Listen to the Holy Spirit to Live a "Balanced" Life

People say all kinds of interesting things these days on social media. One thing that you see often when a person is in some kind of distress is people responding with, “Sending good vibes your way.” You also see other statements about the universe taking care of people etc. These kind of statements have a very strong scent of atheism or agnosticism in them. Not everyone who says these things is an atheist but why not just say, “I had a conversation with my heavenly father about you and I’m asking him to help you.” or “I’m praying for you” I’m not trying to split hairs here but we have a very good opportunity to bring Jesus into the middle of someone’s world and some people choose to send good vibes instead of asking God to send the Holy Spirit to their aid. 

Another thing we’re seemingly trying to do all the time is to live a life of balance. On this father’s day I’m specifically speaking to the men and I, as a father, understand how sometimes it’s a challenge to be a nurturing father, husband and simultaneously providing and protecting. There does seem to be a bit of a balancing act that I don’t really know how to manage to be frank. However I think there is a better way to live our lives. Let's just follow the wind of the Spirit instead of trying to follow all the advice of so called experts. 

Here are some wrong ways to govern our lives.

• Led by the Flesh 

To be 100% governed by what we like sounds a lot like hedonism. The Bible several times refers to this kind of internal government by saying, “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” (Is 22:13; Lk 12:19; 1 Co 15:32) I understand people want to have fun but it’s clear from the research on human happiness and the teachings of the Bible, true joy and thus happiness comes from living a life of meaning centered around sacrificially loving one another. 

• Led by Trauma

Sometimes we’re driven by trauma. We have seen trauma or experienced trauma and this drives us to perform. I know my own father saw his parents fight over money as a child and vowed to never be poor so it drove him to work very hard and with a lot of strategy. I know many men like this and I celebrate their drive and accomplishments but would love to see them healed of that trauma so they can live a life that is healthier. 

• Led by Others 

There are men who are very submissive to others and live their lives being told what to do. For an apprenticeship season this is very appropriate because we need the training but after a while we should be able to move into greater leadership potentials. Most men don’t want to stay in the same place year after year. 

• Led by our own Intellect 

This is for all the slick guys out there who are sharp. They figure things out and learn how to move through the hierarchies around them and get closer and closer to the top. They see what happens when they do certain things and do what seems to get rewarded. 

• Led by Principles 

Often this life leads to the best outcomes because many of the principles people teach are also taught in the Bible and they originate from God. The principle of doing good to get good results is a very solid one. I believe in living a life of principle however I believe there is a better way to live our lives. 

•  The Best Way is to be Led by the Holy Spirit, Like Jesus
  

Jesus Christ is perfect theology 

John 12:49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 

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. 

John 10:30 I and the Father are one. 

Jesus Prays for Unity John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

Can we move with God the way Jesus moved with God? 

The Holy Spirit on the Inside of Us 

Romans 8:11 the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you 

1 John 4:4 the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

John 16:13 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. 

Is it possible to live in the moment with the Holy spirit moving when he says to move and staying when he says to stay? John 3 would seem to state that it is not only possible but it is a huge part of being born again. People who are born again are called to move with the Wind of the Spirit!

John 3:8 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.” 

Can we recognize the leading of God’s Holy Spirit today? 

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

1 Cor. 2:16 we have the mind of Christ. 

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 

So in conclusion I want to encourage you to make it a priority to be governed by God’s Holy Spirit which is always in agreement with the principles and sometimes even the specific details of the Bible. The Word of God, Jesus said in John 17:17 is true and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit and the Word of God will always be in agreement!  So if you want to know how the Holy Spirit communicates you can read the Bible to get yourself attuned to the concepts and frequency that God speaks on. 

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:30 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video.

Jubilee Family Church 

45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124

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A Chronological Look from the Cross to the Resurrection

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.
Matthew:45-50 45
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

It’s commonly taught that at this point in the life of Jesus God the father has turned his head from Jesus, severing his relationship with Jesus temporarily, due to the reality that all the sins of the world for all time from those who look to the messiah in faith from eternity past to those who look back in time, in faith to the cross from eternity future, we’re upon Jesus.

This would be an especially acute spiritual pain for Jesus Considering Hebrews 5:7.

Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified)
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].

Let’s look at another possibility. Jesus in making this cry from the cross is actually quoting Psalm 22:1 and it’s a common Rabbinical custom to start speaking a passage of scripture before one would begin teaching on it due to the fact that they didn’t have what we today call “chapter and verse”. The Rabbi would speak the first part of the passage to get the listeners to focus there.

It’s also possible that Jesus is teaching from the cross with his dying breath illustrating the fulfillment of prophecy to those who have ears to hear and a knowledge of Psalm 22.

This one Psalm has approximately 12 prophetic fulfillments.

Professor Peter Stoner (1888-1980)- Stoner was Chairman of the Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy at Pasadena City College until 1953, and Chairman of the Science Division of Westmont College from 1953 to 1957. Stoner calculated the probability of one man fulfilling only a handful of the over 300 Messianic prophecies. In 1944, he published his research results in Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible.

Stoner concluded that the probability of one person fulfilling just eight of the specific prophecies was one chance in 1017 (one followed by 17 zeros). How about one person fulfilling just 48 of the over 300 prophecies? Stoner calculated these odds at one chance in 10157 -- way beyond statistical impossibility!

We take 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly… Blindfold a man and tell him…he must pick up one silver dollar… What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have of writing…eight prophecies and having them come true in any one man.

Peter Stoner
Science Speaks, Moody Press, 1963, p. 100-107.

John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I personally believe that Jesus paid for all the sins of mankind on the cross because of this statement and my understanding of it, however, Jesus’s physical body was dead for three days. Let’s watch a short video to segue into the next portion of the message.

Colossians 2:15
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Ephesians 4
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”[b] 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

We know Jesus descended before he ascended. I believe he led the righteous saints from the Old Testament who looked forward to the messiah in faith into the presence of God.

 Matthew 27:51-53
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Revelation 1:17b-18
I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Where did Jesus get these keys?

Hebrews 2:14-15
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

By conquering death Jesus frees people from being controlled by their fear of death. We realize that we will live forever in eternity with Jesus so we’re not under the same compulsions and controls as someone who thinks that when this life is over they cease to have consciousness.

John 20:17,18
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

After Jesus died, we know he descended to the lower earthly region we know he has the keys of death and hades. And we know he instructed Mary to not hold onto him because he hadn’t returned to the father yet.

Christ is the First fruits of the Resurrection
 
1 Corinthians 15:42 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

We know when Jesus ascended he gave gifts to men. These gifts are our five fold ministers.

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

The goal of these ministry gifts is to get the body of Christ equipped for service and built up so we may reach the unity of the faith and be formed into the functioning image of Jesus himself fully.

Let’s prioritize the work of God in and through our lives, realizing that we are sowing seeds for eternal life and an eternal resurrection. Let’s pray that we receive the spirit of revelation knowledge to know how fragile and short this life truly is and how glorious and eternal our life with Christ is going to be when the trumpet sounds!

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 Spirit of A Conqueror

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.


Spirit in Caleb

Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

God rewards wholehearted devotion.

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

Hebrews 11:6
God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Caleb, being the only spy who concluded, “We can take the land”, he comes into agreement with God and God’s plan.

Having courage based on God’s word.

Circumstances didn’t intimidate Caleb. God’s word had supremacy over the issues around him. Caleb saw the same giants everyone else saw but had a different understanding of what God can do.

So we are more than Conquerors today as well.  However, we don’t fight with literal swords, we fight for hearts and minds (starting with our own) wielding the gospel of the Kingdom facilitating the influence of the Holy Spirit by passionate, loving obedience to God and thus his commands.

Romans 8:35-37

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 (Amplified)
37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

There are giants that will try and separate us from connecting with God’s love. This separation will cause us to stop being Godly culture changers and succumb to the world system.

God’s called us to be thermostats, setting the spiritual temperature; but many of us have become thermometers, responding to the environment instead of shaping or changing it.

More than conquerors in…

• Trouble
• Hardship
• Persecution
• Famine
• Nakedness
• Danger
• Sword

More than conquerors in…
Trouble - To be agitated mentally or spiritually.

More than Conquerors In… Hardship - something that causes or entails suffering.

More than Conquerors In… Persecution – the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook; being harassed or annoyed.

More than Conquerors In… Famine - an extreme scarcity of food

More than Conquerors In… Nakedness (destitution) - devoid of customary or natural covering : bare: lacking.

More than Conquerors In… Danger - exposure or liability to injury, pain, harm, or loss

More than Conquerors in… Sword – The malicious attack of others intended to kill.

The New Testament Promised Land

2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Apprehending the New Testament promises equates to participating in the divine nature.

So in essence, much like with Caleb, we today have promises of a divine nature. We have a promise from God to think differently, have a different attitude, and thus live differently in this New Testament promised land. We must have vision to live in the divine nature.

One of the biggest strategies of the enemy to facilitate spiritual blindness, causing the Church to not see, and thus settle for less than what God has prepared for us.

Lovers of Truth

2 Thessalonians 2:9,10
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Many in the body of Christ today accept a reality far below living in “the Divine nature”. They live in a state of sin consciousness stating that they are sinners saved by grace. I would agree that they WERE sinners saved by grace but the New Testament clearly calls Christians, Saints of God, righteous, and holy. I’m not advocating perfectionism in every area however I’m calling for victorious living in every way!

The Divine nature? What is that?  In a very concise statement, it’s living the way Jesus lived, doing the things Jesus did.


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 Spiritual Birth

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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


John 3:34
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Eternal Life

John 3:14-21
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

We Must Believe

Believe - who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him Cleave - to adhere firmly, closely, loyally and unwaveringly

Trust - assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something one in which confidence is placed

Rely - to be dependent, to have confidence based on knowledge

Love Gives Sacrificially

Because God loved he gave his very best.

He didn’t come to condemn the world but to save the world.

If you don’t believe you “stand condemned already”.

Come into the Light

Followers of Jesus will come into the light, exposing their weakness, sin, humanity, and failings. Jesus loves us exactly the way we are but loves us too much to leave us this way! His desire for us is for us to manifest or express his kingdom through our lives.

1 John 1:6
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

Seeing and Entering the Kingdom of God

John 3:3-8
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.”

Signs equated to the Kingdom of God

John 3:2,3
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Born of Water

Water Baptism is a symbol of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus and when we get water baptized we are saying we are dying to our old man and going to live for Christ. Gal 2:20. It’s a covenant ceremony.

Born of the Spirit

Like the Wind

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.”

Elijah is our Old Testament example of a man led by the spirit.

1 Kings 18:11-15
11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ 12 I don’t know where the Spirit of the Lord may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the Lord since my youth. 13 Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. 14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ He will kill me!” 15 Elijah said, “As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today.”

Sixty eight times the phrase “Kingdom of God” appears in the New Testament.   Fifty six times or approximately 80% of the time, the phrase refers to the establishment of a Kingdom in the present that’s near or a kingdom in the heart, right here right now. Approximately 20% of the time, the phrase refers to a Heavenly Kingdom or the Millennial reign of Christ, a future kingdom.

Luke 17:20,21
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

Matthew 12:28
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus cast out spirits because his Kingdom is superior to the kingdoms of this world. Demons are of this world and are subject to the superior kingdom in the same way a corporal will take orders from a General, unclean spirits had to submit to the authority of the king of the kingdom of God.

That same King, if ruling and reigning in our hearts will deputize us with authority to do the very work he did.

John 14:12
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, The Kingdom of God is expressed wherever Jesus Christ rules the hearts and minds of his subjects. When the believer exhibits self rule they will not express the kingdom.

The challenge today is to come up to the level of being a kingdom man or a kingdom woman. If you believe in Jesus you are saved according to the Word of God. However, there is a lot of work to do until we meet him face to face. Let’s fight the good fight of faith, believing to become kingdom manifesters, kingdom expressers. Let’s allow the king of the kingdom to touch lives through us.
 

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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Encourage the Next Generation

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.

 

We must lead the next generation by example if they are to catch the Spirit of Christ that is on us and transmit it to a time we will never experience.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Noah went religious on the people striking the rock (Numbers 20:8-11) when he was supposed to speak to it. Therefore God raised up another man to take them into what God was going to do in their time.

You can’t pour new wine into old wineskins. (Luke 5:37) We must pray for new wineskins if we’re to receive what God is going to do in our time and in our generation. The message is timeless however some of our methods are subject to change with culture.

Martin Luther brought the pipe organ into the Church which had previously been associated with some of the less desirable elements of society. His intent wasn’t to be scandalous or controversial he simply wanted the common man to be able to not only read the Word of God but to also be able to worship.

There is some debate out there but some in the modern Lutheran Church state that, “Luther needed to find music that a congregation could sing, when they had no musical training and no resources for printing music. Some of the first music he chose was the music from taverns. Although the lyrics were sometimes scandalous and thus changed, the melodies were recognizable and reproducible. ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’ is one of these such tunes, stolen from a tavern song. And today it is probably one of the most beloved and reverent songs in the Lutheran Church. ~Jenna Pederson

I heard a story about a tribe in Africa that lived in round huts. A group came in that built the tribe a Church and they made it rectangular. For 2 years no one would enter the church. The leadership had the building torn down and then built a round Church which is now flourishing today.

In order to raise up the next generation we will have to make some changes ourselves.

• Have Vision to do it
• Sacrifice Time, your most important asset
• Believe that you have something good to impart
• Relate with someone outside your normal circle
• Have Vision to do it

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Jesus spent the most important part of his ministry raising up others to carry on the work he was doing.

In John Maxwell’s book, the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership the law of the legacy states, “A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.”

How many amazing ministries, have ended with the death of the “head” minister. It’s unfortunate that more in leadership today aren’t more focused on raising up disciples, especially since it’s so central to the ministry of Jesus.

Timothy, Paul’s ‘Son’

1 Corinthians 4:16-17
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Sacrifice Time, your most important asset

In order to encourage the next generation it’s going to take time. It would seem that many today in the modern Church want to do anything but fulfill the great commission.

Believe that you have something good to impart!

Many of us may feel like we are not equipped or we don’t have anything to offer but this is all a matter of perspective.

The person you are reaching out to on a one to ten scale when it comes to family modeling may be a 3 and you are an 8. You would therefore have a lot to offer this person. They may be able to solve complex algebraic equations but without your influence they will have a hard time holding their future marriage together.

In the previous example it will be next to impossible to measure the impact your influence had on this person but we don’t serve to be recognized. We serve to be faithful and obedient to God’s word.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Relate with someone outside your normal circle

Sometimes we’re creatures of habit and we have a routine that we get very uncomfortable changing. It would seem rather obvious however but to reach out to someone else, we’re going to have to make some subtle changes in our lives until we make the connection(s) with the people we want to encourage.

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

Romans 14:19
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

The neat thing about building these relationship is your intent is to give but very often there is some give and take that goes on and the person from the next generation that you are encouraging can have a way of enriching your life.

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ~ Greek Proverb

Lord give us opportunities to encourage someone in the upcoming generation so we can leave a lasting legacy for your glory.

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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Being So Heavenly Minded You are Perfectly Earthly Good. Part 2

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.

Where is your mindset?

Colossians 3:1,2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Thesis
As a consequence of us being seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), we are to have our minds set on this reality. Our thinking and emotional energy is to be focused on heavenly realities and we are to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature (Col. 3:5) while we clothe ourselves in Christian virtues.

Introduction
When we are truly heavenly minded there is a practical component that plays out in our lives that sheds abroad love and goodness to everyone we come into contact with.

People who are so heavenly minded they are no Earthly good are not truly heavenly minded. They may have knowledge or some type of pseudo spirituality but they are not truly connected to heaven.

Meddling Moment

I’ve noticed a pattern in people that if there is something about their lives they don’t like they are quick to assign a source to the problem that is outside of their ability to control. The whole time that really isn’t the problem but a convenient scape goat get’s created that allows the person to delude themselves into thinking there’s nothing they can do about it thus giving them a way out of having to overcome the situation.

I believe my spirit is alive in God but my mind needs to be renewed and washed to a different reality that is found in Christ. The course of my life is set by this mind so it’s imperative that I make it submit to heavenly realities.

We are instructed to take every thought captive and demolish wrong thinking.
 
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Romans 12:2
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.

Last week, in looking at Colossians 3:5-9, we looked at “what not to do”. This week our focus is going to be in Colossians 3:12-15 where we will look at how heavenly minded people are to think and behave.

Heavenly Minded Behavior

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

1. Compassion – a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

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

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:30-37
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

2. Kindness - of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature, showing sympathy or understanding; charitable.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…

3. Humility- not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.

Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature 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 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.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
4. Gentleness - free from harshness, sternness, or violence

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
5. Patience - bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint , manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with…
 
6. Forbearance- a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due.

7. Forgiveness of the Lord

Matthew 18:23-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

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

Part 3
  8. Love
  9. Walk in Peace
10. Walk in Thankfulness
11. The Message of Christ is Taught
12. Each Person Admonishes another
   

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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Being So Heavenly Minded You are Perfectly Earthly Good. Part 1

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.
Where is your mindset?

Colossians 3:1,2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

When we are truly heavenly minded, there is a practical component that plays out in our lives that sheds abroad love and goodness to everyone we come into contact with.

People who are so heavenly minded they are no Earthly good are not truly heavenly minded. They may have knowledge or some type of pseudo spirituality but they are not truly connected to heaven.

As a consequence of us being seated with Christ in heavenly places, (Ephesians 2:6) we are to have our minds set on this reality.

I believe my spirit is alive in God but my mind needs to be renewed and washed to a different reality that is found in Christ. The course of my life is set by this mind so it’s imperative that I make it submit to heavenly realities.

We are instructed to take every thought captive and demolish wrong thinking.

2 Corinthians 10:4,5
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Romans 12:2
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.

Sometimes, in order to tell us what to do, the Bible will also tell us what not to do. Here in Colossians 3 we see a list of where our mind and thus behavior will be if our thinking is not heavenly but still connected to our earthly nature.

Earthly Minded Behavior
 1.  Sexual immorality     
 2.  Impurity                    
 3.  Lust                            
 4.  Evil desires               
 5.  Greed = Idolatry      
 6. Anger
 7. Rage
 8. Malice
 9. Slander
10.Filthy language

Sexual Immorality

Sexual immorality, impurity, and lust would be any thought or action of lust directed toward anyone you are not married to. The only Biblically sanctioned sexual relationship is a marriage between a man and a woman.  All other sexual fantasies, meditations, or actions are sin.

Hebrews 13:4
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Job 31:1
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

Matthew 5:27,28
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Evil Desires

• Wanting the wrong things.
• Having my focus and ambition set on things that are outside of God’s plan for my life.

Greed=Idolatry

When a person is looking for money to do for them what God wants to do then they are greedy idolaters.

Matthew 6:24
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

1 Timothy 6:10
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.

Anger, Rage

Angry for selfish reasons.

James 1:19,20
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Ephesians 4:26
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Jesus healed Angry

Mark 3:5
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Malice
Harboring bitterness, lack of moral excellence, of poor quality, vengeful.

Slander
The utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation through spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church.

Filthy Language

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Where is Your Mind Set?

Part 2

Heavenly Minded Behavior

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

 

 

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 Power of God is Available

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 Peter 1:3,4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

1. His divine power has been given
2. Everything we need for a Godly life is available
3. It comes through knowledge of Him
4. God has called us by his own glory and goodness
5. Through the promises of God we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires

1. His divine power has been given

In a spiritual battle, you on your own, are not equipped. You need God to equip you for this kind of thing. One of the ways God’s divine power has been given is through his word.

A. God has given his word
The Word of God that’s personalized and memorized is the Word of God that can be utilized. The    anointing is not on the chapter and verse but on the principle and precept.

One of the tactics of the enemy is to get you to believe a lie.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

The Word of God has a sanctifying effect. Sanctify means to set apart to a sacred purpose or to free from sin. To progressively take on the image of Jesus Christ inwardly and thus outwardly with our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Jesus wielding the word of God
   *The Lust of the Flesh, Hunger

Matthew 4:4
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Deuteronomy 8:3

The pride of life, arrogantly testing the Lord in regard to a satanic attempt to twist Psalm 91:11, 12

Matthew 4:7
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Deuteronomy 6:16

The lust of the eyes, all the splendor of the kingdoms of the world.

Matthew 4:10b
For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Deuteronomy 6:13

B. Authority has been given

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

Authority over satan

Luke 10:18-20
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

1 John 4:4
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

2. Everything we need for a Godly life is available

God has made resources available through his Word and by his Spirit to allow you and I to live a Godly life.

There are two main points to living a Godly life.

• Not doing the sinful things you used to do.
• Start doing the Godly things you haven’t been doing.

To generate an exhaustive list of sinful and Godly behavior at this point would take the rest of the day. Allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit speak to you about the sins you need to let go of and the Godliness you need to pick up. I believe he’s already spoken to you about these issues and he wants you to receive grace so you can become the person He wants you to be. The person you want to be.

3. All these resources come through our knowledge of Him

We must spend time in the presence of God if we’re to have “heavenly downloads” of knowledge.

Revelation knowledge is the foundation of the Church

4. God has called us by his own glory and goodness

We have been called out and chosen by God to be his son’s and daughters. What an incredible privilege and responsibility to be chosen by God!

Colossians 3:12
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Because we’re chosen by God and on the receiving end of perfect love, (1 John 4:18) we should manifest in our lives compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Galatians 4:6
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

5. Through the promises of God, we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires

We need to know what God has promised us individually. We can know these promises by the Word of God and they should be confirmed by the Spirit of God.  What has God promised you?

When something better is presented it’s easier to let go of what we have or what we’ve been clinging to that is sinful or a wrong way of thinking. When God’s promise for your life is real, a pursuit begins toward the promise and other things that are of a less noble nature tend to fall off or away from you as you start and continue in your pursuit of the heavenly promises God has given you.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Galatians 5:16
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

In Conclusion:

1. His divine power has been given
2. Everything we need for a godly life is available
3. It comes through knowledge of Him
4. God Has called us by his own glory and goodness
5. Through the promises of God we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires

Our “job” is to get under the spout where the glory comes out. John 6:29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Our pursuit of God is a faith pursuit. We are pursuing his heart and there we will find all the empowering knowledge we need in order to live upright and Godly lives!
   

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
View Larger Map