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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Give It All You've Got

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.   After you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then (Eph. 6:13, 14) Give it all You've Got!

Specifically the passage is talking about attacks from principalities, powers, and forces of darkness in the heavenly realms. When the day of evil comes, stand!

You know, this passage from Ephesians 6:13,14 reflects how I feel at times. When you've done everything you know to do, to the best of “your ability,” then all you can do is stand.

We rest in the finished work of Christ but the Lord is still calling us to obedience. If the Lord asks us to do something we want to do it with as much excellence, vigor and zeal we can muster based on the amount of grace we've received.

Enthusiasm – from Greek enthousiasmos "divine inspiration, be inspired or possessed by God. So when we do things under the direction of the Lord we should do them with fervor.

If nobody does anything, nothing will get done. ~Tony Hammack

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done

Ecclesiastes 9:10a
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,

Might – bodily strength, the power, energy, or intensity of which one is capable.


This passage is cast in the light of “the fragility/brevity of life”. We only have so much time to work so why not give it all we've got!

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Heart – the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature. The seat of passion and emotion. One's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations.

This passage is cast in the light of “who are you working for?” We all can identify with working for someone you don't like, trying to do as little as possible to just draw a paycheck of some kind. However the paradigm in the kingdom is different. We're to work like we're working for the King of King's and Lord of Lord's!

Working very hard forces a result. Either you will have success from your hard work or you will realize “this isn't for me”.  If we don't work with all our heart/might we may meander through years of our lives not fulfilling the plans and purposes of God.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

We don't need to spend our lives chasing our tails or working toward a goal of self gratification. Our efforts should be approved by Jesus. What we strive for should be under the umbrella of his will. When we do this I believe he will establish our plans. Why do we do what we do?

The motive of the heart is a very hidden issue however the Lord knows every motive of the heart. (1 Corinthians 4:5) He can reveal to us our motives and give us grace to change them if that is His will.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

1 Corinthians 10:31b
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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

By Tony V. Hammack

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

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.   2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

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

1. God is able

Now here’s where some of us struggle.

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

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

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

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

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

2. All grace to abound to you

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

Grace to serve others

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

Grace to operate in Holy Spirit manifestations

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

Grace to overcome ungodliness

Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

3. In all things at all times

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

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

4. Having all that you need

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

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

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

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

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

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

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

5. Abounding in every good work

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

Emotional abundance

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

Spiritual abundance

It can be in the Spiritual realm for healing.

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

Material abundance

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

Review:

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

Conclusion:

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

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

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

God is looking for relationship with you and me. Sometimes we do many other things but this is where God stays. I believe more than anything else, everything Christ has done is to re-establish a relational connection between God and mankind. It’s personal, intimate, special, and established by the work of Christ on the cross.

Hebrews 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

I’ve been battling some kind of virus like symptoms and consequently I’ve been sleeping in weird patterns. I’ve come to have a recurring dream of being with God in a room. All he wants from me is my attention. When I walk out of the room I see all the things going on in the world and so many people who are not giving God their attention. I’ve had this dream 20 or so times since Friday.

From this relational connection all things from God flow to mankind.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha being a home owner has to take responsibility for upkeep of the property, inside and out. Jesus pegs Martha by saying, “you are worried and upset about many things”. Jesus then praises Mary’s Choice by saying, “few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

God or distractions? How much time do we devote to the distractions? How much time do we devote to communal time with God? I believe the Spirit of the Lord is saying today that he wants us to come up to a higher level of relationship, a deeper level of intimacy.

Mark 4:19-20
19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

1 Corinthians 2:10
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 Now all has been heard;     here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Jeremiah 29:13
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Deuteronomy 4:29 29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

No one but you and God really knows if you’re giving all your heart. I encourage you to give God all of you. In this way he will sweep you off your feet, give you comfort, save, heal, and deliver you.

God can do more work in the heart of a person by his Spirit in seconds than 1000 sermon’s that only speak to a person’s mind. I want us today to dedicate some extra time to giving God our hearts, our whole hearts. Let’s commune with Him.

 

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 Fight of Faith

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.
1 Timothy 6:12

I. Grace not law
II. 1 Timothy 6:12
III. Faith to manifest God’s kingdom

John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”

We mustn’t trust in our own abilities to create spiritual realities but our trust must be in Jesus Christ, operating through us.

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Fighting the good fight of faith in the context of 1 Timothy 6 is avoiding:
1.) an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and
2.)the love of money pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Thesis: 
I’ve noticed many in the body of Christ don’t have any fight in them. They are bobbing in the water but aren’t fighting for anything. It’s time we picked up the fight of faith.

Fighting for what we cannot see.

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

Faith begins where the will of God is revealed. What has God told you? What are you fighting for?

Why is there a “fight” of faith? Well, we have to fight against the inclination to just allow circumstances to determine our reality. When God speaks through His word or into our hearts and we believe it, now we have to fight for it because nothing in the kingdoms of this world or the demonic world wants to see the kingdom of God expressed!

We also have to fight ourselves!

Often the Word of God can be contrary to paradigms of thinking that we’ve grown accustomed to.

Isaiah 55:9
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When God spoke to Moses and told him what to do, go into Egypt and liberate the Israelites he began to “sputter” a bit in Exodus 3. He tried to hide behind his inability to put his thoughts together quickly.

Acts 7:22
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

If anything is created in the world, it starts with a thought that is believed in. I would call this faith. If you don’t believe you can do something, chances are you will never try it while this remains your mindset. However, if you believe you can do something you will persist until you see it accomplished.

Much of the church has divorced itself from faith because of the fight. It’s much easier to say, “God works in mysterious ways”. Than it is to say, “I’m very sorry, I didn’t have enough faith for this situation.”

Matthew 17:14-20
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Why were the disciples unable to expel the demon that was causing the manifestation of epilepsy? Was it because God was trying to teach the parents and the boy something important? Was it because God had a greater plan for the boy that included this disease? Was it because he would reach people with the disease he had that otherwise he couldn’t reach?

All these reasons come out of the mouths of Christian leaders on a fairly regular basis but let’s take a look at where Jesus squarely places the responsibility for the solution to this difficult situation.

Reason #1 or Rebuke #1
v. 17 Unbelief

Reason #2 or Rebuke #2
perverse generation

Perverse - turned away from what is right or good : corrupt Generation - a group of individuals born and living at the same time

Reason #3
little faith v. 20

Now in Mark 9:14-29 we see another similar story where Jesus mentions prayer and fasting as the reason the disciples could not drive out a spirit. I believe the prayer and fasting increases the faith of the believer. I don’t believe there is a prayer or fasting threshold that is reached and then spirits come out. It’s not like saving up enough money to buy a car or some other object.

So, you’ve heard the message, and you’re thinking, “I want to fight!”. The fight of faith begins with the work of Jesus on the Cross and is followed up with prayer, fasting and victory over sin. When this starts the fight will begin to be won.
   

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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Don't Become Weary in Well Doing

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.   Kingdom Dynamics

The Enemy attacks the hardest when God is Loving the greatest.

Thesis:
Difficulties and attacks can be the strongest right before God moves in the miraculous. Don’t become weary in well doing…(Gal 6:9; 2 Thes. 3:13)

Our Text
John 13:1-5
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:1b
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

When I read this I was like, “Wow, what could be getting ready to happen?” The FULL EXTENT of his love.  Awesome.

In verse 2 of John Chapter 13 we see immediately following the full extent of the release of Jesus' love, the devil is prompting Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.

Right with the greatest release of God’s love is satan himself! The enemy will fight against the people of God receiving God’s love. When we receive God’s love, satan knows we’ll never be the same.

Our love for God will increase (We Love Him because he first loved us 1 Jn. 4:19) as well as our obedience to the Father. This love motivated obedience will be powerfully used against the satanic agenda.

The Secure Christian
V. 3 Because Jesus knows who he is, he serves his disciples. Christians who don’t know who they are, where they came from, or where they are going, won’t have a servant’s heart for the people God has entrusted to their care. They can be dominated and controlled by insecurities. They can also overcompensate by being domineering.

The 5 Love Languages

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Receiving Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

It seems from the above passage in John 13 that Jesus speaks the love language; “Acts of Service”. Or more specifically acts of obedient service prompted by love.

V. 4 starts off with the word "so". This means because of verse 3 now verse 4 happens. Jesus begins to humble himself and wash his disciples feet.

Jesus, by washing the disciples feet is establishing a culture for the early Church. The culture is to include humble, selfless service for one another.

Jesus washed his disciples feet and then said, John 13:14,15 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Foot washing to me is representative of being willing to do the lowest menial task for someone. Only secure people can do this.

In order to be a humble servant to others we need to know where we come from, who we are, and where we are going. We also need to know and be secure in knowing that doing acts of humble service doesn’t diminish us in any way. If anything, it does the opposite.

After telling the disciples to wash one another's feet in John 13:16 Jesus says “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” So when the person in charge serves the people who have a lower title, they are still in charge. But still serve!

There is a blessing associated with humble service. v. 17 says, “You will be blessed if you do them.” Notice the conditional promise. Knowing this is not what brings the blessing, it’s doing this.

In John 13:26,27 we see again a contrast between the Love of Jesus and the influence of satan. Jesus takes the bread and dips it into a dish. As soon as Judas takes the bread satan himself literally possesses Judas.

The gesture by Jesus with Judas sitting close to Jesus indicating false fellowship.

Evidently the critical moment when Judas received the bread may have been a final appeal by Jesus which Judas did not accept.

It’s also an interesting side note that Jesus' words to Judas/satan indicate that He is still in control of the situation. “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

MT. 13:24-30
In the middle of a crop of born again people there will be seeds of God that will be spread causing Christian growth to happen. Growth in depth of heart as well as numeric growth. However, when the enemy sees this growth he will sow weeds into the mix. The wheat and the weeds will grow side by side until the harvest.

Where Sin Abound does God’s grace that much more abound.

Romans 5:20b
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

So, be encouraged if you are going through a difficult time in your life. Difficulties and attacks can be the strongest right before God moves in the miraculous.

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

2 Thessalonians 3:13
13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Come to the altar today to receive strength for living an overcoming life. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood God is able to raise up a standard against it. Isaiah 59:19

It may not be the enemy outside but the enemy of self that has gotten us into the spot we're in. Even so, God’s grace is available to turn your situation around for God’s 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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A Tale of Two Trees

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 15:1-8

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I. verses 1,2

There is a true life source and false life sources. Christ is the only true life source. The father is the developer of the person who’s abiding in Christ.

II. verses 3-5

The Word of God, when received will make one clean. (Eph. 5:25-28) This word is received through abiding in Christ or remaining in Christ. Apart from this abiding in Christ we can do nothing with any lasting importance for God.

III. If we do not remain and abide in Christ we will be unfruitful. Unfruitful branches wither because they have the wrong life source. They are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. The wood in a vine has no real value but to be burned.

• The fruit is the only reason it’s allowed to take up soil.
• Things that make a tree unfruitful (Mark 4:19)

           *Worries of this Life
           *The deceitfulness of wealth
           *Desires for other things

God does not want to make a better you. The best good you have to offer this world is to realize that Jesus can flow through you. He wants you to come into agreement with him that you must die to yourself.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

IV. If we are abiding in Christ, it opens up God’s response to our prayer life! God wants us to produce fruit and when we’re abiding in Christ our prayers are going to be all about God’s will. When God answers these prayers it brings glory to himself.

1 John 5:14,15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

What does it mean to be Fruitful?

Fruit Production is twofold:
1. It is developing the character of Christ in oneself.
2. It’s also being a part of reproducing Christ in others.

The order is significant. A man drowning in sin should not think he has much righteous help to offer another drowning man.

Character

Galatians 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Reproducing Christ in Others

God expects us to abide in Christ and thus be an agent to multiply the kingdom of God into the hearts of others.

The Greek word translated 'bear' in 'bears no fruit' is the word phero, and the Greek word translated 'fruit' is karpos. Both are used in the Parable of the Sower found in Mark 4:1-8

'It came up, grew and produced a crop [karpos: fruit, crop, harvest] multiplying [phero: bearing] thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.' (Mark 4:8).

By using the same Greek words in both teachings, the Bible is showing that producing a crop in Mark 4 and bearing fruit in John 15, are one and the same thing.

Have you ever wondered why some are effective at reproducing Christ in others while some are not? Well, John 15 tells us that when we abide or remain in Christ we’ll bear fruit. I believe this is true but sometimes we can have things that hinder us from being "others" centered that Christ wants to deal with as we abide in him.

The wounded tree is focused on it’s own problems. It has a gaping wound that it must contend with in order to survive. The sap and water that would normally be pushed down the branches and into budding fruit is consumed on this problem.

Luke 13:6-9
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

I believe that in Christ there is healing power for the wounded soul.

I believe there is mercy and grace from the throne of God to heal our hurting emotions.

I believe this healing process takes time but can be accelerated by our pursuit of Christ.
     *Overcoming Sin
     *Prayer/Bible Meditation/Communing with Christ/Abiding

Christ Life Ministries is also a valuable tool to minister to the hurting soul of people. Please consider being a “Good Samaritan” Pouring on the oil and wine to the wounded. (Luke 10:34)

It’s God’s will that we would be whole and fruitful for him.

People that are treading water, barely keeping their head up, in this life sometimes have a difficult time getting out there and rescuing someone else.

It’s hard to fulfill the great commission when we are drowning in our own problems. Abide in Christ, receive healing, become others focused, and make disciples.

Matthew 28:18b-20
“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.”

Then we will have confidence that we are fulfilling our role as fruit bearing disciples of 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 Church
45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map

We Need a Revival

By Tony V. Hammack

Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

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


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

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



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

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

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

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

II. Humility
will humble themselves

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humility leads to grace which leads to

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

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

Titus 2:11,12
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the sins of our nation?

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

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

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


View Larger Map