How Things Get Accomplished

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.   

  I.    Dream It – Understand God’s Will
  II.   Plan It – Administrate the plan
  III.  Build It – Get to Work

In order for things to happen in the Church there must be a heavenly dream, vision or direction. This is followed by an administrative plan to execute the vision, then it’s followed by work.



Dream It

Prayer and Bible Meditation

Your dream, if it’s going to be God’s plan for your life, must come from prayer and Bible meditation.

I, as well as several others in the Church, have been having visions of our Church building full of people.

The Vision

Habakkuk 2:2b
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald[a] may run with it.

*Or so that whoever reads it
*The vision needs to be articulated in a simple way.

Plan It

The Plan of God

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Psalm 127:1b
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

This passage doesn’t mean the Lord literally builds the house; it means the Lord speaks to the builders what to build, where to build, and how to build and the builder’s hear and obey the direction of the Lord.

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

God will find someone to execute his plan.  We want to make sure we’re in the plan in a positive way. I want to see the glory and manifestations of God.

Luke 19:44
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.”

God came to the Jews in the person of Jesus the Messiah, but they failed to recognize him and rejected him, this resulted in national judgment.

I believe it’s in the heart of God to send a wave of renewal, revival, and awakening across the United States of America. The question then becomes, what role are we going to play in this?

*Oblivious to it?
*Watching from the sidelines?
*Riding the waves of revival?

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Build It

Settle the Issue

When we’ve decided what GOD is saying then we should settle the issue and go for it.

James 1:6-8
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. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

God gives the information and the inspiration to do the work.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

So the vision God has given us is to win souls and make disciples. This will require a plan and some work.

The Plan

• Pray for the passion of Jesus to reside and increase in the people of this Church.
• The plan is to teach everyone who’s willing an easy to remember, hard to forget, and fun way to share their faith.
• Find leaders in the congregation who are willing and capable of teaching others by demonstration.
• Release these new leaders to teach others by demonstration.
• The end result looks like multiple, increasing, teams going out into the community effectively sharing their faith.

Nehemiah’s Response

Nehemiah 1:3b-4
The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

In some figurative ways, the walls of our Country are broken down. There are multitudes of people within our country, city, and even churches who don’t know the Lord.

Have we taken the time to pray and allow God to touch our emotions at a deep and consistent level?

II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

In order for things to happen in the Church, there must be a heavenly dream, vision, or direction. This is followed by an administrative plan to execute the vision, then it’s followed by work.

Having God’s Mind

In conclusion, I want to go back to the concept of vision and hearing from God and what this does inside the heart of a person. In the context of Nehemiah's call to rebuild the wall’s of Jerusalem.

A Call to Anguish
 ~David Wilkerson
Something from the previous generation is in danger of being lost.

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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The Incredible Value of a Soul

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 - God loves you and wants a relationship with you. He’s done what’s reasonable to reach out to you. Now it’s your turn to allow him to change your heart, causing his priorities to become yours. Nothing is more important to God than a soul!

God loves Mankind and wants a relationship with the Lost! (Eph 2:12)



* The height of God’s creation
    - A word on evolution

    - Free will

* The Redemption Plan

* The Cross

* Heaven

Humanity

In Genesis 2 and 3 we see God creating mankind at the pinnacle of his creation.

All those in favor of evolution raise your right hand!

All three leaders tried to get the people to serve the state over their worship of God.

Joseph Stalin (1879-1953), surpassed even Hitler in eugenic zeal, murdering at least ten times as many "inferiors" (estimates range from 60,000,000 to 100,000,000 people). Was Stalin wrong? Not if you subscribe to the evolutionary worldview. In fact, to the philosophically consistent, uncompromised evolutionist, Hitler and Stalin ought to be considered role models. And so we see how a worldview can impact human behavior.

Eugenics is the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population, usually referring to the manipulation of human populations.

Hitler and Stalin were very much on this page rooted in evolutionary theory.

One of the best strategies to get people to not believe they are valued by God is to make them exist because of random chance. Evolution potentially causes people so see themselves as nothing more than a highly evolved animal.

Darwin published in his book The Origin of Species that he believed God orchestrated the process of evolution however there are many who have come to power and used the ideas of evolution as an alternative to God being the creator, thus devaluing people’s importance.

Romans 1:20,21

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

God from the fall of man has been planning how to redeem mankind for himself. This effort alone shows God’s love and thus the value of a soul.

The Protovangelim

Genesis 2:15

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The idea of free will allows for Man to make decisions that are foreknown by God but not controlled by God. God created man to have a relationship with him knowing many would not seek after him. However, for the ones that do find Christ and surrender, he redeems them. God is after a love relationship that can only be honestly expressed if there is free will.

From the very beginning of the fall of man, God has been designing a plan to satisfy his own nature and still have a relationship with the creation he loves!

The Cross

1. Avoid the Cross

    *Come Down From the Cross

      Matthew 27:40

      Matthew 27:42

      Mark 15:30

      Mark 15:32

      "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and      believe!" Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

The Devil and thus the world and world system didn’t want Jesus to go to the cross. They wanted him to come down.

I believe the human side of Jesus wanted to come down also.

    * Gethsemane in Luke 22

Why would the Devil Want Jesus to avoid the Cross?

Colossians 2:15

15[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

2. Announcement on the Cross

Pilate has a sign made for the cross.

John 19:19-22

19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."  22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Why did Pilate stick to his Guns?

• Pilate had revelation knowledge that Jesus was the King of the Jews!
• He didn’t have the courage to release him but he did have a knowing that this man was the King of the Jews.
• Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

3. At Fault for the Cross?

Who’s Responsible for Putting Jesus on the Cross?

* Is the Romans leadership to blame?
* Is the Jewish religious leadership at fault?

* Are the people at fault?

* Is Judas to blame?

All these are natural components that were used to carry out the crucifixion event but the real reason Jesus went to the cross was because he wanted to pay for your sin debt so he could have a relationship with you.

His love desires a relationship and his justice demands payment for sin.

The solution is the cross! He went to the cross because of love.

4. Adoration of the Cross

Jesus Adored the cross because that meant he could have you!

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:7,8

7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

5. My own Accord

John 10:17-18

17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Matthew 26:52-54

52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

A suffering Messiah

The most vivid and detailed prediction about the sufferings of the Messiah is the prophecy of Isaiah, which occupies one and a half chapters of his book (the end of the 52nd and all of the 53rd). This prophecy contains such details of the sufferings of Christ, that the reader gets the impression that the prophet Isaiah wrote it at the foot of Golgotha, even though, as we know, the prophet Isaiah lived over seven centuries BC.

The “military might” of One Angel

2 Kings 19:35

That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!

How many people could 12 legions of Angels handle? 13.3 Billion

6. Authority from Above

John 19:8-12

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." 12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

Pilate in an effort to save his own skin passes the buck of responsibility over to the Jewish leaders for the crucifixion of Jesus. But as we just read, the authority behind the crucifixion was “from above”.

7. Adjusted Meaning

1 Corinthians 1:17,18

For 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. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Same Message

*Different Interpretation

  - To the perishing the cross is foolishness

  - To the saved the cross is the power of God

In View of god’s Mercy

Heaven

John 14:1-4

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Conclusion: God loves you and wants a relationship with you. He’s done what’s reasonable to reach out to you. Now it’s your turn to allow him to change your heart, causing his priorities to become yours. Nothing is more important to God than a soul!

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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The Problem with Humanism

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.  
In three different encounters with 3 different people in the last 3 days, I’ve heard people talk about themselves or someone they know who has a feeling of low self worth.  One person said they could say 1,000 nice things to the person they loved but they wouldn’t receive it but if they said one negative thing they would never forget it. 

For the Christian, their worth is found in Christ.

Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns, attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.

Humanism takes the centuries of Human Ethical development that should be credited to the work of the Holy Spirit on the earth through the Church and says, “I can take it from here.” A prodigal son of sorts.

After the French Revolution, the idea that human virtue could be created by human reason alone independently from traditional religious institutions developed.  Liberal reformers and radicals embraced the idea of Humanism as an alternative religion of humanity.

Thesis:
Humanism, rooted in pride, leaves people with their sinful nature still in tact and eternal life out of grasp.  This also creates a void in the daily life of the humanist as never being able to accomplish enough to find lasting peace, rest and fulfillment.

Six points from the Humanist Manifesto III released in 2003.

• Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis.
• Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.
• Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience.
• Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.
• Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
• Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.

The Christian works not to find fulfillment in the work but to obey the master and accomplish his will. The Christian wants to please the one who died for him/her, not trying to build self worth through accomplishments. Their worth has already been established on the cross.

Humanism sees the human as capable of solving his own problems with human effort.  Mankind is at the center of the thinking of the humanist. There is no deity.

The Nature of Fallen Man

Romans 3:23 states that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Humanism is the way around the cross to develop internal value.

The issue of human worth.
*The (humanist) lost person, according to Ephesians 2:12 is…

1. Excluded from citizenship in Israel
2. Foreigners to the covenants of the promise
3. Without hope
4. Without God in the World

In humanism, thinking, intellect, accomplishments, status and finances, determine the person’s internal self worth.

In a humanistic society it can be a temptation for the Christian to find their value in the same things.

A cross-less system is a system that leaves people with their sinful nature in tact. The deep issues of their hearts cannot be changed by implementing systems of humanism including, but not limited to, hypnosis, positive thinking, and extensive education.

Colossians 2:22,23
These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

A great delusion can be presented to people to give them the idea that they are basically good and don’t need a savior. One way to help people overcome this delusion is to hold up their “goodness” to the moral law found in the 10 commandments including the New Testament version of the 10 commandments.

Commandment #6 - Do not Murder

1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

Commandment #7 - Do not commit adultery

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Commandment #8 - Do not Steal
Stealing is stealing no matter how small. Have you ever stolen something?

Commandment #9 - Do not Lie
Have you ever lied or mis-represented the truth?  

By God’s standards of judgment on just 4 of the Ten Commandments, you’ve admitted to being a lying, thieving, murdering, adulterer at heart.

What’s a Holy God going to say to you on judgment day with these sins unresolved and accredited to your record?

The White Throne Judgment

Revelation 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Only in Christ can a person find true fulfillment.

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

So when it comes to worth, only in Christ do I get compared to God’s son and find out that God chose me over his only begotten sinless son. This immediately ascribes to me worth, incredible worth.  However, it’s not SELF esteem, in myself I’m nothing, but in Christ I find my value. I lose myself in him to take on the life that is truly life. 1 Tim 6:19

Because of God demonstrating his love for me by sending Jesus to die for me when I was a sinner, (Romans 5:8) I no longer can think of myself as worthless. I have incredible worth to God! Who am I to tell God I’m not worthy when he’s ascribed me worth?

Humanism in it’s false attempt to exalt humanity leaves the cross out of the picture and keeps me from receiving the value God has placed on me. The humanist has a false reality of worth based on earthly accomplishments. The believer’s worth is based on what Christ did on the Cross! This frees the believer to pursue anything God leads him to, no longer under compulsion and false motivations based on an illusion of human goodness.

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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Jesus vs. Universalism

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 Bible believing Christian cannot accept the concept of universalism because of what the Bible teaches.

*What is the doctrine of Universalism?
*The Bible, can you trust it?
*Jesus, the narrow way

Universalism

A church or community that calls itself Universalist may emphasize the universal principles of most religions and accept other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine.

Just as long as you are sincere and devout to your belief system, that’s what matters.  It doesn’t really matter what the object of your worship is.  It can be a moon, God, or a tribal system of worship based on nature, or other religious systems.  Universalism teaches there are many roads that lead to God.

In our politically correct and tolerant society, universalism has increased in popularity. It’s also a way to make peace with all the different belief systems out there thus increasing it’s appeal. (Matthew 10:34)

The Bible, Can you Trust It?

The scientific method is not the proper method to determine the accuracy of anything that has happened in the past.  Evidence must be collected and a logical, rationale decision must be made based on the evidence.

How would you “prove” that George Washington was the first president?

The Court of Evidence

• Artifacts from the time period
• Eyewitness accounts of his existence recorded in written form (because those people are dead now)
• Others writing about him, (like the diaries of England’s Generals).
• No logical person would say, “I can’t prove George Washington existed therefore I can’t believe it happened”

1. The Bible claims itself to be reliable--to set forth accurate, historical, eyewitness accounts

1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

2 Peter 1:16
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2. It proves to be reliable on the basis of bibliographic, archaeological and historical tests.

There exists better manuscript evidence (a greater number of manuscripts, dated more closely to the original and with few significant variants) for the NT than for all of the other top ten pieces of ancient literature combined. (See Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, ch. 1).

                                                                                                                      
The Doctrine of Inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to God’s Word."

The Bible Claims to be the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20, 21
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

• Evidence supports the Bible’s claim to be the word of God
• All time best seller, most translated book in history of world.
• Predicts the future (e.g., over 300 messianic prophecies)
• Unique in its survival through time and persecution
• Unique in its continuity (40 plus authors from all walks of life, over 1600 years, 3 different continents and languages, writing on hundreds of controversial subjects without contradiction, one unfolding story--reconciliation between God and man.)

World famous archaeologist Sir William Ramsey spent over 30 years examining the gospel writer Luke. He came to the following conclusion (stated in Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, ch. 1): "Luke is a historian of first rank, not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, but this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. Luke's history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness."

Other ancient historians substantiate the reliability of the NT (Cornelius Tacitus, Seutonius, Flavius Josephus, Younger Plenty, Julius Africanus A.D. 221 quotes Thallus 52 A.D.).

I have made the decision based on the historic evidence and the witness of God’s spirit inside of me to trust the Bible as inerrant. However, even if I had no inner witness I believe a person could trust the Bible as inerrant based on the evidence alone.

Jesus the narrow way

Matthew 7:13-16
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. True and False Prophets 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

John 10:7-9
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

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.”

John 14:5, 6
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We need to pray for our loved ones who don’t know the Lord yet.

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.

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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From Pew Warmer to Prophet

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:

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him in faith. We cannot come to God unless he draws us. When he draws us and reveals himself we will be changed forever.

 

Outline:

1. Seek God

2. See the Holiness of God

3. See yourself as in need

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and value

5. Enter obedient service

 

 

 

 

Isaiah’s sin Atoned for

 

Isaiah 6:3-8

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

 

1. Seek God

 

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

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.

 

Acts 17:27

27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

 

2. We Must See God in His Holiness

• Isaiah saw God in a heavenly vision. (Isaiah 6:1-4)
• Holiness means set apart or special and unique.  (Do you see God in his holiness or is he the “Man Upstairs?”; or maybe “The Big J.C.?)
• This is why worship in Spirit and in Truth (Jn. 4:24) is so very important. This will thrust us into God’s presence where we can be challenged and changed.
• No one can be saved unless the Spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44)
• No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

No one can be saved unless Jesus is revealed to them.

*Centurion Soldier

• Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 *Jesus Son of David Have Mercy on me

• Blind Bartimaeus
• Mark 10:52 your faith has healed (sozo’d) you.

*The Thief on the cross

• Luke 23:41 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

*Peter

• Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

3. See yourself as in need

Isaiah saw himself as guilty, insignificant and in need of a savior when he clearly saw the Lord.

Sin, aroused by the Law is designed to create hopelessness in an individual driving them to Christ. (Rom. 7:8)

If a person doesn’t see a need they will not look to find a solution to their problem.

Everyone has a different “rock bottom”.

The philosophy of humanism teaches that man is inherently good.   Humanism is the “religion” of many people in our country.

Many “good” people will not make it to heaven because they will stand before God with their sinful nature still intact before him.

4. Receive atonement forgiveness and God esteem.

When almighty God says your sins are forgiven it is tremendously empowering.

This forgiveness is a form of approval by God himself.  When God is for us who can be against us. Again very empowering. (Rom 8:31)

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?

5. Enter Service

After Isaiah saw a glimpse of God’s holiness, was forgiven for his sin and empowered he was immediately motivated to be sent into service for the Lord.  God commissioned him as a prophet.

They can’t hear unless there’s a preacher (Romans 10:14)

Romans 12:1,2 also shows a similar pattern we see in Isaiah 6

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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.

We see the holiness, our sinfulness, the atoning sacrifice of the Lord here. What follows this?

Offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. Here am I, send me!

God’s not mad at you!

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ God is not mad at you. His justice has been satisfied toward you in the suffering of Jesus.

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.

Conclusion:

We need a good look at God’s Holiness, mercy and kindness. When immersed in God we will be changed from the inside out.

This Change is nothing short of God himself working to will and to accomplish his good purposes through us.

Prayer Focus

1. We would Seek God
2. Then God would show us himself in holiness.
3. We would comparatively see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness recognizing our own need.
4. God would extend us mercy because it’s in his heart to be kind and merciful.
5. We filled with gratitude would enter service, lovingly building God’s kingdom faithfully obeying the voice of the one we have come to 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 Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124



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