Our Ability Comes from 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 kingdom can be expressed to and through your life.

No matter what enemy you are facing today

- Sin
- Fear
- Apathy
- Feelings of inferiority
- Ignorance
- God’s kingdom can be expressed to and through your life.

The Kingdom of God is a conquering kingdom and can easily conquer all the kingdoms of our hearts. Walking in obedience to God’s kingdom is more rewarding, powerful and desirable than any other activity on the planet.

Ephesians 1:18-21
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,

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

We need our eyes enlightened in order to know what we’ve been called to

• The hope, that we’ve been called to
• The riches of His glorious inheritance
• His incomparably great power
  

The Hope That We' ve Been Called To

Romans 8:24
hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance
a. Eternal Life
b. Victorious Life
c. Kingdom Life

A. Inherit Eternal Life


Matthew 25:31-36
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

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. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’


B. Inherit Victorious Life


Titus 2:11,12
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Grace is power to do the will of God and it’s freely available to the humble follower of Christ.
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.


C. Inherit Kingdom Life

Luke 12:32
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

At the center of any kingdom is a King. The kingdom life we’re promised causes the kingdoms of this life to come down and the kingdom of God to be established in newly conquered hearts.

His Incomparably Great Power
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.”

Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If 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!”

John 3:34
God gives the Holy Spirit without limit.

The Holy Spirit is an active agent of the God head moving through the body of Christ today. The Holy Spirit moves through obedient people.

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.

Gamalial’s address to the Sanhedrin
Acts 5:38,39
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Romans 8:31,32
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Philippians 4:13
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


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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The Anatomy of an Encourager

By Tony V. Hammack


Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To watch the video, click here.
Lessons from the life of Barnabas

Son of Encouragement

Encourage - to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.

Thesis - The Body of Christ needs encouragers.


Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 9:26-27
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 11:23,24
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Acts 11:29,30
29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 12:25
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Acts 13:1
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas,

Outline

1. Barnabas was an extravagant giver (Acts 4:36-37)
2. Barnabas believed in people, he trusted them, networking Paul successfully in with the other apostles and later with the new Grecian believers at Antioch (Acts 9:26,27)(Acts 11:25,26)
3. Barnabas was an encourager (Acts 11:23,24)

• He rejoiced with the will of God being accomplished
• He was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord
• He was considered a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
• He played a role in successful outreach
• Barnabas was a conduit for financial blessing (Acts 11:29,30)
  

4. Enter John Mark (Acts 12:25)
5. Barnabas is Considered a Prophet and Teacher (Acts 13:1)
6. Barnabas’ belief in people causes a rift between he and Paul in regard to John Mark (Acts 15:37,38)

Body

1. Barnabas was an extravagant giver (Acts 4:36-37)
Barnabas sold some land and laid it at the Apostles feet. Barnabas had land and possibly some wealth. Perhaps he gave out of his abundance. Maybe that was his primary land?

2. Barnabas believed in people, he trusted them, networking Paul successfully in with the other apostles. (Acts 9:26,27)
When all the apostles were afraid of Paul because of his reputation Barnabas took a chance on him. Believing his story to be true. He then confirmed the truth for himself before introducing him to the other Apostles.

3. Barnabas was an encourager (Acts 11:23,24)
a. He rejoiced with the will of God being accomplished

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Barnabas rejoiced with God’s will being accomplished

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

b. Barnabas was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

c. He was considered a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
1. Good
2. Filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Filled with Faith

d. He played a role in successful outreach

I believe when it comes to outreach…

Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
We’re called to be faithful

Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

e. Barnabas was a conduit for financial blessing (Acts 11:29,30)

Barnabas was used in this way to bring relief to part of the body of Christ sent from another part. Here again he’s networking resources to a need.

4. Enter John Mark (Acts 12:25)
Was John Mark the rich young ruler who fled Naked?

A rich young ruler questioned Christ about what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Mark's Gospel includes a detail that Matthew and Luke failed to mention: "And Jesus looking upon him loved him..." This hints at the possibility that young John Mark himself may have been that rich young man. An early church tradition also suggests that it was this same Mark who was "the certain young man" who followed Christ right up to His entry into the house of the high priest and then, when the guards tried to lay hold of him, left the linen cloth that he was clothed with in their hands and fled naked! (Mark 14:52; was the only one who included this incident.)

5. Barnabas is Considered a Prophet and Teacher (Acts 13:1)
Often when thinking about Barnabas I don’t really give him much credit for anything. He however was a very foundational pillar in the early Church.

6. Barnabas’ belief in people causes a rift between he and Paul in regard to John Mark (Acts 15:37,38)

Paul being more principled in his approach to the ministry brought him into conflict with Barnabas who seems to have a mercy gifting.

Fortunately, Paul and Mark later reconciled when Paul was in prison in Rome. Mark served as his aide and then as a delegate on an important mission to Asia Minor. Later Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark back with him to Rome because he was useful in service. (2 Tim 4:11) When Peter was writing 1st Peter, he affectionately called Mark "his son.“ (1 Peter 5:13)

Conclusion: We need encouragers in the body of Christ. Encouragers are used by God to breathe life into us when we’re feeling flat.

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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Where is Your Hope?

By Tony V. Hammack

Titus 2:13b the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Thesis: We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.


Introduction: Many theologians disagree on how things will unfold in regard to the end of days.  The activities aren't as contested as the time line or sequence of events.  I therefore have what some may consider a "different" end times escatological position.  I've simply decided not to take a dogmatic stance in regard to the sequence of events in the end times.  I feel like I have a decent grip on the various positions and supporting scriptural support.   I am not sure how much tribulation (whether it's the great tribulation or not) the believer will have to endure.  I encourage people to be ready to endure difficulties based on the scriptural and historic fact that the Church has over the last centuries been at times severely persecuted.  This doesn't mean I've ruled out a pre-tribulational rapture possibility I've simply chosen to consider other options and take sensible steps to prepare for possible trouble.  The pre-tribulational rapture position has some scriptural support and obvious appeal to the heart of man.  I however am not entrenched into believing this due to other scripture and history.  Why history?  Well, I've decided that if I'm going through some tribulation that includes things like (getting eaten by lions in the coliseum) and someone comes up to me and says, as the lion is getting ready to strike, "Hey brother, don't worry, this isn't the GREAT tribulation." it won't matter very much to me if it's the great tribulation or just my personal tribulation.  So how much tribulation will we have to go through?  I don't know but to sensibly prepare is a logical conclusion.  What I believe about the rapture doesn't change if I get raptured or not so I've placed my faith in Jesus Christ to save me.  My faith is not in my escatological position on end time events.  If Jesus is going to catch us up before the tribulation, as a great man of God once said, "I have my 'ticket'".

2 Peter 3:10-13
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Outline
I.   The day of the Lord will come like a thief
II.  Everything will change
III.These changes, if they are real to us, will prioritize how we live, prompting holiness, godliness and effective outreach.
IV. We should be looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.


I.  The day of the Lord will come like a thief

A thief comes without being noticed and announced. A thief is trying to catch his victim by surprise. Most robberies happen when the victim is not at home.

Matthew 24:42-44
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

We must stay prophetically sharp if we’re to be on guard for the return of the Lord.

John 16:13
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.

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

Mark 13:32,33
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

II.  Everything will change
     A.  Heavens will disappear with a roar
     B.  Elements will be destroyed by fire
     C.  The earth and everything done in it will be laid bare

A. The heavens disappear
1. The stars stop shining on the earth
2. The stars literally disappear leaving the earth alone in the universe

This will most likely be the first scenario. Cloud cover that will prohibit an earthly perception of heavenly bodies. Clouds? Dust? Something supernatural?

Elements destroyed by fire.
In nature, new elements are created by adding protons and neutrons to hydrogen atoms within the nuclear reactor of a star, producing increasingly heavier elements, up to iron (atomic number 26). This process is called nucleosynthesis.

The possible scenarios that cause this kind of elemental shift are nuclear. There may also be other ways (particle accelerators, nuclear reactors) to change elements however in a roaring destructive scenario including fire, nuclear seems like a likely option.

We can also consider a hit from a cosmic object.

Matthew 24:29
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

All this is before… v. 30-31 they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Revelation 8 gives 3 different events that happen from the heavens to the earth.

Rev. 8:7 1st Trumpet; Hail and fire mixed with blood. 1/3 of the earth, 1/3 of all the trees and all the grass is burned up.

Rev. 8:7-9 2nd Trumpet; something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Rev. 8:10,11 Third Trumpet; a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.  A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

A collision with an asteroid large enough to make the Yucatán crater would have sent so much dust and gas into the atmosphere that sunlight would have been blocked for months or years, killing much of Earth’s vegetation and interrupting the food chain many animals depended on.

The asteroid that created the Chicxulub Crater
was approximately 2.7-6.8 miles in diameter.

The earth and everything done in it will be laid bare
This passage 2 Peter 3:10 seems to indicate that human activity is brought very low by this intense destructive fire. This renovates the earth and prepares it to become the new earth.

III. These changes being real will prioritize how we live, prompting holiness, godliness and effective outreach.


When we know these to be true realities why would we want to invest the majority of our time energy and effort into building temporal things. I think it’s important that we give some attention to temporal things however these end times realities should cause us to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Holy – Set apart unto God and set apart from sin.
Godly- Being imitators of our heavenly father.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

If the good news of the kingdom is not preached to all nations will the end come?

The preaching serves as a testimony giving them a chance to make a decision for Christ.
Can we speed up or slow down the return of the Lord?

The gospel of the kingdom is all about surrendering to the King of the kingdom, and taking on his life and direction of service. With this surrender comes all the privileges, rights and persecution of a kingdom citizen.
Kingdom citizens are empowered by God’s grace to disposes the kingdoms of darkness leading people to Christ.

The Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Cor. 5:17,18
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

IV. We should be looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.

God’s Dream Ultimately Fulfilled
Revelation 21:1-4
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Conclusion: We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

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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The Nature of Jesus

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.

Understanding Jesus – Understanding the Father

John 14:9b-10
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?

Jesus Christ is the fundamental doctrine of true theology ~Dr. S.M. Lockridge

To understand the personality of Jesus is to understand the personality of God.

Everything Jesus does is Christ like and he perfectly represents the personality of God the Father.
However sometimes our opinions of him may not be accurate and they may be based on popular ideas or sources other than the Word of God.

Times When Jesus Behaves in an “Un-Christ Like Manner”

Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”  23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Introduction
A casual reading of this passage could cause the reader to feel like Jesus is brushing this woman off and even being rude. Let’s take a deeper look at the dynamics of Christ as he responds to this Canaanite woman.

1. There is a need v. 22
2. The woman knows something about Jesus v. 22
3. Jesus doesn’t initially respond to the need v. 23
4. Jesus responds with the word of the Lord v. 24
5. The woman pleads for her daughter v. 25
6. Jesus repeats the word of the Lord in a way that could be construed as offensive to the woman. v. 26
7. The woman’s response to Jesus v. 27
8. Jesus performs a miracle as a result of the woman’s faith v. 28

I.  There are needs
     A.  Mark 14:7  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.
     B. Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Needs for salvation
• Needs for healing
• Needs for deliverance
• Needs for emotional healing
• Financial needs

Is Jesus initially moved by the need in this situation?

Mark 6:47-50
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

It's clear from the passage above that Jesus does not respond to needs.  However he does respond to the faith of the disciples as they cry out to him.


II. The woman knows something about Jesus v. 22
She addresses Jesus as “Lord, Son of David”

Son of David is a popular Jewish title for the coming Messiah and is used several times in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:5-16)

III. Jesus doesn’t initially respond to the need v. 23
Not only does Jesus not respond to the need but he ignores her.
He could’ve said a lot of things other than just ignoring her.
What are some possible responses you would want to hear if you were this woman?
Is this a deliberate strategy of Jesus to offend this woman causing her to either walk away or press in for her miracle?
Does God offend the mind to reveal the heart?
How easily offended are we? Are our loved ones easily offended? How do we respond when we don’t see the manifestation we’re believing for?

Jesus closest followers have a problem with the woman “she keeps crying out after us.” v. 23

This is another great opportunity for the woman to become offended and give up petitioning Jesus for her daughter.

In New Testament times there was no country known as Canaan. Some think this was the Semitic manner of referring to the people of Phonecia at this time. Mark says the woman was “a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia”.  In Mark 7:26 Mark possibly used the term to distinguish this woman from the Libyan Phoenicians of North Africa.

What are some possible reasons why she’s so persistent in her pleading?

Do we have the same character qualities that the woman has?

IV. Jesus responds with the word of the Lord v. 24
As we’ve already discussed Jesus is not moved by the woman’s need he’s moved by God’s word. The word is. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel
Matthew 10:5-8
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Jesus’ point was that the gospel was to be given first to Jews.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

V.  The woman pleads for her daughter v. 25
The woman is not pushed away by the word’s she’s heard. She continues to plead for her daughter’s life, kneeling before Jesus saying, “Lord, help me!”

VI.  Jesus repeats the word of the Lord in a way that could be construed as offensive to the woman. v. 26
The children are the jews and the dogs are the gentiles.
In some senses of the word Jesus calls the woman a dog.

VII.  The woman’s response to Jesus v. 27
How would you respond to a minister in a prayer line who didn’t pray for you and then said, “I’m not going to pray for you, you dog”?

The woman’s reply revealed not only her wit but also her faith and humility.

v. 26 And He answered, It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs. v. 27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the little pups (little whelps) eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters’ table.

VIII. Jesus performs a miracle as a result of the woman’s faith v. 28
Jesus moves outside of the mandate of God’s plan for his life as a result of the faith of the woman. The woman’s faith makes her daughter’s healing the will of God for this “dog” gentile woman.

Conclusion:
The Great Faith Club – Two gentile members
Matthew 8:5-13 The Centurion – Revelation of Authority
Matthew 15:21-28 The Canaanite Woman – Persistence in the face of adversity

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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The Glory

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.

The glory of the Lord is the manifestation of his presence. God shows himself strong and moves among mankind displaying a portion of his character out of his glory.

I. God received Glory through destruction of the enemies of God
Exodus 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this. (Exodus 14:17,18)

Romans 9:17
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
(Exodus 9:16)

Romans 9:22,23
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

II. God tangibly takes care of his people out of his glory
Exodus 16:6-10
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.” 9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.

Jesus feeds the 5000
Matthew 14:13-21

III. God’s glory appears as a cloud or fire
Exodus 24:16 and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud.
Exodus 24:17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

Exodus 40:34,35 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

God appearing to Moses in the “burning” bush in Exodus chapter 3.

Cloud by day and a fire by night
Exodus 13:21,22; Exodus 40:38; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Psalm 78:14

The Priests Begin Their Ministry
IV. God’s glory appears to confirm the priestly ministry; inaugurating a new beginning
Leviticus 9:6,23
Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.” Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.

God consumed the sacrifice of Solomon at the consecration of the temple serving to inaugurate a new beginning
 2 Chronicles 6 and 7

The day of Pentecost, God’s glory comes in the form of fire and tongues helping to inaugurate the birthing of the Church.
 Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Numbers 14:10 – Numbers 14:22
V. The glory of the Lord appeared to stop the stoning of God’s human authority
VI. Seeing God’s glory prompts God to hold his people accountable for behaving at a higher level of Godliness

VII. The glory of God caused a plague to move out and kill the rebellious
Numbers 16:42-46
42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the LORD said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown. 46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started.”



VIII. The Glory of God gives supernatural wisdom and insight (re: getting water from a rock)
Numbers 20:6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

IX. God’s voice and his glory can appear together.
Deuteronomy 5:24
24 And you said, “The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.

Conclusion:
We need God’s glory, his manifest presence, to make God real and relevant to a lost generation and to energize the Church.

Please pray and agree with us that God's glory will manifest in our midst as you listen to this song from Chris Tomlin.







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.

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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Subject to Government

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 13:1-7
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.  6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

1 Peter 2:13-17
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Introduction
Does this mean we shouldn’t appose any political leader? Do we really believe that government officials have unlimited authority to do anything they want without opposition?

For example, what if our leaders decided to resurrect the old custom of sacrificing your children to the Cananite sun god Molech worshiped throughout the ancient Near East. Would you think God would want you to submit to this?

Adolf Hitler
Hitler wisely embraced Romans 13 to give him unquestioned power by the majority of German Christians.

Sing a Little Louder by Penny Lea
"Week after week that train whistle would blow. We would dread to hear the sound of those old wheels because we knew that the Jews would begin to cry to us as they passed our church. It was so terribly disturbing!  We could do nothing to help these poor miserable people, yet their screams tormented us. We knew exactly at what time that whistle would blow, and we decided the only way to keep from being so disturbed by the cries was to start singing our hymns. By the time the train came rumbling past the church yard, we were singing at the top of our voices.  If some of the screams reached our ears, we'd just sing a little louder until we could hear them no more. Years passed and no one talks about it much anymore, but I still hear that train whistle in my sleep.  I can still hear them crying out for help.  God forgive all of us who called ourselves Christians, yet did nothing to intervene."

So, there are limits to human authority. A father has authority in his home, but does this give him power to abuse his wife and children? An employer has authority on the job, but does this give him power to control the private lives of his employees?  A pastor has overseer authority in the church, but does this give him power to tell employers in his church how to run their businesses? The answer to all three questions is obviously NO! All human authority is limited in nature. No man is to have unlimited authority over the lives of other men. (Lordship belongs to Christ)

Obedience to the government must never be in violation of the law of God.
Acts 4:19
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

Acts 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”

The Government referred to in the Bible punishes the wrongdoer and commends the one who does right. (Romans 13:3; 1 Peter 2:14)
What is a Christian to do when the government punishes the innocent and Godly while commending the evil?

Romans 13:5 means we must think and reason for ourselves regarding the justness and rightness of our government's laws. Obedience is not automatic or robotic. It is a result of both rational deliberation and moral understanding.

The essence of God’s creation accounts for the liberty built into the conscience of mankind. He has a duty to act when he knows what is right.

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17)

We know from scripture that there is coming a world leader referred to as the Anti-Christ. The abomination that causes desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel. (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14)

Antichrist’s Rule Reaches Globally using Finance
It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. [Revelation 13:16-17]

As a Christian should you submit to the Anti-Christ’s government and receive the mark? In this environment the responsibility falls on the individuals in this system to object to the law being carried out.

Revelation 14:9-11
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

The constant theme throughout the scriptures is the higher powers of government are to promote good and punish evil. Governments that do the opposite are not to be honored.

In order for their to be a world government there must be an agenda to dissolve national sovereignty. In order to have a new world order patriotism and national sovereignty in every nation must come under attack and eventually be dissolved.

The nations with the most resources and power should be the least likely to hand over their sovereignty. Why would they want to? The playing field must be leveled for this agenda to fly in the minds of the worlds richest nations.

This list is based on 2008 GDP figures
1. USA 14.265 Trillion up 2.65%
2. Japan 4.924 Trillion up 12.3%
3. China 4.402 Trillion up 30.1%
4. Germany 3.668 Trillion up 10.4%
5. France 2.866 Trillion up 10.5%

The United States Constitution is under attack by the spirit of the Anti-Christ in order to usher in a world government.

There are enemies outside of our nation but also enemies within our nation trying to dissolve the authority of the Constitution.

"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and he carries his banners openly. But the traitor moves among those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not (as a) traitor, he speaks in the accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their garments, and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared." - Cicero, 42 B.C.

New World Order is a term used to describe the uniting of the world's superpowers to secure and maintain global peace, safety, and security.

The New World Order agenda is detailed in documents from the Council of Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg Group, Club of Rome, United Nations, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

Peace and Safety
The Day of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

There will always be a clash between citizens who try to follow God’s laws and tyrants who try and go against God’s laws.

U.S. National sovereignty is going to come under attack. Do we take the position that well, it’s going to happen and there’s nothing we can do about it? The Antichrist is going to rule the world. Or do we stand up for our Nations sovereignty defending the Constitution of the United States?

What if it’s Hitler knocking at the door and not the Anti-Christ?

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. ~Edmund Burke

Since our form of government is a representative republic the real authority in our government is delegated to our elected officials by the people. Their responsibilities are overseen by the Constitution of the United States.

In America, the U.S. Constitution is the "supreme Law of the Land." Under our laws, every governing official, civil servant and soldier, publicly promises to submit to and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Romans 13:1-7 to a U.S. Citizen
1 Let everyone be subject to the [Constitution of the United States], for there is no authority except that which God has established. The [Constitution of the United States] has been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the [Constitution of the United States] is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For the [Constitution of the United States] holds no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the [Constitution of the United States]? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  4 For the [Constitution of the United States] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for the [Constitution of the United States] does not bear the sword for no reason. It is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the[Constitution of the United States] not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.  6 This is also why you pay taxes, for those authorities that serve the [Constitution of the United States] are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Furthermore, Christians, above all people, should desire that their elected representatives submit to the Constitution, because it is constitutional government that has done more to protect Christian liberty than any governing document ever devised by man.

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070810.html

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.

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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What Jesus Did

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. Jesus paid the penalty for sin, redeeming mankind 
2. He opened the way to the gentiles 
3. He defeated the devil 
4. He opened the kingdom of God to mankind 
5. He made a way for people to inherit eternal life

1. Jesus paid the penalty for sin, redeeming mankind.
Romans 3:24
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace


Colossians 1:13,14
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Galatians 3:13
Christ 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 pole.”

2. He opened the way to the gentiles
Acts 11:18
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Romans 11:11,12,25
because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,

A. Salvation is opened to the gentiles because of the sins of Israel
B. It’s opened up to make Israel envious
C. Israel has been hardened until the full # of gentiles has come in
D. Israel will be saved by grace through faith in Jesus


3. He defeated the devil
Colossians 2:13-15
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.


Luke 10:18,19
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Smith Wigglesworth
"We were sleeping one night, when the manifestation of evil filled the room and the spirit of fear gripped both of us.  Polly was so frightened she could not open her eyes.  I suddenly sat up, in the bed, and saw the devil.  I rubbed my eyes to be sure, it was him.  I said, ‘Oh! It's only you.'  I then turned to Polly and told her to go back to sleep, it was nothing of consequence, and I laid my head back down.  Suddenly an overwhelming sense of peace and love filled the room and we had the most blessed sleep ever."


4. He opened the kingdom of God to mankind.
Luke 17:21
the kingdom of God is within you.”

John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 14:12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.


Matthew 6:10
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.


5. He made a way for people to inherit eternal life
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


Romans 10:9,10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:13
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 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.

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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My Son went to Israel

A Jewish businessman in Chicago sent his son to Israel for a year to absorb the culture. When the son returned, he said, "Papa, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity."

"Oy vey," said the father. "What have I done?"

He took his problem to his best friend. "Ike," he said, "I sent my son to Israel, and he came home a Christian. What can I do?"

Funny you should ask," said Ike. "I too, sent my son to Israel, and he also came home a Christian. Perhaps we should go see the rabbi."

So they did, and they explained their problem to the rabbi. "Funny you should ask," said the rabbi. "I, too, sent my son to Israel, and he also came home a Christian. What is happening to our young people?"

And so they all prayed, telling the Lord about their sons. As they finished their prayer, a voice came from the heavens:

"Funny you should ask," said the voice. "I, too, sent my son to Israel..."

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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The Importance of Bearing Fruit (Part 3)

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.


Abiding in Christ
Introduction
Fruit is the part of a plant that produces food and seed.
1. Food symbolizing the sweet flavor of a changed personality, conformed into Christ’s image. (Galatians 5:22,23)
2. Seed symbolizing an effort to share God’s message and life to a lost and hopeless world. (Matthew 13:1-23)


Food
Galatians 5:22,23
The Fruits of the Spirit, which show a changed personality are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These fruits, when being expressed in the life of a believer, give us what we need to be able to scatter seed. It also makes us resemble Christ’s character and is good for us and others.

Seed
Matthew 13:1-23
The success of the sower in this parable is based completely on the condition of the hearer’s heart.
Path – Lack Understanding
Rocky Soil – People receive the Word with joy but when testing comes they fall away.
Thorns – Worries and anxieties of life, deceitfulness of wealth, choke out the Word
Good Soil – This person hears and understands producing a crop 30 60 or 100 x’s what was sown.
Here success is attributed to the wise
Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified)
The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men--he gathers and receives them for eternity].


Outline
I.   Fruit production is very important to God
II.  Fruit production for the believer begins with personal holiness.
III. Abiding in Christ is a key to fruit production

III. Abiding in Christ is a Key to Fruit Production

John 15:1-8
A.  There are false vines, Jesus is the True Vine.
B.  God the Father is the Gardener
C.  We are to stay in Jesus just like he stays in us.
D.  In the same way a branch cannot bear fruit by itself we can’t bear fruit unless we remain in the vine (Jesus)
E.  Abiding in Christ is a key to seeing our prayers answered.
F.  Being fruitful is one way we show ourselves to be his disciples.
G.  Our fruit is to last and we are to love each other.

A.  There are false vines, Jesus is the true vine.
People have a decision to make where they are going to receive a flow of life.

1. Worldly possessions
2. False Prophets
3. Affirmation of people
4. Various accomplishments
5. The Lord Himself

A word about the emotionally needy.


B. God the Father is the Gardener
He cuts off the fruitless
He prunes / cleans the fruitful so they are even more fruitful.

The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans. Jesus declared the disciples clean because of the word he had spoken to them. v. 3

The Word of God has a component to it that cleans hearts.
Psalm 119:11
11 I have hidden your word in my heart    that I might not sin against you.
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.


C.  We are to stay in Jesus just like he stays in us
Our commitment to Jesus should be like his commitment to us.
Our love for Jesus should be like his love for us.
It’s pictured by a marriage. Not breakable until death. Jesus would never divorce you therefore you shouldn’t divorce him.

D. In the same way a branch cannot bear fruit by itself we can’t bear fruit unless we remain in the vine.
1. This illustrates how we must abide and remain in Christ.

E. Abiding in Christ is a key to seeing our prayers answered.

1. When we abide in Him we’ll pray his will.
2. 1 John 5:14,15  14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
3. This truth should be a faith builder, giving the person of prayer tremendous confidence and persistence.
4. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
5. Persistence – The Parable of the Persistent widow. Luke 18:1-8

F. Being fruitful is one way we show ourselves to be his disciples.
A disciple is a student who follows. If Jesus was fruitful and raised up disciples his disciples should be like him and do the same thing.
Loving is another way we show ourselves to be his disciples.

John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Being fruitful is a way to show love. Sacrificing our identity and life for another is a very high kind of sacrificial love. (The first time I was “Nate’s Dad”)
John 12:24
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

G.  Our fruit is to last and we are to love one another.
The way fruit lasts is that it also bears fruit. Your spiritual offspring raising up spiritual offspring. Having spiritual sons and daughters is great but what about spiritual grand children?
What makes this happen is dying to ourselves and loving someone else, sharing with them, equipping them, serving them until they are prepared to do the same.

It all starts with someone making a decision to follow Jesus.

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

View Larger Map

The Importance of Bearing Fruit (Part 2)

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.

Introduction
Fruit is the part of a plant that produces food and seed.
     1. Food symbolizing the sweet flavor of a changed personality, conformed into Christ’s image. (Galatians 5:22,23)
     2. Seed symbolizing an effort to share God’s message and life to a lost and hopeless world. (Matthew 13:1-23)

Food
The Fruits of the Spirit, which show a changed personality are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These fruits, when being expressed in the life of a believer, give us what we need to be able to scatter seed. It also makes us resemble Christ’s character and is good for us and others.

Seed
Matthew 13:1-23
The success of the sower in this parable is based completely on the condition of the hearer’s heart.
Path – Lack Understanding
Rocky Soil – People receive the Word with joy but when testing comes they fall away.
Thorns – Worries and anxieties of life, deceitfulness of wealth, choke out the Word
Good Soil – This person hears and understands producing a crop 30 60 or 100 x’s what was sown.
Here success is attributed to the wise

Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified)

The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men--he gathers and receives them for eternity].

Outline
I.     Fruit production is very important to God
II.    Fruit production for the believer begins with personal holiness.
III.  Abiding in Christ is a key to fruit production
IV.  Two ways you’ll know you are fruitful


II.   Fruit Production for the believer begins with personal holiness.
   A.  What is holiness?
   B.  Holiness, the fruit of the faith walk
   C.  Self righteousness = No grace
   D.  Grace is for the humble
   E.  Repentance is the foundation for the Kingdom to be fruitful.
         1.  Godly Sorrow
   F.  Instruments for special purposes
   G.  Walk in the Spirit


A. What is Holiness?
Holiness- Being set apart from the World, The Enemy, and the Flesh and being set apart to the Lord.

So when we’re talking about holiness we’re talking about being set apart from something and then being set toward something else.

B. Holiness, the Fruit of the Faith Walk
I believe it’s impossible for a Christian person to be set apart from sin w/o being set in faith to the Lord.

The Lord has available for the believer the grace and power to overcome the sinful nature.
Discipline can’t do it alone, determination can’t do it alone, devotion can’t do it alone. (Colossians 2:23) It requires surrender (humility) to the Lord allowing his grace to flow.

C. Self righteousness = No Grace
Amazing as it may sound sometimes our effort to be holy can frustrate God’s grace.
Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (NIV)
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)

Mercy forgives after the infraction and places the person back on track.
Grace empowers the believer to not sin in the first place keeping them on the right track.

Colossians 2:6
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

The same faith that saves you is the same faith that sanctifies you.
We get into trouble as Christians when we in our hearts tell God, “I’ll take it from here.” the clock starts ticking on a moral failure when we take over our own sanctification. The decision to do this is rooted in pride.

D. Grace is for the Humble
James 4:6b-7
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”(Pr. 3:34)7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Titus 2:11,12
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

E. Repentance is the foundation for the Kingdom to be fruitful.
Matthew 3:1-3
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:   “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,    make straight paths for him.’”

What prepares the way for the Lord is a repentant heart. A holy heart can receive the kingdom. This kingdom get’s established in the hearts of men. A heart filled with corruption will fight against the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

• 1. Godly Sorrow - The first step to receiving the kingdom of heaven is feeling sorry for sin. This Godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) leads to repentance which ultimately provides a fertile place for the seed of God’s word to grow and develop in the heart of a Christian.

When we come to God we must not be confident in our own righteousness but admit that we are lost without his mercy and grace. (Luke 18:9-14) For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

F. Instruments for special purposes.
2 Timothy 2:20-21  In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

The large house symbolizes the size of the human soul. Large with many compartments and rooms. The soulish realm of a human consists of his/her

• Mind
• Will
• Emotions

The articles in the house have two different purposes.

1. Special Purposes
2. Common Use

This passage reminds me of my mother breaking out the sterling silver and the china for special occasions.

The passage says that if a man will cleanse himself of the latter. Meaning if a man will remove from his/her soulish realm the things that are common, earthly, and sinful, he’ll be ready for special purposes, special missions and special works.

This cleansing of the latter things, (wood and clay) will make a believer an instrument for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

You can’t read your Bible enough, pray enough or do enough good works to “stay holy”. These disciplines are great if there’s a flow of God in them. However if you are doing them under the law their will be little if any flow of God empowering you to live according to God's moral law.

G. Walk in the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-18
16 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[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When we walk in the spirit, we’re walking in faith receiving a flow of power from heaven to think differently, have a heavenly attitude and behave differently. We must humbly receive God’s grace if we’re to walk in true holiness. Obeying God’s moral law but not coming under the yolk of trying to obey His law by the law. We obey by the spirit.

Conclusion:

Philippians 3:16
¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

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.

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Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501


(870) 793-9124


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