A Victorious Attitude Always Wins

July 25, 2010

Matthew 28:18 – 20; Luke 24

After Jesus rose from the dead he met with disciples and said “All Power (authority) is given unto me – Go and make disciples. Go in the power I give you because I have the power. I have conquered death, hell and the grave. Matthew 28, 19, 20

We can have confidence

Jesus said “Peace be with you” John 20:21, 22. Jesus speaks peace. Jesus gives us his peace. He has already won the battle. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” John 21:21 (NIV). How did the father send Jesus – as a human being to bring us peace with God.

Then he breathed on them and said “receive the Holy Spirit”. The power Jesus gives us comes through the Holy Spirit who lives in us when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

God’s Word must be received to have an effect in our lives.

In Mark 16: 17, 18 God promises to protect us as we go out to share the gospel. These verses were fulfilled in the Apostle Paul’s life on the island of Malta. A snake bit him but he didn’t die. He prayed for the sick and they were healed. As a result of Paul’s visit and his experiences there were many new believers. God‘s promise, Romans 8:35-39,

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

Luke 24

God wants us to understand that we are champions. No one can beat our God. It is out attitude that causes us to win. Phil 2:5 – Mind of Christ. Jesus knew the victory was his so he resisted temptation, focused on the cross and completed the work. We need a Christ like attitude.

Application:
We need to change how we think about ourselves and the things of God. A victorious attitude comes from the peace of God on the inside.

Phil 4:8,9 tells us the things we are supposed to think about; whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy – think ( meditate) on these things

Change your thinking! Think Victory!
 

Pastor Pete

If You Bring the Vessel Empty, God Will Fill It

July 18, 2010

2 Kings 4:1-7

Last Sunday we discussed that we overcome the world by our faith. This is the story of a woman of faith – a spiritual woman.

This woman was a widow – the wife of a prophet who served under Elisha the prophet. The Testimony of his life was that he "revered God". 2 Kings 4:1 (NIV)

In those days the husband was the source of income for the family. With his death, she no longer had a source of income.

She had a need so she went to Elisha the prophet and stated her need – “my husband is dead, the creditors are coming to take my sons to be slaves”.

Elisha asked her “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” She answered “nothing but a little oil”. 2 Kings 4:2 (NIV)

He told her to go and ask all her neighbors for empty vessels - many empty vessels. Go into her house, shut the door and pour the little oil she had into the empty vessels she had collected. She and her sons did exactly as instructed. They obeyed the command of the prophet Elisha who was the “man of God” at that time. 2 Kings 4:3, 4 (NIV)

The miracle came in her obedience. As she did what she was asked to do, the little jar of oil kept filling the large vessels she has collected until all were full and there was not another vessel available. 2 Kings 4:5, 6 (NIV)

She then went back to Elisha the prophet and told him she had done what he told her to do. He then told her to go and sell the oil, pay her debt and live off the rest. 2 Kings 4:7 (NIV).

God provided a source of income from what she already had. In blessing the widow, she was able to bless others.

The question for us today is...

Do we know what we need? Can we clearly state the need? Do we go to God with a clear need? Do we follow the instructions God gives us? Do we do the necessary work (go out and ask for vessels)?  Do we go back to God and let him know we have followed His instructions so that He can tell us the next step? Our need causes us to recognize our dependence on God.

Application to our lives today:

• The prophet is the Word of God – Bible
• The seeking out of Elisha – Prayer
• The need – physical, emotional, spiritual, financial etc
• The little oil – the Holy Spirit
• The vessels – us as individuals

God pours his Holy Spirit into us to meet whatever need we may have. When we pray, God speaks to us through His Word. If we obey, our needs are met and we are able to bless others. When God blesses, He always gives us enough for ourselves and others. But God’s blessings are hindered when we move from where God can pour the oil into our vessel by not reading the Word, not praying, not obeying God’s Word and not fellowshipping with other believers, yet we expect God to be able to bless us. But He cannot.

Sometimes our vessel is full – full of sin, doubt, disobedience, self-righteousness and pride. But if we bring the vessel empty, God will fill it up.

Pastor Pete

Faith Is the Victory

July 11, 2010

1 John 5:1-5

“This is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith”

Victory comes as a result of our faith. Specifically faith in Jesus Christ.  Everyone who is born of God overcomes the world.

How do we know we are born of God?

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” 1John 5:1 (NIV)


Our new nature manifests itself in love for God and a desire to keep his commandments. Our attitude to obeying God’s commandments is the key. We know that we love God if we keep his commandments.

“This is love for God: to obey his commands” 1John 5:3 (NIV)

It is not impossible to obey God’s Word. God’s commandments don’t burden us, they free us. 1 John 5:3
If we are in Jesus Christ we don’t have to follow the ways of the world. We can withstand the influence of the world by knowing and obeying God’s word.

Who is an over comer?

Someone who put his faith in Jesus Christ and follows his commands.

And you can be one if you put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. I invite you to accept Christ and you will have the victory in all that you do.

Pastor Pete