5.10.26

2 Corinthians 10:3-5  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  

What Is A Stronghold

Stronghold: A false refuge that protects our pain while imprisoning our soul. 

Diagram of Stronghold.

Demolish Strongholds: Recognize the lie, renounce the lie, replace it with God’s truth.  

3 Common Lies We Believe

Lie: I’m not good enough. 

Truth: You are deeply and completely loved as a child of God.

Romans 8:15-16  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. NLT 

Lie: I can’t forgive, the injury is to great.   

Truth: Forgiveness releases us from the chains of our injury. 

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?”  22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!   

Lie:  God’s forgotten me. 

Truth: God’s with you, He sees you, and fights for you.  

Hebrews 13:5-6 because God has said,  “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  NIV

4.26.26

1 Corinthians 14:1-5   Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.    NIV

Discerning Gifts

Word of knowledge: A supernatural revelation of information pertaining to a person or event.

Discerning of spirits: Ability to discern the true source of circumstances or motives of people.

Word of wisdom: A Devine answer or solution for a particular event or situation.

Dynamic Gifts

Gift of Faith: An unusual measure of trust in the power of God for a situation.

Gifts of healing: A supernatural restoration of physical, emotional, or spiritual health.   

Gift of Miracles: A manifestation of God’s power that goes beyond the normal course of nature.

Proclamation Gifts

Gift of Prophecy: A message of encouragement to others imparted by the Holy Spirit.  

Gift of tongues: Speaking supernaturally by the Spirit in a language not known to the individual.

Interpretation of Tongues: The ability to express the meaning of a public tongue through revelation.  

What Our Attitude Should Be Toward Gifts 

Desire spiritual gifts.

Pray to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Seek opportunities to practice.

4.19.26

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.  

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

NIV 

What Spiritual Gifts Are

Spiritual gifts are the Holy Spirit’s empowerment expressed through believers.  

Spiritual gifts are given to every believer for the benefit of others.  

Spiritual gifts are not badges of honor or signs of spiritual maturity.   

Discerning Gifts

Word of knowledge: A supernatural revelation of information pertaining to a person or event.

Discerning of spirits: Ability to discern the true source of circumstances or motives of people.

Word of wisdom: A Devine answer or solution for a particular event or situation.

What Our Attitude Should Be Toward Gifts 

Desire spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 

NIV  

Pray to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:14 “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” NIV  

Seek opportunities to practice.

4.12.26

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.    

5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.   

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 

10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.  

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 

15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?   NIV.   

2 Observations About Sexual Integrity

1. Everyone has a sexual standard.    

Corinthians 5:1-2 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning… NIV.   

2.  God designed sex for marriage covenant between a man and a woman.    

Matthew 19:4-6 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”  NIV

4.5.26

John 20:11-18  Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.  13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” 

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.  

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” 

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”  16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”  18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.   NIV. 

How Do We Know The Resurrection Is True?

1.  There were hundreds of eyewitnesses.   

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  NIV.  

2.  It’s supported by history, not only Scripture.   

3.  The ongoing evidence of changed lives.   

Why The Resurrection Matters

The resurrection has power to transforms us.  

2 Corinthians 5:17-19  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.   NIV

The resurrection produces hope in us.   

1 Peter 1:3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  NIV

The resurrection is personal.    

John 20:31  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.   NIV 

3.29.26

Opening Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

4 Truths About The Lord’s Return

Christ’s return will be sudden and certain. 

1 Thess. 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  NIV. 

The exact day and hour is unknown.  

1 Thess. 5:1-3 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  NIV.  

Evil will increase before He returns.  

2 Thess. 2:3-4  Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.  NIV. 

There will be a final judgement.  

2 Thess. 1:7-9 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.    NIV   

Romans 14:10-12 For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:  “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  NIV  

How Are We To Live Until His Return

Don’t live alarmed.  

2 Thess. 2:1-2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. NIV.     

Stand firm through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  

 2 Thess. 2:13-17 because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  NIV

Stay focused on the mission. 

2 Thess. 3:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.  NIV.

2.22.26

 Acts 17:16-32

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  

19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)  

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’  

29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”   

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.  NIV. 

5 Keys To Sharing Faith

1.  See the need to reach spiritually lost people.  

2)    Reaching others requires boldness. 

3)    Build bridges to Jesus by finding common ground.  

4)    Expect mixed reactions.

5)    Even if only few believe, it’s worth the effort.  

Application

1)   Pray for courage to share faith.

2)   Pray for opportunities to invite others.

3)   Pray hearts respond to the Gospel. 

James 4:4-5 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  NIV 

Allow God’s word to have authority over the world.  

James 1:22-25  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  NIV

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2.  The Flesh: Intense cravings for things or experiences that are contrary to God’s will. 

James 4:1-3 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.  NIV  

Overcome the pull of the flesh by submitting to the Holy Spirit.   

Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  NIV    

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3.  The Devil: Evil forces designed to tempt us to yield to sin.    

James 3:13-16 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.   NIV  

Resit the devil by renouncing his lies, forsaking sin, & embracing God’s truth.   

James 4:7-8  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  NIV 

3.1.26

Luke 2:41-51  Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  

45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.  NIV. 

Alignment With God’s House

1. Celebrate God’s faithfulness.  

2.   There are people who are still far from God.   

3.    Embrace our shared responsibility in God’s house.  

Doing Your Part

1.   Pray for Radiant Church.
2.  Join Team Radiant. 
3.  Give sacrificially.

4)    Invite your family & friends.

2.22.26

Acts 10:1-23 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”  4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.   

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”   

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.   NIV. 

3 Areas of Devotion

1.  Intentional time of prayer.   

Acts 10:1-2 Cornelius… prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:9 About noon the following day… Peter went up on the roof to pray.

2.   Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.  NIV. 

3.   Radical obedience to God. 

Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   NIV. 

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Luke 22:13-30 

Point 1: Communion Reminds Us Of the Sacrafice and Finished Work of Jesus

Point 2: Communion gives us hope 

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

1 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 

Luke 5:31-32 NIV

Point 3: Communion gives us a promise of the future

      12 as far as the east is from the west, 

         so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

      13 As a father has compassion on his children, 

         so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 

      14 for he knows how we are formed, 

         he remembers that we are dust. 

2.1.26

Luke 18:18-34  A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” 

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 

24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  

 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   NIV. 

The Limitations of Self-Effort

1.  Performing for God will not produce eternal life. 

Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  NIV

2.    Success & prestige will not make us happy.  

Luke 9:25  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ESV

3.    Wealth and possessions will not bring true satisfaction.  

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” NIV.

When You Reached Your Limit

Reorient yourself to the life-giving love Jesus offers.  

Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.  NIV. 

Remove everything that’s getting between you and God.  

Be willing to follow Jesus no matter the cost.  

Blessings always follow obedience.  

Luke 18:29-30  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   NIV   

1.25.26

Luke 8:4-15 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” 

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,  “ ‘though seeing, they may not see;  though hearing, they may not understand.’   

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.  

Why We Are Reading Through The Bible

1. It immerses us in the teachings and heart of Jesus.

2.  It roots us in the history of our faith.

3. It grounds us in the theology and convictions of the early church.

4. It  strengthens our personal faith.

5. It creates a shared spiritual rhythm.

How To Read The Bible

1.  Choose a bible translation that speaks to you. 

2.  Scripture: Read slowly one chapter a day.  

3.  Observation: Ask questions about the text.

What does this reveal about God?

What does this reveal about mankind?

Is there sin to be avoided?

Is there a promise to be claimed?

Is there an example to follow?

Is there a command to obey?

What stands out to me and why?  

4.  Application: How can you apply this to your life? 

5:  Pray: Start & end your time with prayer.

01/11/2026

Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!1

I hope I find what I’m seeking. I hope the door is opened to me. I hope I receive what I’m asking for. I hope the Lord gives good gifts to me as I ask Him.

What we actually means is we wish.

Qavah - to wait, to hope, to expect

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. 2

Tiqvah - hope, expectation, something you hold onto

Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.3

Heart:

My story – I know what it’s like to lose hope. I know what it’s like to not even wish.

· Tumors, Surgery, Recovery, Pain attacks, “I can’t see a future.”

Hands:

To live with hope we must:

1. Bind ourselves to Jesus.

2. Cling to the hope that is Jesus and His Kingdom.

3. Root our hope in the faithfulness of Jesus.

4. Wait patiently, expectantly, and in tension.

1.4.2026

Mark 11:12-14 19-25 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 

Mark 11:19-25  When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”  22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  NIV.

What Is A Breakthrough

Breakthrough: God’s intervention after doing everything humanly possible. 

Positioned For Breakthrough

1.   A condition of breakthrough is repentance & forgiveness.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

1.   Pray expecting God is willing & ready to answer your prayer.

Mark 11:22, 24. Have faith in God… whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

3.     Speak to your mountain.

Mark 11:23 if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

4.    Trust God’s presence & His timing. 

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God…”

1.4.2026

 2 Chronicles 7:12-16  The Lord appeared to him at night and said:   “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.  NIV

What Is Seek

1.  Seek is intentional time set aside to draw closer to God.

Psalms 27:4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  NIV

2.  Seek resets our spiritual compass. 

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

3.  Seek is 21 days of focused corporate prayer, fasting & worship. 

Joel 1:14 Declare a holy fast;  call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders  and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.  NIV. 

How To Participate 

1. How is Holy Spirit leading you to pray & fast?   

2.    Participate in the Seek gatherings.

Seek 2026: January 5-28

Sunday Night Seek Gatherings: 6 PM @ Spring Arbor Campus

• Pastor Mike: Jan. 4th
• Jeremy Brown: Jan. 11th
• RT Kendall: Jan. 18th
• Night of Worship: Jan. 25th

Wednesday Seek Prayer Gathering: 6:30 PM @ Sycamore Campus

3.    Pray the Seek Prayer points.  

Seek is intentional time set aside to draw closer to God.

Seek resets our spiritual compass.

Seek is 21 days of focused corporate prayer, fasting & worship. 

12.21.25

Isaiah 9:6-7. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David  for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!  NLT   

Encountering Christ Love

1. Love was God’s motive for sending Jesus.  

1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. NIV 

2.   Jesus’ love will transform our lives. 

Titus 3:3-6 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. NIV 

3.   We must desire & respond to Christ’s love.

Revelations 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. NIV 

4.   Jesus’ love should flow through us. 

1 John 4 :11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. NIV  

What Is Joy

1.  Joy is a choice we make independent of our circumstances.

2.    Joy is our souls response to encountering Jesus. 

How To Cultivate Joy

1.  Joy grows when our lives are centered on Jesus. 

Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  NIV 

2.  Recall the faithfulness of God. 

Psalms 126:2-3  Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. NIV

3.  Find reasons to laugh. 

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  NIV

Help someone in their time of need. 

Acts 20:35  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 

NIV 

1: Peace Guides and Protects Us - 

Philippians 4:4-7 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2: Peace Is Not the Absence of Chaos — It’s the Presence of Christ  -  

Luke 24:13-43 9 - 

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 

Matthew 26:39 (ESV) 

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6 -

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.[a]

3: Peace Comes When We Surrender Our Expectations 

psalm 37:5-6 

      5 Commit your way to the LORD; 

      trust in him, and he will act. 

            6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, 

      and your justice as the noonday. 

11.30.25

Genesis 11:1-9  Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.  NIV 

Technology A Modern Day Babel

1. One unified source of language.  
2. A gateway to all knowledge. 
3. Human achievement without God.  
4. The heart of economic distribution.  

Keeping Technology In Its Proper Place

God must be our true source of transformation. 

Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  NLT

Use technology only in a way that glorifies God. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

NIV

Retake control of your time and attention.   

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.   

1 Chronicles 12:32  From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. NLT   

Major Disruptions of AI

1. Massive job losses.     
2. Deep fake on a massive scale.   
3. Brain rot and addiction. 
4. Artificial intimacy over true human interaction. 

Ethics Around AI

AI has not caught God off guard. 

Daniel 12:4  But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. NLT 

Set healthy boundaries for technology use.

Proverbs 4:23  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  NIV  

Protect your kids from unmonitored access to AI. 

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart

from it.  NKJV 

Church must model human connection. 

Hebrews 1o:24-25  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  NLT  

11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh s was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12 NIV 

We Must Seek People

 We Love People

37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ i 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ j 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:37-40

Point 3: Live a life worthy of the Call

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Ephesians 4:1-6

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 NIV