Wisdom

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

Proverbs 4:7

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Thesis:
We as the people of God, need to grow in wisdom if we’re going to be successful in this life and properly be an agent of Christ in the world.


Outline:

• What is wisdom
• The Admonishment to Get Wisdom
• How to Get Wisdom
• The Benefits of Wisdom
• Christ is our Wisdom

I believe the Bible teaches that there are at least 4 different types of wisdom.
    -Types of Wisdom (James 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13)

• Natural Wisdom
• Carnal Wisdom
• Selfless Wisdom
• Wisdom from on High

What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is the synthesis of knowledge (facts).  It causes one to draw conclusions that people without wisdom cannot draw.  Facts and knowledge are the building blocks upon which wisdom is built.

It’s often been said that this life consists of the sum total of our decisions and the resulting response of others from our decisions. Consequently, if our decision making ability is so vital to the direction and thus outcome of our lives, we need to make wise choices. Wisdom is the principal thing.

The Admonishment to Get Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get [Wisdom is supreme; therefore get] wisdom.   
     -Though it cost all you have, [Whatever else you get] get understanding.

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

How to Get Wisdom
-Not everyone gains wisdom the same way.
-There are two main tracks. The Mocker track and the wise track.

Proverbs 21:11
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

Ask God for Wisdom

James 1:5,6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Become a Companion of the Wise

Deuteronomy 34:9
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

Laid his hands on him in the prayer sense or laid his hands on him in the he worked with him closely for many years.

Read and Study
To grow in natural wisdom a person must be able to accumulate facts into their mind, synthesize the facts, compare them to other processes or systems and then draw a conclusion about the outcome that is correct.

For Example:
The used car you are interested in buying that is blowing blue smoke and knocking. What do you think? Good idea?

Factor in the demeanor of the salesman, any known knowledge of cars and engines, a comparison between other cars that are new, and a correct conclusion can be drawn.

Wisdom can also include a supernatural component. This heavenly impartation adds a new component to natural wisdom.

Heavenly Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:10b-13
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

The Benefits of wisdom

Solomon our Old Testament Example

1 Kings 3:7-15
7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor —so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke —and he realized it had been a dream.

Wisdom brought wealth, possessions honor, and a long life to Solomon. How about today?

Ecclesiastes 2:26a
To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

Proverbs 9:11
For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 19:8
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Christ is Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
We must seek Christ’s face for wisdom in the time that we live in. Without wisdom to know what to do we can become victimized or miss out on a blessing.

God open our eyes to see what you want us to see. Give us the unction to search a matter out.



Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

 If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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We Must Prepare Our Hearts for the Revival that's Coming

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

We must prepare our Hearts for the Revival that’s Coming… …And in some ways it’s already here

Revival – means to revive or to bring something back from the brink of death. A true revival is not a series of meetings scheduled for a weekend. It’s when life, zeal, hunger, holiness, passion and excitement returns to the people of God for a prolonged period of time. These realities produce new converts, disciples and incredible willingness to serve. If the revival isn’t engineered by men it should also have Holy Spirit manifestations in it.

Marvin Goorman had a vision in his office down in Louisiana several years ago after a guy in his church brought him some lunch. He saw what he called the end time, Pentecostal revival. Some of the things he saw included a revival that didn’t have a human personality associated with it. Children were being used in demonstrations of power as they simply prayed for people.

God’s Kingdom is Expanding

Daniel 2:35

35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

Some in the Church today have a hope in a coming rapture that can happen at any minute. I also have this hope, however, my hoping doesn’t make it happen any sooner. What does make the return of Christ come sooner?

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The, “hurry up God and get us out of here mentality” has done a lot of harm to the Church and especially the lost. If I’m saved and sitting in my lounge chair pleading with the Lord to return, in some senses of the word I’m telling the rest of the world, they can just go to hell!

I know sometimes escaping this world can be attractive but there is much work to be done here before Christ returns. This may sound like a contradiction but If He comes today I’m ready, if He doesn’t then I’m compelled to express the kingdom of God through my life because of Christ’s love shed abroad in my heart. (2 Cor. 5:14; Rom. 5:5)

Rather than attempting to simply save a few souls before the rise of the anti-Christ, we should see ourselves as overcoming and victorious in the fact that the Church must come into “fullness of Christ" as taught by the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 4:13
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 5:25b-27

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Romans 5:20b

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

I believe that as the world gets more and more depraved, God’s power will increase upon his people.

Before the Harvest, the rain.

James 5:7,8

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Before the harvest, comes the rains, is metaphorical for a move of God that causes growth of the valuable crop, the Church.

A major feature of this revival will be the children of God being revealed. As the end of the age approaches the Christians with overcoming faith will arise within the Church. These revealed Children of God, ones who have come into the full stature of Jesus Christ, will receive the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34) They will be as Jesus was when he was on earth (John 14:12) and will manifest God’s Kingdom in the same manner Christ did.

Romans 8:14-19

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Outline

• In order to be Children of God we must be Led by the Spirit of God.
• The Children of God have a ministry paradigm shift away from slavery and fear to sonship and love.
• We can have assurance that we are God’s Children.
• Sharing in the Christ Life means sharing in his sufferings and glory, however the Glory outweighs the suffering.

1. In order to be Children of God we must be Led by the Spirit of God.

John 3:3
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

John 3:8
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

2. The Children of God have a ministry paradigm shift away from slavery and fear to sonship and relational fatherly love with God.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We can have assurance from the Holy Spirit that we are God’s Children.

1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Sharing in the Christ Life means sharing in his sufferings and glory, however the Glory outweighs the suffering.

Suffering for Christ

Matthew 10:24,25
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

When the body of Christ doesn’t upset any of the existing power systems in their realm of influence, there won’t be much persecution. However when the KINGDOM of God continues to be expressed and that expression increases, there will be a power shift, causing those in existing positions of power to get angry.

• Demonized Man with Pigs-Mt. 8:31-33
• Tables of the Money Changers- Mark 11:15
• All the Healing
• All the Deliverance

Persecution will also be greater where the darkness in society is the greatest. Where the contrast is the greatest and the understanding about what’s going on is the least.

The Glory revealed in us…
Is this only talking about dying and going to heaven? The CREATION is waiting in eager expectation for the Children of God to be revealed. I believe this is not just talking about heaven because the Creation is waiting.

What does a person do who’s walking in the glory of God? The word glory talks about the manifest presence of God. This person will express God’s glory in a way that would at times resemble Christ.

Things will get worse and Worse

Matthew 24:12,13
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Prayer

Every revival in our modern time has been predicated by fervent effectual prayer.

James 5:16
16Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

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].

Make a disciplined and loving effort to get into God’s presence, experiencing his good father’s heart for you. This will revive each of us individually. Corporately we’ll be prepared to receive and thus spread revival fire across our region. Revival is coming, the only question is, is it coming here? Let’s pray.

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

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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A Tale of Two Trees

By Tony V. Hammack

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

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

John 15:1-8

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

I. verses 1,2

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

II. verses 3-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does it mean to be Fruitful?

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

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

Character

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

Reproducing Christ in Others

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 28:18b-20
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Then we will have confidence that we are fulfilling our role as fruit bearing disciples of the Lord.
  Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music. Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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What Does the Resurrection Mean for Me?

By Tony V. Hammack

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

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
Thesis:
The resurrection of Christ has direct and immediate implications on the daily life of the faithful believer and those relationally connected to the believer.

Outline:
1. We are saved by believing that Jesus was raised from the dead
2. Death has been overcome
3. The Spirit of God gives life to our bodies
4. Resurrection Power for Us

1. We are saved by believing that Jesus was raised from the dead

Romans 10:9,10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

What does it mean to be saved?

Sōzō –
1 a: to save b: to heal c: to deliver
2: to save a suffering one, to make well, heal, to deliver from penalties of judgment.          *saved/healed/delivered

Sōzō translated 'Saved'

Acts 2:47
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Sōzō translated 'Healed'

Matthew 9:22
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Sōzō translated 'Delivered'

2 Timothy 4:18
18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2. Death has been overcome

1 Cor. 15:54-57
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Christ was raised, defeating death, we have assurance that one day, we will also be resurrected. He is the first fruits of the resurrection.

3. The Spirit of God gives life to our bodies

Romans 8:11
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

4. Resurrection Power for Us

Unbelief
Unbelief is the biggest enemy to seeing the following truth’s manifest in our lives. In the same way God told the Israelites they could take the promised land and they didn’t believe it, is the same way you can hear what I’m getting ready to tell you and you won’t believe it. You may say amen with your head but do you really believe what I’m getting ready to tell you in your heart. It’s God’s word and truth!

Because Jesus obeyed his father unto death, even death on the cross, He was raised from the dead and he’s now seated in heavenly places above all rule and dominion.

Resurrection Power for Us

Ephesians 1:18-23
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 2:6
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
A. The eyes must be enlightened or this reality is not perceivable. (he who has ears to hear)
     1. Hope that he’s called us to
         a. Hopeless people are powerless people, they can’t change their circumstances.
     2. Riches of his glorious inheritance
     3. Incomparably great power for us who believe

B. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead
     1. The resurrection power of God seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
     2. far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and
     3. Above every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
     4. the fullness of Christ fills everyone in the Church in every way.

As believers in Jesus Christ we need our eyes opened to the resurrection power that’s available to us today. Is there something in your life from the enemy that’s harming you, hurting you? The Bible promises that Christ and thus you, by virtue of the covenant, are higher than this name.
* Disease
* Demons

Conclusion:
The resurrection of Christ has direct and immediate implications on the daily life of the faithful believer and those relationally connected to the believer.

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

(870) 793-9124



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Spiritual Heart Surgery

By Tony V. Hammack

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

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.       Thesis:
We need God’s heart in us if we’re going to be effective for God in our region of influence.

When I talk about having God’s heart I’m talking about God’s feelings and thoughts becoming our feelings and thoughts; hating what God hates and loving what God loves.
1. Can we have God’s heart?
2. How do we get God’s heart?
3. How and why do we protect our hearts?
4. What happens when we get God’s heart?

1. Can we have God’s heart?

Ezekiel 11:19-21
19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

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

1 Corinthians 2:16
for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2. How do we get God’s heart?

It’s a supernatural work of God’s grace but there are some things we can do in order to position ourselves “under the spout where the glory comes out.”

James 4:8
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Hebrews 11:6
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.

We must seek God Relationally
*Bible meditation/memorization/confession
*P.U.S.H. Pray Until Something Happens
*Avoid “unnecessary” Ungodliness/Be Holy

Bible Meditation

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive 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.

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

Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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.

Prayer

In the book Successful Leadership through the Government of 12
“The growth of our church and the growth of Christianity throughout the nation of South Korea did not come by accident. It came through fervent, violent and prevailing prayer, of which the foundation of the foundation of the vision is made. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” Until recently, it took great sacrifice to be a Christian in South Korea. But now at least one-fourth of our nation are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The church in Columbia is experiencing a similar impact. Our Lord is truly moving all over the world.” ~Dr. David Younggi Cho

We must spend quality time in God’s presence through prayer if we expect to catch his heart.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

James 5:16b
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (for healing)

Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

3. Why and how do we Protect our Hearts?

The Why…

Matthew 15:18-20
18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

The How…
Prayer protects the heart God has given us.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thought Control

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I believe we also need to control our mouth’s. I believe God’s given you creative power in your mouth and that when you speak things out into the realm of the earth they begin to take shape.

4. What Happens When we Get God’s Heart?

How you can know if you have or are developing a heart for God, is that your language will change. (Luke 6:45)  You will begin to say things from your heart, that reflect the mind, feelings, and will of God.

Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

A person that has God’s heart will have a heart for prayer, holiness, souls, the Word etc. These things naturally flow from God’s heart to the hearts of those who are seeking him.

People with God’s heart will love what he loves and hate what he hates.

Conclusion:
We need God’s heart in us if we’re going to be effective for God in our region of influence.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124



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