Woodward First Assembly

Matters Of The Heart-2-The Root Of Bitterness

It's part two of Pastor Brad's series called Matters of The Heart. In this podcast, we will learn about The Root Of Bitterness.

Pastor's notes:

TEXT
Hebrews 12:12-16 NKJV
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or [a]profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everybody!
I hope you enjoyed the teaching this morning. Tonight is going to be a continuation from this morning as we looked at breaking free from offense.
Why do we need to break free from offense? It can turn into infection.
ILLUSTRATION
There have been many people die unnecessarily. Small infections left unchecked can cause horrible damage to your body.
What affected just a small part of the body has now spread and affected other parts of the body, causing death and decay.
TRANSITION
Such is the same with offense. When offense is left unchecked, it spreads to a vicious disease called bitterness. Offense primarily affects one person, but bitterness spreads to many.
A little bit of contaminate in a lake can defile the whole population of fish. So it is with bitterness.
BACKGROUND
In our text, the Hebrews writer tells us that we need to pursue peace. Life is simply too short to live in turmoil. He then tells us to pursue holiness, because without it, we will not see the Lord. He then tells us to watch out for a root of bitterness.
Why watch out for a root? Because a root produces fruit!
APPLICATION
With so much on the line, it is wise to ask ourselves often, "Am I bitter?"
Since bitterness is a sleeper sin, the answer isn't always obvious. Here are four questions to help you spot a bitter root.

Am I constantly replaying the situation?

Do you find yourself constantly replaying the tapes of a conversation with someone?
When you interact with them, do you spend days rehashing every word or body language cue?
Bitterness flourishes in the soil of justification. We feel like we have a right to feel that way.
I’ve found that when I fixate on my interactions with a specific individual, I’m looking for justification for the anger or frustration I’m feeling. That ought to make us self examine.
2. Is my mouth bitter?
Romans 3:14 says, “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
There’s a connection between the junk that comes out of our mouths and the bitterness that tends to take root in our hearts.
Luke 6:45 says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Do you find yourself losing your cool often?
- Are you critical, snappy, rude?
Maybe the sins you’re committing with your mouth are simply an extension of the bitterness that you’ve allowed to grow in your heart.
If you’re trying to deal with the way you speak and gaining no ground, it's possible that you need to dig deeper and yank out the root of the problem.
3. Am I sick all the time?
Psychologist Dr. Carsten Wrosch has studied bitterness for fifteen years.
He says:
When harbored for a long time, bitterness may forecast patterns of biological dysregulation (a physiological impairment that can affect metabolism, immune response or organ function) and physical disease.
Scientists have concluded that bitterness, if left unchecked, interferes with the body's hormonal and immune systems. Bitter people tend to have higher blood pressure and heart rate and are much more likely to die of heart disease and other illnesses.
Of course, the apostle Paul didn't have access to this scientific data when he wrote much of the New Testament, but that didn't keep him from connecting the dots between bitterness and our bodies. In Acts 8:23, Paul  states "For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
Bitterness is literally a poison!
It's a bile, which is a bitter substance that can literally make us sick.
4. Is my crowd bitter?
The “bitter root” in Hebrews 12:15 is first described in Deuteronomy 29:18:
“so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood;”
Like all weeds, bitterness has a way of spreading. This passage describes one possible progression. A man infects his wife. She infects her children. The bitterness spreads, and soon the whole tribe is infected.

Is your marriage marked by bitterness?
Are your children bitter?
Does your group of friends tend to sit around and gripe?
Is the church filled with harsh and angry people?
Is your community of friends prone to placing blame?


CONCLUSION
As I challenged you this morning, this is something that we must let go of!

Matters Of The Heart-1-Freedom From Offense

This morning is the first Sunday of February and the start of a new series, "Matters Of The Heart."  In the world today, everyone seems to be offended about something. So, Pastor Brad teaches us about how to get "Freedom From Offense."

Pastors Notes:

Freedom From Offense
Luke 17:1-6 NKJV

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should [b]offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everyone!
This morning, we are starting a brand new series entitled “Matters Of The Heart”.
In the next few weeks, we are going to cover some hard hitting topics that really do affect us deeply.
Today, I want to talk to you about “Freedom From Offense”
I believe we without a shadow of a doubt live in the most offended generation that has ever been on the planet.
What’s the definition for offense? It is:
Offense: annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles.
Notice in Matthew 24:10 NKJV that along with the signs of the end times, such as famine, pestilence, war, racism, etc,
Jesus said “And many will be offended......”
ILLUSTRATION
Offense surely is a trap, and the devil wants you to be a victim of it.
Take the illustration of the African way to trap a monkey. They simply place a sweetened stick inside of a cage. The monkey reaches through between the narrow bars and grabs the stick. Now he is not able to pull his hand back through the bars while holding the stick. Refusing to let go of the stick, the monkey keeps himself captive and is easily captured.
As we hear this story we want to shout, “Drop the stick you stupid monkey!”
While this sounds unbelievable, many people refusing to drop an offense are keeping themselves in captivity and subject to the enemy’s entrapment just because they won’t, “Drop the stick!!!”
TRANSITION
I’m telling you something today. If you are offended about something, you need to DROP THE STICK!
If you don’t, you will find yourself incarcerated in a prison of offense.
BACKGROUND
In our passage, Jesus is talking to the disciples and trying to prepare them for what is about to come. There would be a time when Jesus would leave them, and they would be “on their own.”
It was a very critical moment in their spiritual growth.It’s in this chapter that Jesus gave them some essentials of the Christian life. Look with me at what Jesus taught his disciples about offense.
APPLICATION
1. Offenses will come
- Mark it down. Take it to the bank. Somebody will offend you.
- It will come from strangers. It will come from co workers. It will come from family and friends. NOTE: Offense hurts worse from those you are closest to.
- Where do offenses come from? *What people say
*What people do *What people don’t say *What people don’t do
- What’s interesting to note is that while offenses WILL come, you don’t have to take them.
- Bottom line? Being offended is a choice.
2. Offenders are warned
- Jesus tells us that we are to choose actions wisely, because we will be held accountable if we cause people to stumble.
- Jesus addresses offending children.
- I’m not necessarily certain He is only addressing age. I do believe it’s possible here He is also addressing maturity.
- As the pharisee’s history, they were good at making rules and turning people away from the faith. Jesus said it would be better for you to drown a horrible death than to offend the young in faith with religious protocol that is absent from the grace of God.
3. Offenses must be released
- Jesus commands us to release the offender.
- You are required by God to release those who has offended you, because God has forgiven you.
- You are to do it many times. Why? How many times have you offended God?
CONCLUSION
Why do you need to get rid of offense?
It’s simply not good for you! I want you to notice with me when the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, look at his response?
Jesus tells them about the mulberry tree. The more correct translation is the sycamine tree, which the KJV and other manuscripts use.
Why is this important?
A sycamine tree is exclusive to Israel. So, why did Jesus use the sycamine tree as an illustration?
1. The sycamine tree had a very large and deep root structure.
The sycamine tree was known to have one of the deepest root structures of all trees in the Middle East. It was a vigorous and robust tree that grew to a height of thirty feet or more. Because its roots went down so deep into the earth, it was very difficult to kill. Hot weather and blistering temperatures had little effect on this tree because it was tapped into a water source down deep under the earth. Even cutting it to its base would not guarantee its death because its roots, hidden deep under the ground, would draw from underground sources of water, enabling it to keep resurfacing again and again. In other words, this tree was very difficult to eradicate.
2. The sycamine tree’s wood was the preferred wood for building caskets.
In Egypt and the Middle East, the sycamine tree was considered to be the preferred wood for building caskets and coffins. It grew quickly and in nearly any environment, making it accessible in many different places. It also grew best in dry conditions — the kind of conditions for which the Middle East is famous. These are two reasons sycamine wood was used in so many places for building caskets and coffins.
3. The sycamine tree produced a fig that was very bitter to eat.
The sycamine tree and the mulberry tree were very similar in appearance; the two trees even produced a fruit that looked identical. However, the fruit of the sycamine tree was extremely bitter. Its fruit looked just as luscious and delicious as a mulberry fig. But when a person tasted the sycamine fig, he discovered that it was horribly bitter.
4. The sycamine tree was pollinated only by wasp stings.
It is very interesting to note that the sycamine tree was not naturally pollinated. The pollination process was only initiated when a wasp stuck its stinger right into the heart of the fruit. Thus, the tree and its fruit had to be “stung” in order to be reproduced.
Think of how many times you have heard a bitter person say: “I’ve been stung by that person once, but I’m not going to be stung again! What he did hurt me so badly that I’ll never let him get close enough to sting me again!” It is likely that people who make such a statement have been “stung” by a situation that the devil especially devised to pollinate their hearts and souls with bitterness and unforgiveness. When a person talks like this, you can know for sure that the wasp of bitterness got to them!

Mikey Cheshier- Wading Into Eternity

Tonight, special guest Mikey Cheshier returns. Mikey tells about a missions trip that he took when he was a kid and the lessons learned about selling ourselves short of our dreams. 

Mikey Cheshier Testimony

This morning we are pleased to have Mikey Cheshier in the house. Pastor Mikey is a missionary to Kenya Africa and is also a close friend to Pastor Brad.

Revelation-18-Bayblon Has Fallen

Tonight we continue the study of Revelation.

Revelation 17 and 18
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everyone!

We are so delighted that you joined us once again for this midweek service here at First Assembly. I pray that you are growing stronger in your understanding of the Word of God.
We are winding down now at the end of our study of Revelation, and soon we will see the total triumph of Christ over all of creation.
Tonight, however, we are going to continue looking into the end of the tribulation period and gain some understanding of the figures represented here.
TRANSITION
Look with me here at the following chapters as we identify key information.
APPLICATION
1. The Great Harlot (17 vs. 1-6)
- In our text, we see a woman who is identified as the Great Harlot, or as the old KJV says in much stronger language, the Great Whore.
NOTE: Usually a woman in symbolism denotes a religion or religious system (ie. The woman and Israel, the Bride of Christ, and this woman.
- We also know that whoredom or harlotry in the symbolic sense does not mean sexual. It means idolatry, or departing from the ways of God. Jeremiah and the other prophets tell us this. It’s in a sense “cheating on God” and breaking covenant with Him.

-This is unification of all false, idolatrous religion, with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, as well as a smorgasbord of other religions of the world.
- “The woman pictures false religion that will dominate the world in the tribulation period.” (Hocking) Many people like to identify this great harlot with the Roman Catholic Church, but false religion is not limited to any one church.
- “That Rome and the Romish system are involved, may readily be admitted; but that this is all, and that the sudden fall of Great Babylon is simply the fall of Romanism, or the utter destruction of the city of Rome, must be emphatically denied.” (Seiss)
- The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk: Religious Babylon intoxicates kings and peoples. Karl Marx was partly right when he said, “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” He was partly right because empty religion is the opium of the masses.
- Made drunk with the wine of her fornication: The idea of fornication often has strong associations throughout the Bible with idolatry. Since this is a well-accepted religious system, it is likely to appear as attractive and spiritual, though not necessarily moral.
- On her forehead a name was written: The name on her forehead identifies her in more ways than one. Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it.
- The woman was arrayed: The woman is clothed with emblems of luxury (purple... gold and precious stones) and government (scarlet). Yet she offers idolatry (abominations) and impurity (filthiness of her fornication) in this sumptuous setting.
- Purple and scarlet were colors of splendor and magnificence; the dyes to make fabric these colors were rare and costly.
- Her association with blasphemy and the dragon’s beast are clearly seen from God’s perspective. But to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, and have the “faith” everybody wants.
2. The Scarlet Beast (17 vs. 7-18)
- The harlot rides the same beast (seven heads and ten horns) that was previously seen in Revelation 13:1.
- It speaks of the Antichrist and his dictatorship.
- “Her position, that of riding the beast, indicates on the one hand that she is supported by the political power of the beast, and on the other that she is in a dominant role and at least outwardly controls and directs the beast.” (Walvoord)
- “We find in the course of church history that one of the deadliest marks of ecclesiastical corruption is the lust for temporal power.” (Barnhouse) Purple and scarlet were the colors of rulers, whether economic or political.
3. Mystery Babylon (18)
- MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT: This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots).
- Seven mountains associated with the beast.Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
- The seven heads are seven mountains: Many quickly associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills. Yet literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills.
- In the Bible, mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.
- The seven heads are seven mountains: It is probably better to see the seven mountains as representing the seven kings and kingdoms described in Revelation 17:10
- Many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible, yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than Roman Catholicism.
- Tendencies for Roman Catholicism’s ultimate partnership with a one- world religion were evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions.
NOTE: In addressing a “prayer gathering” of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”
- The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and lead toward the light in which we all believe.”
- Seven kings and kingdoms.There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
- Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come: This is one of the more difficult passages in the Book of Revelation. Some explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John’s era, but there are many historical difficulties with this approach. More likely, it is a reference to:
- Five have fallen refers to the five world empires before John’s day: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece
- One is refers to the world empire of John’s day: Rome
- The other has not yet come refers to the one world empire to come: a revival of the Roman Empire
- When he comes, he must continue a short time: This seventh will quickly be taken over by an eighth – and will become the state of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:11
- There are problems with this viewpoint as well (so some have taken the seven as symbolic). This plainly is a difficult passage!
- The beast (the Antichrist) is clearly identified as the eighth king.And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
- Is himself also the eighth: He is of the seven in the sense that he shares characteristics with all previous world empires, but his fate is clear. Perdition means “destruction,” and the beast will be destroyed.
- (12-15) Ten kings to come, allies of the Antichrist.
“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”
- Ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet: This probably alludes to a ten-nation confederation (as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image), but some take ten as a symbolic number.
CONCLUSION
What we know for a fact is that this system and their influence upon humanity is suddenly coming to and end.

Anchored-6-The Anchor Of Daily Study

Why is it important  to have a daily bible study? Pastor Brad answers this question as he finishes his series on being Anchored.

Pastors Notes:

 TEXT
2 Timothy 3:10-17 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, perseverance,11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everybody!
I’m so glad you are joining us as we are finishing this series this morning. I’ve enjoyed sharing with you some of the anchors of my faith that have helped me stabilize my walk with God.
Tonight, I want to share with you about the anchor of daily Bible study.


ILLUSTRATION
I heard a story about a father who was about to pass away. This particular man was a successful business owner who had given his life to Christ toward the end of his life.

He had tried his best to convert his only son, but the son was convinced that the world had everything to offer him.
The old man died, and the lawyer called for the reading of the will.The son expected that his dad would leave him some massive fortune. Instead, he was willed a note and a dusty old bible.
Inside, the note said “Son, you know I have given my life to Christ. This bible has changed my life. Inside it you will find provision for everything you need. Read it often. With Love, Dad. “
In an age of rage, the son threw the bible in the corner and forgot about it for years.
One day about 10 years later, the son was going through extreme hardship in life. He was going bankrupt, and his wife had left him. I guess you could say his life was “falling apart”.
At that moment, he came across the old dusty bible and decided to give it a try. When the man opened it, inside the found a note from his father with a key taped inside. It was a key to a safe deposit box.
The note said “ Son, I told you that everything you will ever need is found in this Bible. Stay close to God and remember that He loves you.”
The box contained many notes and cd’s his father had saved totaling over 1 million dollars.
What’s the moral of the story?
How much treasure in the word of God are we missing if we never open it?

TRANSITION
The enemy of your soul, Satan, wants you to be ignorant of God’s word. Why?
In it contains keys that unlock certain things in your life. It is in the scripture where we understand:
- Righteousness
- Faith
- Salvation
- Eternity
- The Holy Spirit
- Who we are in Christ
- God’s blessings
If the devil can keep us ignorant, he can keep us defeated.
Hosea 4:6 NKJV “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..........”
I believe if a person will view God’s word the same say they do food and meals through the day, it will root them more firmly in the things that they believe.

Luke 4:4 NKJV
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [a]but by every word of God.’ ”
BACKGROUND
In our text, Paul is dealing with Timothy, his spiritual son. Timothy is a young man, but he is also the pastor of a large, thriving church. In the day in which he is living, he is dealing with moral decay in the culture. People are departing from the faith in a rapid pace.

Paul is both encouraging him, bragging on him, and challenging him to stay with the Word!
My my! What a challenge for us today!
People say they have no time, but how much time do we spend on other things?
Let’s look at the text and see what has to say about the Scriptures.

APPLICATION
1.They are holy. (vs. 15a)
- Sacred
- Should be treated with respect
2. They lead us to salvation. (vs. 15b)
- How?
- It is a mirror. It reveals our condition.
- It also points us to Christ.
- It reveals the plan.
3. They are dependable. (vs. 16 a)
-  God breathed.
-  Historically accurate.
-  Has stood the test of time.
-  Scientifically accurate. -
4. They are profitable. (vs. 16 b)
- For doctrine.
- For rebuke.
- For reproof.
- For instruction.
5. They equip us. (vs. 17)
- Perfect means complete.
- It gives us the tools needed to fight the fight of faith.

Anchored-5-The Anchor Of Trust

This morning Pastor Brad continues his series on being Anchored. As he does we will learn why it is important to be Anchored In Trust.

Pastors 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 glad that you’re here today. Truly this is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice in it! I’m very glad that you are here.
I’ve been enjoying our series this month, and I trust that you have as well.
Today, I want to talk to you about an anchor that I am learning to utilize more and more. I wish I could tell you I was a professional at this.
In fact, if I am being honest, I really have to work on this extra. I’m the type of person that I want to know all the details......the in’s and out’s.....the nuts and bolts, BEFORE it happens.
While sometimes that is possible, sometimes it’s not.
That’s why today, I’d like to talk to you about the anchor of trust.
ILLUSTRATION
For several years a woman had been having trouble getting to sleep at night because she feared burglars. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he did find a burglar. "Good evening," said the man of the house. "I am pleased to see you. Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you.”
Many of us act as this woman did. We spend so much time being anxious that we seem almost eager for bad things to happen. But when we worry, our faith is diminished. Solomon must have been speaking of the uselessness of worry when he wrote, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:1-2).
People tend to worry! When something occurs in our lives that we cannot control, we worry.
When something appears on the horizon of our lives that looks bad, even though it may or may not happen, we worry.
We worry about big things, and we worry about little things. The point is, we worry!

TRANSITION
Worry and fear are siblings, and they are the opposite of faith and trust.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, while worry is the expectation of things fears.
NOTE: Worrying about things that might not happen is borrowing trouble on credit.
- It destroys your health.- It robs your sleep.- It wanes your productivity.- It holds you hostage.
There’s a much better way to live.
When we learn to trust God even when we don’t “understand”, we can rest in knowing His character never fails.

BACKGROUND
In our text, Jesus Himself is teaching His disciples what it really means to trust Him with our well being. He is using real life illustrations to show us just how much God cares about us.

APPLICATION
1. THE COMMAND (VS. 25)
- Do not worry!
-Notice that it’s not a suggestion. It is a command.
- Whatever doesn’t come from faith is sin. Romans 14:23
- We are constantly told to “Fear not”.
2. THE COMPARISON (VS. 26-30)
- Consider the birds* They neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns. * They just live as they were created.
- Consider your stature
* Worrying can't add to or take away
- Consider the lillies
* They neither toil nor spin * They are clothed.
- Consider the Creator
* His Character
* His Provision
* His Consistency
3. THE CHALLENGE (VS. 31-34)
- Don’t do it!
- Gentiles (unsaved people at the time) worry about these things.
- Put God first
* In your week
* In your plans
* In your finances
- When we put God first, He adds to us “all these things”.

CONCLUSION
Don’t worry. Be happy. Trust God!

Revelation-17-Voices Of Victory

Tonight we continue with our mid week study of the book of Revelation.

Pastors Notes:

Revelation 14-16 NKJV
We will cover multiple chapters this week.

INTRODUCTION

Good evening, everybody!

We are so glad that you’re here today. Last week, we looked at the vision of Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet, which is satan’s unholy trinity.

We are now getting ready to enter into a very difficult and

Today, we are going to look at the fact that prior to the bowls of wrath, there are some voices that seem to be screaming at us loudly.

Over the next few moments, we are going to look at these voices and see what they are speaking to us

APPLICATION
1. The Voice of the 144,000 (14:1-5)

- They were singing

- It is likely that through what they experienced, they have a new song to sing now

- They were standing pure and undefiled -

1

-


2. The Voices of the Angels (14:6-20)

- Judgement is come

* There is a proclamation to worship God and to see the judgement that has come.

- Babylon is fallen

* Babylon is the system the beast uses. The Harlot is the religiously system he uses.

- Escape God’s wrath - The harvest is ripe

3. The Voice of The Victors (15:1-4)

   - These are the ones who had overcome. - They came out of tribulation.
   - They sang praise to God.

4. The Voice of Fulfillment “The Seven Bowls” (15:5 - 16:21)

   - Sores
   - Sea to blood
   - Rivers to blood
   - Men are scorched - Darkness and pain

2

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

` - Euphrates dries up - The Earth is shaken 





CONCLUSION

Anchored-4-Covenant Relationships

Tonight Pastor Brad continues his series he calls Anchored

Pastors Notes:

TEXT

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 NKJV

 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are [a]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

INTRODUCTION

Good evening, everyone!

I hope you’ve been enjoying this series as much as I have. This morning, we looking at yet another an Anchor, which was community, and the value of belonging to a local church.

Tonight, this teaching will go hand in hand with what I taught you this morning. I want to talk to you about the value of covenant relationships.

ILLUSTRATION

It’s no secret that we live in a society of disposable relationships.

-   Marriages have a divorce rate of 52 percent.

• Social media has developed “plastic relationship syndrome”, meaning that we can have 1,000’s of friends on Facebook, and 10,000 followers on Instragram, and still have no real friends.
• In the real world, if you are mad at someone, you still might run into them in Wal Mart. In the cyber world, you can just point, click, and block, never to be seen again.

TRANSITION

I believe that dynamic in our society has damaged true, valuable relationships.

We need people, and we certainly need friendships and relationships on different levels.

There were people in high school that we were BFF, but now, we don’t even know each other.

• Some people come into your life for a season. Other’s come for a reason. Discern the difference.

There were girls I had a crush on in grade school, and I felt so rejected and crushed when they turned me down. My poor little heart felt like it just couldn’t go on. Now, I don’t even remember their name or what they looked like!

Time marches on!

So yes, some relationships are not permanent. Yet, as a Christian, I believe there are three very important “types” of relationships that we need to have to anchor our walk with God.

I will have to look at many passages concerning the life of the Apostle Paul to tie this together, but now, go with me to our passage.

BACKGROUND

In our text, Paul is coming to Corinth to deal with some issues that are going on in the church. As you read both letters to this church, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that there are some major issues concerning ethics, sexuality, and spiritual gifts.

Paul is coming to these people with very strong words of correction.

Paul is coming as the person who started this church. He’s coming as an Apostle. He says here that you have ten thousand instructors, but not many fathers. The word instructor means “child leader”, or babysitter in the Greek language.

I’d submit to you that a babysitter does not have the same interest in the child  than the father. Often times the babysitter will give a child sugar to make them stop screaming, set them in front of a TV to occupy them, or things of similar nature. A father, however, is concerned about the growth and well being of the child.

Which brings me to my first point:

APPLICATION

1. Everyone Needs A Paul

- If we are honest, most people want relationships in their life that will condone them rather than correct them.

- You need a mentor. Someone farther down the road than you who can correct you and direct you when needed.

- I have learned to value and treasure those relationships in my life and to guard them dearly.

2. Everyone Needs A Timothy

- Notice that Paul calls Timothy his son, who he has begotten in the gospel.

- This means that Paul was responsible for Timothy coming into the Kingdom and his ministry.

- We all need someone we can pour into.

- Can you point to someone in your life who you are currently mentoring?

- Our older generation needs to do this. When you see kids at the altar, when you see them struggling, come help them. Talk to them. Invite them to lunch. Help them avoid the same land mines you discovered when you were their age.

3. Everyone Needs A Silas

- Acts 16 records part of their relationship.

- They preached together, cast out devils together, were beat together, imprisoned together, and were even willing to die together.

- Everyone needs a friend like that. Someone to walk side by side with them through life.


CONCLUSION

Anchored-3-The Anchor Of Community

This morning we continue with the Anchored series. Pastor Brad teaches us about the importance of being anchored by community.