Overcoming Adversity

By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video of this message. Please click here for the audio or click here for part 1 of the video and click here for part 2 of the video.

Look at the picture to the left and consider the statement in the upper right hand corner.  "Adversity introduces a man to himself."  Consider if you believe this statement to be true and why or why not. 

Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

Where’s the adversity your dealing with coming from?  Is it God, the Devil, others, or self?

When dealing with adversity sometimes you will have to wait for it to pass, you may have to go over it, under it, around it or perhaps through it.

Adversity is always either a stumbling block or a stepping stone.  Which one it is for you generally depends on your attitude.

Consider what Judas did to Jesus.
In one sense of the word what Judas did could’ve crushed the majority of people. They never would’ve been able to recover from such a betrayal.  However for Jesus, Judas was simply the unwitting person that kicked Jesus into his ultimate destiny.

Key’s to Triumphing over Adversity

1. Pray – find the will of God for your situation.
2. Read –find a scripture to “hang your hat on” for your situation.
3. Counsel – Seek GODLY counsel from someone you admire/respect in the spirit.
4. Listen / Meditate / Speak the Word – When God speaks and you have a word listen to it by meditation and confession.
5. Stand – When God’s spoken to your heart and you have a word from heaven then stand and believe.

1. Pray
Luke 22:39-44
39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

2. Read
Find a scripture to identify with your specific situation.

• Sickness
• Sorrow
• Financial Distress
• Bondage

• Sickness

Psalm 118:17
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.


Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

• Sorrow

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

• Financial Distress

Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Luke 6:38
38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

• Bondage

Psalm 118:5
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.

John 8:31,32
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Romans 6
14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

3. Counsel
Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

4. Listen / Meditate / Speak the Word
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Mark 11:23
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

5. Stand
An example from the Old Testament
Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Ephesians 6:13,14a
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then,

Let’s approach God today in conclusion for the wisdom, grace and strength to convert our adversities into stepping stones!

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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.

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


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by Tony V. Hammack

Learning Obedience

By looking into the Loving eyes of Jesus
By Tony Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video of this message.  Click here for the audio or click here for the video.

Love for God
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

• Keys to Obedience
• Receiving Love
• Trusting
• Self Denial (Brings glory to the master)

Jesus is our High Priest
Hebrews 4:14-16
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Due to the position of Jesus we should hold firmly to our faith.  Jesus has been there and understands all our human weaknesses.  Understanding these things we need to approach God with boldness and confidence in order to receive what we need, primarily grace and mercy.

Mercy is not getting what we do deserve, judgment.
Grace is getting what we don’t deserve, power to overcome the enemy, the world system and the flesh. All of heaven’s blessings.

1. Receiving Love
Position
We as God’s people must learn to position ourselves to receive the Love of God. This is a heart condition and is learned through experience. When we wear a path to the throne room of grace we learn where the life of God flows from.


Practical Ways to Receive the Love of God

1. Read the Word
2. Pray
3. Worship the Lord in Song
4. Attend Church
5. Attend a Life Group
6. Fellowship with a Christian friend

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

The Word of God is His Heart to Us
Matthew 12:34
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

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

Matthew 5:18
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

2.  Pray
Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified Bible)
In the days of His flesh [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father].

The Hardest thing for Jesus
Mark 15:34 (New International Version)
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"


3.  Jesus Learning Obedience
Hebrews 5:8
Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

4.  Worship
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Psalm 33:2
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalm 33:3
Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

5.  Attend Church/Life Groups
Matthew 18:20  
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

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.

6.  Fellowship with a Christian Friend
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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.

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


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by Tony V. Hammack

Get Involved in a Life Group

By Tony Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video of this message.  Please click here for the audio or click here for the video.  Thank You.

Koinonia

Introduction:
Every believer needs a place where they can ask specific questions and get specific answers.  We all need to be able to connect in relationships with other Christians or we won’t mature.

Koinonia means to have in common partnership, to share, fellowship and contribute.

Koinonia

1. Sharing
2. Fellowship
3. Contribution

1.  Koinonia translated Share
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

1 Timothy 6:18 (KJV)
18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

2.  Koinonia translated Fellowship
1 Corinthians 1:9
9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Galatians 2:9
9James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

3.  Koinonia translated Contribution
Romans 15:26
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.


2 Corinthians 9:13 (NASB)
13Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,

Body:
8 Benefits to being a part of a Life Group

1. Expression of grace gifts
2. Accountability
3. They are Fun
4. Discipleship Happens
5. Leadership Development
6. The Jethro Principle
7. Synergy
8. Friendships

1. Expression of Grace Gifts
Life groups give the Christian an opportunity to communicate with other members of the body of Christ and release the ministry gifts that God has given them.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
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.

2. Accountability
Sharing your life with others causes the light of accountability to shine into everyone’s heart.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 2:9,10 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

3. They are Fun
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Nehemiah 8:10b Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

4. Discipleship Happens
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,
2 Timothy 2:2  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
   A.  Paul
   B.  Timothy
   C.  Reliable Men
   D.  Others

5. Leadership Development Happens
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." – Confucius

A popular quote by William Glasser says “We learn… 10 percent of what we read, 20 percent of what we hear, 30 percent of what we see, 50 percent of what we see and hear, 70 percent of what we discuss with others, 80 percent of what we experience, and 95 percent of what we teach to someone.”  The percentages might be somewhat off, but they are close enough to actual values to internalize this information for future learning.

6. The Jethro Principle
Exodus 18:17-26
17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him.  20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."  24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

7. Synergy
Synergism - interaction of people so that the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects.
The people in your life group can bring the best out in you and actually take you to a higher level than you could reach on your own.

8. Friendships
You can get closer to the people in your life group due to the content and honesty that goes on. This creates an environment where close friendships can be established.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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.

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


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by Tony V. Hammack

Do Barbers Exist?

This is a great explanation on the nature of God...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.

Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.

I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.

He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:

'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'

'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!'

'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'

'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'

Exactly!' affirmed the customer.
~Author Unknown.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at our Jubilee Family Church internet campus this Sunday at 10:00 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.

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


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by Tony V. Hammack

The Power of the Tongue

Life and Death

Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Jesus Spoke in Faith to Situations
Jesus Operated in the faith principles found in Mark 11:23 and Matthew 17:20 while on the Earth.

Mark 11:23 
23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Matthew 17:20
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, 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."

Jesus spoke to demons, to sick people, to storms, to trees, even to the dead. As he spoke to them in faith they responded to his faith and authority.


We're called to be like Jesus
Ephesians 5:1
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
This faith and authority isn’t just for Jesus, it's for us also, look at the amazing truth below in John 14:12
John 14:12
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

The Apostles flow in faith and speak to situations
Acts 3:4-7
4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

Today
Amazingly Jesus has told us we can have what we say, if we say it in faith. (Mark 11:23) but our meditation and speech is on what we have, our circumstances.

As long as you say what you have you will have what you say. However, you can have what you say if you learn to release faith from the heart in your words.
Matthew 8:13
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

The Word of God conceived in the human heart and then spoken in faith has amazing power to shift things into proper heavenly alignment.

The Devil is a defeated foe but still operates where He’s not challenged.

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

Words can create faith like faith creates words. If you don’t have faith find a scripture and begin to declare that word over your life until faith is birthed in your heart. Then when you speak the word with faith you will see God move in the miraculous.

Faith can move mountains in any area of life. However let’s take a look at the area of identity. Who you are in Christ.

People have all kinds of ideas and tend to believe all kinds of lies about themselves as it relates to their identity in Christ. The following scriptures should help a person walk in victory of a false self image.

One of the enemies tactics is to get us to believe lies about ourselves.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Scriptures to help you understand

I am faithful (Ephesians 1:1)
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)
I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)
I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)
I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)
I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)
I am in Him (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
I have redemption (Ephesians 1:8)
I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)
I have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)
I have hope (Ephesians 1:12)
I am included (Ephesians 1:13)
I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)
I am salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14)
I have been chosen and God desires me to bear fruit (John 15:1,5)
I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am God's coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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.

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


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by Tony V. Hammack