Missing Church?

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jubilee Family Church

Remember, the banana that gets away from the bunch gets skinned.

Congregation Appreciation Day

To watch the video of this sermon CLICK HERE!
Why Jubilee Family Church is a Great Church!

1. I’m supposed to be here, this is where God wants me and I don’t want to be anywhere God doesn’t want me to be.

A friend asked me, “How are you doing?” I said, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing; at the right time; I’m doing great. Thanks for asking.”

Knowing the Word of the Lord
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The Rock of Revelation Knowledge. Knowing who Christ is and Knowing the Voice of God for your Specific Situation.
1 Corinthians 14:12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Prophecy is the spiritual gift that builds up the church.
Prophecy is hearing God’s voice and declaring it verbally.

Apostle Clay Nash is hosting a Prophetic Activation Conference
Feb Wed. 4th – Fri. 6th 7:00 PM
Feb Saturday 7th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

It’s important that we settle this issue in our hearts. If we don’t we’ll be double minded.

James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

In the book Commitment to Conquer the author describes his lack of commitment to his church. He got the revelation that he needed to commit himself to the people and the land where God had called him instead of having a grass is always greener mentality.
He and his Wife bought grave plots in the city where they pastor and God began to move in their church as a result of their commitment to the area God had given them responsibility for.

If this is the area and church where God’s called me. I have a responsibility to make sure it not only survives but thrives.
It blesses me so much when people come up to me and say, “Pastor, I want to help. What can I do?” I’ve got 3 hours a week I want to put in and get involved in some way.
It also blesses me when people give in offerings. I know where most of us are financially and to still be generous is a testimony to the healthy spiritual climate of our church.

Give like the Macedonians the ultimate Givers
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Heart felt giving starts with Grace from God. 2 Corinthians 8:1
Grace is the substance of God that hits a persons soul and causes them to do things that put God first over themselves.
I believe we position ourselves to receive Grace by communing with the Father and other Godly people.
If you ask someone to give and they don’t have the grace to do it, it will make them grumpy, angry or whatever. However if they have the grace to give when they are met with a project or a need they are prompt to do it, eager to support and help.

When grace comes and we’re obedient we become illogical givers. Look at the Macedonian situation they found themselves in for giving in verse 2.

1. Severe Trial
2. Extreme Poverty

Let’s brainstorm for a minute and come up with some severe trials.

Extreme Poverty-
This doesn’t mean the food stamps have run low. This means there are no food stamps and there haven’t been any food stamps. No shoes, barely any clothes. Shelter is poor if any. Perhaps the equivalent of a cardboard box or a natural shelter like a cave.

From this natural circumstance came two interesting responses.

1. Overflowing Joy
2. Rich Generosity
Have you ever considered the poor kids who kick around a balled up piece of newspaper as their only toy and have a great time?

I think about how my own children responded to not having any electricity for a couple days. They did pretty good but we had some sticky moments of complaining about boredom. I reminded them that this is what it was like 150 years ago in America and tried to teach them something.

Overflowing Joy is a joy that is too big to hold yourself. It flows over to others with kind words, smiles, and encouragement.

Rich generosity is just a tangible expression of overflowing Joy. Nothing says I love you like a gift. It’s a tangible expression of a heart that is filled with God’s grace and is overflowing with joy.

2. The People of Jubilee Family Church are Friendly and Kind

I have never been around a nicer group of people in my life. Everyone has been so kind to Andrea and I. It’s absolutely precious how you all treat us and others. I can’t say enough how blessed we are to be here with you all.

I wish there were more hours in the day so we could fellowship together more often. I encourage you to get involved as a home group leader or attend a home group. This is the pattern I believe God wants us to use so we can share the Grace we’ve received with others outside of our church body and thus expand the Kingdom of God into other hearts.

Proverbs 21:9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
What price can you put on peace? That’s the environment we have here. It’s priceless.

Your kindness to us is a direct reflection of God working in you. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.


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

My experience with the people of Jubilee Family church has been according to Colossians 3:12
1. Compassion
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Gentleness
5. Patience

1. From the moment I arrived on January 15th 2007 we’ve been treated with nothing but compassion. Compassion to us and especially our children. This means a lot to us.

2. No one has ever been mean spirited toward us. We’ve had some issues to work out but everyone has always been redemptive, not condescending, rude or cruel.

3. Humility is the key to greatness and we have yet to run into an arrogant person in this church body. It is truly a good environment for us to minister as well as for new people to feel welcome when they come in.

4. I haven’t heard a harsh word from anyone either. Your gentleness has been evident to me. Thank You

5. Patience-Being a younger pastor you all have put up with my personality and quirks. I very much appreciate your patience toward me. I realize when I first came you didn’t know me and you’ve really embraced us. We feel so welcome here.

3. We have a big vision, and if our vision is God’s vision there will be provision.

All I can do is attempt to hear God’s voice for our church and start walking it out in obedience to his voice.
It’s wonderfully exciting for me actually.
I desire to have a church that is relevant to a lost and dying world and reaching out practically with authenticity at a steady pace causing consistent growth in depth and width.

Depth-Personal growth, loving God more, learning more about him daily, becoming empowered for ministry.

Width-Numbers

I’m very pleased with the way the Holy Spirit has been visiting us in various ways in our services.
I’m also very pleased with the number of people we’ve had the opportunity to water baptize.

God is moving.
A lot of this has to do with His desire and our faith that expresses itself through prayer, and worship.

I’m excited about the literacy council. This is a ministry that we started to help fulfill the vision of the Church by practically helping people. What better way to help someone than to teach them how to read and write. I like hand up ministries much more than hand out ministries.

The Literacy Council represents the beginning of a multi phase learning/equipping center. I desire to practically help people get into the ministry as a vocation. If this is a persons desire I want us to help them by providing an environment that will prepare them spiritually, academically as well as providing a hands on dimension.

We are going to help facilitate anyone who wants to go to Bible College by opening up our computer lab and helping people get enrolled into Oral Roberts University’s distance learning program.
The church can help create accountability, encouragement and synergy for online learners that they wouldn’t have if they went out on their own.

I believe the Voice of Batesville, The Church blog and the 2 radio stations are going to make an impact in the area of media in our region.
As we endeavor to reach people we have the opportunity to reach into their homes and vehicles. I believe this gives us an incredible opportunity to touch lives with the Gospel message.
The stations coupled with the blogs give us a way to hear back from people to really interact with them.

Jubilee Family Church

Keep your Eyes on the Prize

A lesson on effort that flows from focus.

Run to get the prize video
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5bbe5d9ffceabc46b291
1 : 16

Develop a personal mission statement.
It should be in line with God’s will for your life.

Remember that God’s will is good pleasing and perfect according to Romans 12:2.
You should be passionate about this mission.
The reason you’re alive is to accomplish this mission.

Run to win
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.

How do we live?
It’s likened to running for a prize. Running to win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZTCzP5_No
YouTube Video
4:38

There is a Soldier aspect to Being a Believer in Jesus!

2 Timothy 2:3,4
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

1. Endurance of Hardships
2. Focus on the mission, (not civilian affairs)
3. Please the one in authority

1. Endurance
Romans 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

God gives endurance
If you are a quitter then I encourage you to ask God for endurance.
Endurance
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Endurance is inspired by hope.
When we lose hope it’s not long until we begin to entertain thoughts of quitting and ultimately we will quit where there is no hope. Endurance will run out.

Endurance
Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When we see things in the light of what Jesus went through it gives us endurance. Ask yourself, “Is it as bad as hanging on a cross?” Seeing life through this lens puts things in the proper perspective.

2. Focus on the Mission
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Focus on the Mission
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We put our focus on the eternal realities we read about in the Scriptures. This is wise because the eternal realities will be here forever. However the temporal realities around us need some focus but not our best.
A good understanding
1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Spend a little effort of the temporal things of this life but your focus should be on spiritual things.

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


When we prioritize the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and put them first. God takes care of the other issues of our lives.

Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Eternal treasures have a better return than the Earthly treasures.
Focus on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus had Joy in going to the cross because of a heavenly attitude and an understanding of God’s ultimate plan.
How about you? Is your attitude joyful when facing difficulties? Do you have a heavenly perspective toward what’s going on or do you simply squirm under the pressure and get upset.
We’re supposed to fix our eyes on this part of Jesus. The part that endures scorn and shame.

3. Please God
Romans 8:8
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

When sin is reigning in your mortal body you cannot please God.
Please God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Ways to Please God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Be Sanctified v. 3
Avoid Sexual Immorality v. 3
Love your Brother more and more v. 9
Let your daily life win the respect of outsiders by working hard and being self-sufficient. Not dependent on anybody. v. 12

Please God
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Believing in God and believing for things from God pleases him. It’s not carnal to believe that God is going to bless you. It actually is pleasing to God.

Believe for the impossible!

The illustration is a simple one.
Give your best, give your all. Run to win, not just to finish.
When we get into a competition there are various levels of desire in all the athletes. Some people “really want it” while others are less committed in heart.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Fully committed can be understood to mean, their giving their best.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

When Paul speaks about being disqualified for the prize and beating his own body it makes me think that he is practicing the word of God not just preaching it. Just preaching it isn’t enough even though others will benefit from it. It must be practiced by the preacher to keep that prize from being lost.

Can you lose your salvation?
Yes but

Hebrews 6:4-6
4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

If you do lose your salvation you can’t repent and come back according to this verse.
If you think you lost your salvation and yet you sit here today desiring to be closer to God you couldn’t have lost your salvation because God’s grace wouldn’t have drawn you back to a place of repentance.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jubilee Family Church

Jesus Christ is Interested in a Relationship with You!

This video ministered to me and I hope it ministers to you also.


Jubilee Family Church

Raymond Howard Gets Water Baptized!

Raymond, by the prayers and witnessing of his family and especially his brothers has miraculously come to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior! Raymond spent many years addicted to various components of a worldly lifestyle but Jesus has captured his heart and he's a new creature in Christ.

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

Rejoice with us as God transforms Raymond's life from the inside out.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Jubilee Family Church