• shachah (hebrew) - to bow down.

• proskuneo (greek) - to kiss, to show reverence, to bow down

Worship is an issue of priority, affection, reverence, elevation, honor, submission.

• GENERAL WORSHIP - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

• INTENTIONAL WORSHIP:  2 Samuel 6:12–15 (ESV) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

Intentional worship is the combination of words and actions intended to bring praise, honor and glory to God.

• Singing - Psalm 9:2 (ESV) I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

• Shouting - Psalm 47:1 (ESV) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

• Lifting Hands - Psalm 63:4 (ESV) So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

• Bowing/Kneeling - Psalm 95:6 (ESV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

• Clapping - Psalm 47:1 (ESV) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

• Praising - Psalm 9:11 (ESV) Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

• Dancing - Psalm 149:3 (ESV) Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

• Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

• Music - Psalm 150:3–5 (ESV) Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!  Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!  Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Intentional worship is catalytic in nature. 
As we participate, powerful outcomes are unlocked.

Intentional: Declaration

• Declaration: a formal announcement, binding when made by an authoritative representative.

• God declared: Genesis 22:16–18 (ESV) and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,  I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,  and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

• Psalm 51:15 (ESV) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

• Psalm 92:1–3 (ESV) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,  to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.

• Your declaration informs:

• God

• Yourself

• Those listening

• Your circumstances

• The spiritual realm around you.

• Your declaration is binding

Intentional: Magnification

• God is already big, but He shrinks in our eyes. Intentional worship brings our focus on God causing everything else to be reduced in His Presence.

• Psalm 34:3 (ESV) Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

• Psalm 69:30 (ESV) I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

• Luke 1:46–47 (ESV) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Intentional: Invitation

• Intentional worship is the acceptance of God’s invitation to come close and enjoy the benefits of His Presence. 

• James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. 

• Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

• 1 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

• Acts 16:25–34 (ESV) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,  and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.  When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open…, he was baptized at once, he and all his family.  Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Just Because We Call It Worship Doesn’t Mean It Is

• Just because we gather,

• Just because a song is played,

• Just because people sing,

• Just because we sit, stand, bow our heads,

• Just because we raise our hands,

Without INTENTION, it is not worship.  In fact, being around the components of focused worship without actually participating in focused worship can actually immunize you from experiencing. 

THE TRUTH ABOUT: WORSHIP

SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:5–8 (ESV) And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”

Worship was not something I recognized growing up.

• Sadly, attended church for 6+ years, never observing worship

• Illus: Gilligan and tiki god seemed like worship

THE TRUTH ABOUT WORSHIP

1. Worship Establishes FIRST; FIRST Demands Worship

• HB shachah - to bow down; GK proskuneō - to kiss (embrace), to show reverence, to bow down.

• Worship is an issue of priority, affection, reverence, elevation, honor, submission.

2.Everyone Worships; Everyone Has A FIRST

• Adam/Eve, GOD as FIRST was by design - Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

• Adam/Eve chose another FIRST, impacting design

Genesis 3:6 (ESV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:24 (ESV) He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Psalm 51:5 (ESV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

• Everyone is worshiping

• Ignorant worshippers

• Intentional worshippers

• People

• Objects

• Positions

• Ideas, Truths, Concepts

• Ideologies

FIRST is impacted by influences followed by decisions.

• So important to influence others

• Because of Design, when GOD is FIRST, life is in sync

3.FIRST Impacts Experiences & Outcomes

• First Impacts This Life - Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• First Impacts Eternal Life -

  • Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

• 2 Corinthians 5:9–10 (ESV) So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

4.Everything We Do Can Be Worship

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

SLIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT: COVERING

SCRIPTURE: Job 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Coverings Protect, Amenitize and Expose

• Sun glasses; polarization; harmful plastic

• Clothing; fashion; poor construction

• Home; air conditioning; breach in roof

• Military; confidence; bought by an interest

Matthew 23:37–39 (ESV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you desolate. 

• Psalm 17:8–9 (ESV) …hide me in the shadow of your wings,  from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.

• Psalm 27:5 (ESV) For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

• Psalm 61:4 (ESV) Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

• Proverbs 18:10 (ESV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

• Psalm 32:7 (ESV) You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.

4 Critical Coverings

Impacting Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Financial, Social 

Family 

• Job 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

“Church” or religion

• Church is your most influential social group that worships something

• Christian Churches

• People treat churches like they are stores they shop from, when in reality they are covenantal families that bring covering, amenities and breaches

• Philadelphia: Revelation 3:8–10 (ESV) “ ‘I know your works… I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

• Ephesus: Revelation 2:4,5 (ESV) …you have abandoned the love you had at first…. Repent… If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place…

State/Nation 

• Psalm 33:12 (ESV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

• Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Kingdom

• The World/Kingdom of Heaven

• John 10:9–11 (ESV) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Review Your Current Coverings & Adjust

• Are you fully engaged in coverings?

• Are you strengthening your coverings?

• Get involved in your school district, local city council. 

• Do you have an unintended or unhealthy coverings

• Certain negative atmospheres that I can’t impact, I limit.

• Some coverings you trade

You Are A Covering: Recognize And Adjust As Needed

• Job 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

• Protect, amenities and expose

• You build your coverings strength with spiritual disciplines and obedience

• You weaken/create breaches by your ignorance, lack of discipline and sin

• Be blessed so they can be blessed

SCRIPTURE:  Daniel 3:4–7 (ESV) And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,  that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.”  Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Compromise: 

• Good: to settle a dispute by mutual concession

• Bad: to accept standards that are lower than desirable

• Very Bad: to embrace standards below God’s expressed will

COMPROMISE IS MORE THAN A SIN. SIN IS AN ACTION, WHILE COMPROMISE IS A COURSE OF ACTION.

Daniel 3,4 - Babylon lead by Nebuchadnezzar 

• Spiritually dark time. 

• Like America, the King's world was influenced by corrupt politicians, business leaders, social elites, judges, dark priests, and people from academia with a few godly people in the mix.

• In Babylon were people of Israel, human trafficked into Babylon by the government. Some of their finest were elevated to political prominence 

• Daniel 2:49 (ESV) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.

• God will promote you and use you to influence your world in spite of the evil around you!

• Their presence made influential people jealous, but more likely, agitated the demons that influenced the people of influence.

• Neb set up an image ninety feet tall

• Daniel 3:4 Gathered the nation so when the music kicked on, everyone was to bow down and worship the image.

• People participated on various levels:

• As a group, everyone participated wholeheartedly.

• Internally, people participated for various reasons

• All in on idolatry

• Afraid of losing job

• Desire for promotion

• Meet the expectations of their sub-group

• Crowd pressure

• Virtue signaling - good people do this

• Afraid of the furnace

• There were hold-outs, and hold-outs were dealt with.

• Daniel 3:8 (ESV) Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.

• Daniel 3:12 (ESV) There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

• Brought before Neb

• Daniel 3:13 (ESV) Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.

• Daniel 3:15 (ESV) Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

The Furnace: A Place Of Decision

• A demand for compromise leading to safety from destruction

• And invitation for obedience the leads to promotion

Common Furnaces Of Compromise:

• Individuals, groups, organizations and communities.

• Instead of influencing them, they influence you

• Require ongoing compromise

• They strip you bare. 

• You may survive but you will not thrive.

• Activities contrary to scripture

• Addictions

• Anger 

• Unforgiveness

• Cultural attitudes, values and practices

• Things our culture embraces that occasionally demand our participation and celebration.

• I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone committing suicide

• I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone having an abortion

• I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate two men getting married.

• I would not attend 

• Circumstances 

• Miserable marriage

• Poverty finances

• Poor health

• Family Torment

• Generational sin

Compromise Will

• Provide escape from the furnace, offer quick rewards that will not last

  Invite and permit unforeseen trappings to reside in your life

• damage your relationship with God, micro at first, macro when it is in full bloom

• Corrupt, over time, things He’s already done/given you

• Limit future experiences/promotions 

• Camouflage the touch of God on your life

• His touch, his presence makes you different than others

• It makes you attractive to others

• It makes people want what you have

• Compromise causes you to blend in 

Things That Will Not Break The Stronghold Of Compromise:

• Wishing for something different

• Praying for things to be different

• Admission of Mistakes

• Sorrow For Sin

• Asking For Forgiveness

Facing Compromise: DECLARE // RENOUNCE

Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV) But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

THE TRUTH ABOUT: TRIALS

• John 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.

• John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. 

• John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.

The Facts About Trials

TRIAL - a person, situation or thing that tests, reveals, proves another

TRIALS were not intended for our origin story.

• We were made in the image of God, in His likeness, with his logo and nothing was needed to test, reveal or prove because we were established perfectly.

• Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

• Very - meod - muchness, force, abundance

• Good - tob - pleasing, agreeable, good

• With God’s authority, we tested all things, but needed not be tested ourselves. In fact, nothing could test us.

• Genesis 1:26 (ESV) And let them have dominion… over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

TRIALS began when sin cursed our world.

• Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground (world) because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

• In this world…

• John 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.

• John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. 

• John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.

TRIALS will permeate our lives until the end.

• James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

• James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…

• 1 Peter 1:6 (ESV) …you have been grieved by various trials,

• 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

• 1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The Lies About Trials

• LIE: God is the source of trials (temptations)

• “This is happening, it must be meant to be” - NO

• James 1:13–15 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

• God doesn't start tem

• God doesn’t prolong them

• God rarely shortens them. 

• God typically doesn’t doesn’t end them

• LIE: Trials are a byproduct of God’s displeasure

• Luke 13:1–4 (ESV) There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

• Jesus was speaking against the idea that bad things happen to bad people. Bad things just happen.

• An absence of trials is not proof of His pleasure.

• An abundance of trials are not a sign of his displeasure nor a lack of faith.

• LIE: Trials are predetermined and must be endured until they end. 

• This lie assumes that there is no way to avoid trials and once they begin, there's nothing we can do but ride them out. 

• Trials are not predetermined.

• We can actually create them. We can lengthen them. We can shorten them. 

• Galatians 6:7–9 (ESV) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

• We can do much more than endure! We can grow!

• James 1:3–4 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• We can do much more than endure! We can overcome

• 1 John 5:4–5 (ESV) For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• LIE: Your trials define you.

• This is to submit to your trial and to be limited by your trial and become its victim

• Genesis 50:20 (MSG) Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.

The TRUTH About TRIALS

Discerning A Trial’s Source Allows You To Navigate A Straight Path Through

• Trials can be caused by you, others, the devil, and life circumstances in general. Knowing the source determines your posture and methodology to navigate through. 

• Job 2:7 (ESV) So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

• Matthew 26:14–16 (ESV) Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests  and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.  And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

• Jeremiah 2:14–17 (ESV) “Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey?  The lions have roared against him; they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant.  Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.  Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the LORD your God, when he led you in the way?

Your Attitude During Trials Will Impact Their Length, Next Steps & Destination.

• Numbers 11:1–3 (ESV) And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.  Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.  So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

Trials Have A Secondary Purpose - Your Maturity

• The primary purpose of the trial is to derail you.

• The secondary purpose (God’s allowance) is to prepare you for His best.

• James 1:3–4 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Our Greatest Trials Are Launching Points Into His Best

• God is a god of justice, so he makes up for the trouble we experience:

• Romans 12:19–20 (ESV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

• He will add 1/5

• Leviticus 5:16 (ESV) He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.

• He launches you into destiny

• Genesis 41:39–40 (ESV) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.  You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”

James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

“Look at the flowers

In all of their beauty

I don’t have to wonder

You know what you’re doing

So why would I worry at all

You’re faithful to supply”

“Look at the sparrow

Lacking for nothing

No fear of tomorrow

And what it will bring

If I have you I have enough

Cause your love will satisfy”

To those who struggle with exhaustion: Does God even hear me? I’ve tried, but nothing happened. Is it ever going to happen? It’s been so long since God promised. Nothing is changing. I give up. I can’t do this anymore.”

1. “You Know What You’re Doing”

1. Job synopsis - he lost his 10 children, his possessions, his health (sores), his wife

2. Job 42:1-6 “The Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I–and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.’”

3. The Lord then blessed him x2, second half of his life

4. Job 23:2, 10-12 “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. 10 But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.”

“Everything I need everything I need

My father has it my Father has it

Every single time the Lord will provide

My father has it my Father has it”

To those who struggle with self-doubt: Am I enough? Am I doing this well? I don’t feel equipped for this. I don’t know what to do. This is too much to handle. I can’t do this.

1. “My Father Has It”

1. Moses & Israelites synopsis - they were about to cross the sea, saw 600 egyptians chariots chasing them, and Israelites thought that they were going to die

2. (Slide 1) Exodus 14:13-14 “Moses answered the people. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today.

3. (Slide 2) Exodus 14:15, 19-20 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people of Israel to move on. Hold out your walking stick. Reach out your hand over the Red Sea to divide the water. Then the people can go through the sea on dry ground.’ 19 The angel of God had been traveling in front of Israel’s army. Now he moved back and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved away from in front of them. Now it stood behind them. It came between the armies of Egypt and Israel. All through the night the cloud brought darkness to one side and light to the other. Neither army went near the other all night long.”

4. Israelites made it safely to the other side

“Seek first the Kingdom and its treasures

Everything else it will be added

All that I’m needing

I know the Lord will provide

I know my God’s not empty handed

He gives us blessings upon blessings

I’m still believing

I know the Lord will provide”

To those who struggle with settling: Life doesn’t look the way I thought it would. This is how it’s going to be I guess. There’s no changing them. It’s always been like that. I’ve always had to deal with this. This is a part of who I am. It’s a part of life. I just don’t see how it could get any better.

1. “My God’s Not Empty Handed”

1. Solomon synopsis: Solomon was the wisest and richest person to ever have lived, God was honored by the way he led and lived, and God promised to fulfill his promise of living amongst the Israelites if Solomon obeyed. But Solomon followed in the footsteps of his father, settling for less. 

2. 1 Kings 11:1-4, 9-13 ”Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.”“

3. Solomon settled for less. 

4. Settle for immediate gratification, minimal effort, believing that things can’t change, you don’t want to face the fact that you have things you need to work on, you don’t believe you deserve better.

5. He has blessings in his hands ready to give you, so do not settle for anything less than what’s in his hands.

Last Encouragement: Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.” AND Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over. I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

The Lord will provide. He already has or He will. Seek first the kingdom and its treasures and everything will be added.

Mark 9:43–48 (ESV) And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,  ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

The Facts About HELL

• The Bible refers to the idea of hell some 54 times.

• OT references use the word Sheol & Hades

• 11 out of 12 times Jesus used the phrase Gehenna

• NT "Gehenna

• OT "Hinnom," a valley south of Jerusalem

• The History Of The Valley Of Hinnom:

• Reign of King Ahaz - (2 Chronicles 28, 33) the valley was used by Baal worshipers to offer their children in their furnaces to their god Molech.

• Ministry of Jeremiah - (Jeremiah 7, 19) referred to the valley as "The Valley of Slaughter."

• Reign of King Josiah - (2 Kings 23:10) proclaimed "defiled" and no one was allowed to use it for any purpose.

• Ministry of Jesus - valley evolved into a garbage dump.  Trash was burned around the clock, as well as the bodies of dead animals, criminal corpses. It was a well known hangout for lepers and the sick.  There was continual smoke, stench, maggots and flies.  At night, dogs could be heard fighting over the trash.

The Lies About HELL/AFTERLIFE

• Hell Does Not Exist

• The Dead Cease To Exist - the atheistic belief that man, upon death, forever ceases to be and quietly rots into nothingness. 

• Annihilationism - the belief that all the ungodly will be annihilated by God.

• Restorationism - The belief that all men will be given a second chance to make the choice for God that they did not make during this life.

• Purgatory - the belief that all those who die at peace with the church but are not perfect must undergo penal and purifying sufferings in order to go to heaven.

• Reincarnation - the belief that individuals return to life again in a form determined by the quality of life previously lived. 

• Universal Heaven – the belief that everyone who believed in something arrives at heaven with everyone else who believed in something.

The TRUTH About HELL

• Hell Is Happening Right Now

• Luke 16:19–20, 22-23 (ESV) “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.  And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side

• Hell Includes Memories Of This Life 

• Luke 16:27–28 (ESV) And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—  for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

• Hell Will Take Anyone – it will try to claim good and bad, religious and non-religious, black and white, rich or poor, sick or healthy… it will even take you

• Matthew 7:22–23 (ESV) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

• Hell Is A Place Of Torment 

• Matthew 25:30 (ESV) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

• Hell Has No Holidays  - no breaks, timeouts, holidays, day off’s, no future starting point to wait for or stopping point to bring comfort.  

• Mark 9:48–49 (ESV) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’  For everyone will be salted with fire.

• Hell Is A Fixed Destination

• Luke 16:26 (ESV) And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

• Hell Is Eternal Separation From God

• 2 Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV) They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

• You Deserve Hell

• Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV) The soul who sins shall die.

• Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

• Christ Paid Our Price To Escape Hell

• Isaiah 53:5–6 (ESV) But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

• Acts 2:38–39 (ESV) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

• You Can Impact The Future Destination Of Others

• Mark 16:15–16 (ESV) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

• Jude 21-23 "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6–7 (ESV) The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted (a lifting up of your face)? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

• FACTS: the accurate personal assessment informing practical next steps leading to natural outcomes.

• LIES: the deceived assessment demanding destructive next steps leading to “less-than” outcomes.

• THE TRUTH: the revelation of God’s assessment inviting  faith-filled obedient participation in next steps leading to  supernatural “more-than” outcomes.

Do not be limited by facts. Don’t be deceived by lies. Hear from Heaven and act.

The Facts About SIN

Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV) The soul who sins shall die. 

Hebrew:

• Chata: to miss the mark of God’s Word

• Avon:  to intentionally disobey God’s Word

• Pesha: to rebel against God’s authority 

Greek

• Hamartia: to miss the mark of God’s Word

• Paraptoma: to intentionally disobey God’s Word

• Anomia: to knowingly disobey God’s Word without remorse

• Opheilema: the consequences and obligations of sin

The Lies About SIN

Non-Believers: 

• I define sin.

• I am God

• Anything I want is right.

• Anything I don’t want is wrong.

• The same act can be right/wrong depending on how it impacts me.

• Sin is relative.

• It is defined by my needs

• You must CELEBRATE my standard.

• Not argue, ignore, tolerate or acknowledge..

• Failure to do so and you will be punished

Believers:

• Believing = Immunity

• Believing trumps all

• Grace covers all

• Good actions outweigh bad

• All I have to do is ask for forgiveness

• Sin Is Irresistible

• God knows we are weak and can’t resist

• It’s God’s fault for allowing temptation

• Sin is Relative

• I know it’s wrong, but…

• Adjusted by the voices of opportunity, culture and science* 

• justified by circumstantial outcomes

• Outcomes validate sin/righteousness

• Some Sin Is Beyond Payment

• I deserve this 

• They don’t deserve that

Sin Is Defined by God Alone

• His Word

• His Spirit - Romans 14:5–7 (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.

• His/Your Family - Jeremiah 35:13–14 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.  The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me.

It pulls all the guesswork out of it.

I no longer have an opinion.

Gods Best Is Within Reach

God want your best - TRUST

His WORDS are for your BEST

Sin offers a substitute with hidden consequences.

Deuteronomy 28:1–15 (ESV)  “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. The Lord will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your livestock and in the fruit of your ground, within the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them, and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. “But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.

Sin Is A Transaction That Jesus Paid In Full

• There’s no such thing as forgiveness, ONLY PAYMENT

• Isaiah 53:5–6 (KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

• Payment was provided but must be appropriated

• Cause and effects

• To self

• To others

• Luke 5:23–25 (ESV)  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3 (ESV)  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

• Hebrews 9:26 (NIV)  But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Following Jesus Leads To Transformation

• John 3:3 (ESV)  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

• Romans 8:1–2 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

• Acts 9:26–28 (ESV) And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

• Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV) Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

• FACTS: the accurate personal assessment informing practical next steps leading to natural outcomes.

• LIES: the deceived assessment demanding destructive next steps leading to “less-than” outcomes.

• THE TRUTH: the revelation of God’s assessment inviting  faith-filled obedient participation in next steps leading to  supernatural “more-than” outcomes.

Do not be limited by facts. 

Don’t be deceived by lies. 

Hear from Heaven and act.

The Facts About Jesus Death

• Assessment: Dead

• Unexpected!

• Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

• Next Steps: Burial

• We see, we act. We rarely take the time to listen.

• Luke 23:50–56 (ESV) Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,  who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.  It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.  The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

• Outcome: Return To Old Life

• “He’s dead. There’s no changing that”

• “I guess it wasn’t meant to be”

• John 21:2–3 (ESV) Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

SLIDE:  The Lies About Jesus Death

• Assessment: He’s Not God, He’s Just A Man

• Matthew 27:39–44 (ESV) And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads  and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,  “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

• Next Steps: Conspiracy

• Matthew 28:11–15 (ESV) While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.  And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers  and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’  And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. 

• Outcome: Unbelief

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

SLIDE The Truth About Jesus Death

• God’s Assessment: He’s Alive

• John 10:17–18 (MSG) This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.  No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

• John 21:4–8 (ESV) Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

• Next Steps: Embrace & Obey

• John 21:7–8 (ESV) When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

• Acts 1:4–5 (ESV) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

• Outcome: Power Like Jesus

• Acts 2:1–2 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Where are you with God?

• Do not be limited by facts. 

• Don’t be deceived by lies. 

• Hear from Heaven and act.

Psalm 8:3–6 (ESV) When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

DISTINCT: recognizably different from the group

• Genesis 1:24 (ESV) And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds…

• Genesis 2:7 (ESV) then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

• Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Adam was an Apostle: representative, messenger, colonizer on behalf of his kingdom

Adam was an Exile: because he’s away from the kingdom of his citizenship

REALITY: Adam Failed As An Apostilic Exile

Instead of representing, delivering the message or colonizing he was flipped and surrendered his citizenship

Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

As Adam was exiled, many of his distinctions were silenced, through the generations some of his distinctions were fanned into flame. Glimmers. Shadows. Reflections. Until Jesus… and with His coming, our roles as Apostolic Exiles has been reestablished.

DISTINCTION REVISITED: HIS SPIRIT WITHIN, HIS PRESENCE WITHOUT

• ADAM/SPIRIT - Genesis 2:7 (ESV) then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

• REVISITED: Acts 2:1–4 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• ADAM/PRESENCE - Genesis 3:8 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

• REVISITED: Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) …for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

DISTINCTION REVISITED: HIS CALLING, AUTHORITY & POWER

• ADAM: Genesis 1:26–28 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

• REVISITED: Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

DISTINCTION REVISITED: SUPERNATURAL RELATIONSHIPS

• ADAM - Genesis 2:20–24 (ESV) The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.  Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

• REVISITED John 17:20–23 (ESV) “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

DISTINCTION REVISITED: SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE

• ADAM - Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

• REVISITED John 14:12–14 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

The Kingdom Mindset

• John 17:15–18 (ESV) I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

• Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Mindset: This Is Not My Kingdom

I am not a citizen here. This is not my home

Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

1. Exiled From Eden

2. Exiled In Egypt

3. Israel Exiled in Assyria

• 721 BC Assyrian King Shalmanessar  2 Kings 17:6 (ESV) In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

4. Judah Exiled in Babylon

• King Jehoiakim failed to pay tribute to Nebuchadnezzar

• Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Judah

• Solomon’s Temple destroyed 

• Israel was deported fro Judah to Babylon in 597 BC. 

5. Jesus Exiled To Earth

• John 3:17 (ESV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

• John 8:23 (ESV) He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

• John 14:30 (ESV) I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,

6. You & I

• John 17:20–23 (NIV) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

• John 17:20–23 (NIV) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

• 1 John 3:1 (ESV) See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

• 1 John 3:13 (ESV) Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

• 1 Corinthians 7:31 (ESV) …For the present form of this world is passing away.

This is not my home.

This place is not my focus

This world story is not my story

My story may be celebrated here on some level, 

I have a kingdom story 

There is a kingdom bigger celebration of my story

• Revelation 20:12 (ESV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

We don't want to become so occupied in winning battles (marriage, career, home, survival, kids, college) that we lose the war (healing, salvation, kingdom advancement)

SLIDE: Kingdom Mindset: I Have Immunity

We are so worried about the world infecting us

• This is not my kingdom

• This king is not my king

• These laws are not my laws

• This economy is not my economy

• This culture is not my culture

• This worlds limitations are not my limitations

• Healing, resources, favor, supernatural distinction.

• Matthew 7:7–11 (ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

• These punishments are not my punishment

• You can’t put me in jail - 

• Isaiah 54:17 (NASB95) “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

• I can enjoy my Kingdom benefits NOW

SLIDE:  Kingdom Mindset: I Am Here To Conquer

I will not be conquered

I will not just survive

I will thrive!

• Joshua 1:3–6 (ESV) Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

• Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Build Kingdom

Share Kingdom

Advance Kingdom

Add To Kingdom

Mark 10:46-52 (ESV) And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

This took place a week before Jesus’ death, being his last miracle. The beggar called out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” indicating His royal origin Messianic title describing Jesus Christ as man, a savior of His people. This is who the beggar believed Jesus to be.

1. Isaiah 11:1-3a (NIV) “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
   The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

Jesus responds to my faith.

“There is a sound I love to hear It’s the sound of the Saviour’s robe As He walks into the room where people pray Where we hear praises He hears faith”

Jewish people believed illness and disability was a punishment from God because of personal sin committed. “Be silent”, was their response. In their opinion, he didn’t deserve to have Jesus listen to him.

• Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.

• James 2:17 (NIRV) It is the same with faith. If it doesn’t cause us to do something, it’s dead.

Praise is an expression of our faith. Faith causes us to act on what we know, not on what is seen. Ill. Dylan jumping off a stump.

Jesus responds to my posture.

“Awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud Oh awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud. There is a sound that changes things The sound of His people on their knees Oh wake up you slumbering It’s time to worship Him”

Now why is it amazing that he throws off his cloak? Well, for most people living in first century Palestine, a person’s cloak was their most valuable possession. Cloaks were expensive, thick, heavy garments, and the average person could only afford one. They weren’t simply outer garments meant to be worn outdoors, nor were they fashion statements. Cloaks were functional, multipurpose garments. In addition to functioning as a coat in cold weather, they were also used as a blanket at nighttime. And, for a blind beggar like Bartimaeus, he most likely spread his cloak out in front of him during the daytime to collect any coins or loose change that passerbys might toss his way.

His cloak represented a way of life for him. He had learned to cope and survive in an existence devoid of intimacy, connection, kindness and care. He leaves his cloak on the ground, trusts

Jesus fully to heal him. The road is crowded and he is blind. He will be in dire straits if his cloak is kicked along or stolen.

My attention is drawn to the posture of Bartimaeus in two ways:

1.Heart Posture “Awake my soul and sing”

• Hebrews 13:15 (ESV) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

• Psalm 71:8 (ESV) My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

• Isaiah 25:1 (ESV) O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

• Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Physical Posture “The sound of His people on their knees”

Quote: “Your heart is caught up in the experience of the moment, which causes your body to respond outwardly. We were created as holistic beings with intellects, emotions, and bodies all working in concert with one another to express ourselves.”

• Kneeling Psalm 95:6 (ESV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

• Lifting Up Hands Psalm 63:3-4 (ESV) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as live;in your name I will lift up my hands.

• Dancing Psalm 149:3 (NIRV) Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with harps and tambourines.

• Clapping Hands Psalm 47:1 (NIV) Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

• Shouting Psalm 71:23 (NIRV) My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you. You have saved me.

• Praising In Tongues 1 Corinthains 14:1-2 (ESV) Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

• Laying Prostrate Numbers 20:6 (ESV) Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them Revelation 7:11 (ESV) And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God Matthew 26:39 (ESV) And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

We value the presence of God in this house. Why do you think we invite you to join us up front to worship?

Jesus responds to my request.

“And when He moves and when we pray Where stood a wall now stands a way Where every promise is amen (it is so) And when He moves make no mistake The bowels of hell begin to shake All hail the Lord all hail the King”

• Luke 18:40 “And when he came near, he asked him

Atmosphere/circumstances shift through worship inspired by our faith and posture.

• 1 Corinthians 24-5 (NIV) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

• Ephesians 3:20 (NIRV) God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.

• Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

FAITH IS POWER!

Revelation 5:11-14 (NIRV) Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying, “The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy! He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength! He is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!” All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea were speaking. The whole creation was speaking. I heard all of them say, “Praise and honor belong to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

SLIDE APOSTOLIC EXILES - Violent Then & Now Attacks

Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

• biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something

The Kingdom of Heaven:

• Established Eternally, Extended to Earth

• Unknown Events Brought Chaos To Kingdom On Earth

• Earth Was Reformed With A Renewed Kingdom Presence

• Adam Was Heaven’s Apostle To Colonize Earth

• The Other Kingdom’s King Attacked The Kingdom/Garden

SATAN’S VISIT WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNISTIC TRICK. It was an intensely violent attack against the Kingdom’s Presence on Earth, the Kingdom’s Apostolic Leader, the Kingdom’s Citizens, the Kingdom’s Mission on Earth, and ultimately the King Himself.

IT’S THE SAME VIOLENT ATTACK. YOU ARE ADAM.

7 Then & Now Violent Attacks

“In the beginning, God” 

• the violent attack against the reality of God/His Kingdom

• Notice it’s an attack on The God, not on all gods.

• Culture shows respect all religions except Christianity

• In HR Hirings, there tends to be a welcoming of anything outside of Christianity 

• Fashionable to attack Judaism/Christianity - protests

• If Christians protest anything - white extremists

• Mock Jesus, but not Allah or Muhammad his prophet

• No limit to using Jesus as a curse word

• Mental Health Facilities - people cursing Jesus

We are to establish the reality of God/His Kingdom in our world.

“And God said, “Let there be…” 

• the violent attack on the creative work of God to establish Heaven/Earth

• This attack started with the introduction of Darwinism into the school system in the late 1800’s. Traditionally, science was taught from a Biblical creation perspective. During WW1 there was another push, and many states made it illegal to teach evolution. In 1968 the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned the laws that had banned the teaching of evolution and most schools leaned into the “Equal Time” approach. The issue was again examined by the U. S. Supreme Court in the 1980's where the courts determined 1) Creation Science is religion; 2) to teach religion in the public schools is illegal; and 3) Creation Science is not science... 

• They ignore the scientific reality of Mathematical Impossibility: right time, place, chemicals, for us to have the exact gravity to stick to earth, but not so much that our blood isn’t trapped in our ankles.

• Science ignored - Laws of Entropy - most evolution tends to deformity not improvement

• Intelligent Design is completely ignored

• Fossils are covered in the Gap Theory

We are to continue to establish the creative work of God here on earth as we take dominion.

“He said to the woman…”

• The violent attack on God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom created to take ground from the other Kingdom.

• While all people are under siege, God’s Apostolic people are alway under attack

• Adam, The Lineage Of Abraham, The Jewish Nation, Christianity.

• It’s subtle but it's tangible.

• Pandemic:

• Bars/strip clubs were open, church gatherings closed.

• Casinos were open, prayer meetings were not allowed.

• Football players on the field, churches fined

• Historical Attacks: Foxe's Book of Martyrs

• Today Attacks: The Voice of the Martyrs

• https://www.iamnevent.com/?_source_code=GSA24B1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2pyuBhBKEiwApLaIO0HIap-oCBLzgKQ1d4jyh99O_fJYa5JqjNoFFLrGyA25YlBTJBqwpRoCjfgQAvD_BwE

• Free online event March 8, 8PM

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German protestant pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism and treatment of Jews. Initially he was silent, but when pastors were required to agree to Nazi propaganda in the pulpits, he left Germany to be safe and to attend the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

• “I have come to the conclusion that I made a mistake in coming to America this time. I must live through this difficult period in our national history along with the people of Germany. I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people ... Christians in Germany will have to face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that a future Christian civilization may survive, or else willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization and any true Christianity. I know which of these alternatives I must choose but I cannot make that choice from a place of security.

• Aa man who saw the execution: I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer... kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.

• Later he was convicted for his ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.

• We will openly confront social and political propaganda from the pulpit.

• We refuse to repeat lies, even if our safety comes into play.

• We will refuse to participate in social activities that are wrong:

• No forced Vaccine or Vaccine Checks

• Nuremberg medical trials 1946: never again use humans as medical lab-rats

• Helmuth Vetter, an Auschwitz camp physician, SS captain and employee of the Bayer group within IG Farben conducted medical experiments on inmates at Auschwitz and at the Mauthausen concentration camp. In one study of an anaesthetic, the company paid for the use of 150 female inmates of Auschwitz. A Bayer employee wrote to Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz commandant: "The transport of 150 women arrived in good condition. However, we were unable to obtain conclusive results because they died during the experiments. We would kindly request that you send us another group of women to the same number and at the same price.

As God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom, we need to continue to take ground from the other Kingdom.

“Did God actually say” 

• the violent attack focused on reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word

• Why is the Bible so heavily mocked and every other publication promoted

• Why do our schools carry sexually charged materials for 5th graders and if we demand their removal, we are book banners, but many schools have removed only bibles, and students with bibles must have them covered. Religious apparel is not allowed but Pride Day has turned into Pride Year. Students are required to participate and pledge to the pride flag

We need to continue reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word in the world,

“God created man in his image… male and female 

• The violent attack on God implanted identity attack on God’s role in conception

• The premise that it is just a biology

• The attack on identity

• God’s image bearer

• Apostolic purpose

• The reality of male/female

• Gender confusion shows up through many different vehicles but those are disguises. It’s always an attack on the Kingdom

• The beauty of complementary roles of man woman

• Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV ‬‬”“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’“

• Removal of male and female is an attack on Kingdom

“Man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

• the violent attack against covenantal marriage

• Free Sexuality

• Issue of 50’s - pregnancy

• Issue of 80’s - AIDS

• Issue all along - demons

• 1 Corinthians 6:16–19 (ESV) Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”  But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

• One of the greatest areas of onboarding demonic activity is sexuality, especially traumatic (forced) sexuality

• Guard your sexuality - you have only one gift of virginity to give to another

• Failure To Marry 

• This was a route I had full intentions to pursue. 

• Proverbs 18:22 (ESV) He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

• Not every marriage is covenantal marriage

• Civil unions are not Biblical Marriages

• Biblical-Covenantal Marriage is an agreement between three entities

• Mark‬ 10‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”“

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

• Divorce -‭‭ Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”“

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth 

• the violent attack against procreation that has defined Kingdom purposes

• The attack comes in all sorts of disguises but ultimately this is the most violent attack of all attacks.

• Violence focused on God’s Apostles before they have their intended impact.

• Violence via: abortion or miscarriage

• Abortion is modern day Molech worship: the promise of a better life if we kill the child.

• Having kids is viewed as as negative, large families are mocked, traditionally celebrated

• LIES: the earth can’t support it

• LIES: what kind of evil brings a child into this suffering

• LIES: we can’t afford that

• Ploy to keep kingdom expansion limited

• ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬”When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.“

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat

SLIDE APOSTOLIC EXILES - Violent Then & Now Attacks

Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

• biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something

The Kingdom of Heaven:

• Established Eternally, Extended to Earth

• Unknown Events Brought Chaos To Kingdom On Earth

• Earth Was Reformed With A Renewed Kingdom Presence

• Adam Was Heaven’s Apostle To Colonize Earth

• The Other Kingdom’s King Attacked The Kingdom/Garden

SATAN’S VISIT WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNISTIC TRICK. It was an intensely violent attack against the Kingdom’s Presence on Earth, the Kingdom’s Apostolic Leader, the Kingdom’s Citizens, the Kingdom’s Mission on Earth, and ultimately the King Himself.

IT’S THE SAME VIOLENT ATTACK. YOU ARE ADAM.

7 Then & Now Violent Attacks

“In the beginning, God” 

• the violent attack against the reality of God/His Kingdom

• Notice it’s an attack on The God, not on all gods.

• Culture shows respect all religions except Christianity

• In HR Hirings, there tends to be a welcoming of anything outside of Christianity 

• Fashionable to attack Judaism/Christianity - protests

• If Christians protest anything - white extremists

• Mock Jesus, but not Allah or Muhammad his prophet

• No limit to using Jesus as a curse word

• Mental Health Facilities - people cursing Jesus

We are to establish the reality of God/His Kingdom in our world.

“And God said, “Let there be…” 

• the violent attack on the creative work of God to establish Heaven/Earth

• This attack started with the introduction of Darwinism into the school system in the late 1800’s. Traditionally, science was taught from a Biblical creation perspective. During WW1 there was another push, and many states made it illegal to teach evolution. In 1968 the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned the laws that had banned the teaching of evolution and most schools leaned into the “Equal Time” approach. The issue was again examined by the U. S. Supreme Court in the 1980's where the courts determined 1) Creation Science is religion; 2) to teach religion in the public schools is illegal; and 3) Creation Science is not science... 

• They ignore the scientific reality of Mathematical Impossibility: right time, place, chemicals, for us to have the exact gravity to stick to earth, but not so much that our blood isn’t trapped in our ankles.

• Science ignored - Laws of Entropy - most evolution tends to deformity not improvement

• Intelligent Design is completely ignored

• Fossils are covered in the Gap Theory

We are to continue to establish the creative work of God here on earth as we take dominion.

“He said to the woman…”

• The violent attack on God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom created to take ground from the other Kingdom.

• While all people are under siege, God’s Apostolic people are alway under attack

• Adam, The Lineage Of Abraham, The Jewish Nation, Christianity.

• It’s subtle but it's tangible.

• Pandemic:

• Bars/strip clubs were open, church gatherings closed.

• Casinos were open, prayer meetings were not allowed.

• Football players on the field, churches fined

• Historical Attacks: Foxe's Book of Martyrs

• Today Attacks: The Voice of the Martyrs

• https://www.iamnevent.com/?_source_code=GSA24B1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2pyuBhBKEiwApLaIO0HIap-oCBLzgKQ1d4jyh99O_fJYa5JqjNoFFLrGyA25YlBTJBqwpRoCjfgQAvD_BwE

• Free online event March 8, 8PM

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German protestant pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism and treatment of Jews. Initially he was silent, but when pastors were required to agree to Nazi propaganda in the pulpits, he left Germany to be safe and to attend the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

• “I have come to the conclusion that I made a mistake in coming to America this time. I must live through this difficult period in our national history along with the people of Germany. I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people ... Christians in Germany will have to face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that a future Christian civilization may survive, or else willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization and any true Christianity. I know which of these alternatives I must choose but I cannot make that choice from a place of security.

• Aa man who saw the execution: I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer... kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.

• Later he was convicted for his ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.

• We will openly confront social and political propaganda from the pulpit.

• We refuse to repeat lies, even if our safety comes into play.

• We will refuse to participate in social activities that are wrong:

• No forced Vaccine or Vaccine Checks

• Nuremberg medical trials 1946: never again use humans as medical lab-rats

• Helmuth Vetter, an Auschwitz camp physician, SS captain and employee of the Bayer group within IG Farben conducted medical experiments on inmates at Auschwitz and at the Mauthausen concentration camp. In one study of an anaesthetic, the company paid for the use of 150 female inmates of Auschwitz. A Bayer employee wrote to Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz commandant: "The transport of 150 women arrived in good condition. However, we were unable to obtain conclusive results because they died during the experiments. We would kindly request that you send us another group of women to the same number and at the same price.

As God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom, we need to continue to take ground from the other Kingdom.

“Did God actually say” 

• the violent attack focused on reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word

• Why is the Bible so heavily mocked and every other publication promoted

• Why do our schools carry sexually charged materials for 5th graders and if we demand their removal, we are book banners, but many schools have removed only bibles, and students with bibles must have them covered. Religious apparel is not allowed but Pride Day has turned into Pride Year. Students are required to participate and pledge to the pride flag

We need to continue reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word in the world,

“God created man in his image… male and female 

• The violent attack on God implanted identity attack on God’s role in conception

• The premise that it is just a biology

• The attack on identity

• God’s image bearer

• Apostolic purpose

• The reality of male/female

• Gender confusion shows up through many different vehicles but those are disguises. It’s always an attack on the Kingdom

• The beauty of complementary roles of man woman

• Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV ‬‬”“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’“

• Removal of male and female is an attack on Kingdom

“Man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

• the violent attack against covenantal marriage

• Not every marriage is covenantal marriage

• Civil unions are not Biblical Marriages

• Biblical Covenantal Marriage is an agreement between three entities

• Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”“

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

• Divorce -‭‭ Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”“

• Marital Rates dropping, “try it out” leads to nothing good.

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth 

• the violent attack against procreation that has defined Kingdom purposes

• The attack comes in all sorts of disguises but ultimately this is the most violent attack of all attacks.

• Violence focused on God’s Apostles before they have their intended impact.

• Violence via: abortion or miscarriage

• Abortion is modern day Molech worship: the promise of a better life if we kill the child.

• Having kids is viewed as as negative

• Large families are mocked, traditionally celebrated

• LIES: the earth can’t support it

• LIES: what kind of evil brings a child into this suffering

• LIES: we can’t afford that

• Ploy to keep kingdom expansion limited

• ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬”When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.“

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

FIRM FOUNDATION

• Song by Cody Carnes

• Released December 2021

• Written during a “shaky season” - (covid, political unrest, riots, etc.)

• Based on what Jesus teaches us in: Matthew 7:24-27

• Jesus tells this parable at the end of the sermon on the mount 

• Sermon that teaches people how to live. 

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

• Sand Castle - crumbling from below when the water hits

• A solid foundation, like a rock, stays put and everything built upon it stays strong

• Build your house on GOD 

GOD IS OUR FOUNDATION 

“Christ is my firm foundation”  ~  “The Rock on which I stand”  ~  “My house is built on you” 

 “I’m standing strong on you”  ~  “I’ve built my life on Jesus”  ~ “I’m safe with You”

Isaiah 26:4 (ESV)   Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Psalm 62:6 (ESV)  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 18:2 (ESV)  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold

• Don’t know what we’ve put our faith in until we weather a storm

• We can see how solid our foundation is when we go through a storm

• 2020 revealed that for a lot of people 

THERE WILL BE STORMS

“When everything around me is shaking”  ~  “Joy in chaos”  ~  “Rain came, wind blew”

John 16:33 (NIV)  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• Storms are promised 

• Caused by:  the enemy - since the Garden of Eden

• Others - impacted by their selfish motivations

• Ourselves - Not doing what God tells us - Doing the opposite

• Jesus experienced storms - metaphorically and literally

• In the boat with the disciples - sleeping during the storm - Matthew 8:24-27 “Suddenly a furious storm came up… waves swept over the boat. Save us!  We’re gonna drown!  You of little faith. Why are you afraid?” 

• Walking on water to meet his disciples -  Matthew 14:22-33 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. Calls Peter out of the boat - when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

• Walked through the storm on water - a firm foundation because of his faith

• Don’t doubt the one who you are putting your faith in. 

James 1:2-3 (NIV)  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

• This doesn’t make sense until you go through something and experience the joy of drawing closer to God.  

James 1:6 (NIV)  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.    

• Don’t look at the storm or your circumstances.  

• Look to the one who can save you

• Speak God’s promises over your life, over your situation

GOD IS WITH YOU 

“He’s faithful through generations” ~ “I’ve got peace that makes no sense” ~ “I’m gonna make it through”

Psalm 100:5 NIV  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV 

• Bible story after story of God’s faithfulness - from beginning to end

• Garden of Eden to Revelations 

• Bible full of stories of people messing up

• Forgives us - gives us chance after chance

• God makes a way - sent Jesus 

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

• Peace that makes no sense 

• The feeling of the holy spirit wrapping his arms around me

• Storm didn’t end, but everything was going to be alright 

Joshua 1:9 NIV …Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

• Stand on the rock of Christ - not crushed by fear. 

• Faith in the one who made you - not fear in the storm around you!

Hebrews 13:5 NIV  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

• We put our faith in a lot of things.  

• Money- too much, too little

• The bridges we drive over. - person who welded or bolted

• The tires on our cars - blow off

• The roof over our heads - crashes down

• Ourselves - disappointment - wrong expectations

• Our family, friends - death or betrayal - disappointment

• Our health - failing 

• Speak God’s promises over your life.  Speak God’s truth!  

PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS

“I’ve never been more glad that I put my faith in Jesus”  ~  “He’s never let me down” ~ “He won’t (fail)”

James 4:8 NIV  Come near to God and he will come near to you.

• Why do I have faith in Jesus? 

• As I have drawn nearer to God, he has drawn nearer to me.

• As I seek him, he is there.  

• You need to seek him. Faith without works is dead.  Believe through your actions.  Not just your words.  

• He has shown up in the storms of my life. 

1 John 5:4 ESV For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

• I have experienced what the bible talks about. Victory from the storm

• Those moments are anchor points for me.  

• My foundation (faith) is firm and growing.  

Ephesians 2:8 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God

• It is not by my own doing but through the grace of God who has saved me.  

• He’s never let me down.  

• I have let myself down, others have let me down, but not God. 

• Not always the way I thought he’d bring me through

• But always faithful! 

John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

• The basis of my foundation is this!  

• I believe Jesus came and died for our sins.  

• I believe in his resurrection power

• I sing because Jesus died for me.  

• He alone is worthy of praise. - GREAT ARE YOU LORD! 

SLIDE APOSTOLIC EXILES - Violent Then & Now Attacks

Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

• biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something

The Kingdom of Heaven:

• Established Eternally, Extended to Earth

• Unknown Events Brought Chaos To Kingdom On Earth

• Earth Was Reformed With A Renewed Kingdom Presence

• Adam Was Heaven’s Apostle To Colonize Earth

• The Other Kingdom’s King Attacked The Kingdom/Garden

SATAN’S VISIT WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNISTIC TRICK. It was an intensely violent attack against the Kingdom’s Presence on Earth, the Kingdom’s Apostolic Leader, the Kingdom’s Citizens, the Kingdom’s Mission on Earth, and ultimately the King Himself.

IT’S THE SAME VIOLENT ATTACK. YOU ARE ADAM.

7 Then & Now Violent Attacks

“In the beginning, God” 

• the violent attack against the reality of God/His Kingdom

• Notice it’s an attack on The God, not on all gods.

• Culture shows respect all religions except Christianity

• In HR Hirings, there tends to be a welcoming of anything outside of Christianity 

• Fashionable to attack Judaism/Christianity - protests

• If Christians protest anything - white extremists

• Mock Jesus, but not Allah or Muhammad his prophet

• No limit to using Jesus as a curse word

• Mental Health Facilities - people cursing Jesus

We are to establish the reality of God/His Kingdom in our world.

“And God said, “Let there be…” 

• the violent attack on the creative work of God to establish Heaven/Earth

• This attack started with the introduction of Darwinism into the school system in the late 1800’s. Traditionally, science was taught from a Biblical creation perspective. During WW1 there was another push, and many states made it illegal to teach evolution. In 1968 the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned the laws that had banned the teaching of evolution and most schools leaned into the “Equal Time” approach. The issue was again examined by the U. S. Supreme Court in the 1980's where the courts determined 1) Creation Science is religion; 2) to teach religion in the public schools is illegal; and 3) Creation Science is not science... 

• They ignore the scientific reality of Mathematical Impossibility: right time, place, chemicals, for us to have the exact gravity to stick to earth, but not so much that our blood isn’t trapped in our ankles.

• Science ignored - Laws of Entropy - most evolution tends to deformity not improvement

• Intelligent Design is completely ignored

• Fossils are covered in the Gap Theory

We are to continue to establish the creative work of God here on earth as we take dominion.

“He said to the woman…”

• The violent attack on God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom created to take ground from the other Kingdom.

• While all people are under siege, God’s Apostolic people are alway under attack

• Adam, The Lineage Of Abraham, The Jewish Nation, Christianity.

• It’s subtle but it's tangible.

• Pandemic:

• Bars/strip clubs were open, church gatherings closed.

• Casinos were open, prayer meetings were not allowed.

• Football players on the field, churches fined

• Historical Attacks: Foxe's Book of Martyrs

• Today Attacks: The Voice of the Martyrs

• https://www.iamnevent.com/?_source_code=GSA24B1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2pyuBhBKEiwApLaIO0HIap-oCBLzgKQ1d4jyh99O_fJYa5JqjNoFFLrGyA25YlBTJBqwpRoCjfgQAvD_BwE

• Free online event March 8, 8PM

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German protestant pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism and treatment of Jews. Initially he was silent, but when pastors were required to agree to Nazi propaganda in the pulpits, he left Germany to be safe and to attend the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

• “I have come to the conclusion that I made a mistake in coming to America this time. I must live through this difficult period in our national history along with the people of Germany. I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people ... Christians in Germany will have to face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that a future Christian civilization may survive, or else willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization and any true Christianity. I know which of these alternatives I must choose but I cannot make that choice from a place of security.

• Aa man who saw the execution: I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer... kneeling on the floor praying fervently to God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the few steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.

• Later he was convicted for his ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.

• We will openly confront social and political propaganda from the pulpit.

• We refuse to repeat lies, even if our safety comes into play.

• We will refuse to participate in social activities that are wrong:

• No forced Vaccine or Vaccine Checks

• Nuremberg medical trials 1946: never again use humans as medical lab-rats

• Helmuth Vetter, an Auschwitz camp physician, SS captain and employee of the Bayer group within IG Farben conducted medical experiments on inmates at Auschwitz and at the Mauthausen concentration camp. In one study of an anaesthetic, the company paid for the use of 150 female inmates of Auschwitz. A Bayer employee wrote to Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz commandant: "The transport of 150 women arrived in good condition. However, we were unable to obtain conclusive results because they died during the experiments. We would kindly request that you send us another group of women to the same number and at the same price.

As God’s Apostles, representatives of His Kingdom, we need to continue to take ground from the other Kingdom.

“Did God actually say” 

• the violent attack focused on reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word

• Why is the Bible so heavily mocked and every other publication promoted

• Why do our schools carry sexually charged materials for 5th graders and if we demand their removal, we are book banners, but many schools have removed only bibles, and students with bibles must have them covered. Religious apparel is not allowed but Pride Day has turned into Pride Year. Students are required to participate and pledge to the pride flag

We need to continue reading, possessing, and declaring God/King’s Word in the world,

“God created man in his image… male and female 

• The violent attack on God implanted identity attack on God’s role in conception

• The premise that it is just a biology

• The attack on identity

• God’s image bearer

• Apostolic purpose

• The reality of male/female

• Gender confusion shows up through many different vehicles but those are disguises. It’s always an attack on the Kingdom

• The beauty of complementary roles of man woman

• Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV ‬‬”“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’“

• Removal of male and female is an attack on Kingdom

“Man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

• the violent attack against covenantal marriage

• Not every marriage is covenantal marriage

• Civil unions are not Biblical Marriages

• Biblical Covenantal Marriage is an agreement between three entities

• Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”“

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

• Divorce -‭‭ Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”“

• Marital Rates dropping, “try it out” leads to nothing good.

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth 

• the violent attack against procreation that has defined Kingdom purposes

• The attack comes in all sorts of disguises but ultimately this is the most violent attack of all attacks.

• Violence focused on God’s Apostles before they have their intended impact.

• Violence via: abortion or miscarriage

• Abortion is modern day Molech worship: the promise of a better life if we kill the child.

• Having kids is viewed as as negative

• Large families are mocked, traditionally celebrated

• LIES: the earth can’t support it

• LIES: what kind of evil brings a child into this suffering

• LIES: we can’t afford that

• Ploy to keep kingdom expansion limited

• ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬”When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.“

• Malachi 2:13–16 (MSG) And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from GOD.  Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife.  GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.  “I hate divorce,” says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

• Apostle: messenger, representative, ambassador, colonizer

• Exile: the state of being absent from one's native country or kingdom, typically for political or punitive reasons

• Apostolic Exile: An ambassadorial representative who is to  colonize another kingdom or country

SCRIPTURE: John 10:7–10 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Gate For American Citizenship

Apply

Receive Green Card

• Receive a green card which recognizes employment, family sponsorship, refugee/asylee status, or other eligible categories.

• Reside in the U.S. as a Permanent Resident 

Meet Eligibility Criteria:

• Demonstrate good moral character.

• Be proficient in English and knowledgeable about U.S. government and history.

Submit Form N-400 & Pay Filing Fee

Biometrics Appointment: provide fingerprints, photograph, and signature.

Naturalization Interview Notice

• Formal Notice for a naturalization interview.

• Study for the civics and English language test.

• Gather required documents (e.g., Green Card, IDs, tax returns).

Attend Naturalization Interview:

• Attend the interview with a USCIS officer.

• Answer questions about the application and take the civics and English test.

Receive Decision: If approved, attend a ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Receive Certificate of Naturalization: proof of U.S. citizenship.

Update Social Security and other Records

Register to Vote In Your State

Register to vote in your state.

Citizenship In The Kingdom Of Eden 

• Genesis 2:15 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and PUT him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

• Genesis 3:24 (ESV) He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Citizenship In The Kingdom of Israel

• ‭‭Genesis 15:5–6 (ESV) And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

• Genesis 17:9–14 (ESV) And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations.  This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.  Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,  both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.  Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

• Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ”Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”“

Citizenship In The Kingdom Of Heaven

• Matthew 4:17 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

• Luke 5:27–28 (ESV) After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”  And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

• John 3:3 (ESV) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

• John 3:22 (ESV) After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

• Acts 2:38 (ESV) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

SLIDE APOSTOLIC EXILES - QR/NOTES

SLIDE The Kingdom Suffers Violence

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John the

Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

● biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something

PRAYER

Recap:

Two Kingdoms: Kingdom Of Heaven & Kingdoms Of This World

We focused on the Kingdom of Heaven

SLIDE The Kingdom Established Eternally, Extended to Earth

SLIDE Unknown Events Brought Chaos To Earth/Kingdom

SLIDE Earth Was Reformed With A Renewed Kingdom Presence

● Genesis 1:3-2:3 - 7 Days Of Creation

● Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over... every ... thing ...on the earth.”

● Genesis 2:8 (ESV) And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

● Genesis 1:28 (ESV) “Be fruitful and multiply and fill (replenish) the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over ... every living thing that moves on the earth.” (not just Eden)

ADAM Was Heaven’s Apostle To Earth:

representative, messenger, ambassador, colonizer, king by proxy

SLIDE The Other Kingdom’s King Attacked The Kingdom/Garden

● Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

● Genesis 3:4 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

● Genesis 3:6 (ESV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

SLIDE

The Garden/KIngdom Suffered Violence

● biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something

● 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) ...the serpent (disguised) deceived Eve by his cunning (the art of doing something with a high level of craftiness and skill)...

○ Revelation 12:9 - the deceiver of the whole world

○ Revelation 20:3 - the deceiver of the nations

○ False Propaganda

● 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises (to change one’s appearance) himself as an angel of light (sagad - to prostrate in worship to God)

SLIDE: SATAN’S VISIT WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNISTIC TRICK.

Satan’s visit was an intensely violent attack (forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something) against the Kingdom’s Presence on Earth, the Kingdom’s Apostolic Leader (representative, messenger, ambassador, colonizer, king by proxy), the Kingdom's Citizens (Eve & children), the Kingdom’s Mission on Earth (God’s command to be fruitful, multiply, fill (replenish) the earth, subdue it, have dominion over EVERY living thing (including Satan) that moves on the earth (not just within Eden), and ultimately the King Himself. IT’S THE SAME VIOLENT ATTACK. YOU ARE ADAM.

SLIDE: 7 Contemporary Violent Garden Attacks

1. “In the beginning, God”

○ the violent attack against the reality of God/His Kingdom

○ Attack on God, not on all gods.

○ We have to respect all religions,

○ Fashionable to attack Judaism/Christianity

○ Mock Jesus, but not Allah or Muhammad his prophet

○ No limit to using Jesus as a curse word

○ Mental Health Facilities - people cursing Jesus

2. “And God said, “Let there be...”

○ the violent attack on the creative work of God to establish Heaven/Earth

○ Mathematical impossibility: right time, place, chemicals, for us to have the exact gravity to stick to earth,

-but not so much that our blood isn’t trapped in our ankles.

○ Science ignored - Laws of Entropy

○ Intelligent Design ignored

3. “He said to the woman...”

○ The violent attack focused on God’s Apostles

○ God has apostolic people, alway under attack

○ The Jewish Nation historically, Auschwitz and today

○ Christianity historically, Nero, and today

○ Why were riots allowed but church gatherings closed.

○ Why were liquor/cannabis stores open, not churches?

○ Football continues, but not prayer meetings

4. “Did God actually say”

○ the violent attack focused on reGod/King’s Word

○ Why is the Bible so heavily mocked and every other publication promoted

○ School literature selections

5. “God created man in his image... male and female

○ The violent attack on God implanted identity attack on God’s role in conception

■ The premise that it is just a biology

○ The attack on identity

■ God’s image bearer

■ Apostolic purpose

○ The reality of male/female

■ Gender confusion shows up through many different vehicles but those are disguises. It’s always an

attack on the Kingdom

○ The beauty of complementary roles of man woman

6. “Man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

○ the violent attack against covenantal marriage

○ Biblical Marriage covenant between three entities

○ Civil unions are not Biblical Marriages

7. “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth

○ the violent attack against procreation that has defined Kingdom purposes

■ The attack comes in all sorts of disguises but ultimately this is the violent attack of all attacks.

■ Violence focused on God’s Apostles before they have their intended impact.

■ Violence via: abortion or miscarriage

■ Abortion is modern day Molech worship: the promise of a better life if we kill the child.

■ Having kids is viewed as as negative

■ Large families are mocked, traditionally celebrated

■ LIES: the earth can’t support it

■ LIES: what kind of evil brings a child into this suffering

■ LIES: we can’t afford that

■ Ploy to keep kingdom expansion limited