828 Church

Church, where you belong!

You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 NKJV

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT

God is big enough to make us great together for Him!

We belong together, that’s why the enemy has worked so hard to push and keep us apart.

Our enemy wants to divide and conquer so he can deceive and destroy.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 1 Corinthians 12:14-22 NLT 

It takes all of us together to be who God made us to be.

Serving is sign language for the lost who can’t yet hear or see God.

We can’t pull off together unless we are faithful to gather!

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do. Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

You don’t need to think of your needs, you also need to know that your needed. 

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 NLT

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV

It’s His church, bought and built by Him, and He created a custom fit place in it just for you! 

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Haggai 1:1-2 ESV

Now is always the right time to be focused on building His House.

Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Haggai 1:4 ESV

They got busy with other things while the main thing remained undone.

God blessed them, but they forgot Him.

Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:6 ESV 

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’S message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” Haggai 1:12-13 ESV

You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

The house of God became the household of God and a nation grew to become His family!

The bible is the Church’s blue print to build and be the most effective and formidable force on the planet.

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

We are called to be a Community of Prayer, Praise, Discipleship, Compassion and Reach. 

I-Witness - I Pray - I See - I Connect - I Say - I Stay

👍🏼 or ❤️

If you build His house and He will build yours.  

Planted in the house of the Lord they thrive. Psalm 92:13 NKJV

We’re so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!

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---- SUNDAY'S NOTES ----

Mark 4:41 What manner of man is this?

IT’S BETTER TO GO THROUGH A STORM WITH JESUS THAN TO GO THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT HIM!

2nd take away:

JESUS WILL MEET TO WHERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE NOT SO FAR AWAY FROM JESUS THAT HE CAN’T AND WON’T COME AND FIND YOU.

NO SIN SO GREAT. NO DEED SO TERRIBLE, NO ATTITUDE SO BAD, NO SICKNESS SO DEVISTATING, NO TROUBLE SO DIFFICULT, NO HEART ACHE TOO HEAVY, NO STORM SO DAMAGING, THAT THE GOOD SHEPHERD WON’T COME TO YOUR RESCUE.

JESUS WILL STOP WHAT HE IS DOING TO COME SEE ABOUT YOU.

3RD TAKE AWAY

When you totally surrender to Jesus, you will quickly realize that the way to find meaning in life is to live for others.

They saw Jesus through him.

They saw evidence of the healing power of God.

They saw evidence of the compassion of God.

They saw that there is nothing impossible for God.

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Jesus led the way in laying down His life daily for us and others. 

If you’re unwilling to give something up for God, I’m not sure how well you know Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5 NKJV

Jesus’ doing will always be defined by His being, not our believing or behaving. 

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NLT

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5 NLT

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV

THE WAY.

Your lost and broken is never to much for God and His grace to make you found and free.

THE TRUTH 

You have to lay down regret to pick up redemption.

THE LIFE

Without a real and surrendered relationship with Jesus life is only a fragile illusion. 

When we live connected and surrendered to Jesus, our lives reap a harvest of Peace, Purpose and Joy found nowhere else on planet earth.

We’re so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!

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---- SUNDAY'S NOTES ----

Daily and deeply knowing (following) Jesus is the only way to become who He made you to be.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, and the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in my name. John 15:16 NLT 

The life you have is a gift from God, and the life you have should be lived for Him.

Influence is a space that requires wise stewardship.

A role model doesn’t just show the way, they lead the way. 

Devotional Life 

Your devotional life will determine your emotional life.

He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 NLT  

The devotional life isn’t proof, but rather a path to Godliness. 

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Timothy 4:7 NASB

Holiness 

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 NLT

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 ESV 

Jesus didn’t come to lower sin's standard, He came pay sin’s penalty and break sin’s power. 

Faithfulness

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NASB

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

Love 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:22 NLT

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NLT

Surrender 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 

1 John 3:16 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT 

Just like Jesus we are called to know the way, go the way and show the way.  

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Download the 828 Church app!

To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

📝 TODAY’S TAKEAWAYS:

Daily and deeply knowing (following) Jesus is the only way to become who He made you to be.

The life you have is a gift from God, and the life you have should be lived for Him

Influence is a space that requires wise stewardship.

A role model doesn’t just show the way, they lead the way.

Your devotional life will determine your emotional life.

The devotional life isn’t proof, but rather a path to Godliness.

Just like Jesus, we are called to know the way, go the way, and show the way.

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📘 TODAY’S VERSES:

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, and the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in my name. John 15:16 NLT

He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 NLT

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:7 NLT

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Timothy 4:7 NASB

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 NLT

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 ESV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NASB

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:22 NLT

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NLT

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. 1 Kings 18:1-2 NLT

So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 1 Kings 18:16-18 NLT

Choosing to blame God for the trouble our broken choices cause, is a counterproductive waste of time.

Rebellion against God’s word and will always lead to lost and broken living. 

Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 1 Kings 18:19 NLT

So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:20-21 NLT

You choosing to acquiesce to Baal worship isn’t a blessing to anyone. 

Is THE God your only God? 

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed. 1 Kings 18:22-24 NLT

If you tell your god what to do and what is true, He’s not God. 

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you.” 1 Kings 18:25 NLT

So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18:26 NLT

So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response. 1 Kings 18:28-29 NLT

It’s sad to sacrifice anything to a false god, when in the end everything you offer is offered in vain.  

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. 1 Kings 18:30 NLT

Disobedience, distraction and disregard will all leave the altar in a state of disrepair. 

The altar is an honored and intimate place of communion with God that should never be abused or taken for granted.

He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. 1 Kings 18:31-35 NLT

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 1 Kings 18:36-37 NLT 

Sacrifices made to Jehovah are never wasted. 

Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 1 Kings 18:38 NLT

And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!” 1 Kings 18:39 NLT

When the score is tallied in an honest way the outcome will always say that He alone is God and He alone is good. 

Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. 3He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way, he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. 4So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. 5When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good fortune, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Luke 19:2-6 MSG

You can’t choose to be god and hope to see God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV 

Lackadaisical doesn’t really get you close to God, but any honest effort does. 

Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good fortune, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Luke 19:6 MSG 

If you take Jesus home with you, your life will never be the same!

Learning to delight in the Lord is the way to leave lack behind. (Ps. 23)

Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?” Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.” Luke 19:7-8 MSG

The impact of a genuine encounter with Jesus is simultaneously significant and impossible to quantify.

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10 NLT

Jesus went through the cross to clear the way so all could to come to Him!

Sunday's Notes-

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel lives, the God I serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” I Kings 17:1 NLT

Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. I Kings 17:2-6 NLT

Following God with conviction requires trusting God for provision and protection.

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:7 NLT

Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” I Kings 17:8-9 NLT 

Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner, a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Luke 4:25-26 NLT

Jehovah, like a prophetic poet, author’s provision with a redemptive rhythm only God can give. 

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” I Kings 17:10 NLT

As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” I Kings 17:11 NLT

Lack can never become a license to hoard the very thing your called by God to give.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 ESV

But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” I Kings 17:12 NLT

Don’t let desperation be the voice that determines your decisions or destiny with God.

But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!” I Kings 17:13-14 NLT

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. 

I Kings 17:15-17 NLT

The key to trusting God for provision is to obediently to give the best of what you have to Him.

The path is different but the value is the same

NLT Exodus 14

Vs 10  As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, 

11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 

12 Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

13But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 

14The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

Take Away vs 13

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. 

TAKE AWAY 

vs 14 stay calm vs 15 keep moving

NLT Joshua 3 

Vs 2 Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp,

 3 giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, move out from your positions and follow them. 

4 Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”

5Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.”

6 In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people

TAKE AWAY vs 5

“Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.”

NLT 1 John 1: 8-9 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them. 

1 Samuel 17:1-3 NLT

Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. 1 Samuel 17:4-7 NLT

For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army. 1 Samuel 17:16 NLT 

The Goliaths we face are real and tend to be intimidating, but don’t forget about God.

One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 1 Samuel 17:17-18 NLT

So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 1 Samuel 17:20 NLT

As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 1 Samuel 17:23-24 NLT

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!” 

1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT

Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT

1. Don’t run from the valley

Without the victories won in the valley, life on the mountain top is often empty or incomplete.

2. Live ready for the fight

Passion - Patience - Process - - - (List one at a time please)

If you have to get ready for the battle in the battle, you’re more likely to cause collateral damage. 

3. Trust the logistics officer 

The weapons and the warrior will always be enough when they’re selected and directed by God. 

4. Right size it! - Compare your giant to God

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT

Faith doesn’t make your burden smaller, but it does recognizes that God is bigger. 

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 1 Samuel 17:48-49 NLT

5. Finish it

So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. 

1 Samuel 17:50-51 NLT

Faith unlocks vision that sees and seizes victory from the very hand of the enemy.

One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Acts 16:16-18 NLT

Deception often begins with a bit of truth designed to disguise the scope and nature of the lie. 

Ignoring or misappropriating portions of God’s word to accommodate for cultural pressure or confusion, will never accomplish God‘s will.

Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.” A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. Acts 16:19-22 NLT 

Mob mentality isn’t new, and unfortunately, truth is often it’s most significant victim! 

They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:23-24 NLT 

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Acts 16:25 NLT

True worship is a weapon the enemy can’t overcome!

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:26 NLT

Freedom is contagious! 

The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” Acts 16:27-28 NLT

Patiently following God’s plan is a sure way to experience the fulness of God’s purpose. 

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. Acts 16:29-34 NLT

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.” But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!” Acts 16:35-37 NLT

When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town. Acts 16:38-40 NLT

It is impossible to quantify the impact a heart of worship will have on the life of the worshiper. 

Hezekiah son of Ahaz began to rule over Judah in the third year of King Hoshea’s reign in Israel. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done. 2 Kings 18:1-3 NLT 

Neither hurt nor heritage determine whether you’ll follow God and His will or not. 

He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan. 2 Kings 18:4 NLT

Until the high places in our hearts are removed, the enemy will constantly introduce new idols that require our worship. 

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did. He revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay him tribute. He also conquered the Philistines as far distant as Gaza and its territory, from their smallest outpost to their largest walled city. 2 Kings 18:5-8 NLT

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 2 Kings 18:13 NLT

Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent his commander in chief, his field commander, and his chief of staff the Rabshakeh, from Lachish with a huge army to confront King Hezekiah in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 18:17 NLT

The enemy’s goal isn’t peaceful coexistence, but subjugation and destruction. 

What’s more, do you think we have invaded your land without the LORD’s direction? The LORD himself told us, Attack this land and destroy it! 2 Kings 18:25 NLT

Readiness and preparation point to a Godly determination to remain faithful.  

Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:28-30 ESV

Just because someone speaks God’s language doesn’t mean they speak God’s truth. 

Did any god rescue Samaria from my power? What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem from me?” But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, “Do not answer him.” 2 Kings 18:35-36 ESV

When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the LORD. And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, all dressed in burlap, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. They told him, “This is what King Hezekiah says: Today is a day of trouble, insults, and disgrace. It is like when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to deliver the baby. But perhaps the LORD your God has heard the Assyrian chief of staff, sent by the king to defy the living God, and will punish him for his words. Oh, pray for those of us who are left!” 2 Kings 19:1-4 NLT

Honest and humbly offered prayer has always been and always will be the right remedy for despair. 

After King Hezekiah’s officials delivered the king’s message to Isaiah, the prophet replied, “Say to your master, ‘This is what the LORD says: Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech against me from the Assyrian king’s messengers. Listen! I myself will move against him, and the king will receive a message that he is needed at home. So he will return to his land, where I will have him killed with a sword.’” 2 Kings 19:5-7 NLT

“And this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: “His armies will not enter Jerusalem.

They will not even shoot an arrow at it. They will not march outside its gates with their shields nor build banks of earth against its walls. The king will return to his own country by the same road on which he came. He will not enter this city, says the LORD. For my own honor and for the sake of my servant David, I will defend this city and protect it.” 2 Kings 18:19:32-34 NLT

Turning to God opens the door to the kind of help no opposition can overcome.

That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there. One day while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with their swords. They then escaped to the land of Ararat, and another son, Esarhaddon, became the next king of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:19:35-37 NLT

Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations, that’s what I had in mind for you.. Jeremiah 1:5 MSG

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT

The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

We make decisions every day that move us closer to, or farther from God’s will.

Prioritize God’s Purpose

If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 NLT

Destiny is dependent on our recognizing and prioritizing God’s big picture purposes and plans.

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. Daniel 1:8 NLT 

Like Daniel, our journey to destiny starts with a determination to honor God’s priorities.

2) Patience

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV

Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end, it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV

Waiting gives us time and opportunity to straighten, strengthen, and learn surrender. 

Hastily made decisions are the easiest to regret.

Waiting isn’t wasted time, it’s priceless time trusting in God and the journey He has for me.

3) Perseverance / Redemption  

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12 NLT

Our destiny is dependent on God’s unwavering ability and willingness to redeem and restore. 

4) Persistence / Faithfulness

Don’t bail on the destination even if their are challenges along the way. 

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT

5) Passion 

I remind you to fan into flame the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Timothy 1:6 NLT

Passionately persist in pursuing with patience the purposes and plans God has for you.

Stories shape your character 

What Where When Who 

30 second cliff notes - you probably know the story but I won’t assume

God tells Jonah to go tell some violent people to repent or God will destroy them

Jonah gets in a boat and runs away

He gets eaten by a big fish

He gets spit up, then decides to obey

The people repent and are not destroyed

Jonah 1:1-2 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah is CALLED by God to Go Tell the Truth 

A command was given. Many other prophets could send messages to other countries but God asked him to go personally. 

KNOW God’s Will:

Keep seeking in His Word

Network for wisdom 

Obey what God has revealed to you

Want what He wants 

KNOW God’s will:

Keep seeking in His Word - He won’t tell you to do something contrary to His Word. It might not be something you’d naturally do (it's often not) but it will be in line with His character which is all about salvation and Glory to HIM not US. Probably impossible with God’s help. Keep wanting to be in His will and that’s where He wants you

Network for wisdom - prob 11:14 says there is safety in a multitude of counsel. Not asking Reddit but asking a few true Jesus followers that you trust and will tell you Truth. Not always just THE pastor, but friends that know your heart and God’s voice 

Obey what God has revealed to you - learning Japanese - not assuming the outcome, but step by step seeing relationships that form, connections and opportunities to give Him glory. If it was only for this ONE conversation (with an old friend, with tutor), the obedience would have been worth it. ONE step at a time Indiana Jones

Want what He wants  - Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Check your motives before Him - Am I willing to want what He has for me? Not a free pass to follow feelings or “I’ve always wanted to be mermaid” 

Jonah had obeyed the Lord before when giving a prophetic message of blessing to Israel in 2 Kings but then he encounters an assignment he couldn’t accept.

Jonah 1:3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

PHOTO JONAH MAP

Jonah immediately was like “Nope!”

The ready way is not always the right way - The Moody Bible Commentary

Is there something you say “I’ll do anything but ______” 

Story: how dare you say you won’t

What is your Nineveh? Where God wants you to represent and look like Him but it’s difficult 

There’s so many reasons we are tempted not to choose what God has asked us to do. This is where we are going to park for a bit this morning.

Choice is a gift God gives us, it works best when we choose to let Him choose.

God’s got His economy. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like there is much choice. This is part of being human and on this earth. You’ll wrestle with “good” but not “God”

There’s a difference between wrestling with God’s calling and running from it. 

God wants to help direct you today. There’s no reason to walk out of here confused.

Why does God allow us to go through the long struggle of choosing righteousness? 

Mary’s obedience. 

No one is the boss of your mind except you. 

Mark 12:30 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 

That means it is a choice. Be so dependent on God that you’re intertwined and His desires for you become your desires for you

Reasons we say “Nope”

We are making a judgment 

It will affect our image 

I need to do more “Research.” 

Distracted 

Authority 

Confusion

Too costly. 

I just got this freedom. 

Your freedom is not for you to fritter away but it is to be wielded to enable God’s redemption in and around you.

But God has a purpose for you. Don't sacrifice your purpose on the altar of comfort, at the expense of your destiny and contentment

You’ll do things with the Lord you never thought and you’ll like it because He designed you to be about His work.

Jonah finds himself on a boat drifting away from God’s plan and purpose.

Drift—the decision we make by not deciding—is a sure way to end up lost.

Jonah 1:4-5 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 

Some of us would rather run away in a boat that is getting tossed and beaten rather than obey and then we WONDER why life isn’t blessed.

6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

The Bible mentions other places.  HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

God still worked in his disobedience 

6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

They asked Jonah to pray but did he? 

10 This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

Even the non-believing sailors know it's unthinkable to try to outrun God

11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”

12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

So they threw him into the sea. Jonah was so hard-hearted that he would have rather died in the ocean than help Nineveh. 

If we live to serve our own desires, we will cycle in and out of disappointment, despair and dissatisfaction. True satisfaction and security can only be found in relationship and on adventure with Jesus.  

Go on God’s adventure. 

Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

He prays, finally

Jonah 2:9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

The mercy Jonah experienced when he called on God for help is the same mercy he preached to Nineveh. 

There’s hope: Jonah gets spit up!

Jonah 3:1-3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh.

“Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die? Ezekiel 33:10-11 NLT

The destruction that comes from disobedient broken behaving isn’t a result of God’s choices, but ours. 

The LORD took hold of me, - - - and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign LORD,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Ezekiel 37:1-3 NLT

God’s ability to see potential and restore purpose is beyond anything the natural man can comprehend. 

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” Ezekiel 37:4-6 NLT

Surrender your spirit to God’s spirit, and your spirit will have the authority to tell your flesh where to go and how to get there. 

So I spoke this message, just as he told me. - - - Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. Ezekiel 37:7-8 NLT

Obedience to God’s voice is the only path to real healing and restoration!

Religion without relationship with person and power of the Holy Spirit is only a lifeless liturgy. 

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” Ezekiel 37:9 NLT

So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet, a great army. Ezekiel 37:10 NLT

When God breaths His life into your lungs you will live with purpose and passion you’ve never had before!