Major on the Majors and Minor on the Minors

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.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

 Romans 14 is talking about Christian people who make a big deal out of days of the week and dietary issues. The thesis of the Chapter is to do everything unto the Lord and be true to these personal convictions without pressing these convictions on others in regard to special days and diet. This chapter could further be boiled down to “Major on the majors and minor on the minors.”

The Majors are:

• Righteousness 
• Peace 
• Joy 
• The Holy Spirit 

1. Righteousness

Positional and Practical Positional Righteousness is the gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man's own, or any other condition than that of faith in Christ.

As we trust in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:21. says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

Because Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. Rom. 4:3. 

Practical Righteousness – This faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is, conformity to the will of God. 

The righteousness God reckons to us causes us to become in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself. 

2. Peace 

That tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is. 

Peace with God 

Romans 5:1 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Peace with God opens the way of love and true spiritual growth. 

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. 

God’s kindness leads to repentance 

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? 

Peace with this life 

1 Timothy 6:6-10 

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

Peace Comes through Prayer 

Philippians 4:6,7 (Amplified) 

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace 

Colossians 3:15 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

3. Joy 

to experience great pleasure or delight, a state of happiness, the emotion evoked by well-being. 

I am very small, but I can change your life. I can make you immune to worry and strife. When you have me you leap like a little boy. But I never come from getting the latest toy. I can cure your heart when you’re
feeling blue. No one can destroy me, except for you. What am I? 

Joy 

Joy is different from happiness in that the word "happy" comes from the same root word as "happen": "hap." "Hap" includes the ideas of chance or fate. The feeling of happiness comes from what happens to a person by chance, but joy is a source of delight, it is what lies underneath all emotions, no matter what happens to a person. If Joy is there it’s separate from circumstances. 

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. When our root’s are connected to the Holy Spirit we will bear His fruit. 

Apple trees don’t have to try to bear apples, they just do. In the same way when we’re rooted in him we’ll bear his fruit. 

4. The Holy Spirit 

The third person of the God head, co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will with God the Father and Jesus the son. 

The Holy Spirit in the Beginning 

Genesis 1:2 

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 

Luke 24:49 

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.” 

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.” Pentecost 

Acts 2:1-4 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

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 19:6 

6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 

Let’s check our priorities this morning. Let’s be sure to major on the majors and minor on the minors. 

Let’s also seek God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Maybe today you’d like to be filled for the first time. Maybe you want a fresh touch from Heaven or a refilling.

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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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 Blessed Life is the Obedient Life

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

 

If you asked people if they wanted to be blessed or cursed the majority I’m sure would choose to be blessed; yet the “blessed life” seems elusive to many.  The key is found in God’s Word.

It doesn’t matter how much scripture you can quote, how loud you can sing, how high you can jump, or how many meetings you can attend. If all this doesn’t translate into obedience to God’s Word the blessings of God will evade you.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.  All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

• Spiritual blessings
• Relational Blessings
• Financial Blessings
• Health
• A Disciplined Life

Spiritual Blessings – Having peace with God and an assurance you are right with him and in good standing with the King of Kings.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 Timothy 1:12
I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

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.

1 Timothy 3:13
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Relational Blessings -- Having great relationships with people who genuinely love you and care for you. No strings attached. Agape love! Knowing your family is right with the Lord

Acts 16:34
The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Financial Blessings – I believe our God is the God of more than enough. Consider the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. (Mark 6:43)

Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Genesis 24:35
The Lord has blessed my master (Abraham) abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

Health – I believe sickness is not a blessing. I do believe God can “make lemons into lemonade” but I don’t believe he has to start with lemons!

I also believe we can learn things through sickness but I never believe God puts sickness on anyone! Sickness comes on mankind because of the sinful world we live in.

3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

A Disciplined Life – A disciplined life is being able to do what’s right even if you have a desire somewhere to do what’s more immediately gratifying but detrimental to your long term good.

2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Grace

Titus 2:11-12
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,

The Law

Galatians 2:21 (KJV)
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Romans 7:8-11
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

Love Relationship is Key

John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

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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"Dad, You're Not Going to Die Today!"

Anthony Yahle

By Tony V. Hammack

What an amazing testimony of God's resurrection power still at work in the Earth today.  The son of this man, Anthony Yahle, spoke the Word of God over his dad and his dad's body had to respond.  Watch the amazing video testimony of a man who'd been dead for 45 minutes before his son decreed him alive.



http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013/08/22/anthony-yahle-comes-back-life-after-inspiring-words-son

Anthony and Wife Melissa Yahle after Anthony is raised from the Dead

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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If God, through his prophets says, "Live!" you will Live!

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.

No Matter How Bad Things May Look, If God says, “Live”, you will live!

The Nation of Israel had forsaken God and was in exile. God, because of his namesake was planning on bringing Israel back to their covenant land. God instructed his prophet to speak to this exiled people symbolized by a valley of dead dry bones.

Today, in our nation, when we look out over the spiritual landscape things seem to be going the wrong direction. However, if we have the word of the Lord and declare it, I believe our nation will turn around.

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.

13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

1. Even though obvious circumstances look bad, the Word of God trumps all “realities”.

The obvious answer to God's question in verse 3 is “NO!” but the prophet knows his God and answers based on the fact that “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

In our lives and in our time, I believe that God's word trumps all realities. Things can look bad, even dead, even very dead, and the Word of God when released will bring the reality that God has ordained for an individual, Church fellowship, or Nation.

In verses 4-6 we see God telling Ezekiel to prophecy breath into the dead, dry bones.

Sometimes God may ask you to do something that is irrational in your own mind. However, if you are sure that you are hearing the Lord you must obey the direction the Lord is leading you. Declaring life into dry bones is not the most rational thing for a person to do but if God says to do it you should obey.

Conversely, if God does not tell you to prophecy to dry bones it would be best not to. Presumption and our own human will is not what this passage is about. It's about a prophet hearing the voice of God and declaring a heavenly reality into the realm of the Earth.

Timing plays a critical role in how God is dealing with individuals and nations. When Israel was under judgment the word of the Lord was “you are going off into captivity”. Now after being in captivity, the word is “you are going to live again”. Prophetic people need to be just that. Not prophesying the will of their own heart. They must find the heart of God.

In Jeremiah 28 we see a prophetic show down of sorts where Jeremiah, the true prophetic man of God, prophecies what modern day people might call “doom and gloom”. Hananiah on the other hand prophecies a return to peace and prosperity.

Jeremiah simply “goes his way” after Hananiah prophecies his lies but hears a word from the Lord and returns saying, something like Hananiah's words would be great if they were from the Lord but because he's prophesied his own thoughts he will die within one year. The prophet is to be judged by the accuracy of his words.

Obedience predicates the manifestation

As Ezekiel prophecies in obedience to the word of the Lord, organization begins to replace chaos. It starts with a rattling sound. Admittedly not very impressive at first but it's the beginning of something very impressive.

After the bones become organized tendons and flesh appear on the bones. The bodies get covered with skin but there is not breath in the bodies.

In Genesis we see a similar process and in Acts Chapter 2 we see some similarities.

When God creates something he often starts with a spoken word.

You and I due to the nature of God in us have power in our words to bring life or bring death. Proverbs 18:21

One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him. The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost." God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this, let's say we have a man making contest." To which the scientist replied, "OK, great!" But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God just looked at him and said, "No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!"

In Ezekiel 37:9-10 Ezekiel is instructed to prophecy to the breath. So in obedience to the word he does it. When the breath comes into the people they stand to their feet like a vast army. An army speaks of organization, rank, file, and purpose.

In verse 11 we get a glimpse into the attitude of the Israelite people. They have a meditation of the heart and it goes something like this. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Gloom, despair and agony on me!

What the Israelites are saying is true but God want's to shift their reality by returning them to their land and giving them hope again. The change can't happen unless someone begins to declare the heavenly reality. Ezekiel is the Man of God who in faith declares the Word of the Lord.

In verse 13 we see God's motive in doing everything he's going to do. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord

We need to see the manifestations of God in our generation if people in our time are to come to know the Lord.

   

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


Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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Has God Called You to Do Something?

By Donna Santini


Has God called you to do something?

He will never call you to do something He hasn’t equipped you to do. All He asks for is obedience and a willing heart. Only then can God accomplish through you the things He put in you to operate in so you can be the vessel He intended you to be and touch the people He sends your way.

He never said it would be easy. What He asks of all of us is to have faith & take that first step. Sometimes you just have to step through the fear that grips you & just do what God’s told you to do. It’s not easy and will normally take you out of your comfort zone.

I remember reading about Barbara Streisand and how she has battled severe stage fright and thought to myself “You’ve got to be kidding. She has such talent!”. Many actors have to deal with being extremely nervous. One important thing they have going for them is that they manage to push through their fears to do what they need to do to be successful.

That’s exactly what God is reminding all of us to do. Fear has kept many of you from walking in the anointing and purpose He has for your lives. After failing miserably at a task God had instructed me to do, I made the comment that I was never going to do that again. That’s just what the devil wants to hear you to say!

How easy it is for us to give up. The devil tells us that we’re not good enough and instead of declaring what God says about us, we are way too quick to agree with the enemy! We always compare our talents to someone we feel we could never measure up to.

For years I struggled with fear and feelings of inadequacy that held me hostage and kept me from having the freedom to function in the gifts God had given me. God told me what to do and instead of blatantly stating that I wouldn’t do it, I decided I’d do it “eventually”. If you told your child to clean their room and every day you went by it you saw them playing with their toys or playing on their xbox but never actually cleaning it, I imagine that there would be some unfavorable consequences to their disobedience. When God calls you to do something and you don’t do it, no matter what the excuse you give, you’re being disobedient and God can’t use you like He wants to.  We have a tendency to become spiritually stagnant.

He’s not looking for perfection. God took a tone deaf Down syndrome boy and anointed his song so heavily that everyone in the church was in tears. He just wants a willing and obedient heart that He can use, to mold into the vessel of honor that He can use in the capacity He wants.

What is it that God’s called you to do? What has kept you from operating in that gift and calling? Fear? Fear of failure? Feelings of inadequacy? We are all going to fail and stumble at some point but it’s important to get up and keep pushing forward. A baby doesn’t go from laying on its back to running overnight. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and embarrassed myself way too many times but God dusts us off and says “Great job my precious child. Let’s take another step.”

The problem is that we place our confidence in ourselves and our own abilities. We are like toasters that haven’t been plugged in. We might be polished and shiny and look great but unless we’re plugged in to the power source, we’re not operating in our intended function. A pastor preaching without the power of God in his life can be a person who speaks well. A singer without the anointing of God is just someone who can sing a pretty song. In our own strength both of these people are like the unplugged toaster. In God’s strength and power, they are like the power lines that carry power to everything attached to it.

So today, God is asking you what it is that He has called you to do that you are not doing and why? He’s ready. His hand is stretched out waiting for you to take it, to be obedient. Has He called you to a specific ministry? Has He called you to write, sing, preach, work with kids, teach, evangelize, help others?

Today is the day you need to decide that God is bigger than your fear, bigger than your failures, and able to accomplish in you what He has planned for your life. When you do that, you will be amazed at what God can do through you!

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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Speed the Return of the Lord, Release the Kingdom

By Tony V. Hammack

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

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
Fact #1 Jesus is coming back.

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

Fact #3 We can speed his return

Final Point:  what is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Jesus is Coming Back!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speed the Return of Christ?

Speed His Coming

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

Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

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

What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

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

What is the gospel of the Kingdom?

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

The Kingdom has been available for 2000 years.

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

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

Our reconciliation is founded in the death of Jesus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus is Alive!!

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

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

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 have an inheritance and it’s realized through faith and patience.

Inheritance: the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations.

In order to receive this inheritance we must see it with the eye of faith and wait for it with patience.

The inheritance I see is be being able to act like Jesus.

I believe our spiritual inheritance is not only eternal life. I believe it’s also kingdom life on the earth. I believe you and I, according to John 14:12, (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.), can do amazing things in the name of Jesus according to his purposes and for his glory.

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Laziness will prevent us from receiving our inheritance.

Laziness
I have been talking with several people in our Church lately (I’m in this boat also to one degree or another unfortunately) who are highly educated in a particular area but lack the self discipline to execute on the information. The desires of the heart are superseding the information in the mind.

2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

So how do we do what we “hate” to get something we want? What we want has to be so real and so important that we’ll take the road of adversity and challenge to get there.

I know when I had a Lab in Boston give me a very negative health report, I began to make some serious changes I didn’t like very much. I did this because I had faith I would live and I trusted the information I was gleaning from my chiropractor friends, established nutritionists, and the internet. I also didn’t want to leave my children without me as their father. So I ate foods I didn’t particularly like in order to get something I wanted. More time on the Earth with you and my family. More time to rack up eternal treasure and harass the enemy.

When I was an athlete I was very disciplined in what I ate and how I lived due to the fact that I had a goal I would do almost anything to achieve.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Keep our eyes on the prize!

Matthew 14:28-31
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

So our example from Hebrews 6 is Abraham

• 13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Abraham had a 25 year wait from Promise to Manifestation.

From Genesis 12:4 where Abraham receives the promise and is 75 years old to Genesis 17:15-17 Abraham ages another 25 years.

Does the fact that God waited until this couple was "as good as dead" to give them the promised child help explain the wait? (This is a recurring pattern in God's dealings with humans. He waits until it is impossible, and then He does the impossible - so that no one is confused about God's role in the matter.)

What has God promised you? Perhaps you’ve had big vision but you’ve grown weary in patience.

Maybe you are cynical and aren’t believing for anything thinking people who do this are fools.

Maybe you have a word from God or several words from God that you are standing on and are waiting patiently for the fulfillment.

Today I want to pray for you for new vision and patience to wait for the fulfillment of that vision.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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

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

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus heals an official’s son.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is this passage literally referring to Miracles?

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Word on Cessationism

1 Cor. 13:8-12
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

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

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

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

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

Miracles can be a fore runner for repentance!

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

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