Messages
April 28
Creating a Culture of Honor Message Series (Week 2)
April 21
Creating a Culture of Honor Message Series (Week 1) Luke 6:38 – “give and it will be give to you.” 1 Kings 17:7-24; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17 What does God say about Honor? Why is it so important? How do we express and show honor in our relationships and with authority. Is the lack of honor one reason why the Western culture seldom witness miracles and supernatural healing? What are the consequences if there is an attitude of dishonor in our hearts once the glory of God arrives? Mark 6:4-6 reveals a very shocking truth:Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith (Bold emphasis added).
God has given us a sense of urgency to look at what God has to say about honor. We sense something great is about to happen in both the natural and spiritual realm. When the glory of God is poured out on all the earth, our attitude and hearts must be prepared too. Any dishonor in our hearts will result in immediate judgment. In our own nation, honor is at an all time low. And God has so much to say about it.
April 14
“The Promises of God: Come by Faith” Numbers 13God as the landowner gave the Jewish people the land of Canaan. God tells Moses to send out 12 spies, one person from each tribe. The 12 spies are sent out for forty days to the land of Canaan to study it and return with a report. Only two of the spies (Caleb & Joshua) return in faith and confidence with the Lord. The promises of God are not automatic for us but must be acquired by faith. Complaining is rebellion to God and carries consequences for us.
April 7
“The Promises of God: Come by Faith” Isaac & RebekahGod promised Abraham to be the father of many descendants. And He gave specific instructions and chose Isaac’s wife. But she was barren. The promises of God did not simply come even though it was promised to Abraham and Isaac. It came by faith in the promise of God.
March 31
Resurrection Sunday Psalms 16:5-11 Acts 2:22-41 While Acts 2 takes place after Pentecost, we see Apostle Peter who denied Jesus now boldly confessing the true Gospel message to other Israelites. Peter (and Paul in chapter 13) quotes Psalm 16 referring to the resurrection of Jesus. Our true joy is found in God’s presence. Peter was not talking about a historical figure but a living active God. He was not about a belief system or intellectual salvation but a deep intimate relationship with Jesus. Peter’s words have no impact with out the resurrected power behind them. In the end, about 3,000 were added to their number that day.March 24
The Week of Passover Matthew 21:1-11March 17
The Power of Prayer King Hezekiah & the Pool of Siloam (“Sent”)2 Chronicles 28:1-5 & 32:1-29; John 9:1-12
March 10
Prophetic Blessings Numbers 6:22-27March 3
“Prophetic Blessings” Scripture is full of God’s promises for us. And praying blessings over our children, grandchildren, one another and others can become one of the most powerful experiences you will ever encounter. Here we facilitate an environment of praying over each other with prophetic blessings. Matthew 6:33, Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”February 24
God’s Divine Order Genesis 12:1-6; 1 Samuel 19:1-9; 21; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:15-18; Ephesians 2:17-22; How does God expect His Church to be governed? Government is the system by which a community of people is governed. Throughout Scripture we see a pattern with God. He always establishes His divine order before he reveals His glory. In Creation, God established His divine order before His glory was revealed. We the same in the days of Tabernacle and even in the days of the Early Church of Acts. We worship a God of order. As Scripture declares, Jesus Christ is the Head and Chief Cornerstone of the Church. He commissions His Church to fulfill His mission. God established His Church to be governed in a particular order. In this government, God’s priorities are about Heaven, the presence of Christ and hearing the heart of God. Here, when we honor God’s order, we see the flow of heaven invade earth.February 17
1 Thessalonians 5 – 2 Thessalonians 1: A Young Persecuted Church Overcoming Idleness & Complacency in times of Persecution February 10 1 Thessalonians: A Young Persecuted Church Kingdom building in context of community and relationships Chapters 3 – 4 & Acts 17:1-3, 26-32February 3
1 Thessalonians: A Young Persecuted Church Chapter 2 (Expository Analysis) Historical & Cultural Background Map of MacedoniaJanuary 27
1 Thessalonians: A Young Persecuted Church Acts 17 & 1 Thessalonians 1 New Series: A Study of Paul’s second earliest letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 1-5: January 27 – February 17January 20
“The Power of God’s Spoken Word & Prophetic Blessings” Genesis 12:1-3 & Numbers 6:22-27 Genesis 1:3, 1:6, 1:9, 1:14; Mark 4:38-39; Luke 5:12-13; John 11:43-44January 13
“Faith” An overview of the Greek word “pistis” (faith/belief) and the struggle the disciples and a father’s own doubt. Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5-10; Genesis 3:1; Mark 9:23, 16:17-18,(Faith vs. Doubt)January 6
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 Joy & Peace in the midst of Suffering Bishop Jim & Jan Erb (AIM)December 24 (Christmas Eve)
The True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth (Part IV) God’s Delegated Power & Authority John 3:3-5 Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven It’s interesting in Scripture Jesus clearly distinguishes between the Kingdom of God the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of God is His delegated authority and power (presence) in the now. The Kingdom of heaven is the future place with Him after death. Understanding the difference deepens our understanding of Jesus.December 23
The True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth (Part III) A Call for Covenant Relationships Genesis 1 & John 3:3-5 & Matthew 1:18-23December 16
The True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth (Part II) Seeing the Bigger Picture & Not our Circumstance The reason we celebrate Christmas is to remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But why is the birth of Jesus so important? The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, God led the people of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness. A journey that should have taken only 11 days cost the Israelites 40 years of their lives and all but two of the original generation (Caleb & Joshua) died in the desert never reaching their destiny of the Promised Land. In Numbers 14, we see the Israelites complained against God for their hardship and did not want the Promised Land. Interestingly, the same attitude in the people of God occurred at the time of Jesus’ birth. The Son of God was not wanted by many even Kings and rulers of nations. Over 2000 years later, the Son of God still is not wanted in many hearts. The birth of Jesus Christ brings to us His Spirit and rules within us. He is Emmanuel…”God with us.”December 9
The True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth (Part I) The Delegated Power of the Believer The reason we celebrate Christmas is to remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But why is the birth of Jesus so important? The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament highlights Jesus as God with us. But the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is even more than prophecy. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ comes to take back the God-given authority that Adam forfeited in the garden. We look at several Old Testament passages fulfilled in the New Testament and the focal point is on Jesus’ discussion with a man named Nicodemus in John 3:3-5.Jesus differentiates between the “Kingdom of God” and the “Kingdom of Heaven.” In Matthew 13:24, there is a clearly a distinction between the physical and future place we know as “heaven.” But in the discussion of being born again with Nicodemus an exegesis of the Greek reveals a greater depth of what Jesus was really talking about. The Kingdom of God or “basieia tou theo” in the Greek is about the spiritual Kingdom of God here and now. We have been given more authority than we realize. Strong’s Concordance & Lexicon states that the Greek word “basileia” should “not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule.” The true meaning of Jesus’ birth is not only for the forgiveness of our sins and the baptism of the Holy Spirit but the authority we carry as believers to fulfill Jesus’ mission on earth.“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (basileia tou theou) 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (basileia tou theou).”
December 2
Knowing the Holy Spirit (Part VI) Emotional & Relational Intimacy Knowing the Holy Spirit personally is about living our intimate relationship with Him. Jesus modeled a life of intimacy with the Father. Message this morning looks at the sacrificial and intimate relationships between Ruth and Naomi and Hosea and Gomer. Scriptures: Genesis 4:1, 25; Matthew 1:25, 7:21-23; Ruth 1:1-17; Hosea 1:1-10, 3:1-4.Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom (Israel & Samaria). He served about 753 – 715 b.c. and alongside with Amos. Hosea was called to warn the Northern Kingdom of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and the consequences of it.
Northern Kingdom had decayed spiritually. The nation had adopted customs and traditions from Canaanites. God made Hosea live the tragedy of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Hosea is about God’s undying love (agape love). Here we see a glimpse of God’s desire that we “know” Him. God commanded Hosea to love her even in her rebellion (emotionally & intimately) and warn Israel 30 years before God would allow Assyria to attack the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. (30 years of warning)November 25
Knowing the Holy Spirit (Part V) Understanding true Biblical Love To know the Holy Spirit personally, we must understand the fullness of God’s love. God’s true love (a) endures forever (Psalm 136); (b) everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3); (c) Free (Hosea 14:4); (d) sacrificial (John 3:16); (e) endures to the end (John 13:16); (f) surpasses understanding (Ephesians 3:19); (g) Hebrews 12:6. On the other hand, biblical love includes discipline, correction and rebuke (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 12:6). God allows people to choose even when they reject Him (Mark 10:18-22). The Western thought has infiltrated churches in America with a truncated view of biblical love. It has reduced Christian love to being “nice” and “accepting,” Our culture does not easily accept correction or accountability. Yet God corrects and rebukes His people on many occasions as an outflow of His true love for them. The Greek language has four distinct words for the word “love.” These are “eros,” “storge,” “phileo,” and “agape.” The Greek word “storge” is probably more closely related to the word “kindness” but often translated as “love.” Unlike eros which is never used in Scripture, the word “storge” t is only found once in Romans 12:10.November 18
Knowing the Holy Spirit (Part IV) Human Ability vs. God’s Presence The Israelites experienced the cloud of God. The cloud signifies the presence and power of God while in the wilderness. Yet, they grumbled and complained against God. The Israelites knew first hand the difference between operating under their own ability rather than walking in God’s presence (Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19; 16:1-3). Jesus modeled a deep intimacy with the Father through prayer.November 11
Knowing the Holy Spirit (Part III) Knowing About vs. Knowing PersonallyScripture is clear that there is an eternal difference between knowing “about” Jesus and knowing Jesus personally (John 14:15-17; John 15:26-27; Matthew 7:21-23).