Messages

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” The Rejected Healer
Luke 4:14-30

Main Point:
Jesus, the Messiah, the Healer of our soul and body, was rejected by the people – the One whom they needed desperately. We must embrace Him and operate as He did!

1. Jesus operated in the power of the Holy Spirit and so may we! (verse 14)

*The ‘Power of the Holy Spirit’ (dunamis) = The supernatural strength, power and ability of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.

It’s what He needed for the task before Him – to heal us and thus bring glory to God; and it sets an example for us as well.

Every Christ follower can be filled with – anointed with, and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit!

2. Jesus, the Messiah, was anointed to be the Healer of our soul and body. (verses 18-21)

Isaiah 61:1-2

Jesus chose this passage purposely!

What are the elements?

a. Preach good news to the poor – verse 18c (those literally and spiritually poor)
b. Proclaim freedom for the prisoners – verse 18d
c. Recovery of sight for the blind – verse 18e
d. Release the oppressed – verse 18f
e. Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor – verse 19

II Corinthians 6:2

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Become Like a Child
Matthew 18:1-6

Main Point :Christ Followers must change and have a humble, child-like heart and faith if we would enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Are you a Christ Follower? It begins with humbling yourself & committing your life to Christ!

‘Change’ (strepho) = to turn one’s self around; change one’s course/mind.

Children are easily overlooked/dismissed.

1A child who believes in Christ has a humble and open heart.
verses 3,4,6
(not just any child – verse 6) .

‘Humble’ (tapeino-verb) = Humiliate, bring one’s self low, assign a lower rank.

Matthew 19:13-15

2.A child who believes in Christ has an uncomplicated & trusting faith.
verses 5-6

‘Believe’ (pistueo) = to believe in, have trust/conviction in, accept as true.

Matthew 11:25-26

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” The Devil’s M.O.
Luke 4:1-13

Main Point: We must follow Jesus’ example in order to overcome the temptations of the evil one.

In order to over come temptation:
1. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and so we must be!
(verse 1)

‘Full of the Holy Spirit’ = ‘an empty vessel completely filled’- ‘completely permeated with’

*This comes only from complete surrender to God’s will.

2. The devil tempted in three areas:(Common to man –Hebrews 4:14-15)

His temptations will correspond to one of these areas:
a. Appetites (verse 3)

b. Power/wealth (verses 5-7)

c. Doubt (verse 9)

3.To overcome the evil one’s temptation Jesus rebuked Satan with the Word – and so must we!
(verses 4, 8, 12)

The truth of God is our strength and defense!

Ephesians 6:17 ‘…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.’

We can overcome because Jesus overcame for us!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Make Disciples not Decisions!
Matthew 28:16-20

V.18 ‘All Authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore…’ This is our authority!

Main Point:
The Risen Jesus’ last command is our great commission: He authorizes us to be and make disciples of Him until the end of the age.

‘Make disciples’ = to make into a disciple, a learner – one who committed his life to a teacher to follow and learn.

Luke 9:23-26

We are to make disciples:
1. By ‘going’ and in our ‘going’ Verse 19a

Acts 5:41-42

Acts 13:1-3

By ‘Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ Verse 19b

Acts 2:38-29

By ‘Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Verse 20

He is with us always to the end of The age!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Our Missionary God
Luke 15:1-10

Missionary (apostolos) = one sent with mission.

Main Point:
A large part of Jesus’ mission was to pursue lost people because we are of great value to Him, and we are to pursue them in our lives.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.

Jesus, the Holy One, hung out with sinners and they wanted to hear what He had to say. (verse 1)

*Jesus is the Holy One – we are called first to bring glory to God by being like Him – Holy.

Are you & I pursuing holiness?
Parable #1 – One lost sheep out of a hundred. (verses 3-7)

*As we hang out with sinners – there will always be critics. (verse 2)

Since there is great rejoicing when even one person repents, our attitude should be one of loving pursuit, and sharing the truth of the Gospel.

Parable #2 One lost coin out of ten. (verses 8-10)

*Jesus pursued you and me – We have been found by Him!

Who are you pursuing?

A message from the series “Thessalonians.” Why Work?
II Thessalonians 3:6-18

Main Point:
We are to work as unto Christ to meet our needs, and, not be idle.

‘Idle’ = neglectful of duty/responsibility, out of order – disorderly.

Issue in Thessalonica – a wrong expectation of Christ’s return – ‘we don’t need to work’.

Galatians 6:2-5

1. Christ’s requirement is that we work to meet our needs, or we are neglecting our requirement, and it will lead to trouble.(verses 7-13)

‘Busybodies’ = ones that inquire into others affairs, meddle.

Ephesians 4:28

2. We are to ‘keep away’ from Christ followers who are idle as they are not living according to Christ’s teachings. (verses 6, 11-15)

‘Keep away’ = abstain from familiar interaction, withdraw.

(Another example of this command is: I Corinthians 5:9-11)

Verses 16-18 Benediction of God’s peace and grace to us!

A message from the series “Thessalonians.” Protected While We Work
II Thessalonians 3:1-5
Main Point :
While we are standing firm in Christ and working – sharing His message of hope and love, we are protected from the evil one, and evil people.
1.We are called to stand firm
in Christ and persevere, but also to share Christ’s message of hope and love.
(verses 1, 4-5)
II Thessalonians 2:15-17
II Corinthians 5:18-21
2.The evil one works through evil people who do not have faith to harass and thwart Christ’s followers. (verses 2-3)

II Thessalonians 2:18
II Corinthians 1:8-11

Ephesians 6:10-18

3.Therefore, let us make the most of every opportunity for the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

A message from the series “Thessalonians.” Chosen By Love
II Thessalonians 2:13-17
Main Point:
God has chosen us in love and called us through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, but we must put our faith in Jesus Christ through the Gospel.
God’s will – II Peter 3:8-9
I Timothy 2:4
1. From the beginning God chose us to be saved because of His great love for us. (verse 13a)

Jeremiah 31:3
Colossians 3:12
Ephesians 1:3-6
Romans 5:8

2. God has drawn us to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. (verse 13b)

John 6:44;65
John 16:5-11
Titus 3:4-7
3. We must put our faith in Jesus Christ – the Gospel.
(verses 13c-14)
Romans 10:9-10

Let us stand firm, and hold on to the teachings of the Word!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Due to technical difficulties the first 12 min were not recorded
Winning the Race in 2013
Hebrews 12:1-6

Main Point:
As Christ followers we are called to run life as a race – we are to run in such a way that we win the race marked out for us.
I Corinthians 9:24-27
II Timothy 4:6-8

1.In order to run the race to win, we must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. (verse 1.a)

2.In order to run the race to win, we must run with perseverance. (verse 1.b)

James 1:2-4
Hebrews 11:32-30

Heroes of the faith that persevered!

3.In order to run the race to win, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith. (verses 2-3)