Last week was powerful! God is on the move and never fails to show up when we gather in His name.
Pastor Juan talked about the ups and downs of life and entitlement. Moses described the promise land as “a land of hills and valleys”. Though he was right about the landscape and mountainous topography of this very fruitful and beautiful land, we believe he was also describing the geography of life. As we claim our inheritance in Christ, we will also experience peaks of victory and valleys of discouragement. When we come to Christ many think that we have the right to peace, blessings, and victory. We want to experience victory in their lives without a battle. We want healing without sickness. We want to be blessed without being a blessing. We want good relationships without a good relationship with God. We want the mountaintops without the valleys. All that leads to spiritual entitlement. One of the greatest aspects of sin is entitlement, because entitlement is selfish, self-centered, and filled with pride. And it usually ends up not only messing the individual up, but the whole unit whether it is the family, church or institution. READ: Joshua Chapter 7 In this chapter, Achan is known in Scripture as the man who troubled Israel. How would you like to be known in History? As the man and women who helped the community of faith, or the man and woman who troubled the community of faith? Never underestimate the amount of damage one person can do outside the will of God. The church today must look after each other so that no one fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out so that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many (Hebrews 12:15). This is the reason why we always say, if we are not connected we are not protected! God’s people today are ONE body in Christ and we need to encourage one another in there walk with God and in the journey of life. So, how do we keep spiritual entitlement from our faith? 1. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 2. Don’t abuse the grace of God: Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Join us this Sunday at 1 PM as we continue to go deeper in God's Word and provide an update on all the exciting progress that's being made in the new building! #withlove #upcfamily
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Last week, God moved once again in worship and continued to touch others through His word and a powerful message on conquest. The conquest begins when we realize that though we are victorious in Christ, or we sit in a place of victory in Christ, we still need to be ready to fight and be ready for the conflict that lies ahead. If we aren’t ready for battle we aren’t ready for conquest.
It can be easy to entertain a Spirit of entitlement in our faith. We want the responsibility of a manager without first putting in the work of a representative. We want the faith that moves mountains, without the work that it takes to develop that faith. Don't stop fighting! Don’t you give in or give up! Because you are not fighting alone! We are all going to face challenges but remember: 1. Before the challenge: REMEMBER THAT YOU FIGHT FROM VICTORY, NOT JUST FOR VICTORY . Joshua 6:1–5 (NLT) Victorious Christians are people who know the promises of God, because they spend time meditating in God’s Word; they believe the promises of God, because the Word of God generates faith in their hearts (Rom. 10:17) and they stand firm in these promises and obey what God tells them to do. 2. DURING THE CHALLENGE: REMEMBER THAT YOU OVERCOME THE ENEMY BY FAITH. Joshua 6:6–16, 20 (NLT) When we accept God’s plan, we invite God’s presence; and that guarantees victory! The fall of Jericho is an encouragement to God’s people to trust the Lord’s promises and obey his instruction no matter how impossible the situation may appear to be. You and I may not capture a city as Joshua did, but in our everyday lives we face enemies and high walls that challenge our lives and our faith. The only way to grow in faith is to accept new challenges and trust God to give you victory. Jon us tomorrow to celebrate the victories in your life and for worship and word @ 1 PM! So many people were touched by God's presence last Sunday! It was amazing!
Pastor Juan continued on the Crossing Over Series and dug deeper into the book of Joshua and how his story shows us how God prepares is for victory. Why? Because if we are not ready, when we get the victory, we forget God and take the credit for ourselves. There were 3-steps of preparation before God would give His people victory over the nations in the land of Cannan. The first step of prepation is: 1. Renewing the Lord’s covenant (Josh. 5:1-9 Joshua 5:1–9 (NLT) God asked for the new generation to renew a covenant that was made with their parents before they entered the land through circumcision. Today, in lieu of circumcision, we celebrate baptism. It just means that from this point forward we are marked people. It is a symbol of a spiritual operation on the heart. You can renew your covenant with God by renewing your commitment to him through baptism or a rededication of your heart. 2. Remember God’s goodness (Josh. 5:10-12). God was reminding the people through Joshua not to forget where they came from and how God had been there from the very beginning. God easily took His people out of Egypt, but it was difficult for Him to take Egypt out of His people… We need to focus on what's ahead and not the past. Let God feed you and satisfy you with the harvest in the inheritance! Don't forget where God brought you from but keep moving forward pursuing Him knowing that His goodness will lead you to another victory. 3. Reaffirm God’s presence (Josh. 5:13-15) Joshua was not going to move until he knew that God presence was with Him! How much pain can we all save if we just have the same resolve, the same focus, the same passion to have the presence of God go before us! I don’t want to go, God, if your presence is not with me! Our Lord always comes to us when we need Him and in the way we need Him. Pursue God in His Word and prayer when you need direction. Then pause and listen. He will guide you! With every victory, there will be tests that follow to remind us we need to depend on Him so we need to be just as watchful after the victory as before. Invite a friend and bring the whole family on Sunday! Let's celebrate our past victories and the victories ahead together! God is continuing to prepare us for Crossing Over to the new building and we are so excited! We will be announcing soon how you can get involved in this awesome move of God. Come worship with us Sunday at 1 PM! 639 N 25th St. |
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