Follow the Leader

Notes: Follow the Leader (1-2-3 Eyes on Me)

Pastor Jennie Lusko

Matthew 6, Psalm 123

Fresh Life Church

March 20, 2016

Have you taken the challenge to say the Lords Prayer three times a day?

Matthew 6:10-13 NKJV Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Follow the Leader is a child’s game that helps children learn to listen and pay attention to the adults voice and direction.

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

God is our leader. 

Psalm 23:3 NKJV He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

1- We have a real enemy 

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The evil one is a thief and he wants to take from you.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2- We need Protection

We where helmets, we brush our teeth and wear seat belts to protect ourselves.

3- We need to follow God’s Word

Matthew 6:13 NKJV And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

4- We have the delivery.

Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 18:2 NKJV The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

As you follow your Leader:

1- Renew your decision to follow Him everyday

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

We are to seek help “this day” from the Lord.

2- When you walk with God, you can hear Him better.

Isaiah 30:21 NKJV Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Genesis 6:9 NKJV This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:22 NKJV Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Noah did exactly as God commanded because he walked with God.

3- Wake up! Watch out! There’s a way out!

We often forget that we are in a battle. Wake up!

Matthew 26:41 NKJV Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If we start going down the road of temptation, God provides us a way out and gives us agents of rescue. 

There is always hope because God’s grace is sufficient for us.

When we fall we will get back up.

God is not seeking perfection from us, He is seeking pursuit.

4- We must know His word

Our Savior was tempted, He turned to the word of God to battle temptation.

Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

We shouldn’t try to change God’s word, we should let God’s Word change us.

Psalm 119:9 NKJV How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psalm 119:11 NKJV Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

1-2-3 Eyes on Me, keep your eyes on God. 

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

God’s eyes are on the look out for us to look at Him. It is God’s power that we need.

Psalm 123 NKJV Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, 

Lift my eyes to see the Lord!

Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Notes: Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Revelation 3

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Book of Revelation

Thursday, March 17, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

Some people like to be sick, always wanting an excuse to see the doctor.

Other people won't go to the doctor for any reason.  

Here in Revelation 3 is a letter to a sick and dying church.

Leaving your first love is a typical step in returning to your old ways.

Revelation 3:1-6 NLT

[1] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. [3] Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. [4] "Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. [6] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

This is a letter to a dead church. Jesus knew their works.

Jesus could see their problems while others didn't.

Revelation 3:2 NLT

[2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

We are on the planet for the glorification of God, Edification of the Saints, and  Evangelism to the world.

Upward. Inward. Outward.

The power of Samson was provided by the Lord.

Judges 16:20 NLT

[20] Then she cried out, "Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!" When he woke up, he thought, "I will do as before and shake myself free." But he didn't realize the LORD had left him.

Sometimes we are the last to know about our conditions.

We can dutifully take notes on messages and know our bible quite well. But be spiritually dead or dying.

Signs of a dying church:

1. A dead church worships its past.

2. A dead church is inflexible and resistant to change.

3. A dead church has lazy leadership.

4. A dead church neglects youth.

5. A dead church lacks evangelistic passion.

What Jesus is saying to the Church is that they need the power of the Holy Spirit!

We all need to stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' prescription for spiritual renewal:

1. Wake up

2. Strengthen the things that remain.

3. Be watching for the return of Jesus Christ.

We need to live every day as if it is the day that Jesus is coming!

The return of Jesus is always looked at in two ways, either joy or fear:

Malachi 4:1-2 NLT

[1] The LORD of Heaven's Armies says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed-roots, branches, and all. [2] "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

1 John 2:28 NLT

[28] And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Your reaction to the return of Jesus is like a spiritual barometer.

Revelation 3:5 NLT

[5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

Jesus has many books...is your name in the Book of Life?

Luke 10:20 NLT

[20] But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

The believer who walks with God should never fear for their salvation.

Jesus promises to stand up for you in Heaven. Will you stand up for Jesus on earth?

Often times, not "confessing him" is a way of denying Him.

Revelation 3:7-12 NLT

[7] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: [8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. [9] Look, I will force those who belong to Satan's synagogue-those liars who say they are Jews but are not-to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. [10] "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. [11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. [12] All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God-the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name."

1. Jesus has given us an unprecedented open door.

2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

[12] When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

"Open door" is an opportunity to serve Jesus.

We should pray for open doors in our lives.

Colossians 4:3-4 NLT

[3] Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. [4] Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

In our world right now is the best of times and the worst of times.

Harvest America was a best of times scenario. The division of our country shows the worst of times.

Do you have a dream that has not happened yet? Some dreams are to be shared and sometimes it's best to keep dreams to yourself. The Lord can give you those dreams as a glimpse of your future.

When God opens a door, no man can shut it.

God may open a door for you, but you have to walk through it.

2. God has given us enough strength to do what He has called us to do.

Sometimes weakness may be more of an asset than a liability...because in our weakness we become more dependent upon Him!

3. They were keeping His word and not denying his name.

Revelation 3:8 NLT

[8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

We are to take in the Word of God and then to give it out and repeat the process again and again. Don't hoard the Word of God.

We need to keep being refilled with the Holy Spirit!

Rags to Riches

Notes: Rags to Riches

Romans 5

SPEAKER:

Jeff Lasseigne

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Becoming a Christian represents the ultimate 'Rags to Riches' story; a person moves from spiritual poverty to spiritual wealth when the receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In today's message, Pastor Jeff Lasseigne speaks on the spiritual riches that a Christian possesses because of Christ's love.

Sunday, March 13, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

A lot of people in life today miss the point.

Many got the point last week at Harvest America. It is a real rags to riches story for us.

Cinderella is the most common rags to riches story we know. That doesn't touch what we experience in the riches Christ gives us.

Romans 5:1-11 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

5 points from Romans 5:

1. Eternal Peace

Romans 5:1 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This is the "Therefore" of justification, the peace with God

The peace of God is different, that is Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Every unsaved person is not at peace  with God; even further, the unsaved person is the enemy of God.

We are either for God or we are against God.

There is no such thing as a spiritually neutral person, it's not even an option that is given to us.

Someone has to pay for your sin. Either you do, or you take the payment that Jesus has paid for you on the cross.

Colossians 1:21 NKJV

[21] And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

James 4:4 NKJV

[4] Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

As a Christian we have been reconciled with God, He died for us even as sinners.

2. Eternal Access

Romans 5:2 NKJV

[2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We now have access to Christ. Before the tearing of the veil, that was not the case.

Your prayers will immediately take you into the presence of God.

3. Eternal Hope

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

[3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We can rejoice because of our eternal perspective.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The hope we have will never disappoint us.

Mother Teresa stated that the spiritual poverty in the western world was much greater then the physical poverty she was helping with in the east.

At first glance the suffering and abuse of Christ is a terrible thing. Yet if it wasn't for that event, we wouldn't have the hope that we have today.

If we were never sick a day in our lives, God is good. If we were sick every day, God is good.

4. Eternal Love

Romans 5:6-10 NKJV

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Our sins were transferred to Jesus on the Cross. On the Cross, Jesus' righteousness was transferred onto us.

Jesus took our punishment upon himself while we were still His enemies.

5. Eternal Joy

Romans 5:11 NKJV

[11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Joy might not be the most important part of our salvation, but it is the most beautiful.

Jesus was willing to go from riches to rags for our salvation.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Are you a child of God or is your sin still separating you from God?