Archive for November 2008

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"Celebrating Thanksgiving in Heaven"

Revelation 19:1-9 There will be great rejoicing in heaven (we will see Jesus face-to-face), but this passage gives us some clues on what true biblical worship is about. I.  The Roar of a Great Multitude -- verse 1 A.  Praising God, because salvation, glory (splendor, brightness and majesty), and power belong to Him B.  Extolling His "true and just" judgments II.  The Voices of the 24 Elders and the 4 Living Creatures -- verse 4 A.  Fell down & worshiped God, who was seated on the throne -- they recognized their position in relation to God B.  "Amen" -- agreement with the great multitude -- their is unity in worship III.  The Voice From the Throne -- verse 5 A.  This is a command from the Spirit to praise.  We don't wait until "the Spirit moves us", or we feel like it, we do it because God wants us to praise B.  This is a command to His servants, and to those who fear Him IV.  Another Great Multitude -- verses 6-8 A.  "The Lord God Almighty reigns" B.  "Rejoice and glad and give him glory" -- recognize the glory that is already His C.  The wedding of the Lamb D.  The bride is ready!  (That's us!) Verse 9 -- the invitation is extended.  Will you be ready?

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Celebration Sunday

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"WARNING: Danger Ahead!"

Matthew 7:13,14 We do a disservice to people when we tell them to "come to Christ -- He will take away all your problems!"  If you thought you could now just sit back and relax on your flight to heaven -- think again! From Abraham on down, God's people know what danger is all about! WARNING! I.  There is a price to pay! God is not interested in your money or time or talent -- He wants your life!  A missionary in the inner city of Chicago was telling a young member about Christ. The teen inquired, "What are the dues?"  My missionary friend responded, "10%". The gang member replied, "Your God must not be worth much!  My gang required 100%." II.  There is much work to do! Evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, worship & ministry -- this is not just the mission of the church -- it's your job!!  There's no time to take it easy! III.  There is an enemy who hates you! Satan is diametrically opposed to the work of God; he is a theif, murderer & destroyer, and takes his mission quite seriously. So, is there any encouraging news?  YES!! Philippians 4:13 -- "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Matthew 28:20 -- "Sure I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Luke 10:18 -- "I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven" Revelation 20:10 -- "The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfer, where he will be tormented day and night, forever and ever"

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Warning: danger ahead!

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"Power for Life"

Acts 1:1-5 We put a lot of focus on Christ's commands, which make up life's purpose.  Today, we must stop and focus on Christ's promise, which is life's power. I.  Power for leading people to Christ Verse 8 -- refers to more than strength or ability, but an effectiveness in our witness.  A Pentecostal church is an evangelistic church. II.  Power for living for Christ The Holy Spirit will enhance our sensitivity to what grieves and pleases God.  A Pentecostal church is a discipling church. III.  Power for loving the people of Christ After Pentecost, their was a new focus -- the other guy!  Even if the other guy is hard to love, the Holy Spirit gives us that ability and power.  A Pentecostal church is a fellowship. IV.  Power for lifting up Christ Not lifting up self, Satan, or sadness, and not the ability to only worship when we feel like it, or when the music style is to our liking.  A Pentecostal church is a worship center. V.  Power for launching out in the will of Christ Recognizing that God wants to use me!  A Pentecostal church is a ministry center, where all find their place of ministry. The power of Pentecost is needed today now more than ever!

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Power for life

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Rainbow Kids "GET BUGGY" with it...

We finished our Ladybug unit! YEAH!!! So, for the evening, we focused one last time on "Praising God."  We colored the last of our worksheets, sang a couple of songs, listened to a story about a man who couldn't walk and then God healed him and made him walk! He was "walking and jumping and praising God." And finished up the evening with "buggy" snacks and playing toys. All of the kids that were there for the evening recieved their badges for this unit! They were all able to tell me the memory verse with little or NO help! Praise the Lord.  Psalm 150:1

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"Before You Pull That Lever"

Make no mistake: Tuesday is an historic election.  The future of our nation is dependant upon it.  This is not a political message, but a biblical one.  We must understand that if Jesus is Lord of our lives, He affects every aspect of our lives.  He will affect our relationships, our businesses, our study habits, our finances, and our politics.  You cannot separate church from state in that aspect! I.  Consider your responsibility Americans today are kind of like the Apostle Paul, who in Acts 22 was arrested in Jerusalem (at that time a part of the Roman empire). As they were preparing to flog him, he reminded them that it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen without a trial and guilty verdict.  When the commander of the guard questioned his citizenship, he did so by telling Paul that he had had to pay a great price for his citizenship.  Paul's reply in verse 27 was that "I was born a citizen."  Americans today don't seem to understand or appreciate the cost of freedom, and therefore it's difficult to get them to even show up at the polls. A.  Freedom is a privilege that carries with it responsibility, but most Americans don't appreciate that fact.  Believers, however, know what it means to be in slavery to sin, and to experience Christ's freedom.  I submit that believers, who should have a greater appreciation for freedom than the average believer, ought to be the first ones to line up to vote on Tuesday! B.  Every vote counts!  Remember that the opinion polls do not elect the President -- we do! C.  The next President will make decisions that could very well determine or stay God's judgment on America. II.  Consider Biblical values A.  Sanctity of life -- Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Deuteronomy 30 are example of Scriptures that make this issues a moral, biblical issue, and not a political one.  B.  Consideration for Israel -- Genesis 12:2,3 states God's promise, that He has kept for the last 5 thousand years, that He will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.  Take careful note of where the candidates stand in relation to Israel; it will determine whether or not God will bless us! C.  Stewardship of public funds -- according to Romans 13:6-8, we have an obligation to pay taxes to the governing authorites, but those authorities have an obligation to God to spend those taxes (public funds) in ways that honor Him. D.  Repudiation of the "many ways" doctrine -- Be very wary of candidates that are tolerant of all faiths; Jesus declared in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." E.  Homosexuality -- gay marriage is not, and never will be God's plan.  It would not be prudent for believers to vote for candidates that sanction gay marriages. III.  Consider Who is in charge A.  Psalm 47:9 -- "the kings of the earth belong to God for He is greatly exalted." B.  Daniel 2:20,21 -- "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them." As in all of the Christian life, we do not lead a fatalistic existance. We do our part in obedience and faith, and trust God with the results. Above all else, let us remember to hold the elections up in prayer, and make sure you vote!