God Has Called Us to Relevance

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.    Relevance
Having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand.

The reason most people who consider themselves Christians don’t attend a place of worship on Sunday probably has to do with their inability to see the relevance in attending.  They can prioritize trips to Wal-Mart over attending Church.

Let’s consider, this morning, how we can be relevant to the rest of the body of Christ as well as the lost world.

Relevancy to the Body of Christ

• Equip the Saints for works of service
• Provide a place for community to take place
• The formation of meaningful relationships
• Foster an environment where body ministry is encouraged

Equipping the Saints

Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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.

The works of service are motivated to and accomplish the goal of building the body of Christ up.

We’re growing in unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God

Maturity defined - attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

What edifies the Church?

1 Corinthians 14:5
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

• Prophecy

What edifies the individual?

Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

• Praying in Tongues

The formation of Meaningful Relationships

John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 John 4:11-12
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Provide a place where body ministry is encouraged

Our life groups are the place where this really happens.  Be encouraged to attend a life group where you can be used and receive the life of Christ from his body.

Many people in our Church are very gifted, knowledgeable and anointed in various areas.

How We Learn

• 10% of what we READ
• 20% of what we HEAR
• 30% of what we SEE
• 50% of what we SEE and HEAR
• 70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS
• 80% of what is EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
• 95% of what we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE

          ~William Glasser

1 Corinthians 12:14-21
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

Relevancy to the Lost World

Offer a solution to the sin problem that plagues mankind.

Be used in healing and deliverance.

A Natural Approach

1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Meet physical needs

James 2:15-17
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Conclusion
We want to be authentic and relevant in order to accomplish the goal that Jesus has given us.

• To Win Souls and Make Disciples

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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God's Plan for Church Growth

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.


Raising up Fruit Bearing Disciples

John 15:8
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast

Matthew 13:31-33
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."   33He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Discipleship

• The Call to Discipleship
• The Commitment to Discipleship
• The Commission to Discipleship

What’s a modern day disciple?

1 Corinthians 11:1
Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). (Amplified) The Call to Discipleship “follow me.”

Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Samuel 22:2
All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. A book and a chapter later

2 Samuel 23:8
David’s followers are now called Mighty men.

The Call to Discipleship

The call to discipleship is not theologically complicated.  Simply enter into a relationship with someone and let them taste and see that the Lord is Good.  If you’re working with the right person they should start following you.  When their heart opens to you in this way you’ve got yourself a disciple.

The Commitment to Discipleship

Entering into a discipleship relationship is very easy.  Staying in that relationship can be a challenge. It requires commitment by both parties.

Sometimes Disciples Leave

John 6:67-68 67
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.  68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Commitment

Matthew 16:24-26
Then 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 Commission to Discipleship

Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Concentric Circles of Influence

Acts 1:8
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."

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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Overcoming Discouragement

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. 

What causes discouragement?
How to prevent it
How to overcome it

Thesis: Overcoming discouragement is a battle we all fight at times and when we do what we’re supposed to do we will be victorious.


Causes of Discouragement

1.  Proverbs 13:12a
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,…

2.  Disobedience = Discouragement
Sometimes discouragement comes when we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing.   Some people create a false reality to appease their disobedience.  This makes it very difficult to overcome because the false reality masks the true problem, even defending the disobedience.

Disobedience can come in the form of doing more than God asked you to do or less.   You are responsible for being faithful and obedient to what God has told you.  Nothing more, nothing less.

You have to obey the written word of God for the believer but in the specific activities of our lives you must hear the spoken voice of God for yourself.  Trust the Lord to direct your life perfectly.

I believe ultimate joy and fulfillment is found in extending God’s kingdom.

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,

Galatians 6:7-10
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

3.  Discouragement from the Flesh.

When we sow to the flesh we can reap discouragement.  We must not give up because the harvest God has for you may be on it’s way.  Be encouraged!

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

4.  Discouragement from Others.

People can tire of doing good because they are around people who are idle, disruptive, and  busybodies.  When we’re around people who are like this, we can get discouraged.

Preventing Discouragement 

1.  Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

Philippians 3:13,14
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.      

2.  Trust that God loves you and wants to bless you.

Matthew 6:26
 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Overcoming Discouragement

Proverbs 13:12b
…but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Sometimes all we need to overcome discouragement is patience.  The answer is on it’s way we just need to wait for it.

Daniel 10:12-14
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

Hope against hope

Romans 4:18
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

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

What has God told you to do?  If He told you to do it, He is somewhat responsible for the results.  You are responsible to be obedient and faithful to do the task He’s given you.  Once you do this you can rest!  Do what you can and leave the results up to God.

Hebrews 4:9-11
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Consider Joseph

Joseph means, “may he add”.  Rachel was a woman of faith believing for another son even as Joseph was conceived.

Joseph has a great dream where his brothers and parents subordinate themselves to him.  His brothers conspire to kill Joseph then sell him to Ishmaelite traders.

He becomes a slave in Potiphar’s house and is falsely accused of sexual assault and convicted to the kings prison.  He get’s promoted to being the head guard of the prison.

Joseph correctly interprets the dream of the cup bearer and the baker.

Pharoah puts everything in the land of Egypt under Josephs control except the actual throne.

How did Joseph maintain himself through all these challenges?  The Lord was with him but in addition to that, Joseph had an awareness that the Lord was with him and inside of him.  Joseph held on to the dream the Lord had given him.   He would one day be a ruler over his family.

What about us?  Do we know the Lord is with us?  If we don’t, why don’t we?  Maybe we’re using the wrong criteria to measure His presence.

How about the dreams God has given you.  Are you living the dream?  Are you working toward the dream?  Have you given up on the dream?

My dream is to win souls and make disciples and when I’m not doing this I get discouraged.  When the Lord uses me in this way I get encouraged.

Let's dream, get a goal, and work towards it!

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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Recognizing God's Coming

By Tony V. Hammack

Luke 19:41-44 
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴² and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴ They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”  

     What a powerful passage found in Luke 19.  The people in Jerusalem were oblivious spiritually to what was going on around them.  The old saying, "ignorance is bliss", hardly applies in this situation or in any situation.  God himself, in the form of Jesus Christ, was attempting to reach out to a spiritually blind and stubborn people.  Because they didn't have spiritual eyes to see or spiritual ears to hear they rejected the Anointed One!

Slow Down and Take some Time with God

     How about you today?  What is Christ trying to convey to you?  Have you taken some time today to listen for his still small voice?  I encourage you to block in some "me" time for just you and God.  I know he has plans and purposes for you but if we can't hear what he wants to do then we may just find ourselves "hemmed in on every side, dashed to the ground".

     Comparing the two realities I'd much rather spend some time in God's presence discerning his voice and will. I believe that in our country today there is a good possibility that we're being faced with the same realities not only on an individual level but on a national level.   As a nation have we received Christ, rightly recognizing who he is?  I believe there will always be a remnant of believers that God has reserved for himself but to think that the spiritual climate in our nation is acceptable to God would be false.  As a nation, we must repent and turn to God.  Share your faith with someone today, release the kingdom of God that's within you, and be an agent of change.  We can turn things around one heart at a time!

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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You Have Purpose

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.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Vision of Jubilee Family Church is to
*Win
*Consolidate
*Disciple
*Send

But this vision can further be simplified to
*Win Souls and Make Disciples

How much time did Jesus spend on soul winning in the modern sense of the word?  Culturally, Jesus had a tremendous advantage over the modern day discipler.  It was the highest honor, to be called, in the Jewish culture, by a Rabbi.

Very little of Jesus ministry was spent trying to reason with people to become saved.  I actually don’t know of one single instance.

John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

The signs and wonders that were manifesting in Jesus' ministry and the ministry of the early church as recorded in scripture did an excellent job of drawing people to hear the teaching from the ministry.

I would argue that there is not a program man can devise that could rival what God has planned for his Church.  Rather, the majority of Jesus' time and focus was on raising up his disciples.

Another cultural hurdle we have to deal with is the concept of the Hebrew educational model in the middle of a Greek imprinted culture. 

I would challenge the idea that we’re here today to only learn something.  I believe we’re here today to become something.  Yes, this in some ways involves learning, but it’s much more than that.  We are here to be renewed and invigorated by a Holy Spirit that loves and challenges; guides and empowers.

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

I believe the gospel transcends culture.  Should we change our methods away from what Jesus did in order to accommodate cultural changes?  Some things may not be sacred and we can adjust.   However, some things may be sacred and we mustn't change them.  I believe having real relationships with real people is a sacred component to fulfilling the great commission.  To me the great commission should not be changed or altered.  It must be obeyed.

Matthew 28-18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.”

We have delegated authority to accomplish the mission.  The mission is to make disciples.

My challenge to you today is, who are you teaching to obey everything the Lord Jesus has taught you?  Can you envision a church where everyone in the room has a new believer or two they are helping raise up to become a fruit bearing follow of the Lord?

I believe this is what Jesus meant when he told us that we were to be fruitful.

John 15:5
“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.

Your Purpose
Why didn’t Jesus “beam you up” after you came to saving faith in the Lord Jesus?  I believe he left you here to bear fruit in the form of reaching people and helping with their spiritual maturity until they are ready to do for another what you have done for them.

I believe not only is this the reason the Church exists it’s also the reason you exist.  This is your purpose. Now it can be articulated in different ways but I believe it’s central and of utmost importance to spend time developing other people for the Lord.

What are the only things that last for all eternity?  It’s the souls of men and women.  When everything passes away we’ll have the Word of God and the souls of people.  Relationships with one another should be the highest priority in our lives; on a very similar level with our own relationship with God.

Mark 12:28-31
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[f] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[g] There is no commandment greater than these.”

I think the best way we can love one another is to lead one another to a closer walk with the Lord Jesus.

A Word of Caution
I admonish you to pursue relationships with a few people that you can pour your life into.  Pray first about who this is and remember…

Matthew 7:6
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.  If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Let’s make 2012 the year when our mission statement comes off the wall, enters our hearts and becomes a reality.  It doesn’t do any good on the wall if it doesn’t really happen in our lives.

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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