Abundant Life Today is the international, on demand teaching ministry of Tony V. Hammack, lead pastor of Jubilee Family Church | Batesville, Arkansas
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June 7, 2010
Mrs. Moses
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
June 2, 2010
The Jubilee Family Church Vision: Part 1; Win the Lost
By Tony V. Hammack
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.
Our Vision
1. Win
2 Corinthians 5:17,18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Ways we win souls
Jesus Was a “Relational, Power and Word Evangelist”
Please read the story of the Woman at the Well found in John 4:7-26
John 4:7-9
1a. Jesus finds common ground that creates an open heart in the woman.
He does this by virtue of the prejudices that existed between Samaritans and Jews. Men and women.
His reaching out to her, asking for a drink opens her heart.
Jesus is dealing with a woman who’s honoring him, she’s not bitter.
1b. Way’s to soften the heart of the person God’s told you to lead to Christ.
2a. Jesus is witnessing to the woman by talking to her about what she’s doing. Drawing water.
2b. Turn the conversation toward spiritual things by using common things the person you’re talking to is familiar with.
John 4:12
3a. This creates questions in the heart of the woman. Her questions indicate to Jesus that she’s not understanding the point he’s trying to make about living water.
3b. Make sure you’re an attentive listener. The person you’re talking to will tell you how to proceed based on the questions they ask you.
Sometimes we get on a monologue and don’t listen or even care to listen to people. We shouldn’t do this unless the person is putting up false arguments.
John 4:13,14
4a. Jesus compares natural water with spiritual water thus showing the supremacy of the kingdom of God over the frivolousness of living for self.
4b. When we’re sharing our faith with others it’s important to use the word of God and your testimony to illustrate the supremacy of kingdom living.
John 4:15
5a. She wants the living water but doesn’t really understand what it is. She thinks it’s water that doesn’t need to be drawn, some sort of magic water.
5b. It’s important that once people are “on board” with the good news they start to understand and grow in knowledge. They need to be taught.
John 4:17,18
6a. Here’s where Jesus flows in a prophetic gifting by revealing her past and current relationship status.
6b. Always be open to supernatural words from heaven when you are expressing the Gospel to people. It takes sensitivity to the voice of God and courage to step out into this, however, when you hear correctly and obey, God is glorified!
John 4:20
7a. Here the woman wants to talk about where to worship on this mountain or in Jerusalem. Jesus explains that worship is going to be a place in the heart and that salvation is from the Jews.
7b. When the true spiritual presence of God shows up people might want to talk “religion”. Where to go to church if you will.
John 4:21-24
8a. Jesus gives a word of instruction about the question the woman asks telling her the truth about worship.
8b. It is important where you go to church but it’s more important that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
9a. Now the woman is starting down the right track. She brings up the Messiah. Jesus closes the discussion by letting her know he’s the Messiah.
9b. If things go well your person should bring up the right things as the spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44) Continue in this relationship until you feel God releases you from it or they get reconciled to God.
The Romans Road to Salvation
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a, "For the wages of sin is death;
Romans 6:23b "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13 "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
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.
Our Vision
- Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
- Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
- Disciple - Get involved in servant leadership and life groups.
- Send - Launch new life groups
1. Win
2 Corinthians 5:17,18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Ways we win souls
Jesus Was a “Relational, Power and Word Evangelist”
Please read the story of the Woman at the Well found in John 4:7-26
John 4:7-9
1a. Jesus finds common ground that creates an open heart in the woman.
He does this by virtue of the prejudices that existed between Samaritans and Jews. Men and women.
His reaching out to her, asking for a drink opens her heart.
Jesus is dealing with a woman who’s honoring him, she’s not bitter.
1b. Way’s to soften the heart of the person God’s told you to lead to Christ.
- Acts of kindness
- Acts of service
- Gifts
- Authenticity over a long period of time
- Demonstrations of power
2a. Jesus is witnessing to the woman by talking to her about what she’s doing. Drawing water.
2b. Turn the conversation toward spiritual things by using common things the person you’re talking to is familiar with.
John 4:12
3a. This creates questions in the heart of the woman. Her questions indicate to Jesus that she’s not understanding the point he’s trying to make about living water.
3b. Make sure you’re an attentive listener. The person you’re talking to will tell you how to proceed based on the questions they ask you.
Sometimes we get on a monologue and don’t listen or even care to listen to people. We shouldn’t do this unless the person is putting up false arguments.
John 4:13,14
4a. Jesus compares natural water with spiritual water thus showing the supremacy of the kingdom of God over the frivolousness of living for self.
4b. When we’re sharing our faith with others it’s important to use the word of God and your testimony to illustrate the supremacy of kingdom living.
John 4:15
5a. She wants the living water but doesn’t really understand what it is. She thinks it’s water that doesn’t need to be drawn, some sort of magic water.
5b. It’s important that once people are “on board” with the good news they start to understand and grow in knowledge. They need to be taught.
John 4:17,18
6a. Here’s where Jesus flows in a prophetic gifting by revealing her past and current relationship status.
6b. Always be open to supernatural words from heaven when you are expressing the Gospel to people. It takes sensitivity to the voice of God and courage to step out into this, however, when you hear correctly and obey, God is glorified!
John 4:20
7a. Here the woman wants to talk about where to worship on this mountain or in Jerusalem. Jesus explains that worship is going to be a place in the heart and that salvation is from the Jews.
7b. When the true spiritual presence of God shows up people might want to talk “religion”. Where to go to church if you will.
John 4:21-24
8a. Jesus gives a word of instruction about the question the woman asks telling her the truth about worship.
8b. It is important where you go to church but it’s more important that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
9a. Now the woman is starting down the right track. She brings up the Messiah. Jesus closes the discussion by letting her know he’s the Messiah.
9b. If things go well your person should bring up the right things as the spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44) Continue in this relationship until you feel God releases you from it or they get reconciled to God.
The Romans Road to Salvation
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a, "For the wages of sin is death;
Romans 6:23b "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13 "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
May 26, 2010
Jesus Christ and Him Crucified
By Tony V. Hammack
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.
One Key to Revival
Lift Jesus Up
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
1 Corinthians 1:17
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Human Wisdom = No Power
Our Cross
Matthew 16:24-26
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
The cross is the place where your love and obedience to the Lord becomes painful. The pain usually comes from people who are outside the covenant. When the cross is fully realized it will actually bring physical death to an individual.
Two reasons to suffer
1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Your Cross; May Effect Others
Matthew 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
You may have to carry someone else’s cross.
The Cross; Misunderstood
Matthew 27:40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
The world, inspired by the agenda of Satan, will call to you to stop suffering or sacrificing for the Lord. Listen to your flesh and take the path of least resistance.
Matthew 27:42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
One specific demonic strategy will be to ridicule the person going through suffering even quoting the verses that have to do with God’s blessings. Perhaps saying, “Well if they had been obedient and done what was right, none of this would’ve happened.”
Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Our cross will not catch God by surprise.
Remember what happened to Joseph and his proclamation to his brothers when the fruition of his vision came to pass.
Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
The Cross, a Place of Unity
Ephesians 2:13-16
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
The Cross a Place of Victory
Colossians 2:14,15
14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
In conclusion the cross gives us victory over the regulations of the law and victory over Satan and demonic principalities.
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
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.
One Key to Revival
Lift Jesus Up
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
1 Corinthians 1:17
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Human Wisdom = No Power
Our Cross
Matthew 16:24-26
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
The cross is the place where your love and obedience to the Lord becomes painful. The pain usually comes from people who are outside the covenant. When the cross is fully realized it will actually bring physical death to an individual.
Two reasons to suffer
1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Your Cross; May Effect Others
Matthew 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
You may have to carry someone else’s cross.
The Cross; Misunderstood
Matthew 27:40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
The world, inspired by the agenda of Satan, will call to you to stop suffering or sacrificing for the Lord. Listen to your flesh and take the path of least resistance.
Matthew 27:42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
One specific demonic strategy will be to ridicule the person going through suffering even quoting the verses that have to do with God’s blessings. Perhaps saying, “Well if they had been obedient and done what was right, none of this would’ve happened.”
Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Our cross will not catch God by surprise.
Remember what happened to Joseph and his proclamation to his brothers when the fruition of his vision came to pass.
Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
The Cross, a Place of Unity
Ephesians 2:13-16
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
The Cross a Place of Victory
Colossians 2:14,15
14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
In conclusion the cross gives us victory over the regulations of the law and victory over Satan and demonic principalities.
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
Serving by the Law or by the Spirit?
By Tony V. Hammack
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.
Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
New Testament believers can find themselves serving God under the law but it's an error to do so.
I. The wrong way to serve the Lord
A. With your identity tied to the work instead of your identity tied to the Lord.
1. To try and earn God’s approval
2. To try and earn the favor of people
3. To try and salve a guilty conscience by doing God’s work.
II. The proper way to serve God is by the Spirit, not by the law, where you are
A. Abiding in the presence of God to receive
1. grace
2. direction
3. power for service
B. Empowered to step out in obedience
Let's take a look at the wrong way to serve the Lord before we take a look at the proper way to serve the Lord.
The Purpose of the Law to a New Covenant Believer
Galatians 3:24
24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Amplified Bible
24So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.
A Problem with the Law
The Law arouses sinful passions
Romans 7:5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
1. You can’t get God’s approval by observing the law.
Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Justified - : to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation.
Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
2. Trying to Earn the Approval of Men
Galatians 1:10
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The Hireling simulates a person who's serving with the wrong motives and as a result is unable to see their ministry through difficulties. When the wolf attacks the hireling runs away, leaving the sheep vulnerable and thus ending the expression of God through that person.
3. Trying to Salve a Guilty Conscience
Serving the Lord in order to pay some sort of recognized or subliminal penance is an improper motive.
When we have to work something up, in order to do something for God we are probably operating under the Law.
The Correct Way to Serve the Lord
The only thing we need to do is believe on the one God has sent.
John 6:28,29
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
A. Abiding in the Presence of God
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will 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.
1. Receive Grace
Titus 2:11,12
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Grace, in the context of Titus 2, is the essence of God that gives the believer the internal fortitude to say no to ungodliness and sin. Grace is a sin preventer, empowering the Christian to live like Christ.
2. Receive Direction
John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3. Receive Power for Service
Luke 11:9-13 (Amplified)
9So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!
B. Empowered to Step Out in Obedience
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Accomplishing the great Commission
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
This Sunday was Pentecost Sunday May 23rd 2010 so we talked some about the day of Pentecost as it relates to empowering the believer for service.
Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
The gift of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel
Acts 2:15-18
15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
The Promised Holy Spirit is for You
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
In conclusion please read Acts 18:24-28 and discuss the disciple named Apollos. Compare and contrast his method of ministry with that of the early Apostles and discuss any parallels you may see today in the church in America. What does "only the Baptism of John mean?" What does "explained to him the way of God more adequately" mean?
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today by simply asking in faith. Our good Heavenly father will bless you with the gift of his Holy Spirit if you ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking. In the book of Acts what accompanied the gift of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues and sometimes tongues with prophecy.
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. If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
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.
Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
New Testament believers can find themselves serving God under the law but it's an error to do so.
I. The wrong way to serve the Lord
A. With your identity tied to the work instead of your identity tied to the Lord.
1. To try and earn God’s approval
2. To try and earn the favor of people
3. To try and salve a guilty conscience by doing God’s work.
II. The proper way to serve God is by the Spirit, not by the law, where you are
A. Abiding in the presence of God to receive
1. grace
2. direction
3. power for service
B. Empowered to step out in obedience
Let's take a look at the wrong way to serve the Lord before we take a look at the proper way to serve the Lord.
The Purpose of the Law to a New Covenant Believer
Galatians 3:24
24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Amplified Bible
24So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.
A Problem with the Law
The Law arouses sinful passions
Romans 7:5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
1. You can’t get God’s approval by observing the law.
Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Justified - : to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation.
Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
2. Trying to Earn the Approval of Men
Galatians 1:10
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The Hireling simulates a person who's serving with the wrong motives and as a result is unable to see their ministry through difficulties. When the wolf attacks the hireling runs away, leaving the sheep vulnerable and thus ending the expression of God through that person.
The Hireling
John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Serving the Lord in order to pay some sort of recognized or subliminal penance is an improper motive.
When we have to work something up, in order to do something for God we are probably operating under the Law.
The Correct Way to Serve the Lord
The only thing we need to do is believe on the one God has sent.
John 6:28,29
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
A. Abiding in the Presence of God
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will 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.
1. Receive Grace
Titus 2:11,12
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Grace, in the context of Titus 2, is the essence of God that gives the believer the internal fortitude to say no to ungodliness and sin. Grace is a sin preventer, empowering the Christian to live like Christ.
2. Receive Direction
John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3. Receive Power for Service
Luke 11:9-13 (Amplified)
9So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!
B. Empowered to Step Out in Obedience
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Accomplishing the great Commission
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
This Sunday was Pentecost Sunday May 23rd 2010 so we talked some about the day of Pentecost as it relates to empowering the believer for service.
Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
The gift of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel
Acts 2:15-18
15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
The Promised Holy Spirit is for You
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
In conclusion please read Acts 18:24-28 and discuss the disciple named Apollos. Compare and contrast his method of ministry with that of the early Apostles and discuss any parallels you may see today in the church in America. What does "only the Baptism of John mean?" What does "explained to him the way of God more adequately" mean?
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today by simply asking in faith. Our good Heavenly father will bless you with the gift of his Holy Spirit if you ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking. In the book of Acts what accompanied the gift of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues and sometimes tongues with prophecy.
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. If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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Drugged by Parents
Posted By Tony V. Hammack (Taken from an e-mail)
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map
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