Our Part In The Body Of Christ

Jonah 1:1-3

Certain parts of the body of Christ are getting weak.  People are trying to run away.  Every individual has a specific or particular job that God prepares only you to do! 

Matthew 16:24
Lord, I’m not worried about what I want but what You want.  We have to give in to complete surrender to God

Acts 1:8

There’s such a lack of sanctification and separation from the world in the church today.  We have eternity to rest!

Ephesians 4: 1-6

The gifts that each of us have will not contradict but compliment each other.

Ephesians 4:11-16

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Lord, reprove me!  Expose things in my life that don’t need to be there.  Move only by the Spirit!  Make sure it’s God’s Spirit. 

Romans 12:1-8
(Sermon Notes - Bro. Clay M. Bishop III - Preached 9/23/09)

The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time.

The Watchmen's Anointing

Ephesians 6:10-18

Our Prayer for our families:
    1. Every evil spirit that has attached itself to our family will be bound.
    2. God will open their eyes and give them understanding.
    3. That our families will be surrounded by good, Godly people.
We don’t ever need to neglect prayer in our lives.  God has every one of us placed where we need to be.  The devil has many tricks to try and destroy everyone he possibly can.  The Holy Ghost will speak to us so that we can look out for our families and others.
As a watchmen:
    1. Be on alert.
1 Peter 5:8
2 Corinthians 2:11
We must not be ignorant concerning all the devices of the devil.  This is why we need to pray for protection from the enemy. 
Isaiah 56:10
When the Holy Ghost alerts us, if we pray, he will help us overcome.
    2. Watches for the messenger and for the enemy.
Isaiah 21:6-8
Isaiah 62:6
    3.  Looks Ahead
Psalm 91:1-16
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 9/20/09)

We will shout and sing God's praises!! Everybody will be happy over there!!

The Recipe For A Balanced Life

2 Peter 1:3-9

2 Peter 1:12

We MUST have faith!!

Ephesians 2:8

Romans 12:3

Faith will help you keep your focus on Jesus.  In your life, what matters most?  Without Jesus, you have no hope. 

Add to your faith:
    A. virtue - moral excellence
    B. knowledge - spiritual truth
    C. temperance - self control
    D. patience - endurance
    E. Godliness - God likeness
    F. brotherly kindness - brotherly love
    G. charity - love (voluntary, unconditional)

Romans 8:37-39

2 Peter 1:8

Sin isn’t always the things we do.  Sometimes it’s the things that we don’t do.

(Sermon Notes - Rev. Brad Stevens - Preached 9/13/09)

Get Out Of The Boat

Matthew 14:25-36

You’ll never walk on the water if you don’t get out of the boat.  We have to take some risks if we are going to do anything for the Lord.  The only way great things are going to happen is if we are willing to make great things happen through God.  If your life is mediocre it’s because you made it that way.  Your life can be extraordinary.

If you want to move from the place you’re at:
    1. Listen to God

Romans 10:17

    2. Seek a closer relationship with God.
    3. Watch out for the “boat people”.  Some people like to watch life happen; others make it happen.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 9/13/09)

I'd rather have Jesus more than world wide fame.  I've got to be true to His Holy name.

If something does not glorify God, it should not be a part of your life

Come be the fire inside of me.

Tearing Down Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Spiritual definition of stronghold - Anything that exalts or raises itself up in our minds pretending to be bigger, more important or powerful than God.  A stronghold will steal your focus from the things of God, cause you to feel overpowered and helpless, will make you feel like you’re not in control.  It will consume most of your mental ability.  Deception takes place in your mind.  A stronghold could be described as an incorrect thought pattern that occurs as a result of things that are not true.  If you believe it, the next step the devil tries to get you to do is act on it.  The devil is not above using anybody.  Something that happens over and over and over is a stronghold.  The only way we can destroy strongholds is through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Galatians 5:1

If it wasn’t possible for us to go back into bondage, God wouldn’t have warned us against it.  Strongholds come in many sizes.  We have individual strongholds that have to be dealt with between you and God.  Generational strongholds - the way you were brought up.  Pride is the stronghold that will keep us from receiving.  Pride - Having an over high opinion of ones self; conceit; arrogance; haughty attitude and behavior. 

Romans 12:3

Pride was the first sin.  It was pride that cause Lucifer to see himself higher than God.  Satan uses pride as camouflage.

Proverbs 16:18

Isaiah 25:11

1 John 2:16

James 4:6

Matthew 18:18
 

Build up a stronghold of humility. 

How to tear down stronghold:
    1. Identify strongholds.
    2. Pray and ask for God to reveal.

Psalm 139:23-24

    3. Gather information about your stronghold.

Romans 8:26-27

Once you have identified what a stronghold is, you have to cut off its supply line.  Memorize the Scriptures!  Pray according to the Scriptures!!  Unbelief always looks at the bad/ negative.  Unbelief robs us of our faith and belief in God and what He allows us to do.  Pray and ask God to reveal things to you.

(Sermon Notes - Sis. Beverly Rogers - Preached 9/8/09)

Ladies, a real man opens more than your door…he opens his Bible.

I am so blessed.  My soul has found rest. Oh Lord, I give you thanks.

More than my next breath.  More than life or death.  All I'm reaching for..I live my life to know You more.

How To Be A Person Used By God

1 Kings 19:19-21

We need to pray that God opens our eyes and ears to the opportunities we have.  Most people never reach the potential God has for them.  It’s God’s desire for us to succeed in the potential He has for us.  Jesus came to restore us and redeem us to the image of God. 

John 15:16

When we mature and grow as God wants us too, then we can become what God wants us to be.  When we learn how to follow then we can become the leader God wants us to be.  We have to recognize and respond to the call of God.  Be obedient to God.  Learn to yield to God.

Luke 4:18

HE HATH ANOINTED ME!

Living under the anointing of God is a lifestyle.  We’re not going to become the person God wants us to be overnight.

(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 9/6/09)

Three Simple Rules

1.If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.

2. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.

3. If you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same spot

Soldiers Of The Invisible War

Galatians 3:26-29
Put on the characteristics of Christ.  If you're a child of God, know who you are and act like it.  The devil is trying to steal anything that belongs to God. 
Ephesians 6 - Put on the whole armor of God.
There's no way God was going to give you armor if there wasn't going to be a battle.  I don't have to depend on the power of my might but on the power of His might.  Stand victorious and stand strong!
John 10:10
As a soldier, you must know your enemy.  Know what you believe.  God expects us to take a stand.  If you just pray - you are that soldier in the invisible war.  War doesn't stop for anything.  It's just that sometimes we don't realize it.  Just because you can't see something doesn't mean you shouldn't guard yourself against it.  We have an obligation to Jesus to take care of what He paid so dearly for.  Just who are you when no one is looking?
(Sermon Notes - Sis. Beverly Rogers - Preached 9/2/09)

Contending For Your Destiny

Ephesians 6:10-17
God wants to enlighten us about Spiritual warfare. When God speaks, it changes things.  Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
2 Chronicles 20:3
How are you standing?  How we stand in the battle will determine how the battle ends for us.
2 Chronicles 20:17-18
Psalm 46:10
Sometimes we have to find courage and boldness and stand against evil spirits.
1 Peter 5:8
Revelation 12:7-11
We MUST stand prepared.  Satan fights us with lies.  Have your loins girt about with the truth!  The truth will outlive a lie!  You won't make evil flee from you with a lying tongue!  Evil hates integrity and it won't stay around it long.  Righteousness - holiness, right living.  You won't stand in a Spiritual battle living wrong.  If we do not live right, it makes us vulnerable to the enemy.  Every opportunity that arises is the right time to share the Gospel.  Everywhere we go we need to be willing to spread God's Gospel.  Speak those things that are good and uplifting.  Speak rebuke if you have too.  If you've got the shield of faith, the fiery dart of the enemy will bounce off.  Our protection in this world is our faith.  Faith puts God between you and the enemy.
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Brad Stevens - Preached 8/30/09)

God's Intensive Care

Romans 8:35-39
Sometimes we just need to turn our lives’ over to God's intensive care.  Because Jesus Christ came, God is dwelling among us.
1 Timothy 3:16
2 Corinthians 8:9
God's nature is LOVE!
1 John 4:8
1 John 4:16
We're privileged today to have a God that loves us.
John 3:16
God's love is unconditional.  God's love is everlasting.
Jeremiah 31:3
God's love is sacrificial.
John 13:1
He doesn't stop loving you and I.  His love is enduring.  God's love will endure to the very end.  Providence - advanced, timely preparation; divine guidance.  It's a blessing we don't see what's ahead for us.  He has things worked out in advance.
Luke 21:18
God sees us.
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Peter 3:12
He has compassion on us.
Matthew 15:32
Matthew 9: 27-31
Luke 17:11-19
When He does things for us, we need to glorify His name.  God has a divine will for our lives.
Isaiah 53:6
If you're too busy for God, you're too busy!  Get some things in order!  Walk as wise.   Take advantage of God's opportunities.
Romans 5:19
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 8/23/09)

The voices of earth with the angels will sing Hallelujah!  Every knee will bow.  Sin will have no trace in the glory of His amazing grace.  There will come a day.

God's work in our hearts is never easy.  It usually produces tears.  But His hands simultaneously bring comfort.  Incredible paradox.

John 14:13

John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (KJV)

What is important is that you are holding on, that you have got a grip on Christ, and He will not let go of your hand.

Pray Through Your Trouble

Mark 9:23
Matthew 28:20
He will never leave you.  He will never forsake you. 
2 Chronicles 20:3
Remember Jehoshaphat - Prayer and Praise
2 Chronicles 20:17
God help us to be gentle.
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 7/26/09)

The darkness will be gone.  The weak shall be strong.  There will come a day.

Faith For Your Family

John 4:46-53
God places special emphasis and blessing on families that follow Him.  Don't let the devil give you doubt about what God can do for your family.  If we are the right person at the right place at the right time, God can move through us for our entire family.
(Sermon notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 6/21/09)

Will You begin right where I end?  And be the God of all I am because You're all that I have.

GRACE

1 Corinthians 15:9-10
Grace is important to us because of sin.  Mankind could not deny the temptations of this world.
James 4:17
We cannot continue to carry our sin.  We MUST lay it down!  Sin is to know God's will but willfully choose to ignore it. Armartea is the Greek word for sin which means to miss the mark. How do we locate the sin in our lives?  Be submissive to the Holy Ghost.  Repent.  Don't let Satan put something in your life to draw you away from fellowship with God.
Galatians 5:19-26
We can't bear the fruit of the Spirit unless we put off the works of the flesh.
1 John 3:15
Sin is born when we commit works of the flesh.  Rebellion, deception, manipulation, gossip, sowers of discord, jealousy, division, stubbornness.  When we compromise what is right for what is wrong, we are going to suffer loss.
(Sermon notes - Rev. Brad Stevens)

If we do not risk anything for God we will never do anything great for Him.

The Creation Gospel

Ezekial 36:26-27
If you LOVE me, keep my commandments.
Torah - The first 5 books of the Bible.
Proverbs 6:20
Torah:
    a. hitting the mark, as with an arrow.
    b.  the first 5 books of the Bible.
    c.  teaching and instructions.
    d.  foundation of the entire Bible. Most scholars agree 85% of the New Testament is directly or indirectly quoted.
Psalm 119:97-105
    Tanakh - The Torah, The Prophets and The Writings (including Psalms).
    The Scriptures that Jesus (Yeshua) and the early church used.
2 John 1:5-7
Notice that seeing Yeshua as only spiritual is a deception.  Yeshua is the gospel (good news) because the Spirit of God came in the form of a physical vessel, the flesh.  The Hebrew word for gospel is basar meaning both flesh and good news.
The Torah is the Menorah in you!!
Proverbs 6:23
Matthew 5:14-19
(Class Notes from The Creation Gospel - Taught by Dr. Hollisa Alewine)

Random Facts About Amanda

My mom is the coolest person I know.

I know my life is to do Your will.

Empowered By The Spirit

Empowered - to be given power or authority.
    1. Natural Man - never been forgiven of sins; lost.
1 Corinthians 2:14
    2. Spiritual Man - Been forgiven; part of the church.
1 Corinthians 2:15
If you're a Spiritual Christian, your thoughts are prayer centered.
Galatians 5
Walk in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts
Luke 4:1
        1. Super Spiritual Christian
        2. Backslidden Christian
        3. Carnal Christian
Luke 4:18-19
Acts 1:1-9
GET THE POWER!!
Spirit - filled = Christ directed!
Benefits of being empowered by the Spirit:
    1. Assurance of salvation.
    2. Further crucifixion of your flesh.
    3. New understanding of the Word of God.
    4. Easier understanding of God's will for your life.
    5. More power in your prayer life.
    6. Be more sensitive to the Spirit world.
    7. You'll have more concern for the lost and bound.
    8. Supernatural love.
    9. Greater awareness of God's love for us.
    10. Greater faith and confidence in God.
Surrender control of your life to God if you want to life a life empowered by the Spirit.
(Sermon notes - Sis. Beverly Rogers - Preached 4/1/09)

Random Facts About Amanda

When my neighbors are out being loud and drunk and fighting constantly, I want to open the door and tell them to shut up, then slam the door really really hard like they do.  But, I just choose to say, "God help them".

I am hope.  I am peace.  I am joy.  I am rest.  And I am your comfort and relief from your stress.  I am strength. I am faith.  I am love.  I am power.  And today I am your freedom from this very hour.  I AM.

If it stops you from getting closer to God, then it needs to go.

Jesus Christ: Lord Of All!

Acts 2:36
Proverbs 2:9
Jesus = Savior, Deliverer
Jesus Christ - The Name Above All Names
Luke 4:18
Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus said:
    I Am The Way
    I Am The Truth
    I Am The Life
John 8:32
John 11:25
Jesus Christ is a conquering name.
Colossians 2:15
Revelation 5:13
(Sermon notes/ Scriptures - Rev. Joey Burns)

Countdown To Victory

Revelation 12:7 - 12
We need to recognize Satan's war tactics.
    1. Temptation - Be able to recognize and rebuke it.
Matthew 4:3 -4
        A. Confusion In The World
Matthew 4: 5 -7
When the Scripture is taken out of context, don't believe it.
        B. False Hope
Matthew 4:8 - 11
In all of Satan's temptations, Jesus was faithful to the Word.  Don't be swayed by temptation because it will leave you scorched.
    2. Deception - Deception is anything that leaves you thinking that you need it more than you need God.  Pray that God will give you the ability to recognize any deceiver.
    3. Strife and Discord - It's a tactic of the devil; a scheme of Satan.
Proverbs 6:16 - 19
Strife - contention; fighting
Discord - disagreements; being busybodies in other people's matters.
If he can break your unity with the family of God, he can break you.
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Brad Stevens)

There's nothing I can do on my own to find forgiveness.  It's by His grace alone.  I trust in Jesus.

Random Facts About Amanda

I wish I could eat healthy.  Well, I can...I guess I should say I wish I wanted and had the discipline to eat healthy.

If we all started living more like Jesus and less like Christians, we'd see the world change like never before.

Luke 11:1-13
Jesus taught us about prayer.  He gives the disciples a pattern for prayer. Don't panic.  Just pray!  We need to be persistent in our prayer.  We have assurance that God answers prayers.  Hallowed - sanctified; the God who is holy and lifted up.
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Joey Burns - Preached 3/22/09)

Romans 13:8

Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (KJV)

At Wit's End

Psalm 107:23-27
At wit's end we can choose to be blessed or cursed.
    1. Fear will raise up at wit's end.
1 Kings 19:1-9
    2. We will come to a place of desperation.
2 Kings 20:1-6
    3. At our wit's end frustration sets in.
John 11:20-23
(Sermon notes - Rev. Brad Stevens. Preached 3/15/09)

We always remember to love God, but what we always forget is to fear God with reverence.

Random Facts About Amanda

I love sports.  I'm not this super fan that knows the players and stats but I love watching sports!

Christianity. It’s not about following a book of rules or sitting in chair every Sunday. It’s about an intimate relationship with Jesus everyday.

Hunger And Thirst

Hunger and thirst - a deep craving to be saturated by His Holy Spirit.
It's all I want.  It's all I need.  It's what gets me through.  It's what keeps me going.  I desire more of God with my whole being.  I pray for it.  I fast for it.  I cry out for it.
And our God is faithful!  He will give it to us if we continually seek Him!

What will you have to say at the judgement throne?  I already know.  The only thing that I can say - I trust in Jesus.  My great deliverer.  My strong defender.  The Son of God.  I trust in Jesus, blessed redeemer.  My Lord forever.  The Holy One.

Keep It Fresh

Colossians 3:1-4
Christ WILL return!
Luke 12:35-36
We need to recapture the vision that Christ is going to return.
Revelation 22:20
Philippians 4:5
1 Peter 4:7
Romans 13:12
Romans 13:11
Hebrews 10:37
James 5:8-9
Wait expectantly for the MASTER!
Luke 12:43
(Sermon notes - Rev. Joey Burns. Preached 3/8/09)