Abundant Life

 
   June 4th and June 11th, 2023
By Tony V. Hammack

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 AMPC The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Outline 

1.) The contrast between the Thief and the good shepherd, Jesus.
2.) Who or what is the thief?
3.) What is Abundant Life?

1.) The Contrast in Outcomes 

We see in John 10:10 the contrast in outcomes between following the thief and following the good shepherd, Jesus. At the core the difference seems to be in the interest of the thief and the interest of the shepherd. 

Who You Follow Matters:  If one finds themselves following a thief, they will find themselves stolen from, killed and destroyed. Those who follow Jesus can find themselves experiencing an abundant life.

There are many deceptive philosophies in the world that offer many things but Jesus said He was the way the truth and the life, no man could get to the father accept through him. (John 14:6)

• Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

The thief is focused on self interest while Jesus as the good shepherd is focused on the interests of the sheep. 

The Hired Hand Compared to Good Shepherd

• John 10:11-13 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own 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. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

2.) Who or What is the Thief 

It should be understood in light of the Old Testament as well as ancient Near Eastern thought that the “shepherd,” symbolizes a royal caretaker of God’s people. God himself was called the “Shepherd of Israel” in Psalm 18:1; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-6 as well as Zechariah 10:2. God as the over shepherd had given great responsibility to the leaders of Israel, which they over and over again failed to respect. God denounced the false shepherd's in Isaiah 56:9-12 and again in Ezekiel 34 and promised to provide the true Shepherd, the Messiah, to care for the sheep in Ezekiel 34:23. Jesus is saying that He is the fulfillment of this promise.

Often the thief in this passage is considered to be Satan in the minds of believers as they think about the Satanic agenda for humanity. However I believe that the thief in John 10:10 isn’t necessarily Satan himself but people who are not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have self interest elevated over God’s interest. In the context of the passage in John 10 Jesus is talking to the Pharisees See John 10:1.

3.) What is Abundant Life 

One of the great concepts of the Gospel of John is the Greek word for “life”.   It is found in John 36 times while no other New Testament book uses it more than 17 times. Life is Christ’s gift (Jn 10:28) and he himself is “the life” (John 14:6) 

Life Ζωὴν zōēn life pronounced Zo-Ay can be defined as life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ.

Abundant Περισσός Perissos - (an adjective, derived from the Greek, perí, "all-around, excess") – properly all-around, "more than" ("abundantly"); beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; "more abundant," going past the expected limit ("more than enough . . . ").

What ever we surrender and give to Christ, Christ can cause to be abundant and blessed. Whatever we hold and keep for ourselves is still in the world system.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God 

• Mark 10:28-31 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Whatever we have given up, it will be multiplied back to us 100 x’s.  The life of discipleship is a combination of promise and persecution, blessing and suffering. God takes nothing from a Christian without making multiplied restoration in a new and glorious form. Beyond the conflicts of history, is the triumph assured to those who belong to God.

I believe we can stand on the idea that Jesus Christ has promised us abundant life. Where we surrender to Him, his hand touches it and multiplies it. Where we hold onto things, Jesus does not have it, so he can’t multiply it. The Blessing of Abraham...

• Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The main blessing is that through faith we might receive the promise of the spirit and receive eternal life. There are some interesting characteristics about Abraham's life that we should also examine in closing. Abraham had an abundant life.

• Genesis 13:2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

We can expect Jesus to keep his promises and provide us with an abundant life. Get ready! Come into agreement with God so you can receive what God desires to give you.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday for breakfast at 10:00 AM and Church at 10:30 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video.  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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The Kingdom of God is Within You

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.

The Rule and Reign of Jesus Christ

Luke 17:20,21
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.

What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is expressed where Jesus Christ rules and reigns in the hearts, minds, and actions of His people. It can be further boiled down to: The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in the Earth.

Lordship is the goal of our Christian activity 

Christ’s Lordship
Professions, positive confession, participating in spiritual disciplines and a relational pursuit of Jesus are all appropriate, however, if these pursuits don’t lead to the lordship of Jesus, there will be no kingdom expressions.

Jesus wants to be our Lord in every area of our lives. 

To Love is to Obey to Obey is Lordship 

John 14:23 
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Luke 10:27 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Emotional Surrender 

Christ wants to Rule our hearts and souls, our emotional make up.

Jesus wants to be the perfect ruler of your feelings. He never wants you to feel something he wouldn’t feel. He never wants you to let your emotions and thoughts run wild with worry, anger, lust, anxiety, stress, hatred, or bitterness. Where sin rules our emotions, Christ does not.

Surrender of Strength

Christ wants us to submit our strength or abilities to his Lordship because of our love. What are you good at? Where are your strengths? Christ wants us to Love him with our strength. Exercise our strengths for his glory. Stop and think for a minute, how can you love God with your strengths? Sometimes God will take our strengths and transform them for his purposes.

Surrender of anything to Jesus allows him to use it. When we surrender to his Lordship he can turn a walking stick into a serpent; Take a fearful man and make him a mighty general; take 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and feed 5000 men. If we will surrender and trust the Lord with our lives he will anoint the things he want’s us to do and cause amazing things to happen.

Surrender of our Ways of Thinking

Christ wants us to love him with our minds, surrendering our thoughts to his kingship. Loving Christ with our minds causes us to focus our thoughts on Christ. When this focus is “dialed in” through prayer, Jesus gives us directives and information. When acted upon this will extend the Kingdom of God.

We need to Experience Christ 

Isaiah 29:13
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

A man with an argument is always at the mercy of a man with an experience. Our experiences if they are in agreement with scripture are to be trusted. If they are not in agreement with scripture they are to be considered human / sociological / psychological or demonic.

The Jesus Revolution

The Revolution that Jesus is still the leader of is a peaceful revolution to rule the hearts and minds of people. He’s empowered us with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to conquer the wills of people everywhere causing people to come into the Kingdom of King Jesus.

People will Bow Now or Bow Later 

Philippians 2:10 
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Some Kingdom Manifestations 

Romans 14:17 
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Causing us to live rightly and affecting our internal character with peace and joy.

Where the Kingdom of God is manifested the kingdoms of this world come down.

Luke 11:20 
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

In the New Testament strange behavior, mental illness and physical illness are linked in with demonic activity in the lives of people.

The Devil is the one who causes sickness. Sickness is subject to the kingship of Jesus Christ and must submit to his Lordship.

Mental Illness can be subjugated to the Kingdom of God or put under the control of Jesus Christ.

Any organized group of people who try to accomplish anything, if they are individually surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus the organization, will move in the direction of King Jesus. Where there is sin, greed, etc. in the camp it will move toward selfish agendas and goals. Jesus said, “If you’re not for me you’re against me.” The default setting for humanity is evil.

Jesus wants your whole heart. Any part of you not surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus leaves that part of you vulnerable to the enemy.

1 John 4:4 
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Today, is there something that the Holy Spirit is telling you to surrender? Is he calling you to a greater level of love?

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 Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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The Family - Husbands and Fathers

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.

It has been widely accepted for generations that the family is the basic building block of society. It’s also been understood that to destroy a society, all one has to do, is destroy the family.

The Basic Unit of Society

The family, centered on marriage, is the basic unit of society. Healthy marriages and families are the foundation of thriving communities. When marriages break down, communities suffer and the role of government tends to expand. Sound public policy places marriage and the family at the center, respecting and guarding the role of this permanent institution. 

The family is under attack from many different places. Let’s take a look at one that came out in the media this week. Here’s a video by Melissa Harris Perry talking about the states responsibility to own your children.

Based on these facts I’d say Melissa’s ideology is getting in the way of the truth. More spending is clearly not the solution. If it were, it would be obvious that our nation would be the best in every academic category. There must be another solution.

I believe the solution to our social and educational woes is found in our Churches and homes. Strong, Biblically based families, centered on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will raise a generation of strong, safe, and secure young people who have extra financial and emotional support serving as an effective spring board into successful young adulthood.

Roles

There is an erroneous idea out there that men and women are capable of doing the exact same things in the exact same way. Any sensible person knows that men are better at some things than women in general and women are better than men at some things in general.

A big key to success in life and in family is to find what roles we play, specialization of labor if you will, and get into those roles where we can bring the best good to our families. Sometimes we have to develop into these roles over time. The Bible lays out a basic framework for the relationship between husbands/dads, wives/moms and children.

I realize that not everyone may “agree” with God but I’d encourage you to re-consider your stance. Whenever I’ve tried to do things apart from God’s ways, I’ve been met with problems.

The Role of the Husband and Father

Ephesians 5:25-33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] 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. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

The Godly husband has to sacrificially love his wife in the same way Christ loved the Church. Giving himself up for her. This love is a “no strings attached” kind of love and is really only possible if the husband is connected to the Love of his heavenly father.

The husbands relationship to God is where the source of love has to begin from. Most men I know are intrinsically lustful. They want what they want but God has called Christian men to love unconditionally. This is impossible without God being actively involved in the life of the husband.

I heard a marriage counselor say one time at a conference that, “Most marriages are like two ticks and no dog!”

Washing with water through the word

Husbands, I challenge you to talk about the Bible and the prophetic insights you may have with your wives. Share and teach what God’s been dealing with you about.

Most women really want to be led by a spiritually strong husband. They don’t want to be the “spiritual head” but sometimes when we abdicate our role the women take up the sword.

This sacrificial love clothed in kindness will have a powerful effect on your wife’s personality. She, eventually should respond to this kind of treatment, reciprocating love back to the husband.

Self Image

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Men, a good self image rooted in God’s opinion of you, will go a long way to help you love yourself and thus your wife.

Ephesians 5:28
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

The Leave and Cleave principle

A well intentioned mother-in-law or father-in-law can really botch up a marriage. Parents, give your newly married children some space. Your wisdom is indispensable but if it’s pushed and not asked for it can be a curse. It’s wise to start your own life together without certain interferences. It’s comical on “Everybody Loves Raymond” but I don’t think most people would want that kind of life.

Colossians 3:19
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Harsh- unduly exacting : severe Exacting – A Constant making of demands

Severe - maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or self-discipline

Colossians 3:21
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

I think men, we can push our children too hard sometimes and it will have to opposite effect we desire. Learn how to motivate each child in your family. Also realize that sometimes we want to live precariously through our children. I believe this puts too much pressure on our children as well.

If you really think about it, were you that great at, say, baseball? Well if you weren’t then consider that before you take your son’s strike out so personally. He’s stuck with your crummy baseball genetics and probably won’t be that great either. Help your children find what they are most gifted at and enjoy. Help them find their highest way to serve God and their fellow man.

I’m for encouraging children to achieve their dreams. If their dreams are grandiose then good. Go for it. Always consider a “back up plan”, however. For example. Little Jimmy want’s to be a pro ball player. You say, “that’s great Jimmy, what do you think you’d like to do when you retire from professional athletics?”

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 

Husbands, we’re called to be considerate and respectful toward our wives. In general, women are weaker in physical ways. In some ways women seem weaker emotionally but I also see this as a strength. It brings a different perspective to men's lives that has a lot of potential to enrich us. Women’s emotions can be like the canary in the coal mine. They are more sensitive to where things are going. We should listen.

Being inconsiderate and disrespecting your wife can hinder your prayers. Because it’s sin.

Psalm 66:18
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Conclusion:

Husbands- Love your wives sacrificially, be patient, considerate and respectful to them. Don’t push your children too hard but learn what motivates them keeping their best good in mind.

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 Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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It all Goes Back into the Box

My grandmother is a wonderful person; she taught me how to play the game Monopoly. She understood the name of the game was to acquire. She would accumulate everything she could and eventually she became master of the board, and in every game she would take my last dollar and I would quit in utter defeat. And then she would always say the same thing to me... She would look at me and she would say, "One day you will learn to play the game."

One summer I played monopoly with a neighbor. We played almost every day, all day long; we would play monopoly for hours. And that summer I learned to play the game... I understood the only way to win was to make a complete commitment to acquisition, I came to understand that money and possessions were the way that you keep score. And by the end of that summer I was more ruthless than my grandmother. I was ready to bend the rules if I had to, to win that game. I sat down with her to play that winter. I took everything she had, I destroyed her financially, psychologically, and watched her give her last pound and quit in utter defeat.

And then she had one more thing to teach me... Then she said, "Now it all goes back in the box..." "All those houses and hotels, all the railroads and utility companies, all that property and all that wonderful money...and now it all goes back in the box" I didn't want it to go back in the box. She said none of it was really yours. You got yourself all heated up for a while, but it was around a long time before you sat down at the board and it will be here after you have gone.

Players come and players go, but it all goes back in the box; houses and cars, titles and clothes, even your body. Because the fact is everything I clutch and consume and hold is going to go back in the box and I'm going to lose it all.... You have to ask yourself when you get that ultimate promotion, make the ultimate purchase, when you buy the ultimate home, when you have stored up financial security, when you have climbed the ladder to the highest point of success...and the thrill wears off ...and it will wear off... Then what?

 How long do you have to walk down that road before you see where it leads? Surely you understand it will never be enough, so ask yourself the question-What matters...?

John Ortberg
 

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 7:00 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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Major on the Majors and Minor on the Minors

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.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

 Romans 14 is talking about Christian people who make a big deal out of days of the week and dietary issues. The thesis of the Chapter is to do everything unto the Lord and be true to these personal convictions without pressing these convictions on others in regard to special days and diet. This chapter could further be boiled down to “Major on the majors and minor on the minors.”

The Majors are:

• Righteousness 
• Peace 
• Joy 
• The Holy Spirit 

1. Righteousness

Positional and Practical Positional Righteousness is the gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man's own, or any other condition than that of faith in Christ.

As we trust in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:21. says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

Because Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. Rom. 4:3. 

Practical Righteousness – This faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is, conformity to the will of God. 

The righteousness God reckons to us causes us to become in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself. 

2. Peace 

That tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is. 

Peace with God 

Romans 5:1 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Peace with God opens the way of love and true spiritual growth. 

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. 

God’s kindness leads to repentance 

Romans 2:4 

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 

Peace with this life 

1 Timothy 6:6-10 

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

Peace Comes through Prayer 

Philippians 4:6,7 (Amplified) 

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace 

Colossians 3:15 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

3. Joy 

to experience great pleasure or delight, a state of happiness, the emotion evoked by well-being. 

I am very small, but I can change your life. I can make you immune to worry and strife. When you have me you leap like a little boy. But I never come from getting the latest toy. I can cure your heart when you’re
feeling blue. No one can destroy me, except for you. What am I? 

Joy 

Joy is different from happiness in that the word "happy" comes from the same root word as "happen": "hap." "Hap" includes the ideas of chance or fate. The feeling of happiness comes from what happens to a person by chance, but joy is a source of delight, it is what lies underneath all emotions, no matter what happens to a person. If Joy is there it’s separate from circumstances. 

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. When our root’s are connected to the Holy Spirit we will bear His fruit. 

Apple trees don’t have to try to bear apples, they just do. In the same way when we’re rooted in him we’ll bear his fruit. 

4. The Holy Spirit 

The third person of the God head, co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will with God the Father and Jesus the son. 

The Holy Spirit in the Beginning 

Genesis 1:2 

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 

Luke 24:49 

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 

Acts 1:8 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Pentecost 

Acts 2:1-4 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

Acts 10:44-46 

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. 

Acts 19:6 

6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 

Let’s check our priorities this morning. Let’s be sure to major on the majors and minor on the minors. 

Let’s also seek God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Maybe today you’d like to be filled for the first time. Maybe you want a fresh touch from Heaven or a refilling.

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 Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
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