith?
9. Is God the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today?

While 38 percent of Americans claim to be "evangelical," for example, only eight percent meet these doctrinal criteria.

Watch this sobering video




Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964) - 34 % Evangelical
Generation X (Born 1965-1984) -16 % Evangelical
Generation Y (Born 1985 - 2005) - 8 % Evangelical
The Next Generation (Born 2006 - 2025) - ?% Evangelical

If things don't change it looks like the next generation will be 4% evangelical.

Exodus 10:10,11
10 Pharaoh said, "The LORD be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil. [a] 11 No! Have only the men go; and worship the LORD, since that's what you have been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh's presence.

Pharaoh is a type of Satan, notice he doesn’t mind sending the men out to worship but leave the children behind. No children means no future. He’ll just wait them out and then he’ll have his agenda accomplished.
Destruction of the redeeming message of Christ!

The Individual Solution
Disciple the Nations

2 Corinthians 5:17,18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Every believer has been given the ministry of reconciliation.

Reconciliation – to restore to friendship or harmony.

Such a simple plan – Jesus did it. He was very good at discipling so he had 12 disciples. We may not be able to impart the spirit of God as good as he did so I encourage you to start with one person. Reach out to them, love them, tell them the truth, live the truth in front of them and be available to show them how to live the Christian life. If each one can influence one person this year like this, a chain reaction of Holy Spirit influence will be unleashed upon our region and will ripple out to the uttermost parts of the earth.

How did Andrea and I end up with 5 children? Well we got them one at a time. And what if each one of them has 5 children? We’ll have 25 grandchildren! How many great grand children will we have. 125!
So in only 3 generations we went from 2 to 5 to 25 to 125 people.

Such a powerful result
The difference between addition and multiplication.
Realistic Expectations
I don’t expect you to go out and lead 10 people to Christ this year and effectively disciple them to become fruit bearing believers.
I do expect you to go out and lead 1 person to Christ this year and effectively disciple them to become a fruit bearing believer. If you continue to do this and your new friend continues to do this you have now reached 3 people. Do this again and you now have reached 6 people. This can continue into perpetuity just like it is with Jesus.

Would you rather have a million dollars or have a penny doubled daily for a 31 day month?  If you doubled a penny every day for a month it would come to $21,474,836.48.

The illustration shows the power of multiplication over addition. The church’s focus has been on adding new believers instead of multiplying new believers. Always looking to the big crusades for conversions and not giving much attention to the simple believer who faithfully is pouring his or her life out for people around them in an effort to raise someone up for Christ.

2 Timothy 2:2
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

I.  Paul
     A.  Timothy
          1.  Faithful Men
               b.  Teach Others

Each one of us should have a Paul and a Timothy. You can have more than one but you should have at least one of each. If you don’t have a Timothy you should be looking for him/her.
Just like if you don’t have a job your job is to look for a job.

Follow Me
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The fruitful people are the Evidence of the Ministry of effective Discipleship
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Another Solution
We Need a True Revival

Revive
To make alive again.
: renewed attention to or interest in something b : a new presentation or publication of something old c (1) : a period of renewed religious interest

True revival puts Christ and the things of God on the forefront of everyone’s mind.

We’ve all experienced individual revival but what I’m believing for is national revival.

“Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and let his patient die? Can the fireman sit idle letting men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Church with the world damned?”
          ~Leonard Ravenhill

National revival begins with individual revival which begins with prayer.

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Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124


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