TEXT: 1 John 2:15
BACKGROUND 

v.15
These words may be rephrased as “stop loving the world.” 

John’s readers were acting in a way that was inconsistent with the relationship with Christ. 

“World” here is the morally evil system opposed to all that God is and holds dear. 

In this sense, the “world” is the satanic system opposing Christ’s kingdom on this earth.

v.16 
Lust of the flesh refers to desires of sinful sensual pleasure. 

The lust of the eyes refers to covetousness or materialism. 

The pride of life refers to being proud about one’s position in this world.

So many people look at their future through the lenses of their past sin or mistakes. 

Most believers never come into the full revelation of whether are in Christ. 

The spirit of Beloved Identity is the opposite of the spirit of abandonment. 

We have separated people, with our words, from the love of God that they walk in a spirit of abandonment that doesn’t exist. 

The American western culture church has been more of the problem than the answer. 

We know less about who we are and who He has called us to be than any other generation in the history of the church. 

Romans 8:15

I can’t think rightly about others until I see myself rightly as the beloved of God.

Scripture was intended to be a love letter to use. 

God never intended to give us a book.  

Man divided it. 

He wanted to give us a letter and man made it a textbook. 

Now, we try to use it as a text book instead of a letter.

A letter reveals the heart of writer regarding the reader. 

It is not a textbook to educate you about who He is. 

Proverbs 4:7

Understanding the revelation of who we really are.  

Shame is not a tool that God uses. 

James 1:17 - “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…..”

 Shame and anxiety and discouragement and depression are not of God. If you are experiencing those things, bind them in Jesus name. 

The American gospel is rooted in shame. 

Romans 8:31 

When you know that He is for you and not against you, correction becomes an honor.

John 5:38

Proverbs 9:10

There are no degrees of righteousness. 

You either have Christ’s righteousness or your righteousness. 

Isaiah 64:6 

TEXT: John 6:22-70
Untraditional message. 

Jesus is the Bread of Life. 

Jesus had just fed more than five thousand people with five loaves and two small fish (John 6:1–14). 

When the people went looking for Him the next day, they were following their stomachs more than their hearts. 

Jesus saw beyond their desire for another free meal. 

He knew that they weren’t interested in following Him for who He was, but for what He could do (v. 26).

Seeing Jesus merely as a source of earthly blessings is never a good reason to follow Him. 

That’s because while we can buy a loaf of bread at the store, only Jesus can meet our deepest need—our spiritual need for a Savior, for purpose, for daily guidance, for love. 

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (v. 35). 

The hunger and thirst He satisfies goes much deeper than the physical hunger that can be satisfied by bread and fish.

He came to give us life and life more abundantly. 

He came to see and save that which was lost. 

He didn’t leave us lost, He came to save us and give us purpose.

He is the greatest gift. Some many reject the gift or receive the gift and put it in closet.  

Not everyone in your life was sent by God.

Some people you're helping are actually blocking your blessings.  

1. The Unrepentant 

Stop trying to help someone who refuses to change.

If they won't turn from their sin, your support doesn't help them, it hardens them. 

It’s like building a ladder for someone who has no intention of climbing.

They’re not looking for freedom they're looking for comfort in the pit. 

Proverbs 26:11 says, “as a dog returns to its vomit so a fool repeats his foolishness.”

That's not harsh. It’s real. God wants you to recognize patterns not just personalities.  

Many people have had truth, grace and chances to grow but still choose rebellion.

God's not asking you to keep stepping in. He might be asking you to step back. 

Sometimes pain is the only thing to get someone's attention and your constant rescue is blocking their wake up call.

Don't confuse being their lifeline with blocking their lesson.  

1. The Manipulative

Some people don't want help they want control. 

If you're not careful their crisis becomes your captivity. 

These are the ones who twist your kindness into obligation.  

They guilt trip you, gaslight you, make you feel like saying no is unChristian. 
Manipulation is not ministry. 

Jesus never allowed Himself to be controlled by people's emotions or expectations.

In fact in Luke 4, when the crowd tried to keep Him from leaving because they were mad He walked away because His assignment wasn't based on pressure it was based on purpose.

Just because someone is loud about their needs doesn't mean you're called to meet them.

If helping them cost you your peace your purpose or your identity it's not help it's a trap.  

1. The Divisive 

God won't bless what divides His people.

Helping someone who sow division is helping the enemy.

These are the gossipers, the drama magnets, the ones who smile in church but tear others down in secret.

Titus 3:10 says, “warn a divisive person once, then warn them a second time. After that have nothing to do with them.”  

That's not cold. That’s commanded.

When you attempt to help someone who stirs up strife you're not just caught in the middle, you become part of the mess and eventually their conflict becomes your consequence. 

Protect your peace. Protect your calling.
 
God isn't asking you to fix what He's trying to separate.

1. The Drainer

Some people don't want to grow.

They just want to take. 

Your constant helping is making you spiritually dry. 

You pray for them, listen to them, carry their weight but nothing ever changes.

Why?

They're not looking for transformation. They’re looking for a host, someone to do it for them. 

Even Jesus had boundaries. 

He ministered to the multitude but He recharged alone 

Luke 5:16 says, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

If the Son of God needed distance so do you. 

It's not selfish to protect you. 

It's spiritual warfare because it drained spirit can't discern clearly and burnout is one of the enemy’s favorite traps. Helping isn’t holy when it empties you and enable them 

1. The God Replacers.  

If someone looks to you instead of God,  stop helping.

You’re not their Savior. 

 It starts slowly. 

They ask for prayer, advice or support.

However, overtime they rely more on you than on God.

The truth is, every time you rush to fix it, you’re standing in a place only God belongs.
 
In Act 14 when people try to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, they tore their clothes and shouted, “We're just humans like you.” 

They knew the danger of letting people elevate them instead of the One who sent them.
 
You can guide, you can pray but you cannot be someone source. 

That role is sacred.

If they keep turning to you instead of turning to God, your help has become a hindrance.

1. The Willfully Disobedient 

If they know what God said and still choose rebellion, don't partner with it.

These people are the ones who say, “yeah I know what the Bible says, but they don't need a lifeline. 

They need a wake up call.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 says, “take note of those who do not obey our instruction. Do not associate with them so they may feel ashamed.” 

That's not rejection. 

That's redirection through consequence.

If someone is actively walking against God's word and you keep supporting them, you're not helping them walk toward freedom, you're just making the road to destruction feel comfortable. 
Love them, yes, but don't walk with them if they're walking away from God.

1. The Assignment Blocker 

Some people aren't part of your calling. They are a distraction from it. 

They might not be toxic, they might not be rebellious, but they're not aligned.

If you're not careful, your compassion will keep you in a place God told you to leave.

In Genesis 12 God told Abram, “leave your country, your people, and your father's household”, but Abram brought Lot with him and it wasn't until Lot left that God gave him the full vision for his future. 

Sometimes the wrong people aren't evil, they're just extra weight. 

Don't confuse loyalty with obedience. 

When God says go you don't need everyone's permission, just His direction.

some of the people you're trying to help God is trying to remove.

The question isn't “are they worth saving?” 

The question is are, “you willing to obey even if it looks like walking away.” 

You walking away maybe what it takes for them to truly depend upon the Savior. 

Helping them might feel holy but disobedience, even with good intentions, is still disobedience


            ***** the above was borrowed and paraphrased from video: posted https://youtu.be/L2KrZxO9vt0 *****


Which side of the situation are you on?

No matter where you are in this season, “RUN TO JESUS.”

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith!!!!



Yahweh Nissi

"The Lord My Banner”

1. When God is your banner, He will sustain you. 

You might feel like you're not going to make it, but God promises to provide you with what you need.

It may not be what you want, but it will be what you need to be obedient to Him.

1. When God is your banner, His purpose will prevail. 

If your circumstance is causing you to lose faith, "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2) and His purpose, and you will be able to stand strong.

3. When God is your banner, He is always with you. 

God promises to walk with you through every situation. You are never alone.

If you're in a battle right now, remember that Jesus is your banner who brings hope and purpose.




Ro’eh Tzon 

“Shepherd of a flock”

the Hebrew word we translate as "shepherd" is roch tzon (pronounced "ro-ch tone”)

What is a "good shepherd"?

Jesus once described himself as a "good shepherd" who would lay down his life to protect his sheep-something I always understood in theory but missed the significance of because of where I grew up.

See, in most western countries, sheep are kept safe inside fenced-off fields with food and water—so they don't really need a shepherd.

But even today in Israel, there are very few fences, so sheep often wander through the desert where they can be attacked by any number of predators. 

So, when Jesus says He is "the good shepherd," we should be reminded that no matter what situation we face, He will be with us, holding us close to His heart and lovingly caring for us.
Are you going through a rough season right now? 

If so, have confidence that Jesus is your good companion through it all. And He wants you to rely on Him for everything you need to get through this season.
Don't give up hope!

"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me."
- John 10:14



Yahweh Tsidkenu

God, My Righteousness 

Proverbs 15:9-10

"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day" - Proverbs 4:18

The Hebrew word we translate as righteousness is pronounced "Yah-weh Tsid-kay-new"), which means to help someone in need. 

Tsedagah is about showing concern for the poor through charity and generosity. 

It's about serving the least, the last, and the lost. 

This is how we have a life that continues to shine brighter like the dawn—by serving people in need around us.



God is your "shield?

If you're feeling shaken, fearful, or anxious today, then pray you would find strength, hope, and encouragement in knowing that God is your shield.

“But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” - Psalm 3:3



One of God's names in the Bible is Migdal-Oz (pronounced "mig-dawl ohze"), which means "Strong Tower" or "Fortress." 

The idea is that God is the foundation of a believer's life.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, i whom I find protection" - Psalm 18:2.

To David, this mountain represented God because it was a physical place where he found refuge and protection in a time of desperate spiritual and emotional need.

How many people need a tangible reminder that God is theirstrong tower, their refuge, and their safe place today.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. - Psalm 18:2



One of Jesus in Hebrew is Emmanuel, which literally means "I AM with you always.”
 When you look deeper into the root of this Hebrew word, you discover that it doesn't just mean that Jesus is just visiting with you. It means He is actually dwelling with you!

This name means that Jesus is always, always with you because He never leaves you or forsakes you.

It means He is the Lord of your past, He is the Lord of your present moment right here and now, and He is the Lord of your future too.

Louie Giglio says, we "start with Jesus, stay with Jesus, and end with Jesus" because He is with us always!

And they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us. - Matthew 1:23

Yahweh Shalom - Lord of Peace
TEXT: Genesis 16:1-13
Wouldn’t it be great that when we come to Christ all of our problems, stresses and fear went away?

C.S. Lewis said, “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in the mist of them.”

The result of settled faith is perfect peace. 

We have to come to the point of recognizing our own utter sinfulness and our deep need of a redeemer before we can find peace. 

Only when we are at peace with God can we have peace with others. 

Only when our mind is settled in God can we tolerate the changing circumstances that often come with life.

The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. 

The word eirene (pronounced e-rainy) strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos. 

When a person is dominated by eirene (“peace”), he has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting.

The Hebrew counterpart, the word shalom, indicates that this dominating peace ultimately gives rise to overcomer in one’s soul. 

Rather than allowing the difficulties and pressures of life to break him, a person who is possessed by eirene (“peace”) is whole, complete, orderly, stable, and positioned for blessing.

Isaiah 26:3-4 

The title Jehovah Shalom occurs only once in the Bible, in Judges 6:24: “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace”. 
The book of Judges describes a difficult time in the history of Israel. 
Lacking both unity and faithful leadership, the nation had fallen into a vicious cycle of apostasy and idol worship. 
Because of their idolatry, God gave them over to their enemies until they repented. 
Deliverance followed, but it didn’t take long until they found themselves returning to apostasy.
Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, who left them hiding in caves, little to no food, little to no livestock and few tools. 
With uncertainty in their hearts, they cried to God for help. 
He reminded them that their disobedience caused their troubles, but He also sent them Gideon.
Gideon, it has to be said, was perplexed as to why such ill had befallen his people. 
He never doubted that God had delivered them from Egyptian slavery, but where was God when they needed Him most? 
Why such tragedy and suffering? 
Was He still with them? 
Although the Lord then commissioned Gideon to save Israel, he felt weak, frail, and incapable. 
However, his uncertainty and fear were dispelled by God’s promise, “I will be with you” (Judges 6:16). 
To confirm the identity of his supernatural visitor, Gideon asked for a sign. 
Witnessing the food he prepared for the angel miraculously consumed by fire, Gideon was filled with even greater fear.  
He had seen the Angel of the Lord face to face! 
The immediate divine response was this: “Peace be to you. Do not fear, you shall not die” (Judges 6:23). 
As a result of these words, Gideon’s heart was infused with confidence and courage. 
He experienced peace in the truest sense. 
Building an altar to the Lord, he called it, “Jehovah-Shalom”, or “The Lord is Peace”. Come what may, he could now confront the enemy and undertake great exploits for God. His encounter with the God of Peace had taught him that he was not alone.
“Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6. 
During His ministry, the Lord Jesus brought life to the dead, healing to the diseased, liberty to the captive, and peace to the brokenhearted. 
“peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20), 
thereby making reconciliation possible for every sinner, He spoke to His disciples, saying, 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). 
After rising victoriously from the dead, Jesus’s very first words to His fearful followers were a repetition of “Peace be with you” (John 20:19,21).
Our world craves peace, but they can’t seem to find it. 

TEXT: Exodus 3:14-15, 4:1-5, 10-15
PSALM 34:1-2
The name Yahweh occurs more than 6,200 times in the Old Testament. It is the personal name of God. 
It appears in every book but Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.
As time went on, it spoken aloud only by priests worshiping in the Jerusalem temple. 
After the destruction of the temple in AD 70, the name was not pronounced at all. 
Adonay was substituted for Yahweh whenever it appeared in the biblical text. 
Because of this, the correct pronunciation of this name was eventually lost. 
English editions of the Bible usually translate Adonay as “Lord” and Yahweh as“LORD.” Yahweh is the name that is most closely linked to God’s redeeming acts in the history of his chosen people. 
YHWH - (no vowels) - in Hebrew this word means, “He will be.”
When Moses asked God His name, God responded, “I Am Who I Am.”
God does not change, He simply IS.
Yahweh was too sacred to say out loud.
They replaced it in your Bible with “LORD”
Adon is a Hebrew word that means “lord” in the sense of an owner, master, or superior. 
It is frequently used as a term of respect and always refers to people. Adonay (a-do-NAI) is the plural form of adon and always refers to God as Lord or Master. 
In the Old Testament it is rendered as “Lord” (distinct from “LORD,” the rendering for the Hebrew name Yahweh). 
Psalm 9:10 - He is a relational being Who wants us to know Him and He wants know us.
He is enough. 
Jesus is Lord of lords - Revelation 19:16
He is all we need. 
He is enough. 
 John 8:48-58 
John 1 
John 13:19

SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD OVER YOUR FINANCES
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:5-15
MALACHI 3:10 - TEST GOD 
In the early nineteenth century, private citizens, fueled by the fires of Christian revivalism, organized to both proclaim the gospel and relieve the needy. They met the needs of thousands. Because this giving stemmed from a Christian worldview, they gave not only generously but carefully. As Christians, they recognized humanity’s sinfulness and thus discouraged indiscriminate giving that failed to distinguish between the truly needy and the fraudulent. However, as the nineteenth century “progressed,” views of humanity began to change, and approaches to charity changed with them. A preeminent example of this worldview was articulated by Horace Greeley, the Universalist publisher of the New York Tribune.
Greeley believed everyone was basically good and, thus, he had no reservations about indiscriminate giving. Furthermore, he recommended the redistribution of wealth so that all would receive an equal share. Though his newspaper did much to change public opinion, Greeley was only the beginning. With an increasing confidence in humanity, charity became secularized. Citizens idolized the state, relying upon it for sustenance. By the end of the nineteenth century, the new direction was clear and chilling:
We ought, therefore, to regard the Nation as the Church, its rulers as ministers of Christ, its whole body as a Christian brotherhood . . . its progressive development, especially in raising the weak, as the fullest service rendered on earth to God, the nearest thing as yet within our reach to the kingdom of heaven.
It is hard to overemphasize the practical effect of this change of outlook. In this new era, private charitable giving was actually discouraged so as not to crowd out government involvement. However, it was the federal response to the Great Depression—the New Deal—and the Great Society legislation that sealed the change in the United States.
President Franklin Roosevelt responded decisively to the Great Depression. His arguably necessary policies were a mixture of federal regulations (e.g., the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) and social reform (e.g., Social Security legislation). From temporary jobs to cheap electricity, Americans expected Uncle Sam to provide relief. One young congressman who drank deeply from the well of the New Deal was Lyndon Johnson. He represented Texas in the House of Representatives beginning in 1937 and became known as Roosevelt’s protégé. When Johnson became president in 1963, he brokered his own New Deal, which he dubbed the “Great Society.” It was a federalized effort to battle social ills. As one sympathetic author wrote, it was a plan hatched with “the best of intentions.”
There is much to commend Johnson’s work. The Civil Rights Act, for example, is part of his legacy. However, Johnson’s crusade to help the poor did not work. His policies failed, statistically, and they severed that vital relationship between charity and discernment. As Marvin Olasky, author of The Tragedy of American Compassion, argued, “The War on Poverty of the 1960s was a disaster not so much because of its new programs but because of their emphasis on entitlement rather than need.” This misplaced emphasis continues. A truly “great society” will embrace wise, private, charitable giving. Such giving is, after all, personal, effective and, at least in the United States, increasingly popular. With the failures of public sector welfare, one can hope that charity finds its way back to the Church and the private sector once again. - Kairos Journal 

WANT TO HAVE WHAT WE CAN SEE, BUT ITS TOUGH TO TRUST FOR GOD PROMISES WHEN WE CAN’T SEE THEM!
1 CORINTHIANS 16 
SUPPORT THOSE WHO WERE SPREADING THE GOSPEL AND TO HELP THE NEEDY
THERE IS NO LAW THAT TELLS YOU YOU HAVE TO GIVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT. 
UNDER GRACE - IT’S AN INDIVIDUAL MATTER. 
YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SHARE WHAT GOD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH
IF YOU FOCUS ON HIM YOU WILL KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO GIVE
TITHING - GENEROUS GIVING 
OLD TESTAMENT - TITHE - 1/10
 - FESTIVAL TITHE - a tenth of ones income to celebrate once a year
 - LEVITICAL TITHE - ONE MOST PASTOR PROMOTE - LEVIS OWNED NOTHING - DIDN’T TAKE A SALARY - HAD NO LAND - BRING THE FAT TO THE LORD - 
COOK IT DOWN AND THE LEVITE WOULD GET A 1/4 - JEWISH, LANDOWNERS, WHAT CAME OFF THAT LAND
LEVI
 - CHARITY TITHE - EVERY THIRD YEAR 23.3%
2 CORINTHIAN 8 - 9 - CHEERFUL GIVER 
The primary reason that Paul addressed this topic here was that false teachers in Corinth were questioning Paul’s motives for ministry. Evidently they were suggesting that Paul was pocketing contributions earmarked for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Consequently the Corinthians, despite their announced willingness to help, had not donated to the cause.
First, who should give? All believers can and should contribute to the cause of Christ. The church at Macedonia was notoriously poor, yet they asked for the privilege of being allowed to give (8:4) out of “their deep poverty” (8:2).
In what spirit should we give? We ought to give willingly (8:12; 9:2) and cheerfully, “not grudgingly or of necessity” (9:7). It is a privilege to share in the work of God. Moreover, it is the appropriate response to God’s “indescribable gift,” His own Son (9:15).
How much should we give? Nowhere does the New Testament give us a specified percentage or amount. Paul simply exhorts each of the members of the Corinthian church to give “as he purposes in his heart” (9:7). Ideally, our gifts would be “generous” (9:5) and given with “liberality” (9:11). 
The overall message of this passage suggests sacrificial giving. Again, by way of example, the Macedonians, like the poor widow praised by Christ in Luke 21:1–4, gave not merely their “leftovers,” but more than they could afford (8:3).
How should monetary gifts be handled? Paul took special care to explain that the Corinthians’ contributions would be handled with integrity by Titus (8:16–20, 23) and another unnamed brother (8:22). These were men of the highest character. They were trustworthy and above reproach in the handling of money. We should entrust our church finances to men of this caliber.
Why is giving so important? In Paul’s words, it tests the sincerity of our love for God and others (8:7, 8). To paraphrase the words of Christ (Matt. 6:19–21), how we handle material wealth is a barometer of our spiritual health.
What will be the results of our giving? We should not give primarily to get, but Paul makes it clear that giving does lead to abundance. Cheerful givers experience God’s love in a special way (9:7). They enjoy the spiritual blessing of participating in a rich harvest of righteousness (9:10).
- THE LAW MADE TITHING A RULE 
- THE CROSS RETURNED TO AN ACT OF WORSHIP 
- YOU ARE NOT CURSED BECAUSE YOU DON’T TITHE
- CHRIST REMOVED THE CURSE 
UNDER THE NEW COVENANT WE DON’T TITHE TO AVOID THE CURSE 
WE TITHE BECAUSE IN CHRIST WE AERE EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY BLESSED
WE LIVE UNDER GRACE - PAUL ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT GENEROSITY NOT TITHING
MANY MEASURE FAITHFULNESS AND SPIRITUALITY BY THE AMOUNT YOU GIVE INSTEAD OF THE ATTITUDE BY WHICH YOU GIVE. 
GOD ISN’T AFTER YOUR MONEY. 
HE’S AFTER YOUR HEART AND OBEDIENCE. 
“IT IS MANIPULATION THAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO GIVE OUT OF EMOTIONS IN THE MOMENT EXPECTING SOMETHING OF GOD VS THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVING ON YOUR HEART FROM A PLACE OF GENEROSITY.
TITHING ISN’T GENEROSITY. IT IS OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD
TITHING IS NOT A HAVE TO IT’S A GET TO. 
 IN GRACE TEN PERCENT IS THE FLOOR NOT THE CEILING
THE OFFERING COMES TO THE STOREHOUSE WHERE YOU ARE FED
IF YOU TRUST THIS HOUSE TO DEDICATE YOUR BABIES, MARRY YOU, COUNSEL
IF YOU DON’T TRUST YOUR CHURCH, FIND A CHURCH YOU TRUST TO GIVE YOUR MONEY TO TO DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE SCRIPTURE SAYS THE CHURCH SHOULD DO. 
GIVE IT WITH A CHEERFUL HEART. 
IF YOU NEVER GIVE YOU WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF SEEING THE FRUIT OF THE HARVEST. 
WHY I GIVE

1. IT PROVIDES FOR GOD’S HOUSE 
2. IT TELLS GOD I TRUST HIM
3. IT CREATES MARGIN IN MY LIFE FOR GOD TO FILL 
4. IT REMINDS ME THAT I AM NOT MY SOURCE
5. IT CONNECTS MY MONEY TO A KINGDOM PURPOSE
6. IT GIVES ME ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE
7. IT TRANSFORMS MY MONEY INTO A SEED
8. IT BREAKS GREED OFF OF MY LIFE 

PHIL 4:19 
GEN 12:2
1 TIM 6:10 
MATTHEW 25:14-30
PROVERBS 13:11
These declaration are not magic words that will automatically solve all of our financial problems. 
They are a reminder of the truth of God's word and a way for us to align our hearts with His will.
We still need to get up and go to work, make wise financial decisions, and trust in God's provision. 
We can open ourselves up to these blessings is through the act of giving. 
When we give, whether it be our time, our resources, or our talents, we are showing God that we trust Him to provide for us and that we are willing to be a blessing to others.
Making a dedication and commitment to give, whether through tithing or other means, is not just about giving money to the church, it's about recognizing that God is our source and that everything we have comes from Him. 
When we give, we are saying, "God, I trust that you will provide for me and that I don't have to hold on to my resources tightly. I am willing to bless others with what you've given me.”

SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD OVER THE SEASON YOU ARE IN 
HOLDING ON TO PROMISE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCESS
TEXT: GALATIANS 4:21 - 31
KINGDOM MAN 
FREE WOMAN VS SLAVE GIRL(BONDWOMAN) 
HAGGAR - REPRESENTS THE LAW - ISHAMEL - SELF EFFORT 
SARAH - FREE WOMAN - ISAAC - SON OF PROMISE 
GEN. 17:1 - ABRHAM - EXALTED FATHER - WAS CHILDLESS
ABRAHAM - FATHER OF MULTITUDES OR MANY NATIONS. 
GOD BEGAN TO CALL HIM WHAT HE WOULD BECOME EVEN WHEN THERE WAS NO FRUIT OF WHAT GOD SAID WAS TRUE ABOUT HIM. 
What you think about yourself that isn’t true according to what He says about isn’t who you are. 
WE DON’T KNOW THE WORD SO WE LISTEN TO WHAT THE ENEMYT SAYS ABOUT US. 
WHEN WE KNOW THE WORD, WE CAN SPEAK THAT OVER OURSELVES AND NOT GIVE VOCIE TO THE ENEMY. 
HOLD ON THE THE PROMISE.
Sarah can’t have a child though she is married to Abraham, father of many nations.  
She begins to come up with her own plan according to what she could do  -  self effort. 
Abraham is going to spend time with Sarah’s handmaid. - slave girl - Haggar.
Make the plan happen in our own efforts. 

Too many people are trying to force the hand of God and make promises come to pass without walking in the process because they don’t like the process and want to pass over the process and go straight to promise. 
OR they listen to “words” that were never from God or were never for them. 
“blab it and grab it.”
They don’t recognize the season they are in.  
They want to lay on the couch while they should be going to battle. 
David - 2 Samuel 11:1 
know the season you are in. 
are you in a season of process or promise?

SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD OVER YOUR FAMILY
TEXT: PSALM 127-128
It’s not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. We must be both spiritually and emotionally healthy for our families. 
Battles that we refuse to confront our children will be force to overcome. 
Proverbs 18
20 Sharing words of wisdom is satisfying to your inner being. It encourages you to know
that you’ve changed someone else’s life.
21 Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, 
and the talkative person will reap the consequences.
22 When a man finds a wife, he has found a treasure!
For she is the gift of God to bring him joy and pleasure.
But the one who divorces a good woman
loses what is good from his house.
To choose an adulteress is both stupid and ungodly. - 

Proverbs 13:22  

• The servant of God who is not anxious about riches, takes the best method of providing for his children. - Matthew Henry 
• A good man leaves an inheritance of prayers, a godly life, a good name, a wonderful example, and many cherished memories, and in some cases, houses, lands, and wealth for his children. In contrast, the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Psalm 127 - 128

• Stop chasing success for your children. Let the Lord order them steps. Raise them to be righteous and their steps will be ordered by the Lord. 
• God will open doors no man can close and close doors no man can open. 
• Guard your home. Be careful you and what you let in. 
• The choice of arrows as a metaphor is appropriate to the analogy of multiple children, but it also underscores the thought that the growth of the next generation is vital to the future well-being of both city and society.
• An olive tree had several uses for its wood, leaves and oil, but it also symbolized well-being and splendor.
• An olive branch will continue to produce shoots even after cut down. 

Proverbs 22:6
Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27 to speak over your children:
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Bible blessings to pray over your children:
Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”
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.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD OVER YOUR HEALTH
TEXT: PROVERBS 4:20-22
Several terms in the Bible fit under this heading of sickness including 
(1) “afflicted” (kakoucheo) 
- Heb. 11:37; (thlibo) 
- 2 Cor. 4:8
(2) “weaknesses” (astenos) 
- Rom. 8:26
- 2 Cor. 12:5, 9, 10 
(3) “sickness” (asteneo) 
- Matt. 10:8
- 2 Tim. 4:20
- James 5:14; 
(4) “trouble” (thlipsis) 
- 1 Cor. 7:28
- 2 Cor. 1:4
(5) “hardship” (kakopatheo)
Suffering may therefore be:
- spiritual (having to do with the soul and sin) 
- physical (having to do with the body and sickness) 
- mental (having to do with the mind and anguish)
the beginning on sickness - the Garden of Eden
The source of sickness - 

• God Himself is sometimes the direct cause of suffering in the lives of people - Exodus 15:26.
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      • The Lord not only made the blind to see; He also made the seeing blind (Mark 10:46-52; John 9:3; Acts 9:8-18; 13:8-12). To attribute all suffering to the devil is simply a distortion of the Word of God.
• Satan is sometimes the source of human affliction - Job’s suffering (in conjunction with God’s will).
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      • Luke 13:10-17
      • Jesus’ ministry as including “healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). Scripture warns believers to be alert for such attacks (1 Pet. 5:8-9).
• Sometimes individuals themselves are responsible.
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      • (a) directly—because of personal decisions and diets, etc.
      • (b) indirectly—because of the consequences of the universal Fall in Eden and the curse, which the earth is under. 
      • Sometimes the “cares of the world” and the “cares of life” are enough to instill suffering into human beings.

There is more than one type of healing available to humanity
1. Natural Healing - This “built-in” ability for the body to heal itself of many infirmities and is a grace-gift from a compassionate God. Praise Him for the provision of physical restoration.
2. Medicinal Healing - God has also blessed the minds of men and women with an abundant amount of knowledge that has produced medicine designed to bring healing (James 1:17). 

• Relief from suffering through legitimate means and faith in God for healing can work together without contradiction.
• Jesus Himself said that the sick need a physician (Luke 5:31).
• He healed a woman with an issue of blood who had sought the help of doctors (Luke 8:43). If seeing a doctor was a sin, Jesus would have told this woman that.
• Paul told the young pastor, Timothy to, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Tim. 5:23).

3. Divine Healing - a supernatural intervention of God where there is no other explanation except that the compassionate, sovereignty of an Almighty God chooses at times to give humanity a taste of what He will ultimately complete in the re-creation of glorified bodies.

• There is no scriptural basis for healing on demand, where a manipulated God responds to commands to follow a specific formula. 
• Contrary to the popular opinion of some, God is not in heaven like a genie in a bottle that we just command to do what we want. We are here on earth to worship and glorify Him in preparation for what we will do for eternity.
• The cross of Christ made provision for both sin and suffering. However, the distinction between the two deserves attention:
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    • Sin is never beneficial; suffering may be. 
    • Sin is never according to the will of God; suffering may be. 
    • Forgiveness for sins occurs immediately; suffering may endure until death. 
    • Faith is necessary for salvation; sometimes healing comes without faith. 
    • A person may make it to heaven without healing, but no one can enter into glory with sin.

DECLARATION 

• I believe the Word above my thoughts and feelings. His Word is truth! (Proverbs 4:20-22)

• I will be led by the Spirit and eat what is healthy and life-giving for my physical body. 

• I have a spirit of self-control, and I am in control of the foods I eat every day. (Galatians 5:22-23, 25; 1 Corinthians 6:12)

• I speak life, strength, health, energy and longevity to my body. 

• Regardless of how I’m feeling I believe that I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

• I will not declare sickness. I will not speak disease. I will not speak malfunction in my body of any kind. 

• I rebuke fatigue or any other attack on my body. I receive the life, strength and energy of God!(Ephesians 6:10; James 4:7)

• I am strong and healthy. 

• I will exercise, and I will take time to strengthen my body. I do this so I can be a blessing to those around me and have the energy to serve the Lord in every way He asks. 

• I am increasing in endurance, and I purpose to make exercise a regular part of my daily life. (1 Timothy 4:8)

• I have supernatural knowledge about how to take care of my body. I am led by the Spirit of God about how to approach whole-life health. I do not let the world dictate how I care for my body, but I seek the Lord in making decisions. (Romans 8:14)

• God has said to me that with long life He will satisfy me, so I declare now in the Name of Jesus that I will live long and strong on the earth. 

• Jesus is the Name above all names. His Name is above every sickness and disease, and every sickness and disease must bow to His Name. 

• I speak the Name of Jesus over every part of my body today.

• I am strong in Jesus’ Name. 

• I am healed in Jesus’ Name. 

• Weakness, pain, tiredness and weariness must leave my body in the name of Jesus.

15 Healing Scriptures to Declare

Proverbs 4:20-22
Isaiah 53:5
Acts 3:16
Psalm 30:2
Psalm 103:2-3
Jeremiah 33:6
Deuteronomy 7:15
Jeremiah 17:14
Exodus 15:26
Exodus 23:25
Psalm 107:20*
Matthew 8:17*
Psalm 118:17*
Jeremiah 30:17qqqqq
Isaiah 57:19

SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD OVER YOUR LIFE 
PHILEMON 1:6
What kind of things do you say about yourself? 
Do you speak well of yourself, or are you hyper-critical of yourself?
Has your mouth become your greatest enemy?
Are you aligning your mouth with the Word of God?
The Word of God is clear about you. BUT, you must activate what the Word says. 
“effectual” is the Greek word energeo. 
It is where we get the word energy.
In this verse, the word energeo carries the idea of something that has suddenly become energized or activated. 
Paul’s words could actually be rendered, “That the communication of your faith may become energized and activated.…”
“The word “acknowledging” in this verse holds the answer to the questions above. 
This word is from the Greek word epignosis, which describes a well-instructed, intensive, deep knowledge of the facts.
The word epignosis is a pictures a person who knows his facts like a professional. This is a person so sure of his information that when he speaks, he does so with confidence and boldness. 
He has no reason to be ashamed or to fear that others may accuse him of being incorrect because he is well instructed and has an intensive, deep knowledge of the facts.
KNOW who you are in Jesus Christ.
KNOW what Jesus has purchased in your redemption.
KNOW every good thing that God has placed in you by Jesus Christ.
KNOW that all these truths that is so concrete and so unshakable that you are immovable in what you think and believe.
example: a salesman confident in what he sales. 
Too many people know the truth, but never walk in freedom because they never align their mouth with the truth. 
HEBREWS 4:12-13
PROVERBS 18
What we speak, whether positive or negative, will have consequences. 

What we declare will bear fruit. 

James reminds us that our tongues are powerful—and that what we speak out of our mouths has power to direct our lives. (James 3:3-5)

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Ps 119:89)

How to Turn a Scripture into a Prophetic Declaration

A scripture is prophetic when it speaks of the Father’s intention and purpose for our lives personally. 

Here are some ways to turn a Bible verse into a spoken profession of faith:

1. Choose a Bible verse that:

• God has spoken to you through, or

• Has prophetic significance to you and/or relates to something God has spoken about you)

• You would like to apply by faith to a particular situation you are facing right now, or to your overall life and ministry calling

Declaring God’s word is powerful, whether or not it has been given to you through prophetic means.

Memorise the scripture or write it out and use it to speak from.

‘Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.’ (Psalm 1:1-2)
Bold declarations are powerful in times of warfare or when breakthrough is needed. 

We don’t have to speak loudly in order for a declaration to be effective. 

The Hebrew word ‘to meditate’ also means ‘to mutter’—to speak aloud to oneself—and this can even be done under our breath or quietly.


EXAMPLE:
Prophetic Declaration Based on Joshua 1

‘This is a new day. I am entering into the ‘Promised Land.’ I am entering into the plans and purposes of God for my life. Now, I am entering into my inheritance and receiving God’s promises, each and every one.
Nothing can stand in my way and no enemy will prevail against me, for God is with me. He will never leave me or forsake me.
I am strong and courageous; I am not fearful or discouraged. I feed on the Word of God, keeping God’s Word in my heart! And, I obey it.
Now, I have success in that which God has called me to.”

Type your new text here.

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22
“It is not possible to be spiritually mature while being emotionally immature!” 
  - Pete Scazzero 

Unprocessed emotions don’t die the get buried alive. 

They come out in triggers.


The Bible presents a progressive spiritual reality: the spiritual old has passed away with Christ, but the fleshly old remains active, requiring believers to actively "put off" its sinful ways and "put on" the new person through faith, understanding that the "old man" is a person's life under sin's dominion, not just sin itself. 

The "old has passed away" in 2 Corinthians 5:17 refers to a new spiritual standing and creation in Christ, while Paul's command to "put off the old man" in Ephesians 4:22 is a practical instruction to stop practicing the habits and characteristics associated with a life dominated by sin. 

In the immediate context, Paul is exhorting each believer to put on his or her new human nature.

Our New Nature—The term “new nature” refers to the spiritual transformation that occurs within people when they believe in Christ as Savior. 

New does not mean renewed, renovated, reformed, or rehabilitated. 

It means completely and distinctly new, with a new family, a new set of values, new motivations, and a whole new life. 

The old man is still present in the new life and expresses himself in sinful deeds such as lying (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9). 

The new man, to be visible, must be put on, as one would put on a new suit of clothes (Col. 3:10). 

In other words, the new nature must be cultivated or nurtured by spiritual decisiveness to grow in Christ. We must not revert to putting on the old suit of the former life; rather, we must continue to grow in this new life (Eph. 5:8).

The Spiritual Reality: The Old Has Passed

A New Creation:  In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!". 

This signifies a fundamental change: believers have a new standing before God through Christ, becoming a "new man" or "new creation”.

Ephesians 4:17-22

v.17 - futility - perverse - morally bankrupt. 

v.18 - alienated - shut out.

- ignorance -


Eight Traits of a "christian" that walks like the world: (walk in emptiness)
 
1. Darkened Understanding. 

2. Alienated (shut out) from God. 

3. Ignorant of God's Way. 

4. Hardened Heart. 

5. Unfeeling State. ( from the Greek word meaning, " to have ceased to care.")

6. Lustful - filthy and having no shame. 

7. Unclean. - physically and morally unclean to the point of being demonic

8. Greedy - never satisfied and always desiring to have more and more. 

Those that will not die to the flesh will be tossed to and fro by the things of the world. They will allow the world to control them.  

Some will deny things because they are still listening to the flesh. 

That's why the fruit in their life produces worldiness and not godliness. 


Seven Blessings of Walking With the Lord:

1. Maturity--no longer children (Eph. 4:14) 

2. Established in the faith--no longer of doubtful mind or tossed to and fro like the waves (Eph. 4:14; Jas. 1:5-8) 

3. Rooted and grounded in truth--no longer carried about by winds of doctrine (Eph. 4:14; Jn. 8:32-36 Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:6-7 2Pet. 1:12) 

4. Freedom from deception--able to discern truth from error (Eph. 4:14; 2Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:11-14 Jn. 8:32-36) 

5. The ability to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15; Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16) 

6. Constant growth in spiritual things (Eph. 4:15; 1Pet. 2:2; 2Pet. 3:18) 

7. Harmony with all others in Christ (Eph. 4:16; 2Cor. 1:10; 2Cor. 13:11)

Text: MARK 3:1-6
STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND 
We say we want revival and for God to move and all the Pentecostal things but are we willing to do what it takes for him to move 
God is restoring back to man what was lost. 
The religious people were mad that a man that was sick was healed. 
Religious people can get along better with bound people than they can with free people. 
Jesus cast the devil out of the man living in the grave yard. 
They got mad and told Jesus he had to leave. 
They get mad when other people get free. 
When you get serious about Jesus putting your life back together there will be people that like the bound you better than the free you and they will come after you. 
They went after Lazarus. They were already plotting to kill Jesus but it wouldn’t do any good to kill the miracle worker and the miracle still be walking around. 
They like the broken you better because they could intimidate the broken you better than the delivered you. 
We measure our freedom by other people. 
I may not be free but I am not as bad as them. 
Jesus calls him out. 
They were ok with my disfunction. People like you when you are behind them or under them. 
People want you to get up and talk about how unworthy you are better than they like you to get up and talk about how you are anointed to get up and preach. They call you arrogant. 
Don’t just read what has been expressed. See what is implied. 
Right hand was wither. Right handed people - their strength. 
This was his strength and he was broken in the thing that was suppose to be his great strength. 
When those things that everyone looks at about us are broken we want to hide it or ignore it because it is embarrassing. 
You have several areas of your life that are doing well, but if that one area that you are suppose to be strongest is failing, you fell like you are failing at everything. 
When one of my kids would get hurt and they would come to me to look at it. 
They will always scream, “dont touch it.” 
I have to touch it in order to help it. 
We have areas that God is wanting to touch but we have to let Him touch it. It may burn a little but it will make it better. 
Taking the band aid off my arm so it could heal. It has to be exposed in order to heal.
I wanted to keep it on there to protect it, but what I thought was protecting it was actually stopping it from healing. 
A dog hit by a car fighting you when you are trying to help it. 
You expose it. It is not His heart to hurt you more, but there may be pain in the healing. 
It will never heal as long as it is covered up. 
Jesus will find that one area. He wants all of you healed. 
Law of Restoration - had to give back five fold. 
God never puts a principle on people that He isn’t willing to live out Himself. 
We don’t restore what was lost, we have to restore back more than was lost. 
God wants to restore back to you what the devil took away five hold. Even if you gave it away God wants to restore it. 
Psalms 69:4 says, “I will restore that which I didn’t even take from you.” 
There is a comfort in low expectations. 
If you think you were something before you got bound by that thing wait until you see what God restores back to you. 
The greatest enemy to you walking in total freedom is partial freedom. 
I am not where I want to be, but thank God I am not where I use to be. 
I am not free yet, but thank God I am not as bound as I use to be. 
NO! God wants His children to walk in total freedom. 
I do not want to fall short of anything that God has called me to do. 
If I do great things for the kingdom, but miss the fullness of what He has called me to do I have failed Him. 
I can’t fix my weakness, but all I have to do is stretch it out and let Him touch it. 
He is still in the healing business. 
He is still in the restoration business. 

Guidelines of work group and confidentiality……
- September 2, 2025
- Tuesday or Thursday nights - 8:30pm - 10:00pm

- Led by staff 
- 4-6 people - male/male / female/female  students 

- sign up will begin August 17th

- divide up - preference and/or age groups

Text: II Kings 5:1-14
DONT HIDE WHAT GOD WANTS TO HEAL

Too many things in our lives we call issues but they are really bondages. 

Sin – Issue                            Issue – Sin

Not every issue is a sin.  We need to deal with sin. 

Well, it’s just the way I am. No, it is sin. You haven’t dealt with the flesh. 

We think just because we haven’t given in to something in two week we are free from it. 

Freedom is not the length of time between sin cycle. Freedom is a lifestyle that is a result of daily dying to self and daily waking with Yahweh. 

Just because you are not doing it right now doesn’t mean you are free from it. Free right now but in three weeks when you let your guard down and think YOU are doing good, the sin will work its way back up and bind you back up. 

We think we are free if we haven’t done it in three weeks or three months.

Naaman – he was as great as the world could make him. 

Syria defeated Israel. 

Naaman was the purpose of the victory. 

BUT he was a leper. 

The outside doesn’t matter if the inside is dirty. 

What is under the surface?

He would wrap himself up so no one would know what was going on under the surface. 

Leprosy was a sign of God’s displeasure of sin that had been committed. 

Started with the flesh. 

Goes to the ligaments. 

Then goes to the tendons.

Ultimately if not dealt with, DEATH. 

The law was that if someone developed leprosy they would have to be moved out of the city.

If a clean person came close to them they would have to yell, “Unclean! Unclean! Unclean!”

Naaman wasn’t in Israel. He was in Syria and that wasn’t the law in Syria. He wasn’t under the covenant. 

He was allowed to stay in the city as long as he kept his issue covered up. 

We live in a time that we do not live in a covenant relationship with God so we call our sin an issue and cover it up. 

You don’t have an issue, you have sin and it may take time but it will come out and you will die if you don’t deal with it. 

It is a flesh issue. DEAL WITH IT!

Society has told us that it is ok to have an issue as long as we keep it covered up with stuff and don’t expose our issue. 

He was honorable in the eyes of “his” master not in the eyes of “THE” Master. 

We can please people and miss pleasing God. 

He was mighty on the outside but dying on the inside. 

BUT, he was a leper. 

I have this or that. 

I can do this or that. 

BUT, your flesh is killing you. 

You can wrap it up in anything you want to BUT, it is still dying and rotting flesh. 

The spirit will live forever, but the flesh will die. WHICH will you follow?

Nothing you can do on the outside will ever override what is going on on the inside. 

You cannot stay before God and impress Him with anything on the outside. 

God is still looking for purity. 

How does God see you, not how do your friends see you? 

Sports, friends, popularity, etc may be your God can call you cool, but God is God! What does He call you?

Who you are is not defined by what is seen but by what is unseen. 

You may look like you have it all together, BUT what is underneath?

What slips in to your mind at 1:00 in the morning when you are alone?

What temptation would get you if you ever had the opportunity and no one would ever find out?

Who you are on Sunday is not who you really are. 

Who you are is what is seen when you get home and take the covers off. 

We will not get to stand before God with the covers on. 

Society tells us to cover it up and never admit what is underneath. 

Well, everyone has rotting flesh, that’s just how it is. NO IT IS NOT!!

If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. 

Romans 12:1 – be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!

He was as great as the world could make him, but he was dying!!!!!




THE GIRL

This girl was captured out of a land of covenant and brought into a land of idolatry. 

Generation of Israelites before her had operated in disobedience. 

She was a prisoner of war. 

Our generation may be in bondage and idolatry because the generation before us chose to disobey. 

Maybe you don’t have what you think you have. 

Parents have big houses, cars, boats and jobs while their kids cut themselves and cry themselves to sleep. 

If you are cutting yourself and always thinking about suicide, who cares what kind of car or clothes you have. 

She is suffering the consequences of someone else’s obedience. 

Maybe they give you nice clothes or cars but do they teach you the Word and to live?

Some of you are in bondage because someone that should have protected you and love you hurt you and abused you. 

***This girl did nothing wrong but she wasn’t in the situation she should have been in because somebody wouldn’t listen.

The situation you are in may not be the best. It may not be what you want. You may think you can never work with the situation. You may feel in bondage. 

MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION YOU ARE IN.

We have people that dust their Bibles off get dressed up and come to church, get mad when the service goes longer than it should and then the wonder they aren’t on fire for God. 

Don’t blame the pastor when you are not in love with God. 

Where was her daddy? Why wasn’t he there fighting for her?

Some of you have never had anyone fight for you. Restoration is here. The devil will not get you without a fight. 

There is a covenant in this house. Blood on the door post kind of covenant. The devil better go somewhere else. He is not going to steal a generation of people. 

This little girl could have been the product of a generation that chose to live in idolatry.

Israel is a picture of the church. 

This little girl did not let the idolatry of a generation before her influence who she would follow. 

The enemy came to Israel’s territory seeking healing but He wanted the healing on His own terms, not according to the Healer. 

Imagine the boldness it took for this little girl to speak to Naaman. 

She had no control over her situation. 

You may find yourself in a land of idolatry and the condition may not be your fault but what will you make of it. 

She had no control over Naaman’s response. 

This little girl may have felt unimportant, but to Naaman she was the avenue to His healing.  

You may feel unimportant and that nobody cares if you live right or not, but to these around you watch your life, your testimony could be the encouragement they need to not seek the Restorer. 

She had a heart for people and to serve.

She totally trusted in God. 

She had a commitment to God. 

Psalm 23:5 – He will prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies.

Just do what God says to do. 

Stop trying to do it your way. 

Text: Revelation 8:1-13
v. 1 - This silence is broken only by a heavenly offering and “the prayers of all the saints” (vv. 3, 4). It is an eerie silence before the storm as all of heaven awaits the coming judgment.
v. 2 - The sounding of a trumpet had more than one significance in the OT. 
It was used:
- to gather the Lord’s people (see Num. 10:7, 8)
- to assemble the Lord’s army (see Num. 10:9)
- to announce a new king (see 1 Kin. 1:34–39)
- to proclaim the Year of Jubilee (see Lev. 25:9). 
In this context, the sounding of trumpets indicates a declaration of war.
The seven angels who stand before God are likely “the angels of the seven churches” (1:20). 
The prayers of God’s saints seem to have a part in the judgment of God. 
The censer is a firepan used for burning incense. 
The golden altar reflects the splendor of the heavenly throne room (4:2, 3). 
Incense here may be fragrance of the perfections who of Christ is that accompanies the prayers of all the saints.
first four seals, the angels sound the first four trumpets in rapid succession.
The effects of the trumpet judgments on earth are far more devastating than the seal judgments. 
A third of all trees and grass; a third of the sea, the living creatures in the sea, and the ships on the sea; a third of all rivers and springs of water; and apparently a third of all daylight and moonlight are affected by the trumpet judgments. 
The first four judgments seem designed to reverse in part the original creation of God. 
Food is destroyed; distribution of goods is crippled; water supply is severely limited; production is cut drastically.
Wormwood is a plant found in the Middle East, known for its bitter taste. 
Here and other place (see Lam. 3:19) the term is figurative for bitterness. 
Normally wormwood is not poisonous, but the plague of the third trumpet involves effects far more potent than the taste of this bitter plant: many men die from the water. Rapid pollution of a third of the world’s drinking water would set off a chaotic crisis.
absinthe - bitter herb. 
name of a female. 
David - Psalm 46 
streams and rivers. 
leviathan - twisting spirit 
John 4 and 7 - rivers of living water. 
poisons the life that is suppose to flow from you. 
Deut. 29:18 
spirit of bitterness

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  • if I own a home and you are renting that home from me, even if I have the keys and the title and the deed, I cant just come and kick the door in. I can’t enter that home unless you invite me in. 
  • Psalm 115:16 - The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to man  it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD. 

The enemy works hard to distract us with problems from the divine purpose God has for us. 
We begin to think in size of the problem or what they did to us instead of the purpose and the destiny God has for us and that just because we walked through that doesn’t mean God has changed His mind about you. 
We allow what happens to us to control the temperature around us instead allowing the Holy Spirit flowing through us to be the thermostat that changes the environment around us. 
None of us live just for ourselves.  
When we compromise and say no to the purpose of God in our life, not only does it effect me, it effects the generations after me. I rob them of what God is trying to for them through me. 
Most of us will never fulfill the purpose of God for our lives because we allow bitterness to take root and poison us and everything around us. 
There are things that are dependent upon you walking in freedom. 
How many of walk in generational bondage because our parents and grandparents refused to die to their flesh. 

James 3:1-5

1. She starts small. 
2. The wrong thing repeated over and over and over. It spreads bitterness everywhere. 
3. She hinders the blessing of the Lord. 
4. Spread rumors.

fresh water and sewage can’t flow from the same place. 
Never take up somebody else’s offense. 
poisons the flow of God in your life.

THE FIRST SIX SEALS
Text: Revelation 7:1-17
Rev. 6:17 - who will withstand. 
NO ONE!
Revelation 7 stands between the sixth and seventh seal judgments. Keep this in mind as we look at this chapter.
1-8 - God’s servants will be able to endure or “stand” because of God’s protective seal. 
Perhaps this is why the great multitude is later portrayed as “standing” before the throne in 7:9
The seal does not exempt believers from physical persecution or suffering but does protect them from spiritual defeat and enables them to remain loyal to Christ. 
Those who are not sealed, on the other hand, will be deceived by evil forces and will suffer God’s wrath.
There may be occasional cease-fires and periods of recuperation, but we will always be in a spiritual struggle this side of heaven. 
Just when you think life is rolling along nicely, the enemy launches another attack. 
For this reason, we must first recognize our war-zone situation and learn to stand strong in resisting the devil’s attacks. 
We must also boldly follow the lead of the Spirit in launching attacks against the forces of darkness. 
Above all, we must arm ourselves with the gospel of peace and the Word of God and make sure we fight like Christ. 
We see in Revelation 12:11 that believers triumph over Satan through reliance upon Christ’s atoning sacrifice, through maintaining their witness, and through a willingness to suffer. 
This is part of what it means to fight like our Lord. 

1. God will judge a wicked world.

- 1 Pet. 3:18–20
- 2 Pet. 2:5–10

1. There is a difference between human persecution and divine judgment.
2. God promises spiritual protection over his people.

- Ephesians 1:11-14

1. Believers are called to a life of spiritual warfare.

Our praise is our weapon 
By some counts, there are over twenty hymns in Revelation. Here are some:
1:5–6,4:8–11, 5:9–14, 7:10–12, 11:15–18, 12:10–12, 14:3, 15:3–4, 16:5–7, 19:1–8
In every case, these expressions of worship are directed toward either God or Jesus Christ (or both). 
They are sung by John, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, other angels, the people of God, heavenly voices, or all created beings. 
They are spoken, sung, or shouted, and are often accompanied by falling down, crying out, and playing instruments. 
They take various forms: doxology, acclamation, amen, victory hymn, thanksgiving, and praise. 
They bring attention to attributes (e.g., holiness, glory, power, strength, wisdom) and actions (creating, being slain, bringing salvation, judging, rewarding, defeating evil, the arrival of the wedding of the Lamb) of God and the Lamb. 
Since music played a vital role in the emperor cult, it is no surprise that Revelation uses music to honor God and the Lamb, while also shaping and strengthening the allegiance of the worshipers.

THE THRONE AND THE RAPTURE
Text: Revelation 4:1-11
Something happens to the church between chapters 3 and 4 of Revelation. 
The word “church” occurs 19 times in chapters 1–3, then not again until chapter 22. 
Where did we go? 
We’ve been “beamed up” or “caught up.” The word we use is rapture, and, yes, the rapture is a concept that is in the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
So far, we have focused on “the things which you have seen” (chapter 1) 
and 
“the things which are” (chapters 2 and 3). 
Now it is time to turn our attention to “the things which will take place after this.”
There is much debate as to when these things will take place. We can settle on the fact that they will take place. 
THEME OF REV. 4 

• God is firmly seated on his throne as the sovereign Ruler of the universe. 
• God’s eternal greatness stands in contrast to the temporary, counterfeit powers of earthly pagan rulers. 
• God alone is worthy of worship as the holy, powerful, eternal Creator. 
• The chief activity of heaven is worship.

Isaiah 6:1-3
Seven Spirits - Isaiah 11:2
“What we see is a perfect picture of praise. It begins with who God is—holy and worthy—then moves to what He has done. He has created all things flawlessly. For just a hint at the brilliance of creation, tap on a hard surface. Now think of the molecular makeup that it took in both your hand and within that surface to make a hard tap happen. The combination of intelligence, creativity, and power necessary to go from nothing to who we are and the world we live in is mind-blowing.
What are these things that are hovering around the throne? 
If you have studied Old Testament prophecy at all, then there is likely something pinging in the back of your mind 
Ezekiel was down by the River Chebar when he encountered the creatures described here in Revelation:
Ezekiel 14:7-10
WORSHIP WILL BE THE GRAND THEME OF HEAVEN - The church’s earthly struggles of Revelation 2–3 now give way to the heavenly reality of Revelation 4–5.
Our deepest needs are met when we adjust our life to God, not the other way around.
When worship loses its God-centeredness, it loses its power to transform. 
We do well when we follow the heavenly pattern of making our worship God-centered.
Worship changes when we see our situations and circumstances through the lens of who He is instead of looking at God through then lens of what we are going through. 


Elders - angels or raptured saints 

Lukewarm Church
Revelation 3:14-22

• 
  
  • Do not be deceived by the “good”, God has called us to much more than what is comfortable. We need to be refined and through the refining, we can see the truth and be imitators of Christ
  • What do we see Jesus doing in scripture? Miracles!
  • 
    
    • Miracles were mostly to help others believe

Miracles of Jesus in Scripture 

Healings
Healing of a man with leprosy - Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16	-Touched -Faith/Ask
Healing of a centurion's servant - Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10	-Willing -Faith/Ask
Healing of Peter's mother-in-law - Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39	-Willing -Touched -Faith/Ask -Rebuked (Luke Only)
Healing of a paralytic - Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26	-Faith/Ask -Willing
Healing of a woman with bleeding - Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48	-Faith -Touched
Healing of two blind men - Matthew 9:27-31	-Faith/Ask -Willing
Healing of a mute, demon-possessed man - Matthew 9:32-34	-Once demon left, was healed -Willing
Healing of a man with a withered hand - Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11	-Willing -Obedience
Healing of a deaf and mute man - Mark 7:31-37	-Faith -Touched -Willing
Healing of a blind man at Bethsaida - Mark 8:22-26	-Faith -Touched -Willing
Healing of a man born blind - John 9:1-12	-Faith -Touched -Willing
Healing of a woman crippled 18 years - Luke 13:10-17	-Willing -Touched
Healing of a man with dropsy - Luke 14:1-6	-Willing
Healing of ten lepers - Luke 17:11-19	-Faith/Asked -Willing
Healing of a servant's severed ear - Luke 22:50-51	-Willing -Touched

Exorcisms
Exorcism in Capernaum - Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37	-Authority -Willing -Rebuke -Fearful of Jesus
Healing of demon-possessed blind and mute man - Matthew 12:22-23; Luke 11:14	-Faith -Willing
Healing of a demon-possessed boy - Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43	-Faith/Asked -Willing -Rebuke -Prayer (Fasting) -Fearful of Jesus
Exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac - Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39	-Willing -Authority -Fearful of Jesus

Control Over Nature
Water into wine - John 2:1-11	-Faith/Ask -Willing
First miraculous catch of fish - Luke 5:1-11	-Willing
Calming the storm - Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25	-Willing -Rebuked
Walking on water - Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21	-Faith/Asked -Willing
Feeding of the 5,000 - Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14	-Willing -Compassion
Feeding of the 4,000 - Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-10	-Willing -Compassion
Cursing of the fig tree - Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25	-Lesson on Faith
Second miraculous catch of fish - John 21:1-14	-Willing

Resurrections
Raising of Jairus's daughter - Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56	-Faith/Asked -Willing -Touched
Raising of the widow's son - Luke 7:11-17	-Compassion -Willing -Touched
Raising of Lazarus - John 11:1-44	-Faith/Asked -Willing -Comassion

• 30 Miracles
• 
  
  • 30 times God was willing
  • 17 times faith or them asking took place
  • 10 times He touched them
  • 4 times he rebuked, never the individual
  • 4 times he did it through compassion, not from them asking
  • 
    
• If miracles were to help others believe, then why do we pursue them more than God?
• Jesus only gets angry with the religious people, the hypocrites, the false prophets, believers. Rebuking was not the most common practice but Revelation 3:19 says he rebukes those that he loves and chastens them. Referencing believers
• If authority comes from Jesus then we should imitate Jesus (Matt 10:1;Luke9:1-2)
• We are instructed to ASK in Jesus name, so that God may be glorified, not ourselves (John 14:12-4)
• Peter, Paul and Barnabas reject receiving the glory from the miracles
• We receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses (Act 1:8)
• We are given power but also love and self discipline (2 Tim 1:7)
• No matter what miracle or good deed you perform, it is pointless unless you are seeking God’s will. (Matt 7:21-23)
• Be cautious not to be deceived (1 John 4:1)
• Revelation 3:20-22
• 
  
  • He is knocking, are you going to open?

PHILADELPHIA   - THE FAITHFUL CHURCH
Text: Revelation 3:7-13
Ephesus - lost first love 
Smyrna - persecuted church 
Pergamus - compromising church 
Thyatira - corrupt church 
Sardis - dead church 
Philadelphia - the faithful church 
In Philadelphia there was also a “synagogue of Satan,” full of people who claimed to be Jews, but who lied (pseudontai in Greek): because they rejected Jesus their Messiah.
Philadelphia means “brotherly love.” 
A powerful earthquake nearly leveled the city in AD 17, so hearing these words of encouragement from Christ would have greatly helped them. 
To be made into “pillar[s]” of the temple (v. 12) would give them security in the world shaking around them.
“Pillars of the community” - not shaken. Dealt with what was thrown at them with integrity nand grace.  

• Jesus has sovereign control over who gets into the kingdom of God. 
• Jesus’s acceptance of his people cannot be reversed by the world’s rejection of them. 
• God’s true people will be publicly identified and vindicated in the end. 
• Christ will protect his people from spiritual attack even though they may suffer physical persecution. 
• The greatest eternal reward possible is a permanent place in the presence of God.

Keys - represent authority!
There are many points of application in this message for the contemporary church, but two stand out.

1. 
   
   1. Success in our faith journey is determined not by our power or prestige in the eyes of the world but by our willingness to persevere in simple obedience to Jesus. 

There are many churches and Christians who will identify with and be encouraged by this message. They feel weak and powerless in the eyes of the world and even in the eyes of other Christians and churches. But Jesus’s words in verse 8 can resonate powerfully with them: he knows they have little strength, yet they have obeyed! How many boast of great strength and yet substitute many things religious for simple obedience. And Jesus, not the world or even its religious leaders, determines who gets into the kingdom. Jesus’s words to the apostle Paul come to mind: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

1. 
   
   1. God’s people are not exempt from physical suffering/persecution but will be protected spiritually from demonic assault. 

There is a big difference between God’s wrath (condemnation or judgment), which believers will never experience, and persecution at the hands of pagan powers, which believers have experienced and will continue to experience. The Christians in Philadelphia were persevering in the midst of such persecution, including ejection from the local synagogue. The great Christian hope has never been removal from trouble but is resurrection from the dead. The book of Revelation as a whole makes little sense if we say that Christians will never experience suffering and persecution. We need to abandon the “exemption theology” made popular by end-time novels in favor of “endurance theology” made clear by Jesus himself.
Christians will face separation from society. 
We must be careful to not developing a victim mentality or a persecution complex and thus pursue “unnecessary separation.” 
These believers were not excluding others or withdrawing from public witness, but were being excluded “against their will on account of their witness.”
v.8 - “a door having been opened in your sight.” 
This open door is likely an invitation to come into the fullness of God’s kingdom of joy and power in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17; Rev. 4:1). 
Or it may refer to an open door of opportunity to give witness to others of God’s power and grace.
Every door is a decision.
In the Bible, doors are metaphors for the choices we make every day. We discover early on in life that we can walk through some doors and not others. But we need to make a decision each time we see a door.
My destiny will be shaped by which doors I walk past and which doors I walk through.
These doors, whether you walk through them or walk past them, will shape your life. The tough part is knowing the right door. Every door will cost you some time. Some will cost you money. You can't walk through every door.
It's also difficult to get back on the right path if you go through the wrong door. God lays out the consequences of our decisions in Deuteronomy 30:15:"Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster" (Deuteronomy 30:15 NLT). It's critical that we learn discernment because the consequences of poor decisions can be so glaring.
A door may represent different things.
Sometimes a door represents an opportunity from God. You want to open those doors—even if there is opposition. Opportunity plus opposition equals God's will. When God opens a door, it's the right door. It doesn't mean the door will be problem-free, though.
Other times doors are a distraction from others. It may appear to be a good door, but it keeps you from taking the opportunities God has for you.
Doors can also be traps from Satan. Any time we look at our future from our own perspective—rather than God's—we're stepping through a trapdoor. We must be careful to look at our future from God's view.
If an open door is truly from God, it will not contradict what God has already said in his Word.
God will never tell you something different from his Word. And if a door presents you an opportunity to do something contrary to the Bible, it's not a door from God. God's Word is true today and forever. Jesus says in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear"(NLT). No matter how exciting a door looks, it'll be a disaster if it's contrary to God's Word.
Sometimes God shuts a door for my protection.
People often believe a shut door is a problem.Maybe you lose a job, or a relationship ends. You're devastated. But you come to find out that God shut the door for your protection.

Think about Noah. When he had done everything God had told him to do and all the animals and all of his family were on the ark, the Bible says: "Then the LORD shut the door behind Noah"(Genesis 7:16 GNT).

God wanted to protect Noah from the flood. He wants to protect you, too. Maybe God wants to shut a door for a new ministry assignment because he knows you're not the right fit for it.
God will open doors for me if I open doors for others.
God wants you to learn to be generous. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:25, "Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped"(GNT).
My life has been blessed when others opened doors for me, particularly when I was young. Now I look for ways to open doors for others. I've found the more doors I open for others, the more God opens doors for me.
Note that it takes “little power” to keep (obey) God’s word and not deny his name. Imagine what having great power would look like!
Just because it is God’s will doesn’t meant it is going to happen. 
What destroyed you in the pasted will not effect your future.  

THYATIRA - THE CORRUPT CHURCH
Text: Revelation 2:18, Acts 16:14
Ephesus - lost first love 
Smyrna - persecuted church 
Pergamum - compromising church 
Thyatira - corrupt church 
Jezebel in the church 
Christ Himself warned His followers: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name…and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

Background
Jezebel was the daughter of a king-priest of Sidon named Ethbaal. 
Ethbaal means man of Baal or with him is Baal or towards Baal. Ethbaal was a high priest of Astarte.
Astarte or (Ashtheroth in Syria and Mesopotamia) was the Canaanite fertility goddess, also called Ishtar. 
Apparently, the word “ashtaroth” at one time meant “womb” or “that which comes from the womb.” This word, “ashtaroth,” appears in Deuteronomy 7:13 and Deuteronomy 28:4 ,Deuteronomy 28:4,28:18 ,Deuteronomy 28:18, 28:51 to describe the young of the flock. This use may demonstrate the link between the goddess Ashtaroth and fertility.
The biblical writers often coupled Baal with Ashtaroth as a designation of pagan worship (Judges 2:13 ; Judges 10:6 ; 1 Samuel 7:3-4 ; 1 Samuel 12:10 ). 
In addition to her worship by the Canaanites, the Old Testament mentions the people of Sidon (1 Kings 11:5 ) and the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10 ) as reverencing her. 
At Beth-Shan, the Philistines erected a temple to Ashtaroth (1 Samuel 31:10 ). That’s where they hung Saul’s armor after he died. 
Josiah destroyed the shrines built to her (2 Kings 23:13 ).
Ashtarth gave birth to a son, but it wasn’t birth as a woman usually give birth, she laid egg. 
When the egg hatched it was Baal. Baal worship is counterfeit worship of Jesus. Baal means lord or to take lordship. Worship of yourself where you are right about everything and you cant live under authority. Worship of Baal was very sexual so when you see this spirit behind it sexual sin.  
Easter was originally the celebration of Ishtar, the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility and sex. 
Her symbols were and still are fertility and sex symbols. 
Any time you see the spirit of Jezebel operating, sexual sin is somewhere close by. 
After Constantine decided to Christianize the Empire, Easter was changed to represent Jesus. 
But at its roots, Easter (which is how you pronounce Ishtar) is all about celebrating fertility and sex.
Ethbaal personally mentored his daughter, Jezebel,  in the heathen worship of this pagan god of sexuality and spiritual war. This king who was entirely devoted to Baal, indoctrinated his daughter with the notion that she was an ally of Baal, and her goddess of fertility is not only the giver of life but also the giver of death! He gave her the assignment of bringing death and destruction to all those who opposed Baal.
Her name means, “unhusbanded, without dwelling or cohabitation, unmarried, uncommitted,” 
Though she was married to Ahab, she did not honor the covenant. She controlled him.
She introduced Ahab to Baal worship. 
Ahab was king of Israel. He was a wicked man. 
“And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here?” Ezek. 8:16-17 
Remember the basic meaning of Easter – expressing movement towards the rising sun – poised Eastward. Eastward being the position of those bowing in worship of the sun-god Baal. See here in Ezekiel’s vision:
To reinforce such an abomination, the Catholic Church has positioned every sanctuary in the world, with few exceptions, to be facing Eastward. The Roman Church may tell us this position is to glorify the resurrected Son of God, but there is countless examples showing the Roman Church is in fact engaged in pagan sun-worship. See just a few of numerous examples below:
Is a Easter sunrise service, in which you go to church early to watch the sunrise, the same thing as that is being described here? This is called an abomination. We should be very careful to know where our traditions come from and if God would be pleased by what we are doing.
Ashtoreth Poles?
The Ashtoreth poles referred to in the scriptures are obscene expressions of the sexual obsession. It is a symbol of sexual intercourse between Baal & Ashtoreth. A monument of the sexual perversions of the temple prostitute tradition. 
Pole dancing - this worship is very sexual and perverse. 
Pagan idols 
Such obscene images are not just a thing of the past, but are erected today in the most prominent sites in the world, such as the Washington Monument and the Vatican Plaza (Should that really surprise us when considering who the prince of this world is?).
 
 

A religious system including “sexual freedom” was a lure which snagged the Israelites time after time, to forsake the one true God, Yahweh. The following verses are just some of the biblical accounts regarding the Baal & Ashtoreth poles which provoked God to great wrath:
~ Exodus 34:13 ~ Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3 ~ Judges 2:12-14, 10:6
~ 1 Samuel 7:4, 12:10, 31:10 ~ 1 Kings 11:4-6, 11:33, 14:23
~ 2 Kings 23:13 ~ 2 Chronicles 14:3, 15:16, 31:1, 34:4
~ Jeremiah 43:13 ~ Isaiah 17:8, 27:9

1 Kings 16:29-34 – it was a sin that they married. In marrying her he brought an illegitimate authority in to the kingdom. 

When you have illegitimate authority it leads to rebellion and the Bible says rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Witchcraft is when anything but the legitimate authority is in control. 

When a husband doesn’t lead his family and the kids do. 

When a pastor doesn’t lead a church and a board does. 

When a teenager controls their friends through manipulation. 

Paul said who has put witchcraft on you that you don’t obey they truth. 

Jezebel was known for several things:

1. Hated the prophets of God and sought to kill them. 

By the time the prophet Elijah came on the scene there were only 7001 prophets left in Israel. She had killed them. 7000 were hiding in caves. Only 1 had the boldness to come out and face her and his name was Elijah. 

1. Naboth’s vineyard. Good Jewish man who had inherited his land all through the years.  –  I Kings 21

Ahab wanted those vineyards. He tried to buy it and Naboth said he couldn’t sell it so Jezebel wrote unsigned letters telling lies and destroyed Naboth’s reputation.  God saw it and told Jezebel the dogs are going to lick her blood and eat her body.
        
 When Elijah confronted them he told them they had come to take something they were not assigned to lead.  
    
     I Kings 21:17-24
Fulfilled – Ahab – I Kings 22:37-38
         Jezebel – II Kings 9:30-37 


Naboth’s vineyard is a picture of the church. 

Naboth means “fruit not quite ripe”. Jezebel wants to come and still from you before you reach the destiny that God has for you. 

Revelation 2:20 - Not the same flesh and blood but the same spirit to stop what God wants to do. 
Not the same flesh and blood but the same spirit to stop what God wants to do. 

She wants to control until she destroys

She always wants to have control. 

HER NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO STOP A MOVE OF GOD, THOUGH SHE WILL ACT HYPER SPIRITUAL. 

- The only way she can control is if Ahab is in leadership and lets her. 

- You have to have a spirit of Ahab in leadership that will allow Jezebel to have control. 

- If you raise a hand against an authority that God has placed in your life it opens a door for this spirit to control you. 

- When Jezebel was about to Jehu comes to take her life Jezebel is putting on makeup. 
II Kings 9:30 - 37

ON THE FRONT END SHE WILL LOOK LIKE AN ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS OR A GOD SEND. 

10 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT

1. Extremely Jealous. Don't let jealousy get in through your insecurity. 
2. Will not submit. Test people's loyalty to see if they submit. 
3. Very Seductive. 
4. Stirs Up Strife. 
5. Starts unsanctioned ministries without permission. 
6. Always Operates in Confusion. Be discerning about confusing prophetic words. 
7. Won't accept apologies. (unforgiving)
8. Information is her ammunition. 
9. No fruit. (Galatians 5) can't be material stuff
10. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER, WRONG!
11. Operates in fault finding.  Faults in her, she will be quick to find in other. 

4 Tactics of Her Control 

1. Fear.   1 Kings 19:1-4, 9 - The spirit of fear always pushes you away from your destiny. 
2. Manipulation. She is not disciplined so you has to manipulate. Loves to give gifts so you will not deal with her character. 
3. Intimidation - mocking, talking down. 
4. Domination - you feel powerless to deal with her. 

MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMEBODY WITH YOU WHEN YOU CONFRONT THIS SPIRIT. 

How she works:

1. It works through temper tantrums. 

It wants you to get upset and pitch a fit. It will corner you and get you upset so you will react.

1. It works through bad moods. 

Your countenance testifies against you. (Isaiah 3:9) Some of you can paralyze the man that is trying to preach with the looks on your face.

1. It works through passive aggressive behavior. 

Manipulates to get its way. 

1. It works through codependence.

It depends more on another person than she does on God.

1. It will always lead to immorality. 

1. It will hates true ministers.

She did not like Elijah or any of the other prophets. 

1.  It avoids accountability. 

1. She loves to “talk”

Information is her ammunition!!!!

She works through confusion 
 
She works through humiliation 

In biblical warefare, it was not uncommon for an army to emasculate an enemy in order to cause fear in the rest of the army. 

The idea was to humiliate them so that there was no confidence to rise up against the enemy. 

This spirit creates a soul tie that makes you feel like you have to have the person in your life. 

It needs you to need them or the spirit. When you rise up and understand you are the beloved of God and you don’t need that person and cut them off, look out. 

This spirit kills.

She thrives in dysfunctional relationships.  Manipulates family members.

You determine you will not give her another inch. 

It kill families.

It kills friendships.

It kills relationships. 

It kills marriages. 

It’s purpose is to control until you lose the will to go on.

This spirit seeks to attack the leader.

After the mess is made you cant fine it. 

It will always hide behind, “God told me.” or something spiritual. 

It will always push another agenda against the vision of God. 

There is no room for a coward in the role of leadership. 

I want you to be wise of the devils tactics and not be ignorant of his devices. 

Rebuke the Ahab Spirit. 

Cling to the Elijah Spirit. 
You can have an intercessor pray for you, but you cant have them pray FOR you. 

Learn how to succeed, but not just sustain. 

Don’t just survive, but thrive. 

There is witchcraft operating in the church. 

The church has become so professional that we have lost the intimacy.  (prostitute)


It's not about the style or fashion. 

It's the spirit behind it. 

The lights, words, room don't matter, but what we preach must cut sin out of people's lives. 

What does witchcraft feel like?

Anxiety 
Fear 

You are not fighting people, you are dealing with a spirit. 

2 Cor. 10:3-5

DEAL WITH JEZEBEL IN YOU BEFORE YOU TRY TO DEAL WITH IT IN SOMEONE ELSES LIFE. 

If there is no one in your life who can address you, then you are in danger. 

PRACTICAL WAYS OF DEALING WITH JEZEBEL 

1. Prayer and humility. You can not fight pride with pride.

1. Confront those being controlled. Matthew 18

1. Don't resort to her tactics. You do not need her money or approval. Deal with the behavior. 

1. Take authority over the situation. 

You are only looking for godly sorrow. 

Be careful when people repent because they are caught.

1. Do not ask Jezebel to do anything for you. 

1. Do not receive her curses. 

You know you are healing when you don't have to repeat what a person did for you. 

Plead the blood.  Speak blessing when the curses are spoken. 

When people fire arrows at you, you can decided to receive them or not. 

If you have been a victim and see the spirit, her children are just like her. Be careful not to become like her. 

Text: Revelation 2:12-17
God is doing something fresh and new: Forrest Franks new song, “Your Way Is Better” and American Idol last Sunday night. 
Pergamum, located about two miles inland from the Aegean Sea. 
One of the early city leaders received a large sum of money to build many of the temples
It had a 200,000-volume library. This is interesting because there was no print press so wealthy people would by the books and have them copied by hand and then give it back to the owner. 
Egypt eventually cut off the export of papyrus to Pergamum because it began to rival Egypt in regard to the size of the library. 
Pergamum began to use animal-skin-based writing material. 
Pergamum had aligned itself with The Roman Empire for a number of years. 
About 133 B.C. That last king of Pergamum who didn’t have an heir, eventually signed the city over the Roman Empire. It quickly became a center for Roman control. 
Over a period of time, there were three temples build for emperor worship. 
All of the emperors during that time were worshipped as gods.
 These emperors were also call the pontifex maximus.
Even today in Rome there still sits upon his throne a direct successor to the Roman Emperor — the Pope.
Only Pergamum would understand the reference in verse 12 to “sharp two-edged sword:” because the emperor also had a two edged sword. 
Pergamum was also notable for another fact: It is where Satan had his throne - bishop of Rome at St. Peter’s basilica. 

Antipas - held true to Christ name.  
Those who hold the doctrine of Balaam - you are compromising. 
You can be the church of God, but have different ways that people live their lives. 
In Berlin there is a Pergamum Museum - replica of the Pergamum altar at the temple of Zeus. 
There is a statue there that shows bad gods overpowering good gods.
In more recent times, Hilter had his courtyard where he gathered the Nazis designed to look just like this temple. 
Obedience in one area does not cover for or excuse disobedience in other areas.
healing cult of Asclepius - medicine 
- Rod of Asclepius - BCBS logo
Caduceus - commerce 
THESE TWO SHOULD NOT BE MIXED 
the altar of Zeus
Temple of Augustus 
The imperial cult greatly increased the pressure on Christians.

Greek philosophers argued that intercourse with prostitutes to relieve one’s appetite for sex was acceptable, so long as one was not “controlled” by it. 
At the other extreme, many philosophers reasoned that one should have intercourse only for procreation, not pleasure. 
Greek abandonment of more female than male infants led to a shortage of women; Greek men thus often married at about age 30 to women some 12 years their junior. 

Until marriage, their primary access to intercourse was with prostitutes, slaves or other males. 
Free Roman men could have intercourse with social inferiors, though not with other respectable free persons (other than free prostitutes). 
By contrast, Scripture treated intercourse with another person’s future spouse as seriously as adultery while married (Deut. 22:13-29).
All ancient peoples agreed that adultery (sometimes called “wife-stealing”) was immoral, although it was apparently widespread among the Roman elite. 
Roman law punished adultery, and it affected divorce settlements, though a wronged husband could kill the adulterous pair only if he caught them in the act. 
Roman law required that a man divorce his wife if he learned that she was committing adultery; one who failed to comply could be charged with “pimping” her, i.e., financially profiting from her behavior. 
Adultery involved sex with a married woman who was not a prostitute; Gentiles did not punish married men’s affairs with unmarried women. 
By contrast, Paul would have rejected such double standards (cf. 1 Cor. 7:2-5).

Text: Revelation 2
Smyrna - Smyrna, was about 35 miles (56 km) north of Ephesus. Founded as a Greek colony more than 1,000 years before Christ, it compared to Ephesus in wealth, beauty and commerce. It was filled with the pagan temples of Apollo, Asclepia, Aphrodite, Cybele, Emperor Tiberius, and Zeus. Although it was a free city, it gave full allegiance to the Roman Empire which ordered Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, to be burned at the stake in Rome. The temple of Athena, dating back to the seventh century, was the most important building of that period. It was famous for its school of medicine. Although the origin of the city is not mentioned in the Bible, the church in Smyrna was probably founded by believers from Ephesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:7 - 
Acts 7:54-8:5
Josh Sullivan - pastor show as kidnapped in Africa 
Do you know that the prophet Isaiah was cut in half for the GOSPEL we are enjoying today?
Do you know that Apostles John was thrown into a pot of boiling oil, for the same GOSPEL. Apostle Peter was crucified upside down and that is how the early Christian had died?
Many leaders in the church today make themselves apostles, prophet, bishop, pastor but do not know the value of that name.
Kingdom calling is not a way to make money. 
HOW THE APOSTLES DIED.
1. Matthew - suffered as a martyr in Ethiopia, Killed by a sword wound.
2. Mark - died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
3. Luke - was hanged in as a result of his preaching to the lost.
4. John - faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil during persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote the Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as bishop in Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.
5. Peter - He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he tolD his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
6. James - he leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.
* This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.
7. James the Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
8. Bartholomew - also known as Nathaniel was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew ‘’was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
9. Andrew - was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: 'I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.' He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.
10. Thomas - was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in that region. 
11. Jude  Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
12. Matthias - the apostle chosen to replace Judas, was stoned and then beheaded.
13. Paul - was tortured and then beheaded by the Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament. 
This is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
ie: men in orange jumps suits murdered

Text: Revelation 2

1. the location of the church, 
2. the One addressing the church, 
3. what Jesus knows about the church, 
4. a word of encouragement to all but two churches, 
5. a rebuke to all but two churches,
6. a challenge to repent to all but two churches, and 
7. a promise to the faithful.

Ephesus was located in what is now known as the western part of the nation of Turkey.  
It was located along the western coast of Asia Minor. 
Because of its location near the sea coast Ephesus was easily accessible by both land and sea. 
A population of between 200,000 and 250,000 made it the best choice for capital of all of Asia Minor.
Ephesus was a center for occult worship.  
This was Satan territory and when Paul shows up and starts pushing back the darkness, Satan begins to get nervous.  
Though Paul shows up on the scene and confronts the idolatry there was still a lingering of the “old life” from when people followed and trusted Artemis.  
Some scholars call it a “spirit of secularism.”
The mindsets and the thinking of the secular community had infiltrated the church, mainly because many in the church had come out of the secular lifestyle that looked to the Goddess Diana for it’s guidance.
Acts 19 tells us that while Paul was in Ephesus God used him to heal the sick and perform unusual miracles. 
Handkerchiefs and aprons were even used to as an instrument to bring healing to people. 
It wasn’t long until Jewish exorcist began to try to use the same powers to do the same things.  
They were confronted by the evil spirits because they lacked the power. 
When the exorcist used the name of Jesus, they did not necessarily know Jesus, but they knew Paul used His name and it worked.  
They wanted the same results without the same power. 
The demons recognized the name of Jesus and the name of Paul, but not the men.
Long before Christianity infiltrated the culture of Ephesus, idolatry was much alive. 
Goddess Artemis and Goddess Diana created a great deal of income for the economy of Ephesus.
When Paul arrived in Ephesus he waste no time confronting the idolatry.  
His reputation had gone before him and the people knew he was a threat to their ways of thinking.  
Acts 19 shines light on the struggles that Paul faced with the shrines.  Verses 24-28 give us just a glimpse of what Paul was facing, 
“24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Paul was more than likely not the first to bring the Christian message to Ephesus, however, he was the first willing to confront the idolatry.  
After he confronted Diana, the shrines and worship of the idols fell off.  
Christianity became the main religion around 262 A.D. after the temple of Diana was burned down and not rebuilt.
Ephesians played a very important role in scripture. Acts 18-20, Ephesians and Revelation all shine light on the importance of the church in Ephesus. 
Paul’s third missionary journey is recorded in Acts 18:23-20:38.
In total, Paul’s ministry in Ephesus lasted for three years.  Paul later writes to the church at Ephesus while he was in prison.  
The letter to Ephesus was believed by some to be for all of the churches because some  of the “better” manuscripts do not include “en Epheso.”
The church at Ephesus is also mentioned in the book of Revelation.  
Though it was considered to be the most spiritual of the churches, it still left its first love. 
The temple of Diana was at one time considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. Paul’s confrontation of the goddess quickly cause conversions from idolatry to Christianity. 
While Paul, Timothy, John and others were in Ephesus it seemed to do well spiritually, however, soon the city declined spiritually causing the Lord to, “remove the candle stick.”
What would cause God to remove His candlestick?
What is meant by, “left first love”?
These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. 
He sees the works. He sees the patience, He sees all the good you do. He sees that you a stand for truth and don’t compromise. 
And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 
He sees your faith and perseverance. 

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 
What are the first works. 
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.“‘
The term “overcome” (nikaō) plays an important role in Revelation. 
To the “victorious” or “overcomers” in each congregation Jesus promises future blessings: eternal life, provision, justice, participation in Christ’s victory, and the very presence of God.

• Jesus Christ is powerful over and present with his people.
• Our deeds are important, including the hard work of contending for the truth of the faith. 
• We should place high value on enduring faithfulness to Jesus in the midst of a pagan environment. 
• This passage stresses an absolute need to retain biblical love in our pursuit of truth. 
• Jesus promises eternal life to those who overcome.

Their lack of love for people would have been a sure indicator of a deeper spiritual problem. 
In God’s kingdom, truth and love are woven together. 
Truth without love becomes little more than a cold demonstration of power, and love without truth ceases to be genuine love; both are relational disasters.
Robert Mounce puts it, “Without love the congregation ceases to be a church.”
From “Teach The Text” commentary, 
“The term Nicolaitans means “victorious over the people” or “victory people” and probably captures a wordplay on the important word nikaō used throughout Revelation, which calls Christians to “overcome” or “conquer.”
The Nicolaitans are a group of false teachers closely connected to the cults of Balaam (2:14) and Jezebel (2:20–23), who are trying to redefine the faith to allow Christians to fit in with (and perhaps profit from) the surrounding culture with its idolatry, immorality, deceit, and false worship. 
Jesus states that he too “hates” the practices of these false teachers. 
God’s people must conquer by following God’s ways.
Again, bad theology hurts people, his people! 
Consequently, these believers should not swing to the other extreme and give up truth in the rekindling of their love.”
Or maybe you are in an “Ephesian” church. 
There are Bible studies galore in the church and in homes. 
They have several talented worship teams that rotate from Sunday to Sunday. 
They hold numerous services simultaneously, maybe even on different campuses, with the sermons streamed in via video. 
They run training classes for Christian growth and leadership, have men’s and women’s groups, parking-lot attendants, happy greeters, food pantries, and a large missions budget. 
These can all be strong elements of an active church.
But sometimes Christian activities can keep believers from spending time with Christ. 
Churches can be so full of things to do that there is no time for the people to simply be with the Lord. 
The Bible studies are big enough to move into the sanctuary. 
The prayer night, though, is relegated to a small children’s classroom where all the participants are forced to sit on the tiny toddler chairs. 
Tickets need to be distributed so that everyone is assured a seat at the special guest concert, but the leader of the worship and contemplation evening has to ask everyone to move to the center section of the sanctuary so that the room doesn’t feel quite so empty.
This doesn’t just happen to churches. 
It can also happen in us. 
I’ve often heard it said that 10 percent of the church does 90 percent of the work, and I’m inclined to believe it. 
While we should be ever grateful for those 10 percent, they need to beware of being so busy for God that they lose touch with God. 
If you find yourself so diligent with church ministry that you run out of time for personal prayer and time in the Word, then you are sacrificing the great at the altar of the good. 
If service is not built on a foundation of close daily time with God, it becomes inevitable that bitterness, anger, territorialism, and wrong motives will creep in. 
Jesus taught the great “doer” Martha this truth when He said of her sister Mary that “one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). 
What was that one thing? 
Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, learning to love Him by being in His presence.”

Text: Daniel 2 and 9, Revelation 20:4-8
There is a lot about eschatology that we can’t know and will never understand. 
When you die you go to heaven or hell. 
When Christ returns, we get our glorified bodies back and heaven will last forever. 
In the meantime, the church will continue to exist on earth. 
We are living in what is know as the Church Age. This term came really in the last 110 years mainly from a Cyrus Scofield. 
It is assumed that the 70th week of Daniel which is 7 years is the tribulation period.  
There is not one verse in the Bible that says that.  If you can claim that then everything else makes sense. 
God’s promises for 70 weeks equals 490 years. 
Seven days in a week - 7 times 70 = 490 years. 
Gabriel, when speaking to Daniel divided the 490 years into 3 periods. 
First, the seven years. 7x7=49 years. 
Second, 62 weeks. 62x7=434 years. 
Then, he talks about the last week. 7 years. 
490 years. 
Dan. 9:25 
Gabriel gave a specific timing for the coming of the Messiah. He said that from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, there would be seven weeks and then 62 week = 69 years or 483 years. 
In 457 BC, Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, said that they Jews were free to return to their homeland and rebuild the city and the Temple. 
483 from that date, we come to AD 27.  
The accuracy of this prediction is so incredible that scholars used to question the trustworthiness of Scripture and would argue that the book of Daniel must have been written after the prophesy was fulfilled. 
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls between 1946 and 1956 proved that Daniel was written before these event were fulfilled. 
We know that Jesus was not born in the year 0 because Matthew 2 tells us that Jesus was born while Herod was alive. 
Herod died in 4 BC. Most all scholars believe that Jesus was born in 4 BC. 
Jesus was 30 years old in AD 27. 
The were 483 between the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the revealing of the Messiah. 
Dan. 9:26
Most all preterist agree on the first 69 weeks.  
It’s the last week that everyone begins to disagree on. 
Most of the early church saw no gap between the 69 weeks and the 70th week. 
Dan. 9:27a
If there is no gap, then the last seven years would have began in AD 27, the year Jesus was baptized and began is public ministry. 
If there is a gap of 2,000+ years between the 69th week and last years, we are waiting on that week to take place. 
So, does Dan. 9:25-26 speak of Jesus or the anti-Christ?
Rev. 1
John said 39 times, “I saw…..”
The source of these vision was not John’s imagination. 
It’s important to note that Revelation 1-3 is not considered prophecies. 
Scholars are in conflict as to when Revelation was written. Many say it was written 95-96 AD. This would pose a problem for those with a partial preterist view because it couldn’t possibly be written after the fulfillment in 70 AD. 
The Syriac Bible says on the title page at the beginning of Revelation, 
“The Revelation which was made by God to John the Evangelist in the island Patmos, into which he was thrown by Nero Caesar.”
Nero Caesar ruled over the Roman Empire from AD 54-68.  

Text: Matthew 24:3-25:46, Revelation 20:4-8
The study of end times is ESCHATOLOGY. 
Terms To Know:
There are three main positions regarding the Second Coming:

• 
  
  • Premillennialism
  • 
    
    • 
      
      • 
        
        • (1) The present age continues to be a mixture of good and evil, believers and unbelievers. 
        • (2) Christ returns (the Second Coming). Christians living and dead receive resurrection bodies. There is a judgment on the unbelievers who are alive. 
        • (3) Christ begins a visible reign over the nations, a time of great peace and prosperity lasting for 1000 years. 
        • (4) Shortly before the end of this period, Satan deceives people and instigates a great rebellion (described in Rev 20:7-10). 
        • (5) God puts down the rebellion, and there is a final judgment of those alive and of the wicked dead. 
        • (6) The eternal reign of God begins.
        • Generally speaking, premillennialist tend to be in the pre-trib camp.  
        • Dispensational premillennial view - 
  • Amillennialism 
  • 
    
    • 
      
      • 
        
        • (1) The present age continues with a mixture of good and evil. 
        • (2) Satan instigates a final rebellion near the end of the age. 
        • (3) Christ returns (the Second Coming). Christ judges all people, living and dead. Believers receive resurrection bodies, and unbelievers are cast into hell. 
        • (4) The eternal reign of God begins (the consummation).
  • Postmillennialism - most often full Preterist
  • 
    
    • 
      
      • 
        
        • Believes Jesus is returning at the end of the 1,000 year reign. 
        • The fulfillment of Matthew 24 was fulfilled in AD 67-70. 
        • (1) The present age becomes better and better as more people become Christians and the blessing of God is poured out on them. There will come a future age of spiritual prosperity when Christian faith will dominate in this world. 
        • (2) Christ returns (the Second Coming). Christ judges all people, living and dead. Believers receive resurrection bodies, and unbelievers are cast into hell. 
        • (3) The eternal reign of God begins (the consummation).

- Dispensationalism - Dispensationalists use a literal interpretation of the Bible and believe that divine revelation unfolds throughout the Bible. They believe that there is a distinction between Israel and the Church.
Covenant Theology - 
The church has not replaced Israel. Though there is a national identity as a nation, Israel, the church and Israel are united as one.  
Futurist - those who believe that all of the prophecy of Matthew 24 are going to occur in the future.  Theses event are yet to happen. Almost none of Revelation has happened yet. 
Partial Preterist  - those who believe that Matthew 24 has already taken place (AD 67-70), but believe in a premillennial Second Coming. 
Josephus -  
Progressives Dispensational Camp
Bible-believers all agree that at some future time Jesus Christ will appear openly and bodily to the world in the Second Coming and will begin visibly to reign. But they do not all agree on the order of events preceding and following the Second Coming, or who will fulfill what. 
Introduction/Background: Left Behind Series, 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be In 1988, etc.
This pre-trib rapture doctrine places the American church at the crossroads of the church of Laodicea, the rise of the Anti-Christ, the decoding of 666 and the laying out of what will happen when we are “out of here.” 
This obsession with the pre-trib rapture hope and trying to figure it all out left the American church destine to fail and lose its effect.  
The Church started sitting around waiting on Jesus to come back.  
Celebrating that we are going to miss any trial or tribulation because we are going to be in Heaven worshipping while those that rejected Jesus suffer here on earth. 
Yes, Jesus is coming back! There will be opposing views as to when.  
I am not going to try to convince you one way or the other. I want us to look at the evidence and then we can hope for a pre-trib rapture but plan for a post-trib rapture and plan for a mid-trib rapture. 
Either way, we occupy until He comes and believe that the Kingdom of God will grow and see revival.  
What We Know: Zechariah 14:4 - the Eastern gate was sealed in AD 1540-41. Many believe the reason for the gate being closed off was to prevent the Jewish Messiah from gaining access to Jerusalem. 
Jewish tradition states that the Messiah will pass through this gate when He comes to rule and reign. 
Suleiman the Magnificent, a devout Muslim, is the one that ordered the gate to be sealed with 16 feet of cement. It has been sealed for 500 years. The Muslims also put a cemetery in front of the East Gate. It is Islamic belief that the Jewish Messiah would not enter a cemetery.
Matthew 24:3-25:46
In verse 3 the disciples asked Him three questions…..

1. When will these things happen? Matt. 24:4-28

- Jesus said within a generation. Matt.23:36 and 24:34
- in AD 70 Jerusalem was destroyed. 40 years of Jesus declaring this. (generation)
- 20,000 Roman soldiers surrounded the city and cut off all supplies so the people would starve. 
- The soldiers came into the city and killed more than one million Jews. They set the Temple on fire and took 97,000 Jews captive. 
- about 130-135 the began to reassemble to some level to be able to try to fight the Romans. 
- after a few years the Romans attacked them again killing 580,000 Jews. After that time, Israel was no longer recognized as a nation, until 1948. 
- The Romans demolished the Temple.   
- After Jesus died many came claiming to be the Messiah. The Jews were still looking. 
- “wars and rumors of war” - in an 18 month period, wars broke out, 4 emperors in Rome were murdered. 
- in AD 66, 50,000 Jews were killed in Alexandria, 50,000 were killed in Seleucia and 20,000 were killed in Caesarea.  
- severe famine - Acts 11:28. 
- birth pangs. 
- persecutions. 
- great persecutions - in AD 64 one-third of the city of Rome burned to the ground. This would have been far more devastating that the Twin Towers falling in 2001.  
- Nero, the emperor at the time, blamed the Christians for the fire. The led to “The Great Persecution” of the church. 
- Nero, would capture Christians, cover them in animal skins and let dogs tear them apart, nail them to crosses or cover them in tar and light them on fire to illuminate Nero’s garden as he entertained guest. 
- 24:14 - oikoumene - “civilized world”. 
- “then the end will come.”  What end?  The Temple destroyed.
- babies cutting half to eat, people cut open at the stomach, searching for hidden treasures. 
- Romans soldiers would cut of the the hand of men trying to escape. The eventually entered the city and took 500 men per day. 
- They beat them, tortured them And crucified them. Crucifixion was commonplace. 
- They killed all but 97,000 Jews, who were taken to be slaves in Egypt. 
- During the Holocaust, six million Jews were killed over a six year period of time - labor camps and killed poisonous gas. 
- During the attack in AD 70, more than one million Jews were starved, tortured, crucified and killed in a four month period. 
The destruction of the temple finalized the end to the old religious system. 

1. What will be the signs of Your coming? Matt. 24:29-35

- how did the disciples know that He was coming back if they meant His return (Second Coming).
- The disciples were Jews. They were looking for God to send a Messiah. They were asking, “When will You step into Your Kingdom and reveal Yourself as King?”
- Perhaps, Jesus is say that as some as this destruction takes place, they would understand that He came into His Kingdom. - Matt. 24:29 - “immediately”

1. What about the end of the age or “world”? Matt. 24:36-25:46

- Israel becomes a nation. 
- Temple Institute trying to rebuild the temple. 
- two second coming views - He comes back, but doesn’t touch earth. Then, he comes back to reign. 
- This would point to a post-trib/premillennial view. 
We are not going to focus on the rapture. I want us to look at the evidence and then we can hope for a pre-trib rapture but plan for a post-trib rapture and plan for a mid-trib rapture. 
In Scripture, there are principles or teachings about things that are happening already, but yet there is a greater future reality for those things.
He is coming back! When this life is over we will spend eternity in one of two places. 

Text: Matthew 18:5-6, Psalm 78:5-8, Proverbs 22:6, Daniel 1:3-4 
Matthew 18:5-6
William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. Education is not about the acquiring of information, facts, or even knowledge. Education is about igniting the soul with a passion to accomplish something yet undone.”
In November 1951, the Board of Regents of New York proposed that public schools start the day with a non-denominational prayer. School boards were authorized, but not required, to adopt the recommendation. It became known as The Regents' Prayer because it was written by the New York State Board of Regents. The prayer was twenty-two words that went as follows:
“Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen.”
Each day would begin with this prayer by the students. Students could opt out with a written note form their parents.
In 1962, Steven Engel and a host of other parents from New Hyde Park, NY sued the school board president William J. Vitale Jr., challenging that the prayer was unconstitutional. 
Two of the plaintiffs were Jewish, one was an atheist, one was a Unitarian church member, and one was a member of the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Steven I. Engel, a Jewish man, became the lead plaintiff in the case of Engel v. Vitale. 
In 1963, Madalyn Murray O’haire, an American atheist, challenged the policy of mandatory prayers and Bible reading in Baltimore public schools, which was heard by the United States Supreme Court, and later ruled that officially sanctioned mandatory Bible-reading in American public schools was unconstitutional. After she founded the American Atheists and won Murray v. Curlett, she achieved attention to the extent that in 1964, Life magazine referred to her as "the most hated woman in America.
In 1963, soon after moving in a new Baltimore neighborhood, Madalyn accompanied William, her oldest son to their local school, Woodbourne Junior High School, to re-enroll William for freshman classes. 
She was unhappy to see students, after they recited the Pledge of Allegiance, engage in prayer. She instructed William to keep a log of all religious exercises and references to religion for the next two weeks, saying, "Well, if they'll keep us from going to Russia where there is some freedom, we'll just have to change America."
God never called the church to hide in the corner. 
As I said earlier in this series, scripture says that we “occupy until He comes.”  We stand and occupy. 
Occupy - to invest with the intent to increase. 
Proverbs 22:6 
It’s a mandate to raise them in the things of the Lord. 
We are fighting for our future. The church left the education of our children to the leftist liberals. 
We have failed to protect our children from the atheist agenda. 
We have swung the pendulum so far to left and it is leaving our children victims to the demon agenda of the enemy. 
The church was silent when prayer was removed form schools and it is silent now. 
I take issue with pastors and church leaders that say that the church should stay out of politics. 
37 of the 39 books in the Old Testament deal with the actions of political figure in some way. 
We are told to pray for our political leaders, but to also let God’s point of view on politics be heard. 
How did we get here? 
- genders. 
- perversion. 
After the civil war states held the decisions on school decisions. 
Schools have and will always have an agenda.
There is a socialist agenda in our culture to indoctrinate our children. 
Daniel 1:3-4
With the absence of mom or dad in many homes it makes its easier for the enemy to have his way.  
He wants to desensitize our children as early as possible.
- Worm Loves Worm
- American Psycho
- Let’s Talk About It
Ellen Hopkins - books have QR codes. 
So many churches have created their own god, the god of self. The church has lost the reverence of God Almighty. He is Holy, Holy, Holy!
The church needs to turn back to Jesus and the Finished Work of the Cross. 
Secret closets in schools. 
Kirk Cameron - book, As You Grow
We must regain what has been lost.
Psalm 78:5-6