"A Second Touch"
Mark 8:22-26
August 29, 2010
Question: How can I tell if someone’s been Born Again?
Answer: Sometimes we care so much how things are done, we lose track of what is being done.
The How
22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
Mark 8:22
13Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
Acts 19:13-15
23
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25Once more Jesus put His hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.Mark 8:23-25
The What
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits-
3 Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 Who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle's.
Psalm 103:2-5
Then He said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."
Luke 17:12 MSG
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through
the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and
asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a]
you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[c] and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.
Acts 19:1-7
12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."Acts 4:12
The Constant
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all He created.
James 1:16-18
9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."]Romans 10:9-11
"More Than Bread"
Mark 8:14-21
August 22, 2010
Question: What was Jesus thinking?
Affirmation: Jesus was thinking how our mindset can derail our relationship with God.
Yeast of the Pharisees
1Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to His disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 12:1
1
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.Matthew 23:1-3
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:12
13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.]
15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
Matthew 23:13-15
20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 5:20
Yeast of Herod
36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?Mark 8:36
16But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"
Mark 6:16
16And He told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Proper Mindset
31
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:31-33
1
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.Colossians 3:1-4
6Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
I Corinthians 5:6-8
JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE #14
(Words: Henry J. Van Dyke, Music: Ludwig Van Beethoven, Adapted by: Edward Hodges)
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
"True Signs and Wonders"
Mark 8:1-12
August 15, 2010
Question: Why does God allow me to fall into the same situations over and over again?
Affirmation: God will continue to bring us up against what holds us back in growth until we deal with is through Him.
Situation
2
"I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance."Mark 8:2-3
35
By this time it was late in the day, so His disciples came to Him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. 36Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37But He answered, "You give them something to eat."Mark 6:35-37
Solution
5"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied. 6He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7They had a few small fish as well; He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over Mark 8:5-8
35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.John 6:35
Stubbornness
4
His disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"Mark 8:4
17Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. 20"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." 21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
Mark 8:17-21
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31-32
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
John 15:1-4
Savior
6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Acts 3:6
7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.John 15:7-8
31
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:31-33
Ephphatha
Mark 7:31-37
August 8, 2010
Question: Why does Jesus do such foolish thing with the deaf mute?
Answer: To Jesus the miracle is always secondary to the man.
Miracle
19
Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."Mark 5:19
32
There some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Him to place His hand on the man.Mark 7:32
20
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."Luke 10:20
Man (or Woman)
33
After He took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put His fingers into the man's ears. Then He spit and touched the man's tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ). 35At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.Mark 7:33-35
Took him aside:
Put His fingers in the man’s ears
Spit
Touched the man’s tongue
Looked up to heaven:
A deep sigh
"Ephphatha"
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
Romans 8:26-27
3
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you." 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.Isaiah 35:3-6
21
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.I Corinthians 9:21-23
3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.John 17:3
"Going to the Dogs"
Mark 7:24-30
August 1, 2010
Question: Was Jesus a racist?
Answer: Jesus is laying out God’s plan for the redemption of all humanity.
The Pleading
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not keep His presence secret.
Mark 7:24
25
In fact, as soon as she heard about Him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at His feet. 26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.Mark 7:25-26
22
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to Him and urged Him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."Matthew 15:22-23
The Plan
27
And He said to her, "First let the children be fed, for it is not becoming or proper or right to take the children's bread and throw it to the [little house] dogs."Mark 7:24 Amp
16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.Romans 1:16
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:2-3
16
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.John 10:16
The Promise
28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29Then He told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."
Mark 7:28-29
28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:28
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 1:16-17
August 2009 Sermons
Priority Care
Romans 10:5-15
August 30, 2009
Question: Why should we impose our Jesus on others?
Affirmation: The Gospel is God’s reaching out to a dieing world.
The Need
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23
For sin pays its wage – death; but God’s free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 6:23 TEV
The 911
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"
Romans 10:13 & Joel 2:32
The Trust
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
Romans 10:11 & Isaiah 28:16
The Message
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
The Messenger
Now an angel of the Lord said to Phillip, "Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out on his way and he met an Ethiopian eunuch.
Acts 8:26
The Community
For you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you cans how others the goodness of God, for He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
I Peter 2:9 NLT
The Mission
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.
Acts 1:8
Please write down the names of five people you want to know Jesus.
1) _______________________________________________
2) _______________________________________________
3) _______________________________________________
4) _______________________________________________
5) _______________________________________________
I promise to pray daily that God will prepare their hearts and will send the right person to share Christ’s Good News with them (Even if it’s me!).
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________
How to Gain Lift
Acts 1:1-11
August 23, 2009
Question: What is the Ascension all about?
Affirmation: Jesus has now taken His place above all the world so that, through us, He can go to all the world
What the Disciples Asked
So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
Acts 1:6
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Acts 1:1-2
What Jesus Did
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:9
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:21-22
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."
Luke 9:34-35
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
John 16:7-11
What We Do
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 1:4-5
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Luke 24:51-53
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelations 3:20-21
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:21-22
What He Does Through Us
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."
Acts 1:8
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
II Corinthians 4:7-10
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
John 4:42
"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Acts 1:11
"Deal or No Deal?"
Matthew 13:44-46
August 16, 2009
Question: How can I tell what’s really worth the investment of who I am?
Affirmation: Your Creator knows what is optimal for you to live a life that is truly rich and eternal.
Found
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.
Matthew 13:44a
Or, God’s Kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless …
Matthew 13:45-46a MSG
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
Matthew 6:19-20
Financed
When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Matthew 13:44b
Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
Matthew 13:46b MSG
For by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, by milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and labor for what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest fare.
Isaiah 55:1-2
Freedom
The "god" of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they can not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.
II Corinthians 4:4
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
Matthew 19:21
Rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:13-14
"The man is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose."
Jim Elliot
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.
I Peter 1:3-5
Incident at Endor
I Samuel 28:7-20
August 9, 2009
Question: Why are Christians so spiritually narrow minded?
Affirmation: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12
Saul’s Failure
Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted with a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
I Chronicles 10:13-14
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the Law and to the Testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
Isaiah 8:19-20
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 1:8
When David finished saying this, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, David my son?" And he wept aloud. "You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me of the good
you did me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me."
I Samuel 24:16-20
Than Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son."
I Samuel 26:21
Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Proverbs 28:14
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:12-13
Saul’s Choice
Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and given it to one of your neighbors – to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind."
I Samuel 15:28-29
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.
I Peter 1:3-4
"When the Spirit Hits You"
I Samuel 19:18-24
August 2, 2009
Question: What make the church different?
Answer: The church, as the Body of Christ, has an intimate contact with God’s Spirit shown in true worship.
The Problem
When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.
I Samuel 19:18-24
"How many divisions does the Pope have?"
Joseph Stalin
The king (Saul) then turned to Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
I Samuel 22:18
The Prophets
Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth in Ramah"; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men and they also prophesied.
I Samuel 19:19-20
They saw a band of the prophets prophesying with Samuel presiding over them. Before they knew it, the Spirit of God was on them, too, and they were ranting and raving right along with the prophets!
I Samuel 19:20 MSG
When they saw the company of the prophets in rapture, with Samuel standing at their head, the Spirit of God came upon them and they fell into prophetic rapture.
I Samuel 19:20 NEB
They saw a group of prophets dancing and shouting, with Samuel as their leader. Then the Spirit of God took control of Saul’s men and they also began to dance and shout.
I Samuel 19:20 TEV
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
Isaiah 61:1
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18
The Presence
"Is Saul among the prophets?"
I Samuel 19:24
Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!"
Matthew 7:21-23
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
I Corinthians 13:2
But the fruit of the Spirit is love…
Galatians 5:22
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose.
Philippians 2:1
Labor Saving
Matthew 11:28-30
August 31, 2008
Rev. Peter Wood
Why do I feel so spiritually tired and overwhelmed?
God never intended us to carry our life's burden by our self but, to walk with Him.
Burdened
Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and
you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will
eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for
dust you are and to dust you will return.
Genesis 3:17-19
Then He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Mark 2:27
This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the
ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest
for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
Jeremiah 16:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
Yoked
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require
of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Com to Me.
Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a
real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn
the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting
on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters
God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:9-10
River of Life
Ezekiel 47:1-12
August 24, 2008
Rev. Peter Wood
No matter how much I pour into my life it is never enough.
Through Jesus Christ, God pours His Spirit into our lives, giving us life
overflowing.
Natural Source
See: Matthew 16:13-20
All streams flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full.
Ecclesiastes 1:7
As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My
soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalm 42:1-2
True Source
The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered
garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
Zechariah 13:1
In that day the mountains will drip with new wine, and the hills will flow with
milk; all the ravines of Judah will flow with water. A fountain will flow
out of the LORD's house and water the valley of acacias.
Joel 3:18
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever
drinks the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life."
John 4:13
On the last day and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud
voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever
believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow
from within him." By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in
Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given,
since Jesus had not been glorified.
John 7:37-39
Result
This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley and
enters the sea, its waters are healed and it shall be that every living
thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very
great multitude of fish, because the waters go there; for they will be
healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.
Ezekiel 47:8-9 NKJV
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead
them to spring of living water. And God will wipe away ever tear from
their eyes.
Revelation 7:17
On that day living water will flow out of Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and
half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be King
over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and His name the
only name. Zechariah 14:8-9
See: Revelation 22:1-5
Renovation Plans
Ephesians 2:11-22
August 17, 2008
Rev. Peter Wood
Ruin
There is not a righteous man on hearth who does what is right and never
sins.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth and they stopped
building the city.
Genesis 11:8
Unless the LORD builds the house its builder labors in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Renovation
I will make you a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you and whoever cursed you I will curse; and all
peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.
Genesis 12:2-3
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember
the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at
first.
Revelation 2:4-5
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the
law wit its commandments and regulations.
Ephesians 2:14-15 NIV
By setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations.
Ephesians 2:15 TNIV
By His sacrifice He removed the hostility of the Law, with all its
commandments and rules.
Ephesians 2:15 Phillips
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not
come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying "Know the
Law", because they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest, declares
the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:34
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have
been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:19
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested
stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trust will
never be dismayed."
Isaiah 28:16
Reunion
"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming and I will live
among you, " declares the LORD. "Many nations will be joined to Me
in that day and will become My people."
Zechariah 2:10-11
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you might declare the praises of Him who called you out
of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now
you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10