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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The Jesus Vaccine

By Tony V. Hammack

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

 
Introduction:
In praying and preparing for today’s message I want to consider a few different possibilities before I get into the direction I want to take things.   I have to take a principled stand at times that I realize may not make me very popular with some people.   As a man of God, I choose to obey God rather than the pressure of some people.

The first direction is the direction people have commented on to me. Being injected with a fresh dose of Jesus causing us know him, feel him, and obey him.   Kind of like a shot of life.

The second direction I’d like to take today’s message is to say that I believe in some senses of the word a little Jesus may be better than no Jesus at all but I don’t believe this is the best option, hence the message today.   It’s not an either or proposition.   You don’t have to settle for a powerless Jesus.

So this takes us to today’s message the way I originally intended to share it with you.

Thesis: Jesus, when misrepresented, will cause a deception which predisposes the person to rejection of the real Jesus.

Body:
A vaccination is a really amazing concept that has almost eradicated several very damaging diseases from many parts of the world.   Not everyone is “pro vaccination” and I’d encourage you to do some research for yourself regarding this subject.

A Vaccination consists of a dead virus or a dead part of a virus that’s been blended up with some protein and sometimes mercury.   This makes up the vaccination.   What it does is it causes your body to react to the virus like it’s alive.   This reaction causes antibodies to rise up and elevate preventing the real infection from ever afflicting the person in the future.

Sometimes people say, “Once you get chicken pox, you’ll never get it again.”   This is because the chicken pox virus activates the antibodies in the person causing a resistance to the viral attack again.

Antibodies in your system will prevent you from getting the same cold 2x’s but the cold virus mutates rapidly enough to fool your immune system frequently.

I wanted to lay a little groundwork about virus' and now talk about what I think could be one of the biggest enemies to revival in America today.  I believe it's a Church that thinks it’s in revival or it doesn’t need revival.   I’ve often wondered why some camps of Christianity call a series of meetings that last 3 or 4 days a revival?

When I think of revival I think of sweeping spiritual and social changes, many come to know the Lord, drug dealers repent, bars close, sin is repented of, people are called into the ministry, the saints of God reconcile hurts, etc.






Also, when I think of revival I don’t think I can schedule it in.   I think I can pray for it to happen, believe and declare it but God ultimately initiates revival through his people.

Matthew 23:15
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

I’m sure these were very troubling words to the Pharisees.   My point is that not everyone that thinks they are doing God’s work is actually doing it.

The biggest enemy of Jesus’s earthly ministry was not the prostitutes, tax collectors, Romans or sinners.   It was the religious establishment that wanted to maintain their status quo.   These human systems with their origins in the law were the biggest enemy of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that one of the ideologies of the last days is there will be a people that have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. (2 Timothy 3:5)

I believe we’ve been in the last days since the ascension of Jesus and I also believe that today in our time there are people that have a form of Godliness but deny the power.

I operate from a position that the Church of Jesus Christ in the United States of America is not O.K.   I believe it needs to be awakened to become the powerful, holy and influential Bride she once was!

How do you convince people that the Jesus that lives in them is powerless to do anything in the world?  Teach them that miracles have ceased!

Power manifestations are dependent on faith and it seems to be difficult for most to walk in a faith that produces manifestations of God so a new “normal” is created and everyone goes along with it. This new “normal” is very similar to the world system so it comes naturally for people. It can be justified because it can be packaged in a very appealing message.

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Numbers seem to be another justification for presenting a powerless gospel.   Salvation is segmented away from the other kingdom expressions. People in these systems will often say, “Salvation is the greatest miracle!”  They are right and it would be even better if they had some of those “lesser” miracles operating around them but they don’t.

Mark 2:9
Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

I want to make the point that some have an image of the Jesus that lives in them as powerless.   The Jesus that lives in Heaven can do anything but the Jesus that lives in the Church is very weak.  

I find this to be an error of the worst kind.   This image of a powerless Jesus living in his Church will not only make the person faithless in many areas but it will also prevent the real Jesus from finding an expression through that believer.

Another pet peave of mine is when the saints of God call themselves sinners.   This plays nicely with the whole weak Jesus living in his church concept.

John 9:16
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” but others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?”  So they were divided.

Embracing a lifestyle of sin is not the way a Christian should see themselves.   They should see themselves as saved, righteous and holy prepared for every good work.

My main point is that when people have been injected with a Jesus that is powerless or dead they will repel the real Jesus!

What I mean by that is this, this message will really tick certain people off.   Instead of them saying, “Gee, Hammack is right!  We should believe that Jesus lives in us and wants to do great things through us.”, they’ll think, “I wish that guy would shut his mouth.”

Jesus was not a “nice” guy. Many in the Church today are “nicer” than Jesus was.   He was very polarizing and I believe if Jesus lives in us we also will be polarizing.

Luke 6:26
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.


Religion is the biggest enemy of the living Jesus.   If the devil can get you into a system that isn’t relationally centered on the Jesus Christ of the Bible you will repel the powerful Jesus.   You’ll think he’s something foreign and resist what he wants to do in you and through you. You may even draw conclusions that things described in the Bible as being a manifestation of the Holy Spirit are actually from Satan himself.  Ridiculous, but many very intelligent, trained and well intentioned Christian leaders proclaim this error.  God help them. 

While in Africa I noticed there were many miracles that happened and I concluded that “Jesus was Alive” in his Church.   Yes, he’s a alive in the heavens but he should also be alive in the people of God.

Conclusion:
Have you been vaccinated against the living Jesus?   If you think you have, please spend time studying the New Testament.   No matter what anyone has told you, the Word of God is the final rule for faith and practice.

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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In Christ, Christ In

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 14:20
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

I’ve heard myself tell several people this week what matters is that you know who Christ is, in you, and who you are in Christ. This is in relationship to walking in the authority of Jesus.
This relates specifically to deliverance and healing. When Jesus ministered in either one of these areas he used authority.

Many don’t seem to care if they don’t minister in these ways. If that’s you, this message today will be irrelevant. However, if you’d like to minster in a way beyond anything humanly duplicatable this message is for you!
Let’s bring focus to some areas today
1. If you don’t have a clear picture of Jesus…
2. If you don’t have a clear picture of Jesus in you…
3. If you don’t have a clear picture of yourself dying to self and losing yourself in Christ …

…you won’t express the Kingdom of God through your life in authority.
A Clear picture of Jesus
Jesus Christ is the perfect representation of God, doing everything with perfect obedience. Jesus Christ took authority over unclean spirits and diseases. These were considered components of the kingdom of darkness and needed to be dispossessed as evidence that the kingdom of God had come. Jesus knew where he stood in relationship to death, sickness and demons. Because he understood his position he dealt with these issues accordingly.

There is nothing the enemy would like more than to facilitate a mis-representation of the Lord Jesus in the minds of people. We must allow the Scriptures alone to define for us who Jesus was and is.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Mark 1:27
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

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

John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
Jesus in You
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.

Colossians 1:26,27
the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

John 15:4
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.


The things I’m sharing with you today are in the Bible but they have come to the forefront in my mind because of the Holy Spirit! Therefore not everyone will have these subjects on the forefront of their minds. However the significance of this subject can not be dismissed, minimized or ignored in favor of some other methodologies to reach a lost, hurting and dying world.
Deep Things of God
1 Corinthians 2:9-11
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”[b]— the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. 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.

John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Spirit guides us into all the Truth
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
We must lose ourselves in Christ

John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.”

Mark 8:34
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Galatians 2:20
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.

Romans 6:11
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

When we see clearly the supremacy of Christ it becomes much easier to loose ourselves, our dignity, our selfishness. We need to clearly see Christ for who he is, realizing he lives in us creating for us a way to minister in healing and deliverance using his deputized authority. When we do this the Kingdom of God is established in 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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What God Can't Do

A Consideration of God’s Sovereignty

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.

Things Contradictory to the Nature of God;
*for God to lie
*to sin
*to die


God cannot lie
Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

1 Samuel 15:29
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”

Malachi 3:6
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.”

Romans 3:4
“Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.”

Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”

Hebrews 6:18
“It is impossible for God to lie.”

James 1:17-18
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

God cannot sin
James 1:12-13
that God is not tempted by sin, nor does God use sin to tempt anyone else.

Psalm 92:15
“To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

God’s Sovereignty
God is an omnipotent being who can do anything that is logically possible and is consistent with his other attributes.

God prioritizes His word above His name
Psalm 138:2 (NKJV)
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

In the Bible the name of a person is inclusive of their character so what God is saying here is that His activity in the Earth is bound by His character and even more than His character, He’s bound by His own word. (Because He can’t lie!)

God has exalted His word above His character. In this next example, we’ll see how God’s character includes justice and a need to judge sin. However, His word has limited His own character in the area of judgment.

Genesis 9:15-17
15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” 17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

So now a question can be posed. Can God destroy all life on the world again with a flood?

Yes and No. Yes he can, but he never will so in some ways the answer is no.

Well, if it were possible for God to lie, he could destroy the world again with a flood. So technically if God could lie He’s definitely got the power to unleash a flood again, however, He’s chosen not, and said so, therefore in some senses of the word God cannot do this now.

We’ve learned so far that God can’t lie, He can’t change His nature, He can’t die and He can’t flood the world again destroying all life.

God is bound to His character and His word. If He says it will be a certain way; it’s that way.

Some say God is in control of everything that goes on in the world. Others say that Satan is the God of this world. I would like to make the argument that mankind is in delegated control of the Earth. The battle for control of the Earth is being fought in the hearts of men.

If you’re going to say God is in control of everything that goes on, you’re saying God allows, by not intervening, some very ungodly things to go on.

• Starvation of Children
• Murder
• Rape
• Injustice

If Satan is in control how can there be any good in the world?

2 Cor. 4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Why?

Does God need or desire to flow through mankind? Can it happen if a prophet doesn’t declare it?

Spiritual Authority
It would seem that God prefers to operate through human beings on the Earth (save Judgment) when He intervenes in the affairs of mankind.

Ephesians 1:18-23
18 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.

When the eyes of our hearts are enlightened we

• Know the hope to which He has called us
• Know the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
• Walk in the revelation of his incomparably great resurrection power and dominion establishing power for us who believe.

I believe there are many in the Body of Christ who do not have their eyes open to the glorious inheritance they have in the saints!

• The hope we’ve been called to
• Hope of the resurrection of the dead
• Hope of a victorious life
• Glorious Inheritance
  

Matthew 25:34
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Don’t sell your inheritance with immorality or Godlessness

Hebrews 12:16
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

Walking in Divine Authority

At first glance Ephesians 1:18-23 may seem like it’s all about the Lord Jesus and His positional authority. However, the way the passage is laid out, it ties the body to the head or the Church (you and I) to Jesus. So because Jesus has this authority, so does the believer. You have to believe!

Ephesians 2:6
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Conclusion
Jesus Christ, the second Adam, has overcome the enemy and thus re-established authority for the Church to exercise over the remaining dominions of darkness on the Earth.

Let’s pray, declare, decree and work so the Kingdom of God will be expressed on Earth as it is in Heaven!

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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Good Friday

By Tony V. Hammack

What Christians celebrate as Good Friday is the celebration of the most important event in human history. Jesus Christ, died on the cross for the sins of mankind. Not only did he make payment for sin, redeeming all humanity who would come to him in faith, but he defeated the spiritual forces of wickedness ranged against mankind. Check out Colossians 2:15 from the Amplified Bible... [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].

So you're telling me that God "disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us?"  Yes that's exactly what the Word of God is saying.  So why do Christian people say, "The Devil has been attacking me?"  Great question... I believe they say that because they don't really know what Christ has done for them.  Because they don't know, they are walking in spiritual ignorance to the victory Christ has won!  Unfortunately for these believers the victory will not be realized as long as they continue to submit to the defeated devil/principalities/powers ranged against us.  When the believer in Christ rises up, equipped with the revelation that at the Cross, Jesus defeated all the spiritual enemies of the believer, he/she will walk in total victory!  Enjoy the victory Jesus provided for you at the cross on this Good Friday, giving all the glory to Christ for the victory he has won.  Please make an effort to worship Christ this Resurrection Sunday.

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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Taking the Promised Land

By Tony V. Hammack

Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To listen to the audio (podcast), click here. To watch the video, click here.

Thesis: You can apprehend the promises of God for your life if you rightly discern the will and voice of God and courageously silence the voices of doubt and inferiority.

The best way to start rightly discerning the voice of God is by meditating in the Bible. In the Bible we get the heartbeat of God and he clearly lays out his promises for us.

It has often been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

That saying has some truth in it so let’s identify our promised land and then see what facilitates us walking into the promises of God and what hinders us. We’ll be looking at some illustrations from the Old Testament to help us understand our approach to the better promises (Heb. 8:6) of the New Testament.

Old Testament

The Old Testament promised land was a “land flowing with milk and honey”.
zavat halav u'dvash, (flowing with milk and honey) as "milk flows from the goats' (udders), and honey flows from the dates and the figs (Ketubot 111b)."

This expression speaks of prosperity and provision. God would take care of his people and cause them to prosper.

The 10 Spies

Numbers 13:27-28, 33They gave Moses this account, "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are very powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

The truth, the good, the but.
Projecting our own opinions of ourselves onto what others think of us is VERY common. It will assist the enemy in causing us to not take our promised land.

The enemy within
The issue isn’t primarily what do you see, the glass half empty or the glass half full. Or, in this example, do you see the land that is plentiful or the giants. The issue is what did God say? Is the opinion and voice of the Lord “louder” than the opinion and voice of circumstance, “facts”, and opposition? Do you believe you’ve heard God to such a degree that you’re willing to stick your neck out to do things God’s way?

Feed the Spirit, starve the flesh

Galatians 5:16-1716 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

The People Fail the Test
Numbers 14:4
4 And they (the Israelite people) said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

Caleb passes the test
Numbers 14:24
24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Numbers 13:30
"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'"

The Children will receive the Inheritance
Numbers 14:31
31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected.

Some people would make this story about positive thinking and believing in yourself. These thoughts have some merit relative to the story, however the primary issue is WHAT DID GOD SAY?

It’s About the Word of the Lord not Positive Thinking Only
Numbers 14:40, 45
40 Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country, saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the LORD promised. Surely we have sinned!”
45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.

You may believe in yourself until you’re blue in the face but if God stands apposed to the direction you are trying to go you won’t have success.

This is the foundational issue for you and I apprehending the promises of God. Are we willing to stick our necks out there when every fiber of our being may be drawing our attention to the “giants” in the situation?

New testament

Precious Promises
2 Peter 1:3-43 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Participating in the divine nature is my understanding of apprehending the New Testament promised land!

Worldly corruption fueled by evil desires is an enemy to participating in the divine nature.

Participating in the divine nature is simply put, acting like Jesus.

Romans 8:28-2928 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

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.

1 John 4:17,18
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 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.

What are Your Giants?
What is your Anak? Who are your Cananites? Who are your Amalakites?

• Maybe an unfavorable medical diagnosis
• Maybe a hand to mouth lifestyle without any abundance or even lack
• Maybe it’s a family member who’s away from God
• Maybe it’s an overwhelming disposition of inferiority

Let’s, like David, develop a strategy that works for us to attack the giant, run to the battle with courage and kill the giants in our lives.
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here and watch all four videos on the page.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124

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