From Pew Warmer to Prophet

By Tony V. Hammack 

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

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

Thesis:

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him in faith. We cannot come to God unless he draws us. When he draws us and reveals himself we will be changed forever.

 

Outline:

1. Seek God

2. See the Holiness of God

3. See yourself as in need

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and value

5. Enter obedient service

 

 

 

 

Isaiah’s sin Atoned for

 

Isaiah 6:3-8

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

 

1. Seek God

 

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

 

Acts 17:27

27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

 

2. We Must See God in His Holiness

• Isaiah saw God in a heavenly vision. (Isaiah 6:1-4)
• Holiness means set apart or special and unique.  (Do you see God in his holiness or is he the “Man Upstairs?”; or maybe “The Big J.C.?)
• This is why worship in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4:24) is so very important. This will thrust us into God’s presence where we can be challenged and changed.
• No one can be saved unless the Spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44)
• No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

*Centurion Soldier

• Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 *Jesus Son of David Have Mercy on me

• Blind Bartimaeus
• Mark 10:52 your faith has healed (sozo’d) you.

*The Thief on the cross

• Luke 23:41 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

*Peter

• Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

3. See yourself as in need

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

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

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

Everyone has a different “rock bottom”.

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

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

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and God esteem.

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

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

Romans 2:4

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

5. Enter Service

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

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

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

Romans 12:1-2

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

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

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

God’s not mad at you!

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

1 John 4:18

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

Conclusion:

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

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

Prayer Focus

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

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

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124



View Larger Map

How to Build the Church

By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best utilized in conjunction with the video or audio of this message.  To watch the video please click here.  To listen to the audio please click here.


Matthew 16:13-18
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, 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, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

People have a tendency to compare you to someone they are already familiar with.
The general consensus about the identity of Jesus is varied but centers on the idea that he is a man of God.

Jesus asks the disciples, “who do men say that I am” because he wants to see if any of his disciples have been listening to the heavenly frequency from the Father and he wants one of them to make a declaration about his identity.

Peter has been listening to the Heavenly Father and knows by this voice the identity of Jesus.

Instead of rebuking Peter for his brashness (as Jesus always did when confronted by error), Jesus blesses him for his confession of faith. Throughout His ministry Jesus accepted prayers and worship as rightfully belonging to Himself.

Jesus on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

Matthew 26
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

For Peter to say, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God he is also risking blasphemy.” His deep rooted understanding of the identity of Jesus is deeper in him than his fear of death. Peter, as a good monotheistic Jew understands what he is saying, in the same way the Sanhedrin understood what Jesus said.

Jesus says, You are Petros (littler Rock) and upon this Petra (Big Rock), I will build my church. When we hear from God and say what he tells us to and do what he says we become littler rocks upon the Big Rock (God’s revealed voice)

This is the way the church is built.

Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone
Ephesians 2:19-22
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

When we hear God and come in line with his word we become part of the church and serve to further the work of the church. This is the best reason to be a part of a church ministry, because He has spoken to you to be a part.

A paradigm shift from John Kennedy. He said, ask not what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country. I believe it’s appropriate among the spiritually mature to ask the same question accept substitute the word Church for country. Ask not what your church can do for you, but what can you do for your church.

If everyone has a servant’s attitude we can’t help but grow. However when we take on an, “I need to be served” “I need to be fed” attitude we will be limited in our ability to measure up to people’s expectations. If we can meet a person’s expectations and perceived needs they will stay, if we can’t they will leave.
We need servant minded people serving the Lord to push us over the hump.

Our church isn’t perfect but we’re doing pretty well for where we are. I’m very optimistic about our future and know it will take sacrifice from everyone if we’re going to continue moving forward.

One thing that gives people fuel to critique any ministry is if they themselves are out of the will of God. Often being out of God’s will, walking in dis-obedience, creates feelings of guilt that can be temporarily eased by critiquing someone else.
It’s much easier to critique it than get involved and start bringing about positive change. Joe Schmo off the street has an opinion but this will not advance the kingdom of God.

Spiritual Ambition
Mark 9:35
35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Luke 13
30Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.

One of the biggest indicators of spiritual maturity is service for God and others. People who need to be served haven’t reached a basic level of spiritual maturity.

John 13:13-17
13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Philippians 2:4-11
4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!  9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It’s my desire that we will have a church body where we’ll have a lot more to offer baby Christians. However in the meantime we must all serve faithfully in our own areas to move the church forward. Servant hood is the key.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

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.

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


View Larger Map

Who's Praying for You?

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea
and only two of the men on it were able
to swim to a small, desert like island.
The two survivors, not knowing what else to do,
agree that they had no other recourse
but to pray to God.
However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful,
they agreed to divide the territory between them
and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing the first man prayed for was food.
The next morning, the first man saw
a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land,
and he was able to eat its fruit..

The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely
and he decided to pray for a wife.
The next day, another ship was wrecked,
and the only survivor was a woman
who swam to his side of the land.

On the other side of the island,
there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house,
clothes, more food.
The next day, like magic,
all of these were given to him.

However,
the second man still had not a thing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship,
so that his wife and he could leave the island.
In the morning, he found a ship docked
at his side of the island.

The first man boarded the ship with his wife
and decided to leave the second man on the island.
He considered the other man unworthy
to receive God's blessings,
since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship Was about to leave,
the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming,

'Why are you leaving your companion on the island?'

'My blessings are mine alone,
since I was the one who prayed for them,'
the first man answered.
'His prayers were all unanswered,
and so he does not deserve anything.'

'You are mistaken!'
the voice rebuked him.
'He had only one prayer,
which I answered.
If not for that, you would not have
received any of my blessings.'

'Tell me,' the first man asked the voice,
'what did he pray for that I
should owe him anything?'

'He prayed that all your prayers be answered.'

For all we know, our blessings are not
The fruits of our prayers alone,
but those of another praying for us.

Jubilee Family Church