Merry CHRISTmas

From our family to yours! Merry Christmas. 2008 has been a great year for us. We are so greatful for everyone at church and all your kindness to us as your pastors. Remember this Christmas season to keep Christ at the center. With all the preperations that need to be made it's easy to get things out of wack. Where would we be without a loving God that sent his only begotten son to be born of a virgin in a little town called Bethlehem. Share the Christmas story with your family this year!

We love you,

The Hammack Family


Jubilee Family Church

Keys to Receiving a Double Portion of the Anointing

To watch the video of this message click here.

Lessons from the life of Elijah, Elisha and Gehazi

What is the Double Portion?

2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"

"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
(KJV) I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

This scripturally is something that Elisha asked for as he served and followed Elijah his master.

It’s interesting that Elisha recognizes the spirit is in Elijah. I believe that it is a gift inside the man deposited their by God. Elisha is asking for the ability to express the tangibility of God through signs wonders and miracles like Elijah did.

In the context of the life of Elisha, a double portion of his master’s anointing means twice the major miracles flowing from his life. Elijah 14 Miracles
Elisha 28 Miracles

Miracles Performed Through Elisha
1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)
2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)
3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)
4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)
5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)
6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)
7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)
8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)
9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)
10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)
11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)
12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)
13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)
14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)
15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)
16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)
17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)
18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)
19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)
20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)
21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)
22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)
23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)
24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)
25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)
26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)
27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)
28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)


Elisha's ministry superseded Elijah's in certain ways.
Elisha's ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah's (25 compared to 13 years).

Spiritual success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for you--not how you compare to others or how much approval you get from others.

Keys to catching the Spirit that is on a person
1) Burn the ships to your old life.
2) Spend time with the person who’s spirit you want a double portion of by serving the person in Spiritual Authority.
3) Persistently follow even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.

1. Burn the Ships

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

When Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico, one of his first orders to his men was to burn the ships. Cortez was committed to his mission and did not want to allow himself or his men the option of going back to Spain. By removing this option, Cortez and his men were forced to focus on how they could make the mission successful.

1 Kings 19:19-21
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

New Testament Radical Followers
Matthew 19:27
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Luke 5:11
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:28
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.


Why would someone be so radical?
Remember the Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44-46
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

2. Serve the Person
Spend time together

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

John 13:12-17
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Elisha’s Job Description
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?"
An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. [b] “
b-That is, he was Elijah's personal servant.
Service
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Luke 22:25,26
25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Benefactor - one that confers a benefit ; especially : one that makes a gift or bequest

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be persistent
It appears as Elijah is preparing to be taken away into Heaven he’s asking his servant to leave him. Basically, “Go away Elisha.” but Elisha won’t leave his side.


3. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

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.

Gilgal to Bethel
2 Kings 2:2 Elijah going from Gilgal to Bethel Elijah says, Stay here. Elisha replies with, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."

Bethel to Jericho
2 Kings 2: 4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.

Jericho to Jordan
2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.

2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed (the Jordan River supernaturally), Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."


Elisha sees Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and strikes the Jordan river with Elijah’s mantle and the water parts. The company of the 50 prophets interprets this sign that "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."

Do we serve men or the Lord?

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

I believe that God has ordained people on the earth to do great exploits for him. I believe that we’re to serve one another in brotherly love and the greater reward you want the greater your level of service.

However when we serve the Lord through a man I believe we can get on the fast track because of the practical hurdles and difficulties our predecessors have overcome. It helps us learn faster and move quicker not to mention the favor factor. If God has truly anointed you and commissioned you to start some kind of ministry PRAISE GOD, I believe God flows through established authority though.

Operating outside that authority is your choice but I believe you are exposing yourself to difficulties that are unnecessary. It’s better and easier to serve and be sent than to launch yourself out into some kind of ministry. I believe serving and being sent is the New Testament model for church planting or ministry launching.

Every time I’ve served under someone that person’s input has been very helpful and honest. They can give you the type of information that no one else has because of their perspective. It’s incredibly valuable!

So if you want a double portion of the anointing should you get in every prayer line you can find and have anointed men and women of God lay their hands on you? Well, that’s not necessarily a bad idea but that’s not how Elisha got the double portion.

He…

1. Burnt the ships to His old life.
2. He spent time with the person who’s spirit he wanted a double portion of by serving the person.
3. He persistently followed even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.

Jubilee Family Church

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who helps at the church! The guys that came out Saturday did a great job moving the sign, readjusting the reader board, leveling the sign and flag pole and putting up a new flag. Great Job everyone! A special thanks also to the cleaners who put in countless hours making sure our church looks and smells sharp. You all are so important to the ministries of Jubilee Family Church. It takes everyone doing their part for the church to get to the place where God wants to take us. Thank you for your continued financial support, time, and talent contributions.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tony

Jubilee Family Church

When Unforgiveness is Not a Good Option

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable
We know that this story illustrates a kingdom principle of forgiveness and judgment. It shows how the character of God interrelates with men based on the way men interrelate with God and one another.

Peter in Verse 21 asks the question, “How many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?

Peter is asking the question in regard to the previous teaching on conflict resolution and your brother wronging you found in verse 15.

I also think Peter may be trying to show out a little here by coming up with the question and the answer in the same breath. In Peter’s mind, 7 forgiveness's is a large number. It may be a large number in some of our minds today as well.

Hypothetically imagine if your boss decided not to pay you for a weeks work and came and apologized from his heart and did this for 7 consecutive weeks, how many of us could truly forgive our boss from our heart?

Jesus completely blows Peter out of the water with his answer. You think 7 is a big number but I tell you that you must forgive your brother 70 times 7 times. This is practically the number 490 but I believe it represents something more infinite.

There is a key to taking on a merciful personality found in this parable.
There is an excellent and logical reason why some people are very critical and judgmental of others. We’ll see why in just a minute.

In verse 23, The parable of a human king correlates nicely with Jesus being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who will one day settle accounts with his subjects or attendants.

In the parable the debt is financial but in our lives our debt is a sin debt. The Bible is very clear that every human owes God a sin debt. Every sin needs to be paid for or atoned for.

Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Each one of us has a huge sin debt that is owed to a holy, just and righteous God.

The financial illustration is a great way to understand the ratio of our debt compared to the debt other people owe us. The amplified Bible describes the debt of sin we owe the king as 10,000 talents or the equivalent of $10,000,000.

Because the man could not pay in v. 25, his master ordered him to be sold into slavery, with his wife and his children and every thing that he possessed and payment to be made.

This could be considered the wages of sin in this life being destruction ultimately followed by physical death.

Proverbs 13:15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

This can also be looked at as eternal punishment for a debt that cannot be paid and due to God’s holy and just nature he must judge sin.

Both understandings are correct and we need to deal with both realities.

The Servant’s Response to the King
The servant fell on his knees, begging the king, “Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.”

The servant’s words in V. 26 indicate that he feels a sense of responsibility to pay back the debt even though it’s impossible to pay back. He begs for patience.

The King’s Response to his Servant
Because of the man’s approach and heart condition, the King’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [canceling the debt.]

Wow, a $10,000,000 debt cancelled simply because he asked for patience and mercy. This speaks volumes about the heart of God toward us.

James 2:13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

God’s nature is Just and Merciful all at once. These two character qualities seem unreconcilable.

The only way these two character qualities can be expressed simultaneously is when there is an advocate or a scapegoat to take the punishment thus satisfying God’s demand for justice and a recipient of mercy, satisfying God’s merciful character.

We see a beautiful illustration of this in the Cross. Jesus (God himself) taking our punishment, the ultimate in mercy so he can maintain his integrity expressing justice and mercy simultaneously.

The First Servant’s Response to the Second Servant
In v. 28 the same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about 20 dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

The illustration is a simple one. The servant receives a tremendous bail out package from the king and then goes out immediately and demands justice when he’s been shown mercy.

And the contrast financially is a sharp one. This illustrates the debt of sin people can owe us.

Have you ever been hurt by a person?
Verbally
Physically
Even maybe sexually abused?
Maybe it’s much less severe. Is their ANYTHING in your heart against someone?

So his fellow servant did the same thing he did when he obtained mercy from the King. He fell down in v. 29 and begged him earnestly to give him time and he would pay all!

A Sharp Contrast between the King and the First Servant
The first servant who’d received mercy from the king was unwilling to give his fellow servant time to pay the debt in v. 30. He had him imprisoned until he could pay off the debt of 20 dollars!

Who have you put into your heart prison. Is there someone you haven’t forgiven. Yes they’ve hurt you but is it really even close to the hurt you’ve inflicted on God?
People who hold grudges and bitterness either haven’t been forgiven by the king or they have forgotten what it is like to be forgiven by the king.
When the Love of the king comes in and forgives you your debt it’s impossible to hold a petty grudge (of $20) against your brother or sister in Christ.

So you’ve got to ask yourself. If you’re carrying some unforgiveness against a brother or sister. Am I forgiven? Or am I just disconnected from the revelation of that forgiveness?

Bring in Some Balance
Does God forgive people if they don’t repent and ask for forgiveness? NO
Should you?

Well, Yes if you can. Do it to free yourself from lingering in the past. Those memories if not dealt with can be toxic to your present time.

Romans 12:19
19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,“ says the Lord.

However, if they genuinely, from their heart, ask you to forgive them, you HAVE to forgive them if you expect forgiveness from the King of Heaven for yourself.

Listen to what the King now says to the first servant.
V. 32 You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.

V. 33 And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

V. 34 and in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

Again I believe this has a dual meaning.

It effects your here and now (what are some practical ways that unforgiveness is like being tortured or jailed?)
It effects your eternity.

V 35 So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

Sometimes holding a grudge only effects you! The person who’s offended you doesn’t even know! LET IT GO!! Take it to the king and let that person free from your heart prison! It’ll make you feel better!

Some may say, “Pastor I can’t forgive what they did to me, I tried and I just can’t.” Well I would say to you that you need to catch a glimpse of God’s forgiveness for you again.

If they’ve asked for forgiveness it’s imperative that you do this. If they haven’t it’s important for your future.

Jubilee Family Church

The Kingdom of Heaven Part 5; Receiving the Keys to the Kingdom

To watch the video of this lesson click here.

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Notice what Jesus says about Peter's insight and future role as a result of his revelatory reply in Matthew 16:17-19

1. Peter received this revelation from God.
2. Jesus will build his church upon this revelatory word.
3. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against this church.
4. Peter will receive "keys" which will enable him to "bind" and "loose."

So, what is this that Christ has promised Peter and not the other disciples? It is impossible to say with absolute certainty, but it would appear that Peter's powerful ministry exploits in the Book of Acts were empowered as a result of Peter’s obedience and Jesus’ response to Peter’s proclamation about His divinity.

1. When the Jews received the Word along with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, Peter was ministering.
2. When the Samaritans received the baptism in the Holy Spirit for the first time in Acts 8:9-25, Peter was again ministering.
3. When the Gentiles, in Acts 10:24-48, likewise, received the Word along with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, Peter was there again.

It appears that on all three occasions Peter was exercising the "keys" which had been presented to him in this passage of scripture. As a result, three separate categories of people, Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles were formally inducted into the newly-founded church, the Body of Christ. Those are some pretty powerful keys. There can be no question; Peter was set apart for special service on this occasion.

If we do the same things Peter did in regard to revelation knowledge are we also privileged with the keys to the kingdom?

Revelation Knowledge

Revelation knowledge is how we get the keys to the kingdom. Kingdom keys open kingdom doors.

Knowledge is great but knowledge that is not acted on is theoretical at best and valueless at worst.

The key to making knowledge beneficial is to have the courage to act on the knowledge that you have.

We’ve probably all met people who are really “book smart” but don’t seem to have the fabric in themselves to make decisions that will bring about the benefit of that knowledge.

Revelation knowledge is knowledge that is not revealed to you by man but is revealed to you by your heavenly Father.

Learning from men is not wrong but there is more to learning than just listening to things on a surface level. God can speak to you through men and if you have spiritual ears to hear you can discern when the Lords voice is speaking to you through a man. An interesting dynamic of God’s word is found in Hebrews 4:12. The word of God, being living and active. God can speak by revelation to one person, and another person, sitting right next to you, is simply hearing earthly information.

The Quakers believed that the Bible was written in layers and that the majority of the scriptures had different and deeper meanings. This is the underlying reason for John Bunyan's classic, “Pilgrims Progress”. The entire content of the book is allegorical. This means the characters in the story always represent something else with a deeper meaning.

One of the Dictionary definitions of allegorical is to have hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text.

I don’t believe the entire Bible is allegorical but I believe some of it is. When it’s allegorical we need to read and interpret it as such. Sometimes we can get out of balance and miss the simple meaning that is laid out in scripture searching for a deeper meaning.

It’s wise to understand the surface meaning first before plunging to some secret meaning.

Revelation knowledge

Peter took what he knew about Jesus from the natural things he’d seen, what he knew about the Bible and what he felt like God was confirming in his heart and makes the declaration that, “Jesus was the Christ, the son of the Living God.” This is how we also receive revelation knowledge. Our declaration can be action of some kind also.

Because we know, we act.

Wisdom from the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—

How many of us can quote verse 9 but forget about verse 10?

10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

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

In Christ is the fullness of Wisdom

Colossians 2:2-4

2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

What does it mean to be bound on Earth and bound in heaven? How do we bind and loose?

1. Revelation

We’ve already discussed revelation knowledge being foundational to binding and loosing.

2. Confronting Conflicts

Matthew 18:15-17

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.‘ 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Conflict Resolution, or the lack their of causes binding and loosing.

The Scripture before the passage on binding and loosing is in regard to conflict resolution.

The Scripture after the passage on binding and loosing is in regard to the prayer of agreement.

3. The Prayer of Agreement

The prayer of agreement binds and looses heavenly things.

Matthew 18:19-20

19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

In Conclusion

1. Revelation Knowledge with action is the foundation upon which the church is built and creates a binding and loosing environment for the person that’s walking in this type of knowledge.

2. Forgiveness, conflict resolution and church discipline also activate the kingdom dynamic of binding and loosing.

3. The prayer of agreement also activates binding and loosing.