Woodward First Assembly

Brain Games: From Underdog To Champion

This Is War: The Jezebel Spirit

Brain Games-3-Kiss Worry Goodbye

This morning Pastor Brad continues his Brain Games series by teaching us about Kissing Worry Goodbye.

Pastor's Notes:

TEXT
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [c]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody!

I’m so excited to be here, but I’m also excited about the season we are in. Who else is ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Well, if you aren’t, you better get ready because it’s upon us!

This month, we’ve been talking about Brain Games, and winning the battle that rages on the inside. We’ve looked at strongholds and how to tear them down, and also our thought life and outlook on the world.

This morning, as we get ready to look at one of the most stressful seasons of the year, I want to talk to you about maintaining your peace and “Kissing Worry Goodbye”.

ILLUSTRATION

In just a few short days, Americans will celebrate the holiday called “Thanksgiving”, where we will count the many blessings of our nation and the freedoms we have.

Then, in less than 24 hours, our news feeds will be filled with police reports of Black Friday crime as people fight, fuss, and vandalize all to get their deals for Christmas.

In the rush to check everything off their Christmas lists, they most likely will end up giving themselves their own gift: High interest credit card debt, missed mortgage payments that now have to be caught up on, and skipped utility bills.

Like the house that catches on fire from it’s Christmas lights, the strain of finances has a way of ruining the holidays.

Besides that, take the weight gain and add the family stress, and you have a recipe for unhappiness.

TRANSITION

What if I were to tell you it didn’t have to be like this? Well, it doesn’t.

And while I can’t fix your overeating, overspending, or your family difficulties, I can share with you some principles from the Word of God that I believe will be helpful.

BACKGROUND

In our passage, Jesus is dealing very directly with the subject or worry, anxiety, and trusting God.

In all reality, the context of this verse is tied to verse 24, where Jesus talks about trusting money. However, this type of anxiety and stress that apply to all areas of life.

What happens when we worry?

APPLICATION
1. We lose perspective of our value (vs. 25-30)

- The birds and the flowers do not fret and worry. They trust.

- We are way more valuable to God than they are. We are His people, created in His image.

- Bottom line? Jesus said worry is sinful. In fact, what it’s saying is that we don’t trust God.

2. We lose our testimony (vs. 31-33)

- Worrying about material things is what the Gentiles (at that time, unbelievers) do.

- When we starting worrying and fretting over the temporal, we start acting like those who don’t know our God.

- What better opportunity we have to share our light with the world than to hold fast in the middle of the storm.

3. We forfeit our joy (vs. 34)

- It’s been said that worry keeps you up at night and down in the day. - It robs you of your health, peace, and productivity.

- Planning is different than worrying. One is positive, and one is negative.

- When we worry, we are exercising negative faith for something that may never happen.

CONCLUSION

What do we do then to stay positive in a stressful season?

- Know He loves you
- Give it to Him in prayer
- Handle what’s in front of you one day at a time.

This Is War: The Religious Spirit

Brain Games-Stinking Thinking

Today we continue with the Brain Games Series but first, we start with a testimony from Mrs. Karen. today's sermon is called Stinking Thinking.

Pastor's Notes:

Romans 8:5-8 NKJV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [b]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everyone!

It was great last week as we joined together in communion, and we are looking forward to baptism this morning as well.

Last week, I challenged you in the area of strongholds.

Today, I want to talk to you about “Stinking Thinking”.

ILLUSTRATION

There’s a story I heard of a man who got married whose friends played a prank on him at his bachelor party.

He fell asleep on the couch, and his buddies smeared a bit of strong-smelling cheese dip on his mustache. It caused him to wake up to an awful smell. He got up, ran to the kitchen. It smelled in there. He turned around, ran into the living room, and it smelled there. He put his shoes on, ran outside, and it smelled out there. He said “What’s the use! The whole world stinks!”

 

 

I’m sorry to tell you, but the whole world doesn’t stink. What stinks is under your nose!

Ever felt that way?

We have all experienced bad days and horrible situations. We've felt trapped, helpless and, at times, hopeless. We may have even believed that the whole world stinks.

TRANSITION

Such is the same in the lives of many people. Nothing is good, everything is falling apart, and the whole world is hopeless.

Perhaps the problem is not with the world, but rather right under your nose. Your tongue is invisibly connected to your thoughts and your heart. what you think on, you will eventually utter, and what you say will end up lodging in your mind. It’s a proven fact.

Look at what Jesus said about the heart and tongue connection:

Luke 6:45 NKJV

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil [a]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

QUOTE: What’s down in the well will always come up in the bucket. That’s why guarding your soul matters.

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

When mind is bathed in negativity, it affects the filter of our lives. Look at this passage in Titus 1:15 NKJV

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

In other words, being critical, negative, and pessimistic has to do with the lens or filter through which you view life.

When your mind is fleshly and carnal, it’s all but impossible to view things the correct way.

ILLUSTRATION

CAMERA LENS ILLUSTRATION

But what’s the truth?

Is the glass half full, or is it half empty?

Both are true. What matters is how you see things.

QUOTE: When you change the way you see things, the things you see change.

BACKGROUND

In Romans, Paul is dealing with the exact same thing. He is dealing with the carnal mindset and how it affects our lives.

Question:
How many of you want to win in life?
If so, then let’s look at what the Bible says about our thoughts.

 

 

APPLICATION
1. Our mindset is determined by choice. (vs. 5)
- You can set it on carnal things.
- You can set it on spiritual things.
2. Our mindset produces fruit. (vs. 6)
- Life and Peace
- Death and Carnality
3. Our mindset produces defeat or victory. (vs. 7-8) - If we are at war with God, the devil wins.
- If we line up with Him, we win!

CONCLUSION

How can we shift our mindset? Paul tells us how to shift our focus.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

This is War: 14 Root Spirits (Part 2)

Brain Games-1-Tearing Down Strongholds

This morning Pastor Brad starts a new series he calls Brain Games.

Pastor's Notes:

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody.

I’m so glad you’re here today! I hope you enjoyed Pastor Shane last week. How, what a word! Thank you again for all of your kind words, cards, and gifts. They really ministered to us. I really couldn’t do it all without a great staff.

This morning, I want to start a brand new series entitled “Brain Games”, and we will be dealing with some very strong teaching that I believe will help you in your life.

In this series, we are going to deal with the mind, and how to walk in victory. Why?

One of the biggest ways the enemy of our soul attacks us is through our mind.

Can I share with you a secret? It’s a big one. Lean in just a little.

You ready?

TRUTH: The devil is not your biggest enemy.

Yup, you heard me right.

“Hold up a minute, pastor! Haven’t you been teaching us about the Devil and demons?”

I sure have, but He is a defeated foe. When you learn how to recognize his attacks, you can get victory.

The Devil is defeated, but your greatest enemy is you! - POWER STATEMENT

Today, I want to talk to you about “Tearing Down Strongholds”.
What is a stronghold?
A stronghold in the greek text means “a fortress” or “ a fortified hiding place”.

The dictionary defines stronghold as :




1. a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.

Look at the second definition.....

2. a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.

In our scripture, the word “strongholds” is used in the sense of the spiritual battle, and is used in a negative aspect.

In the Bible, the enemy having a stronghold in your territory means he has snuck in, set up shop in your land, and has put up walls to keep you out in order than he might keep a place in your life.

The trouble is, in our minds, we actually build the stronghold in our mind, and we do our best to protect it.

People can have strongholds of doubt, unbelief, poverty, religion, lust, and many other things. A stronghold is nothing but a safe place to hide in.

Let’s look at what Peter gives us as some insights into the mind.

ILLUSTRATION




1 Peter1:13-16 NKJV

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

In this passage, Peter is talking living for God, and he uses an analogy of a runner. In this culture, when they would run, they would have to take up the loose ends of their toga robes that hung down by their feet, and pick them up and tuck them in, lest that when they started to run, they would trip over it.

• -  We need to get a hold of the loose ends of our thought life.

• -  The loins are reproductive, so if we don’t get a hold of those thoughts, they will reproduce and produce fruit. Thoughts become words, words become actions, etc

• -  If we don’t get our thoughts in check, they will cause us to stumble in the race.

  


  TRANSITION

  With this information, let’s see how we attack this.

  How does bondage get in our lives?

1. Bondage begins as thoughts.

- A thought is not a sin. David seeing Bathsheba naked wasn’t the sin. Even acknowledging that she looked nice wasn’t a sin. Looking twice was the sin.

James 1:15 NKJV “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

2. Thoughts become arguments (justifications, imaginations)

   - What would it be like?
   - I deserve it.
   - It would be nice to get revenge. - My sin isn’t as bad as others.

3. Justification become a stronghold.

   - It becomes the acceptable pattern of thinking.
   - It becomes an ingrained pattern.
   - This is how habits are formed (repeated behavior).

So how to you tear down a stronghold? It’s more than just us laying hands on you. When you come to the altar and get charged up, you are going to have to tear this down brick by brick.

APPLICATION

1. Take your thoughts captive.

- If you don’t take them captive, they will take you captive.

- You can’t stop the thoughts from coming, but you can stop them from staying.

- QUOTE: You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair.

2. Cast down arguments

• -  If you skip step one, you have to be more violent. Now you must cast it down.

• -  Don’t coddle it. Don’t let it linger. throw it far away from you!

3. Tear down strongholds.

• -  Get crazy with it at this point.

• -  You have to really determine to get free from this.

• -  Destroy your thoughts and arguments and get them in the open.

• -  If you don’t embarrass sin, sin will embarrass you.

  CONCLUSION

  Are you willing to submit yourself to the process of getting free from bad thinking? Next week we will carry this further.

This Is War: 14 Root Spirits (Part 1)

The Showdown - Man's Anarchy Vs God's Sovereignty

This morning is Pastor Appreciation Sunday. We are pleased to have Pastor Shane Warren give us the word today. Pastor Warren has been and still is a big part of Pastor Brad's life.

If you would like to partner with Shane Warren Ministries, text "SWM" to 931-295-0922.

This Is War: 6 Signs Of Spiritual Attack