Mountain Pointe Ministries

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

Matthew 9:36 (NLT) ³⁶

Song- “I can’t get no satisfaction” People are trying to find something or someone that can satisfy their thirst for life-

Revelation 22:17 (KJV) ¹⁷

Problem-

Mark 7:20 (NLT) ²⁰

Romans 12:2 (NLT) ²

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) ⁵

Daniel 12:4 (NLT) ⁴

“We say kids are smarter today than ever before”

Hosea 4:1 (NLT) ¹

Hosea 4:6 (KJV) ⁶

Hosea 8:4 (NLT) ⁴

2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) ⁷

So, what is the truth about life today?

Romans 1:28-32 (NLT) *²⁸  Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. ²⁹  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. ³⁰  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. ³¹  They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. ³² They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Answer- Knowledge through the power of the Holy Spirit;

John 4:10 (NLT) ¹⁰

Drink- to imbibe; To receive and absorb into the mind: To permeate; saturate. To take in; as, to imbibe knowledge.

John 4:16-18 (NLT) ¹⁶  “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. ¹⁷  “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— ¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

Romans 8:5 (NLT) ⁵

Philippians 4:8 (NLT) ⁸

God’s Promise-

Isaiah 11:2 (NLT) ²

John 10:10 (KJV) ¹⁰  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Conceit is an odd disease; it makes everybody sick but the one who has it.

Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours.

A conceited man has a swelling head and a shrinking brain.

Conceit is the most incurable disease that is known to the human soul.

A conceited man is satisfied with the effect he produces on himself.

He who sings his own praises seldom gets the right pitch.

“God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of him. It’s not about me. It’s all about him”

The moon generates no light. It only reflects the greater light. What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) ¹⁸  This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ²⁰  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²²  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” ²⁴  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 1:26-35 (NLT) ²⁶  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷  to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” ²⁹  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” ³⁴Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

Mark 7:20-23 (NLT) ²⁰  And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. ²¹  For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²²  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Problem- Two forces fighting each other. The Me spirit and God’s Spirit.

2 Peter 1:4 (NLT) ⁴

So, how can this be possible?

Luke 1:35 (NLT) ³⁵

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) ¹⁸  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even

Luke 1:36-38 (NIV) ³⁶  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷  For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Genesis 1:26a (NLT) ²⁶

God and Me-

John 3:6-7 (NLT) ⁶  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. ⁷ So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

John 3:16 (NLT) ¹⁶

This life within us is created to do God’s will-

Hosea 6:6 (NLT) ⁶

Matthew 9:36 (NLT) ³⁶

1 Peter 2:25 (NLT) ²⁵

Romans 7:24-25 (NLT) ²⁴  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? ²⁵

“God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of him. It’s not about me. It’s all about him”

The moon generates no light. It only reflects the greater light. What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?

Conceit is an odd disease; it makes everybody sick but the one who has it.

Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours.

A conceited man has a swelling head and a shrinking brain.

Conceit is the most incurable disease that is known to the human soul.

A conceited man is satisfied with the effect he produces on himself.

He who sings his own praises seldom gets the right pitch.

None so empty, as those who are full of themselves.

Romans 12:3 (NLT) ³

Galatians 5:13-17 (NLT) ¹³  For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵  But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. ¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Problem- Two forces fighting each other. The Me spirit and God’s Spirit

¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Exodus 33:16-23 (NLT) ¹⁶  How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” ¹⁷

¹⁸ Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

¹⁹  The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. ²⁰  But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” ²¹  The LORD continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. ²²  As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) ¹⁸  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Genesis 1:26a (NLT) ²⁶

John 3:16 (NLT) ¹⁶

Luke 6:37-38 (NLT) ³⁷  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸

Thanksgiving-

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (NLT)                                                                                                                                                  

  ²  How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. ³  Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. ⁴ The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT) ¹

God, says you want an answer, I’ll give you my answer-

Habakkuk 2:2-11 (NLT) ²  Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. ³  This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. ⁴  “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. ⁵  Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples. ⁹  “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. ¹⁰  But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives. ¹¹ The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.

Habakkuk 2:18-19 (NLT) ¹⁸  “What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! ¹⁹ What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.

Instead of complaining and grumbling, let’s pray-

Habakkuk 3:1-2 (NLT)

¹  This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk: ²  I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.

After he had prayed he says this is what I will do-

Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NLT) ¹⁶  I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. ¹⁷  Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, ¹⁸  yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! ¹⁹

^st– 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NLT) ¹⁶

That’s a choice;

^nd– 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) ¹⁷

That’s a choice;

^rd– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) ¹⁸

That’s a choice;

^th– 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NIV) ¹⁹

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NLT) ¹⁹

That’s a choice.

Pleasing God-

Psalm 36:9 (NLT)
⁹  For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

Job 3:20 (KJV)
²⁰  Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

John 1:5 (NIV)
⁵  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
⁴  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Matthew 6:24-34 (NLT)
²⁴  “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
²⁵  “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
²⁶  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
²⁷  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
²⁸  “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
²⁹  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
³⁰  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
³¹  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
³²  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
³³  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
³⁴  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)
¹⁰  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

1^st – Living a Spirit filled life pleases God;

Ephesians 5:17-18 (NLT)
¹⁷  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
¹⁸  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)
¹⁶  So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
⁷  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 3:9-10 (NLT)
⁹  Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
¹⁰  He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
¹¹  The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

John 7:37 (NLT)
³⁷  On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!

John 20:22 (NLT)
²²  Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

2^nd– Talking to God pleases him;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
¹⁷  Never stop praying.

Romans 10:13 (NLT)
¹³  For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Psalm 86:7 (KJV)
⁷  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
³  ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

3^rd– Praising God pleases him;

Hebrews 13:15-16 (KJV)
¹⁵  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
¹⁶  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Pleasing God-

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NLT)
¹  Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.

Luke 18:8 (NLT)
⁸  I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Hebrews 11:5-6 (NLT)
⁵  It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. ⁶  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

John 4:23 (NLT)
²³  But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

Problem-

Psalm 119:1-3 (NLT)
¹  Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.
²  Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
³  They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

1^st– It takes faith to please God- believing that God can do what we can’t do;

Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)
¹⁶  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)
¹²  Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

2^nd– It takes Confidence to please God-

Daniel 3:18 (NLT)
¹⁸  But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

1 John 5:14 (NLT)
¹⁴  And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)
⁸  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Hebrews 10:35 (NLT)
³⁵  So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

3^rd– It takes True worship to please God-

Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)
²⁸  Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Daniel 3:19-29 (NLT)
¹⁹  Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰  Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. ²¹  So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. ²²  And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. ²³  So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. ²⁴  But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
²⁵  “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” ²⁶  Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. ²⁷  Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! ²⁸  Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. ²⁹  Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

4^th– Results please God-

Daniel 3:30 (NLT)
³⁰  Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

Promotion- to advance; prosper; to push forward; to have an effect;

What we believe, how we worship, doesn’t change others or promote us in the kingdom of God when things are like we want them to be. It is when we can walk and worship God in the fire that promotes us and changes lives. When we can worship because he is God, not because we feel like worshiping him.

The Power and Work of the Holy Spirit-

Ezekiel 36:24-27 (NIV) ²⁴  “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. ²⁵  I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. ²⁶  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Ezekiel 37:4-14 (NLT) ⁴  Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! ⁵  This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! ⁶  I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” ⁷  So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. ⁸  Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. ⁹  Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” ¹⁰  So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. ¹¹  Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ ¹²  Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³  When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. ¹⁴  I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!’”

James 1:8 (KJV) ⁸  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (NLT) Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

God’s Promise-

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV) ⁵  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.” ⁶  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

God’s answer for a dry, unhappy, unfilled life-

1^st– You must be born again- by the Spirit of God;

John 3:6-7 (KJV) ⁶  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Titus 3:4-6 (NLT) ⁴  But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵  he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

2^nd– We must learn how to walk or live life- through the Spirit of God;

Romans 8:1 (KJV) ¹  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) ¹⁶  So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

3^rd– We must know and learn to trust the promises of God-

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) ³  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

The results of a Spirit filled life-

Acts 1:8 (NLT) ⁸  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Power- (dunamai); miraculous power ( a miracle itself) :- ability;

Acts 2:1-18 (NLT) ¹  On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. ²  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. ³  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. ⁴  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. ⁵  At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. ⁶  When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. ⁷  They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, ⁸  and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! ⁹  Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, ¹⁰  Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), ¹¹  Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” ¹²  They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. ¹³  But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” ¹⁴  Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. ¹⁵  These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. ¹⁶  No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ¹⁷  ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. ¹⁸  In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.

“God needs people that will be a witness to others, through the power of the Holy Spirit, about Jesus, the savior of the world, the deliverer from bondage, the giver of life. Not people that can tell everyone else what’s wrong with their life, but tell and show them the answer. The Power and Work of the Holy Spirit. ”

Sermon Notes   10/11/15

Changing-

2 Corinthians 3:13-18 (NLT) ¹³  We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. ¹⁴  But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. ¹⁵  Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. ¹⁶  But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) ⁸  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Problem-

2 Corinthians 3:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴  But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. ¹⁵  Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

The answer-

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NLT) ¹⁶  But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT) ¹⁹  “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) ¹⁸  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

What is it going to take for you to change?

1^st– the veil has to be removed and you have to understand and be willing to change some things in your life.

2^nd– you understand and know that it will take God’s Spirit.

3^rd– you know that if you believe all things are possible, that God has the power to do it.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) ²⁰  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) ⁷  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) ²³  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

John 8:11 (NLT) ¹¹  “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Jesus didn’t condemn her, but neither did he ignore or condone her behavior. Jesus told the woman to leave her life of sin.

Acts 2:14 (NLT) ¹⁴  Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. (I have been changed)

John 1:5 (NIV) ⁵  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 10:10 (KJV) ¹⁰  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) ¹⁶  So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

1. Why did God want to bring these people out from bondage?

Seven demands of God on Pharaoh-

Exodus 7:16 (NLT) ¹⁶  Then announce to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you, “Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness.” Until now, you have refused to listen to him.

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT) ¹⁷  When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”                                                                                      ¹⁸  So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

Exodus 13:21-22 (NLT) ²¹  The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. ²²  And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

1. Problem, they focused more on the problem, instead of the answer-

Exodus 14:10-12 (NLT) ¹⁰  As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, ¹¹  and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? ¹²  Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

III. What God told Moses to do in this situation, is what God is saying to us today-

Exodus 14:13-15 (NLT) ¹³  But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴  The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” ¹⁵  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

Exodus 14:31 (NLT) ³¹  When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:1-2 (NLT) ¹  Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea. ²  The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

But, three days later in the wilderness they forget why they were brought out- they are led to a bitter place in their life and they do this-

Exodus 15:24 (NLT) ²⁴  Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded.

Exodus 15:25 (NLT) ²⁵  So Moses cried out to the LORD for help, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the LORD set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him.

When we get in the right position or place that God wants our life to be, God will bless us-

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT) ¹⁷  But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!”

I need to change- How can I?

Psalm 16:11 (KJV) ¹¹  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Romans 13:14 (NLT) ¹⁴  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT) ¹⁵  Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Sermon Notes 9/27/15

Living Life- Learning From The Past

Hebrews 4:1 (KJV) ¹  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Romans 1:25 (NLT) ²⁵  They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Psalm 116:12 (NLT) ¹²  What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me?

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) ¹  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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.

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT) ¹⁵  Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Learn from the past-

Mark 10:46-48 (NLT) ⁴⁶  Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. ⁴⁷  When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸  “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Messiah- the savior- the deliverer;

“Seeing with one’s eyes doesn’t guarantee seeing with the heart”

1 Timothy 4:7-10 (NLT) ⁷  Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸  “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” ⁹  This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. ¹⁰  This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

“When this man gave Jesus the honor, the praise, that he was worthy of, then notice what Jesus gives this man”

Mark 10:49-52 (NLT) ⁴⁹  When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” ⁵⁰  Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.                                  ⁵¹  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” ⁵²  And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Problem that we have to overcome-

Luke 7:20 (NLT) ²⁰  John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’”

James 1:8 (KJV) ⁸  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Answer-

1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NLT) ¹  Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT) ⁸  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NLT) ¹⁶  Always be joyful. ¹⁷  Never stop praying.                                                                                                ¹⁸  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ¹⁹  Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

The test-

Acts 16:25 (NLT) ²⁵  Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

So what did they do? Moan? Whine? Blame God? Give up? No, their jail term was marked by only two activities: praying and singing hymns to God.

Acts 16:26 (NLT) ²⁶  Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!