God's Love Makes us Mature

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

1 John 4:18-21
18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 19We love Him, because He first loved us. 20If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen. 21And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother [believer] also.

Introduction:

Love is not just a character quality for God, it is God.
Because of God’s integrity He cannot do anything other than what he is. He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) and he does not change.(Malachi 3:6) Therefore when the Bible says that God is love it means he’s love all the time.

Trying to understand God’s ways and God’s character. God’s love is not the same as most people’s understanding of love.

God has an agenda for mankind and also throughout the Bible demands justice.

Understanding God’s justice and agenda to get things to line up a certain way helps me to understand why God would do things that might not look loving to me.

Isaiah 55:9  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Outline

• I.   The love of God, when received by his people, causes our motivation to be correct, expelling any unhealthy fear of God. 
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• II.  As long as a believer in Jesus Christ feels like God is going to smite them they cannot mature!
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• III. Our love for God is a direct result of us making a withdrawal from the love God placed there. No love from God means no love for God. God is the source of all love.
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• IV. Love for God can be measured in the way we love the family of God

I. V. 18 The love of God, when received by his people, causes our motivation to be correct, expelling any unhealthy fear of God.
God is not waiting for you to make a mistake so he can judge you.

Because of Jesus the wrath and justice of God have been satisfied for the believer.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9
• For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Galatians 3:13
• 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

For the sinful unbeliever
Hebrews 10:27
27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

II.  v. 18 as long as a believer in Jesus Christ feels like God is going to smite them, they cannot mature!

     A. Other things that stifle maturity for the believer. (Luke 8:14)
     Worry (Phil 4:6)
      Love of money and what money can provide. (Eccl 5:10; Mt. 6:24; Lk 16:14; 1 Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5)

     B. What maturity looks like
     Ephesians 4:13b become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

     C. The Mature View of Things
     Phil 3:12b-15a

• I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, 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, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.

III. v. 19 Our love for God is a direct result of us making a withdrawal from the love God placed there. No love from God means no love for God or man. God is the source of our love.

IV.   v. 20 Love for God can be measured in the way we love the family of God.

1 John 2:9-11
1. 9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

B. We’re instructed
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Loving the Unlovable
Matthew 5:43-48
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Walking in God’s love toward others means to treat others the way you want to be treated.
God’s love allows people to chose their own path.
Matthew 7:12-14
12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 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. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Jesus is the Gate
John 10:7-9
7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

The road is narrow because salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

The verse following the narrow way has to do with false prophets further solidifying the position that believing in Jesus is the narrow way.
John 14:6b
“No man comes to the Father accept by me.” ~Jesus Christ

In Conclusion
Fear of God prevents a believer from developing into maturity because they run from God instead of to God when they fail and have a need.

Gen 3:9,10
9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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
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Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124


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Need Washing?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was
pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so
much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all
stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their
hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and
sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of
running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve
from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught
in 'Mom let's run through the rain,'she said.
'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run
through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said..

'No, we won't, Mom.. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said
as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said,
'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the
rain. We all stood silently.  No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would
laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was
said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when
innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD lets us get
wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted
past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over
their heads just in case. They got soaked.  But they were followed by a few who
screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here. Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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The Love of God Changes our Identity

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Is this an all inclusive list?  Does anything else contribute?

Identity – How we see ourselves.
Identity is something that will be a continual blessing or a continual curse to you.

The meditation of your heart will be one of two things when God speaks.

1. We can take the land.
2. Those giants are big and I’m like a grasshopper.

Identity is shaped by

• Authority
• God
• Parents
• Coaches
• Teachers

• Ourselves
• Consciously and subconsciously meditating on the words and expressions of those in authority from our present and past.

The more honor that is extended to the one in authority the more ability the one in authority has to shape the identity of the one extending the honor.

Have you ever tried to talk to a young person, directing their life in what you see is the correct direction and they completely ignore you? Not appreciating your wisdom or the time it takes to talk to them?
By them not honoring you it severs your ability to speak into their life constructively shaping their identity.

Another thing that effects the strength of the identity shaping by the one in authority is their level of authority.
If your dad thinks you’re an amazing kid but your friends little brother thinks very poorly of you, you’d be wise to accept the opinion of your father over the opinion of the other child.

Obey God or Man?
Acts 4:19
But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.

Jesus is the Highest Authority

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Humility is a kingdom key to receiving heavenly authority

Jesus has the highest level of authority in the universe. Therefore what Jesus thinks about you should be the most important opinion in your life.

Identity Shifting Spiritual Realities
Conviction and Mercy
Being exposed to a righteous and holy God and then being shown mercy.
God shows you your sin then forgives you.
An Example from Scripture

Isaiah 6:5-7
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 seraphs 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."

Luke 7:47
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.“
This has a lot to do with the person being forgiven and their attitude of gratefulness.
God trumps all other authority.

Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Conviction is the feeling that comes from the Holy Spirit that makes a believer uncomfortable about their sin. It can make a believer hate sin. It always leaves the recipient in a state of hope.


Conviction and condemnation can feel very similar. However condemnation comes from the enemy and leaves the believer feeling hopeless.

We are dearly loved
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

Greatest Love
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
How about laying down his life for his enemies?!?
Jesus Loved his “enemies”, us.

Luke 6:27
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Romans 5:6-8
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 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.

Enemies of God
Colossians 1:21
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

The cross is the place where God’s love is demonstrated for all humanity to see.

Can you see it?




If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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The Empowering Love of God

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

God’s Love Gives
Love gives so the one loved can be better, do better, live better, have more, be more. God’s love empowers!

Empowerment - to give official authority or legal power to enable; to promote; to help an individual realize fully their potential and promote their influence.

The first step to being empowered by God is to surrender your will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

The Great Exchange
     I. Give away your life in order to take up the life of Christ.
          A. Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mt. 16:24, Lk 9:23

          B. Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Mt. 10:39, Mt. 16:25, Lk. 9:24, Lk. 17:33, Jn. 12:25

          C. Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.“
Mt. 19:30, Mt. 20:16, Mk. 10:31, Lk. 13:30,

II.  The Holy Spirit Gives Power
     A. The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
          1. 1 Samuel 10:6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.
               a. Here we see the power of the Holy Spirit gives Saul the ability to change into a different person and prophesy.

          2. In Judges 14 and 15 we see the Holy Spirit giving Samson incredible physical strength.

          3. 1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger.

          4. Micah 3:8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.

     B. The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
          1. Acts 1:8 (Ampl.) 8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
               a. Power to witness
          2. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
               a. The empowering love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit gives overflowing hope.
          3. Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
               a. The empowering love of God gives signs and wonders as a demonstration of God’s reality.

     C.   The Holy Spirit Right Now
          1.  John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
          2.  Luke 11:11-13
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
         3.  Ephesians 5:18
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

keep on being filled by the Spirit.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us in person at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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The Supremacy of Love

By Tony V. Hammack
 
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.

Love is Supreme
Supreme means highest in rank or authority , highest in degree or quality

All Love originates from God
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Love can come through people in Authority also. But the love still originates with God.

• Everything Originates with God:  One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.  The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost."  God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this, let's say we have a man making contest." To which the scientist replied, "OK, great!"  But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."  The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.  God just looked at him and said, "No, no, no.  Get your own dirt.

Generational Blessings
Luke 15:12
12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

God’s Love for us is Great
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Cross
The Cross is the place where sin is removed for everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus.
It’s the place where God shows his radical, extreme, like nothing else, love for you.
When you’re loved it puts value into your life and the Cross says, “You’re this valuable to me”.

The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:36-39
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:3-17

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The red commandments are man to God commandments. The green commandment #5 is considered the transitional commandment and commandment's 6 - 10 speak to our human interpersonal relationships.


The Mary and Martha Paradox
Luke 10:39,42
Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.“

Being loved by God and Loving God is the “work” of the Christian.


All Christian Activity should spring forth from a Love relationship with the Lord Jesus. If it springs forth from something else there’s a good chance it could be a dead work. Birthed with wrong motivation and not producing fruit.

Without Love We have Nothing
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is Superior to

• Spiritual Gifts
• Prophecy
• Tongues
• Supernatural Knowledge
• Mountain Moving Faith
• Extreme giving
• Martyrdom

Do we Love God?
1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Brotherly Love
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Some Oxymorons

• Military Intelligence
• Jumbo Shrimp
• A Lukewarm Christian

How much time does God give us to get heated up?
Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

In Conclusion
We must position ourselves to receive Love from God.
Once we receive Love we are now able to give, love, obey and serve the Lord with proper motivation.
A true test of our love for God is how we love one another in the Body of Christ.

Receive the Love of God today. Express your heart to Christ this in total and complete honesty and allow Him to speak to you.

Once you experience his radical love you will never be the same.

Our Response
Can we be loved this immensely and not love God in return? The only way we can do anything less than express God’s perfect love is by dis-connecting from a hot relationship with God. Re-connect today, receive God’s love and be a vessel of honor spreading the Love of God wherever you go.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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True Freedom

By Tony V. Hammack

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. 

Freedom is not only the ability to do what you want it’s the ability to do what’s right.

John 8:31-36
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  33They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Introduction:

1. In order to be a disciple of Jesus Christ you must hold to his teaching.
1. Hold if you don’t understand what God’s doing
2. Hold during persecution
3. Hold in times of prosperity
2. Holding to the teaching will cause it to reveal it’s truth freeing power. A “try” won’t cause this knowing to come into being for the believer.

Persistence is a key to overcoming the enemy. Really bearing down into Christ for a prolonged period of time will reveal the liberating power for the believer. You can’t just stick your toe in the water.

      3.  You Must Know It

• The truth does not set you free. Knowing the truth is what sets a person free.  Have you ever put a book on your head as a joke hoping for diffusion to kick in and the information from the book trickle into your brain?

Sometimes people are waiting for God to do something he’s already given you the deputized authority to take care of. You must know this truth in order to take action.

     4.  How can the Jews listening to Jesus have the audacity to make the statement, "We have never been slaves of anyone?"

• The Jews were conquered by the Assyrians from 740 BC to 722 BC the Babylonians from 597 – 538 BC and were in captivity in both places. Not to mention the bondage in Egypt. At the time of this conversation the nation of Israel was occupied by the Romans.

However Jesus isn’t talking about national bondage he’s talking about the bondage of the heart and mind that is created by sin. He defines slavery to sin as committing the act of sin. When the act is committed it illustrates slavery to it.

How to get free from Sin Slavery

1. Obey the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.

Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.

     2.  We Need God’s Love
          A.  This takes us back to Love from God being a key for love for God which is a key for obedience.  1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

          B.  John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

     3. Become a Slave to Righteousness

Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

     4.  Live by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16,17
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.

Conclusion:

The difference between the Christian and the Non-Christian when it comes to sin.
A non-Christian has no overcoming power available from Christ to walk in freedom.

A Christian has a new nature and everything they need for life and godliness. All of heaven is at the disposal of the Christian to have their life transformed into a life of victory.

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

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

However many Christian people starve to death with a million dollars in the bank.

We can’t withdraw Heaven’s resources because we lack in our relational knowledge of the Lord.

Jesus Came to Bring Freedom
Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Romans 7:5,6
5For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

If you'd like to understand more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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God's Really Into You

By Michael Wilson

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To listen to the audio (podcast), click here.
 
There’s more love in God for you, than there is sin in you!

John 3:16-17

Principle #1: God is love.

• Love isn’t God’s behavior, its His very nature (I John 4:8, 16)
• It’s who He is, not simply what He does.
• His love for you is pure, complete, eternal and unconditional.
• Pure: without ulterior motives
• Complete: it’s all we need
• Eternal: it doesn’t end
• Unconditional: without conditions, performance or works

Principle #2: God’s primary objective is your returned love, not obedience

• The greatest commandment? To love God with all that you are. (Mark 12:29-31)
• What’s the goal of loving? To be loved back.
• My primary objective for my kids and my wife is that they would love me back.
• Obedience motivated by love is reverence.
• Obedience motivated by fear is compliance.
• Love produces relationships, obedience doesn’t.
• Love cannot be measured nor verified in the absence of freedom.
• God fiercely defends and promotes freedom.
• It’s not about obeying rules.

Principle #3: God wants you to allow Him to love you.

• This is a very difficult principle for some people to get and follow.
• Love unexpressed is love not received.
• Love expressed but not returned is rejection.
• One reason we reject God’s love is that we feel unworthy of it and that we’re not good enough.
• We say that God loves us, but we don’t live like we believe it.
• What would you’re life look like if you lived in God’s love all the time.
• Are my decisions ruled by laws, rules and commandments or are they ruled by relationship and love?

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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Commission Ministries

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Our Vision

• Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
• Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
• Disciple - Help get people involved in servant leadership and Life Groups.
• Send - Launch new life groups.

4. Send – Launch new life groups.

It tremendously honors the Lord and your pastor when people are sent out into ministry from our church.

2 Corinthians 3:2,3
2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

The Church will be eradicated from the Earth if it doesn’t send out laborers and birth new ministries.


Jesus’ method was MEN.

Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah's Commission
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:  "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 seraphs 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!"

If you want to be sent by the Lord you must
     1. get into His presence.
     2. get exposed to His holiness
     3. be courageous enough to look inside yourself and know you are inadequate
     4. be able to submit to the empowerment that only God can give to you
     5. have your heart touched causing your priorities to align with the heavenly will so you can respond in the affirmative when the Lord opens the opportunity for you.

1. Get Into His Presence
The first way you get into the presence of God is through Discipline.
You, with your will, focus your time energy and effort on seeking the Lord. You can do this through a combination of prayer, fasting, worship, Bible meditation, fellowship with more mature believers and service.


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

Prayer
Talking with God honestly
It’s easy to slip into the formula prayers and pray the same thing the same way all the time.
It’s also easy to slip into the fake prayers. Praying the right things but having a heart disconnection.
We must pray honestly

The prayer of agreement can kick our prayer life into exponential levels when we have someone agree with us.
Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Fasting
Fasting throughout the Bible has been an act of humility that in order to be effective must be accompanied with a heart change. Isaiah 58 is a good place to start if you want to learn more about the attitude of the heart during a fast.
In the new testament the instructions we have about fasting deal with attitude. Not doing it to appear spiritual but doing it secretly for God.

Matthew 6:16-18

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Worship
Expressing Love, gratitude, appreciation and revelation back to the Lord helps to usher in His presence as well. The song must be from the heart not just the head.

Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
This admonishion appears 6 times in the Bible throughout the book of psalms.
That’s not a new one from the box it’s “your song”. An honest and sincere expression to the Lord of what He means to you.

Bible Meditation
Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Fellowship/Koinonia
Acts 2:42-43
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
The essential meaning of the koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in the English terms fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.

Service
1 Timothy 3:13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Standing-People will recognize you and esteem you.
Assurance-Knowing that you know that you are a heaven bound child of God.

My experience has been that when I discipline myself to seek the Lord that his presence is better than anything else on this Earth and I desire and ultimately delight in Him.
Everything pales in comparison to his Presence.
What Happens Once you get There?

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Perspective changes

True repentance comes
Reality is brought to light on situations where previously there may have been confusion or darkness.
Your needs are met, emotionally, spiritually, and now you have something to give.
Very often peace comes when you gain God’s perspective on human issues. God says, “I’ve got it under control”.

This is the place where the calling of God comes. In His presence is where you will sense and feel him drawing you into his desires for your life and mankind.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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Make Disciples

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Understanding the Vision Part 3
Our Vision

• Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
• Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
• Disciple - Help get people involved in servant leadership and Life Groups.
• Send - Launch new life groups.

3. Disciple
1 : a one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another b : a convinced, committed adherent of a school or individual. c : a student who follows.

The Mandate to Make Disciples
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
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."

The Philosophy to Make Disciples
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The Greek model of education shapes our modern American educational theories.
Our philosophy will dictate our methodology. Our methodology will affect our outcome. We need to develop a culture and educational methodology that distinctively reflects our love for God.

Hebrew vs. Greek Educational Model
Hebrew education focused on relationship - Greek education focused on content
Hebrew teachers tried to shape students' hearts - Greek teachers tried to shape students' minds
Hebrew students were to become what their teacher was - Greek students were to learn what their teacher knew

Following my example or pattern
Philippians 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern (tupos) we gave you.

Pattern - tupos primarily denoted "a blow" (from a root tup---, seen also in tupto, "to strike"), hence, (a) an impression, the mark of a "blow," John_20:25; (b) the "impress" of a seal, the stamp made by a die, a figure, image, Acts_7:43; (c) a "form" or mold, Rom_6:17 (see RV); (d) the sense or substance of a letter, Acts_23:25; (e) "an ensample," pattern, Acts_7:44; Heb_8:5, "pattern;" in an ethical sense, 1_Cor_10:6; Php_3:17; 1_Thess_1:7; 2_Thess_3:9; 1_Tim_4:12, RV, "ensample;" Titus_2:7, RV, "ensample," for AV, "pattern;" 1_Pet_5:3; in a doctrinal sense, a type, Rom_5:14. See EXAMPLE, FASHION, FIGURE, FORM, MANNER, PATTERN, PRINT.

Our Methodology of Discipleship

Selection
Association
Consecration
Impartation
Demonstration
Delegation
Supervision
Reproduction

A. Selection
Luke 6:12-13
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

B. Association
John 3:22
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

C. Consecration
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

D. Impartation
Mark 6:7
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

E. Demonstration – I do it and you watch.
Mark 5:1,2
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
 1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.

F. Delegation – You do it and I watch
Mark 6:30
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

G. Supervision – You Do it and I watch from a distance
Mark 6:12-13
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

H. Reproduction – You do it
You raise up people that you are now training in the ways of the Lord who eventually learn how to train others up.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here. Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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The Jubilee Family Church Vision: Part 2; Consolidation

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Jubilee Family Church
Our Vision
1.  Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
2.  Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
3.  Disciple - Get everyone involved in servant leadership.
4.  Send - Launch new life groups.


2. Consolidation
To consolidate means to join together into one whole : unite : to make firm or secure : strengthen

Many Christians lack integrity. They in fact have one way of talking and another way of living. Consolidation causes those “two” people to become one. The same person they are in the dark becomes the same person they are in the light.

Integrity - the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

The soul is dyed the color of it's thoughts. Think only of those things that can bear the full light of day.  The content of your character is your choice.  Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become… As a life group discuss the above quote in light of Philippians 4:8 and  Matthew 6:4, 6:6, 6:18

Two Components to Consolidation
A. Soulish
     1. Mind
     2. Will
     3. Emotions
B. Spiritual
     1. Deliverance

A.  Soulish - For the notes on this portion you'll have to download the audio or video.  My wife, Pastor Andrea, covered this material and it's only available in audio or video form.

From a Soulish perspective we’ve implemented a ministry called “The Ultimate Journey”. This ministry helps people pull their lives back together understanding the past in light of Christ’s forgiveness.


B. Spiritual
Mark 5:1-13
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.  6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" 9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Mark 5:2,6
1. The anointing of God will cause evil spirits to expose themselves; possibly even with a loud voice.

Mark 5:3-5
2. Demonic entities in the soulish realm of a person will promote certain behavioral patterns that are sinful or in the case of this man dangerous to others or one’s self.

Mark 5:7
3. Unclean spirits know the true identity of Jesus because they know him in the spiritual realm, the Second heaven.

• Acts 19:15 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

Mark 5:8
4. When talking to an unclean spirit keep the focus on expelling the spirit from the person.

Mark 5:9
5. If the spirit doesn’t immediately obey you and submit to the authority of Christ in you, you may find it helpful to ask it it’s name.

This spirit’s name like all demons is directly tied to it’s nature or agenda for that person.

Mark 5:10
6. The fact that the spirits don’t want to be cast out of the area lends support to the idea that unclean spirits may have a geographic assignment.

Mark 5:11-13
7a. Animals can be demonized. This lends credibility to the idea that demons dwell in the soulish realm of people. In the mind will and or emotions.  This is a place other than the spirit of man.
7b. This also opens up the possibility that a person who’s sincerely asked Jesus into their heart may have an unclean spirit that hasn’t been expelled.

Can a Christian have a demon?
This is a good question. I believe the answer is yes but I believe the answer is yes because the reasoning that say’s a Christian can’t have a demon is flawed.

The reasoning usually goes something like this.
The Holy Spirit and an Unclean Spirit can’t dwell in the same person.
Well if that’s true a person who’s saved and has the Holy Spirit living in them shouldn’t be able to sin ever again either, right?
But most if not all of us have had some kind of struggle with sin after we came to Christ. How can this be?

It can be because your soulish realm must be continually brought under subjection to the Lordship of Christ.

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

In a positional sense we're righteous, however in a practical sense we've got to war by fighting the good fight of faith in order to keep our mind will and emotions doing the right thing.

Our faith is in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Colossians 2:15
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

I don’t know who has demons but I know if I have one I want it gone.

Sometimes we have integrity problems because our mind needs to be renewed.
Sometimes in can have demonic roots.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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Mrs. Moses

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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The Jubilee Family Church Vision: Part 1; Win the Lost

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Our Vision

• Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
• Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
• Disciple - Get involved in servant leadership and life groups.
• Send - Launch new life groups

1. Win
2 Corinthians 5:17,18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Ways we win souls

1. Personal evangelism
2. Power evangelism
3. Relational evangelism
4. Word evangelism
5. Altar evangelism

Jesus Was a “Relational, Power and Word Evangelist”
Please read the story of the Woman at the Well found in John 4:7-26

John 4:7-9
1a. Jesus finds common ground that creates an open heart in the woman.
He does this by virtue of the prejudices that existed between Samaritans and Jews. Men and women.
His reaching out to her, asking for a drink opens her heart.
Jesus is dealing with a woman who’s honoring him, she’s not bitter.

1b. Way’s to soften the heart of the person God’s told you to lead to Christ.

• Acts of kindness
• Acts of service
• Gifts
• Authenticity over a long period of time
• Demonstrations of power

John 4:10
2a. Jesus is witnessing to the woman by talking to her about what she’s doing. Drawing water.

2b. Turn the conversation toward spiritual things by using common things the person you’re talking to is familiar with.

John 4:12
3a. This creates questions in the heart of the woman. Her questions indicate to Jesus that she’s not understanding the point he’s trying to make about living water.

3b. Make sure you’re an attentive listener. The person you’re talking to will tell you how to proceed based on the questions they ask you.

Sometimes we get on a monologue and don’t listen or even care to listen to people. We shouldn’t do this unless the person is putting up false arguments.

John 4:13,14
4a. Jesus compares natural water with spiritual water thus showing the supremacy of the kingdom of God over the frivolousness of living for self.

4b. When we’re sharing our faith with others it’s important to use the word of God and your testimony to illustrate the supremacy of kingdom living.

John 4:15
5a. She wants the living water but doesn’t really understand what it is. She thinks it’s water that doesn’t need to be drawn, some sort of magic water.

5b. It’s important that once people are “on board” with the good news they start to understand and grow in knowledge. They need to be taught.

John 4:17,18
6a. Here’s where Jesus flows in a prophetic gifting by revealing her past and current relationship status.

6b. Always be open to supernatural words from heaven when you are expressing the Gospel to people. It takes sensitivity to the voice of God and courage to step out into this, however, when you hear correctly and obey, God is glorified!

John 4:20
7a. Here the woman wants to talk about where to worship on this mountain or in Jerusalem. Jesus explains that worship is going to be a place in the heart and that salvation is from the Jews.

7b. When the true spiritual presence of God shows up people might want to talk “religion”. Where to go to church if you will.

John 4:21-24
8a. Jesus gives a word of instruction about the question the woman asks telling her the truth about worship.

8b. It is important where you go to church but it’s more important that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

9a. Now the woman is starting down the right track. She brings up the Messiah. Jesus closes the discussion by letting her know he’s the Messiah.

9b. If things go well your person should bring up the right things as the spirit of God draws them. (John 6:44) Continue in this relationship until you feel God releases you from it or they get reconciled to God.

The Romans Road to Salvation
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a, "For the wages of sin is death;
Romans 6:23b "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13 "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

One Key to Revival
Lift Jesus Up

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

1 Corinthians 1:17
17For 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.

Human Wisdom = No Power

Our Cross
Matthew 16:24-26
24Then 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 cross is the place where your love and obedience to the Lord becomes painful. The pain usually comes from people who are outside the covenant. When the cross is fully realized it will actually bring physical death to an individual.

Two reasons to suffer
1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Your Cross; May Effect Others
Matthew 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

You may have to carry someone else’s cross.

The Cross; Misunderstood
Matthew 27:40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

The world, inspired by the agenda of Satan, will call to you to stop suffering or sacrificing for the Lord. Listen to your flesh and take the path of least resistance.


Matthew 27:42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

One specific demonic strategy will be to ridicule the person going through suffering even quoting the verses that have to do with God’s blessings. Perhaps saying, “Well if they had been obedient and done what was right, none of this would’ve happened.”

Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Our cross will not catch God by surprise.

Remember what happened to Joseph and his proclamation to his brothers when the fruition of his vision came to pass.
Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
 8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.

The Cross, a Place of Unity
Ephesians 2:13-16
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.  14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

The Cross a Place of Victory
Colossians 2:14,15
14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

In conclusion the cross gives us victory over the regulations of the law and victory over Satan and demonic principalities.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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Serving by the Law or by the Spirit?

By Tony V. Hammack

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.

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

New Testament believers can find themselves serving God under the law but it's an error to do so.

I.  The wrong way to serve the Lord
     A.  With your identity tied to the work instead of your identity tied to the Lord.
          1.  To try and earn God’s approval
          2.  To try and earn the favor of people
          3.  To try and salve a guilty conscience by doing God’s work.

II.  The proper way to serve God is by the Spirit, not by the law, where you are
     A.  Abiding in the presence of God to receive
          1.  grace
          2.  direction
          3.  power for service
     B. Empowered to step out in obedience

Let's take a look at the wrong way to serve the Lord before we take a look at the proper way to serve the Lord.


The Purpose of the Law to a New Covenant Believer
Galatians 3:24
24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Amplified Bible
24So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith.

A Problem with the Law
The Law arouses sinful passions
Romans 7:5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

     1.  You can’t get God’s approval by observing the law.

Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Justified - : to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation.


Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

     2. Trying to Earn the Approval of Men

Galatians 1:10
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

The Hireling simulates a person who's serving with the wrong motives and as a result is unable to see their ministry through difficulties.  When the wolf attacks the hireling runs away, leaving the sheep vulnerable and thus ending the expression of God through that person.

The Hireling
John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

 

     3. Trying to Salve a Guilty Conscience
Serving the Lord in order to pay some sort of recognized or subliminal penance is an improper motive.

When we have to work something up, in order to do something for God we are probably operating under the Law.

The Correct Way to Serve the Lord
The only thing we need to do is believe on the one God has sent.
John 6:28,29
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

A.  Abiding in the Presence of God
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will 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.
     1. Receive Grace
Titus 2:11,12
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Grace, in the context of Titus 2, is the essence of God that gives the believer the internal fortitude to say no to ungodliness and sin. Grace is a sin preventer, empowering the Christian to live like Christ.

     2. Receive Direction
John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer 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.

     3. Receive Power for Service
Luke 11:9-13 (Amplified)
9So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.  11What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!

B.  Empowered to Step Out in Obedience
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Accomplishing the great Commission
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

This Sunday was Pentecost Sunday May 23rd 2010 so we talked some about the day of Pentecost as it relates to empowering the believer for service.

Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

The gift of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel
Acts 2:15-18
15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

The Promised Holy Spirit is for You
Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

In conclusion please read Acts 18:24-28 and discuss the disciple named Apollos.  Compare and contrast his method of ministry with that of the early Apostles and discuss any parallels you may see today in the church in America.  What does "only the Baptism of John mean?"  What does "explained to him the way of God more adequately" mean?

Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today by simply asking in faith.  Our good Heavenly father will bless you with the gift of his Holy Spirit if you ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking.  In the book of Acts what accompanied the gift of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues and sometimes tongues with prophecy.

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Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 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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