Woodward First Assembly

Walking With Jesus-1-The Gates of Hell

Pastor Brad, just back from his trip to Israel, is excited to share with us what he has learned.  He starts this month's series Walking With Jesus with a sermon he calls The Gates Of Hell.

Pastor's Notes:

TEXT
Matthew 16:13-20 NKJV
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not [a]prevail against it.19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [b]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everyone!
I’m so glad to be back with you this morning. Going to Israel to explore the land of the Bible was a dream come true.
I appreciate Pastor Seth, Gary Sapp, and Jeff and Miranda Weaver for ministering for me while I was gone.
Billy Graham said “Two weeks in the Holy Land is the equivalent of two years of Bible school.” I’d have to say I’d agree. My mind has been blown as I wondered the land of miracles.
This month, our series will bring you into a journey of truth that I learned while “Walking with Jesus”.
This morning, I want to preach from the subject “The Gates Of Hell”.

ILLUSTRATION
There’s no secret that Christianity is under fire in America. We live in a nation that screams tolerance from the top of her lungs, but the truth be told, we tolerate everything but godliness.
I saw in the news just this week that a bald eagle in Arkansas was found dead by gun shot. There is a 6 k reward for information leading to the shooter, and the press is calling for prison for the person responsible.
Yet, in the same breath, we celebrate the slaughter of innocent babies in the womb of their mothers under the preface of “ a woman’s right to choose.”
As the church, we must not be silent in this hour. We must stand for righteousness and truth.

TRANSITION
While this is bad, don’t think that Jesus didn’t deal with issues in His day. The message He came to bear was counter culture compared to everything else going around. HIs message was not soft, and often went against the very grain of culture. He marched on in the midst of sin, paganism, resistance, and revolt.

BACKGROUND
In our particular passage, we see Jesus traveling upwards to the northern region of Israel to a place called Caesarea Philippi. This is a significant place, nestled between the Syrian and Lebanese borders.
It is capped by Mt. Hermon, the very place where the Jordan river begins. It is this place where Jesus gives us the following revelation.

APPLICATION
1. The Culture
- The first thing we should look at is the culture.
- Caesarea Philippi had become a place of extreme paganism for the Jews. It was referred to as one of the most wicked places.
- Here, Jehovah had been forgotten, and shrines to false gods had been resurrected.
- SHOW PICTURE: As you can see in this picture, there is a cave. In this cave, a continual fire was lit. A shrine to the god Pan was resurrected. He was a wicked false god, so he was feared. It’s where we derive the word “Panic” from.
- The Jews would sacrifice animals, have orgies, and even throw their babies into the fire here.
- It was such a wicked place, Jesus referred to it as “The Gates Of Hell”.
- Now you are getting the picture.

2. The Catechism
- In the midst of all this, a great question was asked: “Who do men say that I am?”
- This question is relevant for what is coming. You cannot build a house on a shifty foundation.
- Then, He asked “But who do you say that I am?” - The answer was that of importance.

3. The Christ
- He said “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Peter is a “little stone”, but He said upon Me is who the church will be built on.
- The church will not survive on personality, program, or popularity.
- The church must be build on Christ.
- My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness.

4. The Conflict
- Jesus said the Gates of Hell (The culture) would not prevail against the church.
- Many churches have moved locations because their part of town was being run down. Jesus didn’t run from culture. He pushed up against it.
- He gave us the keys to the kingdom of Heaven (upon the earth). - We have the power to bind and loose!

CONCLUSION

Miranda Weaver

It’s midweek and tonight we have spacial guest Miranda Weaver speaking to us. Miranda is an ordained minister and was recently on assignment with her husband Jeff as pastors in Germany.

Gary Sapp with One Child Matters

This morning we are pleased to have Gary Sapp with us from One Child Matters.  To learn more about Gary and his mission click (gary.onechildmatters.org).  If you would like to sponsor a child click on (sponsor a child)

Heart For The House-6-Serving Others

Originally recorded on 24 Feb 19 during the morning service; Pastor Brad finishes his Heart for The House series with a message he called Serving Others.

Pastor's Notes:

Serving Others
TEXT
Mark 10:35-45 NKJV
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everybody!
I’m very glad you’ve joined us today! I pray that you will stick around as we baptize some new believers after service, and then go and eat with us afterwards in the fellowship hall.
I’ve enjoyed this series this month that we’ve entitled “A Heart For The House”. It’s been challenging to say the least, but that’s what I love about the word of God. It transforms us to look more like Jesus.
As we get ready to cap this off, I want to talk to you today about serving. I’ve entitled this message, “Serving Others”.
ILLUSTRATION
Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy's, who died a few years back, became a familiar sight to millions in his company's television commercials.
Dave also appeared in a lot of in store training films. In those, as in many of the more familiar commercials, he would dress as his workers. One year he appeared on the cover of one of the company's annual reports dressed in a knee-length work apron holding a mop and a plastic bucket.
For many years, a framed copy of that picture graced the back rooms and manager's office of most Wendy's. That picture was built on the fact Dave was a self-made millionaire. He didn't finish high school. He worked his way up through the ranks of Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken chain long before he went off on his own and started Wendy's.
Here's how Dave explained that picture:
''I got my M.B.A. long before my G.E.D. At Wendy's M.B.A. does not mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude.'' Dave Thomas taught all of his employees that service comes before success.
That’s exact the type of attitude that Jesus showed us: Servant leadership. Mark 10:45 NKJV
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus came in this world as the King of Kings, but let He lowered Himself to the place of a humble servant, to the point of giving the very best—His own life.
BACKGROUND
Yet, in our text, we see James and John petitioning Jesus for a place of power. Jesus was
I personally believe that while they were good people, they had their eyes set on the wrong thing. You see, when a Roman ruler would conquer and elevate to a place of power, they would establish high places of authority and ruler-ship.
Verse 42 tells us they would “lord their authority” over people. He told them, “it should not be so among you.”
Yet, Jesus came and He served the people He was assigned to.
The truth is, these disciples had an entitlement mentality when it came to the Kingdom.
TRANSITION
It’s rather unfortunate that the same attitude permeates our culture and church life today.
We often want things our way, and we feel entitled to them. Maybe we feel like we’ve “paid our dues” like James and John did.
In many ways, we’ve adopted a consumerism mentality when it comes to church and Christianity, rather than a servant mentality.
In stead of saying, “It’s not good.”, we should be asking ourselves, “How can I make it better?”
If we are going to have a heart for the house of God and truly see our community impacted, it’s going to take all of us working together and serving together.
So, why should we serve others? APPLICATION
1. Jesus modeled it.
- As our text said, Jesus laid down His life.
- He fed people,
- He healed them.
- He washed their feet.
- He served ungrateful people.
- He even served those who outright rejected Him.
2. The church needs it.
-  Years ago, during army issued a poster of Uncle Sam pointing his finger at us in a very serious way with a caption that read’s “We Need You!”
- Show Picture
- Because YOU/WE are the church, we aren’t complete if we all aren’t doing our part.
- I have to wonder sometimes how much our effectiveness is diminished  by those who don’t serve.
- As we grow, we are going to need more kids volunteers, ushers, greeters, growth group leaders, musicians, etc.
- It was the great JFK who said - SHOW PICTURE
“Fellow Americas, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
- I would say that’s a good slogan for the church.
“Fellow Christians, ask not what your church can do for you, ask what you can do for your church. “
- How can you add to the vision of your church?
3. It promotes personal growth.
- When we serve, it often times pushes us out of our comfort zones.
- When we serve, it also helps us discover and develop gifts we didn’t know we had.
4. It encourages others.
- When other people see us serving God, it can encourage both the lost and the saved.
- Have you ever been blessed by a song?
- Been ministered to by a meal?
- Encouraged by a kind note or letter?
CONCLUSION
If we are going to have a true heart for the house, we’re going to have to engage in active service.

Never Quit

Tonight we have special guest Jeff Weaver give us the a message he calls Never Quit.

Prayer School-4-The Elijah Prayer

We continue our mid week Prayer School. tonight we learn about The Elijah Prayer.

Pastor's Notes:

The Prayer Of Elijah
TEXT
James 5:17-18 NKJV
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everyone!
I’m so glad that you’re here tonight! I hope you’ve been enjoying our study on prayer. This will be my last Wednesday night with you for a couple weeks. Hang with us, because I have asked the Weaver family, who were missionaries and pastors to a church in Germany, to handle Wednesday night for me while I’m out.
I’ve just asked them to minister whatever is on their hearts, so I can’t wait to tune in on the podcast and listen while I’m out.
Last week, we covered why we pray “in Jesus name”, and tonight, we are going to look at one of the great heroes of the faith—Elijah.

Elijah was a powerful man of God, and there are some principles we can learn from his life concerning prayer.
ILLUSTRATION
As I have mentioned before, there are several different types of prayer. We have intercession, declaration, worship, thanksgiving, petition, praying in the Spirit, etc.
All of them have their place in the larger scheme of things. However, no matter when we pray, we must never lack faith and passion!
That’s what Elijah had.
BACKGROUND
Elijah, whose name means “Yahweh is God”, was a prophet who helped Judaism and the worship of God to be saved from Baal worship.
His ministry was in the northern kingdoms of Israel during the reigns of King Ahab and Ahaziah.
He was a man of great boldness concerning the things of God.
APPLICATION

Elijah declared the will of God with boldness.

- When it says “And Elijah prayed earnestly…….”, if you look at 1 Kings 17:1, it doesn’t say that he prayed at all. He actually decreed or declared it.
- It’s really no different than someone saying “In the name of Jesus, I command you to get up and walk.”.
- You and I can declare the Word with boldness as well when we pray!

Elijah prayed for God sized prayers.

- The rain ceasing and starting
- The raising of the widow’s son
- Calling down fire from Heaven
- NOTE: Are your prayers “safe” prayers? Or, are your prayers bold and daring?

Elijah’s prayers pointed back to God.

- He often cried out to the God “of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”.
- Why? He knows God is about covenant.
- Honestly, this would be the Old Testament way of “praying in the name of Jesus.”

Elijah prayed until he saw the answer.

- He prayed until the fire fell. He declared and the rain came. He prayed until life was in the boys body.
- When we pray, we should also pray with expectation.

CONCLUSION

Heart For The House-5-Intentional Discipleship

Tonight we continue with the Heart For The House Series. Pastor Brad teaches us that discipleship is intentional.

Pastor's Notes:

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everyone!
I’m so glad that you’re here with us this evening. I love the times that we’re able to come together, fellowship, pray, and learn the Word of God together.
Tonight, I’m going to be sharing my heart tonight in a very real, passionate way. My prayer tonight is that as I’m speaking to you, you will hear the Spirit of God.
I believe if you listen, He will speak to you.Tonight, I want to talk about “Intentional Discipleship”

ILLUSTRATION
I’m a big fan of education. Education comes in all different forms. Some education is strictly in a classroom setting. Some is through trade school. Others may be through apprenticeship. There are many different ways to learn.
Traditionally, our Bible schools like Southwestern, Southeastern, North Central, and Evangel are all educational/classroom based.
Many of our graduating students are receiving degrees with knowledge, but are lacking the “experience needed” to get the job done.
Thus, many schools like SUM, Rhema, and Charis Bible College recognize that classroom setting is not enough, so they have incorporated a “hands on” approach to learning.
TRANSITION
This is where I feel most of us have “missed it”.
We’ve come to church for three times a week (or more if there are special events) for as long as we can remember. Most of us know a ton about Scripture, can recite Bible stories, and have the songs memorized that we love.
Yet, if I were to ask the question “Who are you currently disciplining?”, many of us would stand guilty. We are good at “doing church”, but not so good at disciplining.
But hear me a second: I don’t totally blame you.
Many people don’t make disciples because they’ve never been disciples themselves! How can you do what you don’t know?
It’s in our hearts as a church to change that. We can’t fix the past, but we can change the future.
That’s why it’s going to be different. It’s going to make you uncomfortable. It’s going to be change for everyone.
We are going to be launching Growth Groups, which is a discipleship ministry. Some of you will be leading them, but we will ask everyone to plug into them.
There are so many new people in our church, and many are new to church period, that we need to be intentional at discipleship.
ILLUSTRATION
Jesus was the ultimate disciple maker. Agreed?
He ministered and taught in the multitudes. Yet, He intentionally poured into a small group.
He called them His “disciples”. He didn’t just preach at them—He showed them. They were together at the high times, and they were together at the tough times. He invested His everything into them.
As you can see, you can’t do this from a platform.
Write this down: Discipleship happens in small groups. It’s all about relationships.

BACKGROUND
In our text, Jesus is commissioning the disciples with the greatest task: The Great Commission.
By the way, that mandate is still in affect today.
It’s not just about evangelism. Yes, that part is VERY important. However, Jesus didn’t say “go into all the world and make decisions”. He said to make disciples. These are people who are being saved, need to be nurtured and trained to follow Christ in every day life.
Let’s look in our text
APPLICATION
1. We’ve been commissioned to it.- Authority was given to Jesus, and He gave it to us.
- His desire is for all of us to multiply and reach others for His glory.
2. It doesn’t just happen.
- Notice here that Jesus said we are to “make” disciples.- How do we make disciples?
- Proximity.
- Relationship- Openness
3. It involves teaching.
- We must teach them the importance of
- Prayer
- Worship
- The Scripture
- Family
- The Church
- Etc
CONCLUSION

Heart For The House-4-The Love Factor

This morning Pastor Brad delivers part four of The Heart For The House series. as he teaches we will learn about The Love Factor.

Pastors Notes:

The Love Factor
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NKJV
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everyone! I pray and trust that you have been enjoying these messages on “A Heart For The House”.
We’ve been looking at different areas of church life and christian living, and today, we’re going to talk about the one factor that Paul taught was supreme: Love.

If we could ever get it right in this department, we would have revival!
As long as you are breathing, you will have the opportunity to grow in love.
ILLUSTRATION
I love to study the Word.
It’s a passion of mine. I love to read in different translations. When I was 14, I read the whole Bible all the way through for the first time.
So that being said, I learned to get a grasp on what the Bible was trying to say in its entirety.
I really can’t stomach when people take Scriptures out of context.
I’ve seen a 1000 wedding invitations with this Scripture on it. And while it’s, true, it doesn't quite apply here.
There are three words for LOVE in the GREEK language:
Eros love (sexual love)
Phileo love ( brotherly love)
Agape love (the God kind of love)
This passage is talking about the GOD kind of love!
BACKGROUND
In our text, the Apostle Paul is dealing with the chaos and disorder of the Christians in Corinth.
They are living in sin and accepting it, running over each other at the Lords table. and using spiritual gifts to get their way and look spiritual.
The whole two books of 1 and 2 Corinthians are corrective books.
Chapters one and two deal with factions in the church, and how that needs to be avoided.

Other chapters deal with sin, order, and how to behave properly in the house of God.
As we’ve learned over the last few weeks, we need to really understand that to have a heart for God is to truly have a heart for others.
In this particular passage, Paul is dealing with motive.
Why do we really do what we do?
If our Christian to service to others isn’t out of love, we are doing in wrong! Let’s look at our text and see exactly what He is trying to say.
APPLICATION
1. Love is enriching (vs. 1-3)
- Paul names 5 gifts
Tongues- They can be noisy
Prophecy- Can make us look good.
Knowledge- Can puff up.
Faith- We can move mountains.
Giving- We can die a martyrs death
- He states that without love, they are pointless and noisy.
- It’s also good to note that spiritual gives are NOT the measuring stick for Christianity or maturity. Corinth proved this point.
John 13:35 says “By this they will know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another."
In other words, what good does do to speak to God in tongues when you can’t speak to each other in English?
2. Love is edifying (vs. 4-7)
- To edify means to build up.
- It’s the mindset of putting others first.
- They were impatient at communion.
- Love doesn’t boast in iniquity, but they were boasting in their sin.
- Love covers sin, but not in a way to excuse it, but in a way to help them make it right (GRACE).
3. Love is enduring (vs. 8-13)
- Gifts eventually will pass, but love won’t because God is love.
- Love causes maturity.
- Love is eternal.
CONCLUSION
Walking in love NEVER goes out of style

Prayer School-3-In Jesus Name

Tonight it's midweek study time and Pastor Brad continues his study on Prayer. Tonight he talks about the power In Jesus Name.

TEXT
John 14:6 NKJV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:12-14 NKJV
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you [a]ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 16:23-24 NKJV
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everybody!
I’m super excited that you’ve come out tonight excited to learn more about prayer and praying effectively.
We’ve looked so far at the tabernacle model and the Lord’s prayer model. Thus far, we’ve been able to glean some great principles from the Word concerning how to pray effectively and in a balanced way.
Tonight, I want to go a step further and get us into the new covenant and address how Jesus told us we were to pray.
ILLUSTRATION
Everyone knows that there can be great power invested in a name. We all could stop right now and think about several world leaders or celebrities that at just the mention of their name, thoughts could flood our minds.
One of those names would be Bill Gates, the creator of Microsoft.
He’s worth about 90 billion dollars. It’s estimated that he makes about 456 dollars per hour, even when He is sleeping. Say he would life another 25 years, he would have to spend about 7 million dollars a day to die broke.
I’d say that guy is loaded!
If he wrote me a check for a million dollars, but forgot to sign it, it wouldn’t be worth the paper it was written on.
Why?
The name attached brings authority!
BACKGROUND
In John’s gospel, Jesus is clearly being focused on as He is preparing for the Cross.
In these particular days, His disciples have Him right there present with them. Yet, as in Luke, Jesus is preparing them for the time when He will no longer be with them.
So, because of this, He was focused on teaching them how walk in and operate in the authority that He has given His followers.
ILLUSTRATION
Have you ever heard of a power of attorney?
It’s when someone gives you legal access to use their name and have access to their stuff.
That’s exactly what Jesus has given us.
Consider Mark 16:15-16 NKJV
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
APPLICATION
Why Pray In Jesus Name?

We admit our insufficiency.

When I pray in Jesus' name I come boldly before God because of the power of His name. It would be like a bride coming from abject poverty to marry a wealthy husband. At that point the woman takes the name of her husband and all that entails. She no longer acts in her name, but in his.
2. We identify with the Person.
Jesus has literally given us His name. When I use that name, I am confessing that He is mine and that I am His. It is like going to the bank of Heaven, knowing I have nothing deposited. If I go in my name I will get absolutely nothing. But Jesus Christ has unlimited funds in Heaven's bank, and He has granted me the privilege of going to the bank with His name on my checks.
3. We exercise His authority.
We are like the child who picked up a policeman's hat, wandered out onto a busy intersection and began to direct traffic. The people in the cars followed the child's direction because they respected his position of authority. To pray in his name is to ask by His authority; and to ask by His authority is to ask in accordance to His will as revealed in His word.
Acts 3:6 - The lame man
Luke 9:49; 10:17; Acts 16:18; Acts 4:7-12
4. We submit to His will.
Jesus' authority rested with his submission to the Father, so our authority rests with our submission to him. To ask in his name is to ask according to his nature, and his nature is one of submission. This, by the way, is why prayers that ask for things contrary to the Word of God will never be answered.
5. We can pray in faith.
When we pray in Jesus' name, we may expect the answer in accord with the value of His name. So we can pray with great and excited expectation.
CONCLUSION

Heart For The House-3-I Yield

Tonight our Children's Pastor, Pastor Sally brings us the word. She continues the Heart For The House series with a message she calls I Yield.