Category: Gospel - Dupree Baptist Church

Fill Me Up, Lord!

2/3/2019

"You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever." Psalm 23:5-6

We have a cup. If we don't have God who fills it up, the world will fill our cup with a bunch of junk (or we will). The world is constantly saying we need to change our appearance (for example). It's a fallen world.

If you ask Jesus into your life, your heart will be full of Him -- your cup will be full of Him. You have a cup.

You are the cup!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

We need to keep ourselves full.

Stagnant water is not a good thing. This isn't what Jesus is talking about. Still water is clean and pure. If we aren't constantly replenishing water, we're going to get stagnant (or the water will evaporate).

Get filled.
"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." Romans 15:13

"Fill you" means a continual filling, not a one-time event.

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16

It should be a continuous thing going on in our lives.

How do we get filled up?
1. Let the message dwell or live in your richly.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

We can choose to be ignorant. But when we do we will miss out on God.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

If we overflow someone else will get the benefit too!

The everlasting waters of Christ aren't just a sip or swallow. It's a raging torrent.

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

We should have a river overflowing -- people can be swept along in a very good way.

When the pwoer of God is flowing out of me in a torrent the power can be defeafing (in a good way). It will not let the noise of the world get through.

Jesus mentioned His cup twice (in the Garden). His cup allowed for our cup.

Watch the Clock

1/27/2019

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1-7

This is what we're seeing in today's society.

"while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:13-17

World sliding downhill. The end is rushing toward us. We know things will get worse.

What should we do?

1. Pray!
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." 1 Peter 4:7

We need to be praying. We need to be alert.

a. Pray God opens people's eyes. (Sliding is so easy to accept).
b. Pray God protects the innocent. Our prayers make a difference. We don't need to see it.
c. Pray God comes soon (to stop the evil).
d. Pray God uses you to the utmost (We should be working harder. Pray God uses us as much as He can).
e. Pray God gives you power to witness (God's word needs to be heard).
f. Pray God gives you a chance to make a difference (We cannot ignore what's going on. Nothing is beyond prayer, beyond our sphere of influence).

Be motivated to get into the fight!

2. Love!
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

We should be standing for love.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filledto the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

God's love is bigger and beyond anything going on in this world!

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

3. Give

a. Give hospitality.
b. Give like there's no tomorrow.
c. Give like you were receiving.
d. Give because giving is a gift. No one should feel like they are turned away.

4. Use the Gifts God has given you.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

Speak kindness. Speak peace. Jesus never let His gifts trickle in. He used His gifts wholly. He gave it all. Our service is for God.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s willshould commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:12-19

I don't care how the world reacts. I care what you do. I'm not serving for the result. I'm serving because that's what God tells me to do. What am I doing for Jesus today? Every day is another day to serve Jesus.

It all comes down to John 15:12 which says:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

Recharging our spiritual batteries

1/13/2019

29 "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:29-31

This was after Pentecost when the disciples were initially filled with the Holy Spirit. In this passage it is talking about a refilling, or a recharging by the Holy Spirit. There are two different Greek words for our word "filling."

Rechargeable Battery Characteristics (when they are recharged):
1. Original chemical battery composition restored.
2. Recharge 100% efficiently -- should be able to do this 100s of times!
3. Recharge safely.
4. Return to their original state.

If we're going to use energy we need to be recharged.

Instances when Christians were recharged/refilled by the Holy Spirit:

--"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!" Acts 4:8

-- "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:31

-- "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said," Acts 13:9

Why do we need refilling?

Initial filling is at salvation which leads to regeneration.

Through salvation the Holy Spirit dwells in us. He won't leave. However, we need to be recharged.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
2 Corinthians 4:7

We are jars of clay -- we leak out. Clay is porous, has holes. It has a tendence to absorb and leak.

"be filled with the Spirit," Ephesians 5:18b

The following verse uses the same form of "fill" as a continuous filling:

"When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away." Matthew 13:48

This full is of a net that can be refilled. It was full to being crammed with fish. We can be crammed full of the Spirit. Crammed as full as you can get!

"The true measure of a spiritual life is not how much you get, but how much you give, how much the Spirit flows through you."

The Spirit wants to make us into people who love and give.

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:12-13

If you don't let the Spirit out no one will see anything.

"the desire to be filled (by the Spirit) must be all consuming." A.Z. Tozar

God will fill you if you ask. So, how to be refilled.

1. Need to have that initial filling, the salvation filling.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

2. Be daily in the Word and in prayer.

Like a farmer -- set the enviroment. Prep the field. If we want our yields to increase, we have to work the "soil" of our hearts.

3. Be sold out to God -- He has to have the first priority in our lives. Be All in!

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." Actts 2:44-45

4. Praise -- an essential part of drawing near to God.
Praise will change us -- Praise will put our eyes on God.

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." Luke 10:21

Even Jesus did this!

5. Spread the Gospel -- discharge the energy!

A battery will be able to hold its charge better and longer if it is allowed to drain and then be refilled. Same as us. We need to give all we have away and God will refill us. We have to let go and let God live through us.

We receive power for a purpose, for God's purposes, for other people. When we commit to God we will see His commitment to us. The only limits are in us. We are batteries. We aren't the power source.

The Sheep and the Shepherd

1/6/2019

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2  Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100

Sheep -- not too smart but quite lovable!

The psalm gives us several commands that will lead us how to live worshipful lives.

1. Shout for joy! to the Lord all the earth!!

"This is a joy so big it has to come out large.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn--
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King." Psalm 98:4-6

Think of when David was dancing before the ark of the Covenant. He got this verse! A man after God's own heart! He loved God. We need to love God too.

2. Worship the Lord with gladness.

Be happy we have the King we have.

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:21

This is how we should be looking at God. Sometimes we forget to praise.

3. Come before the Lord with singing.

Sing no matter what the circumstances.That singing will lift your heart!

"God sets the lonely in families,[a]
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6

4. Know that the Lord is God.

My body knows it needs to breathe. It does it on its own. We can get our spirits to the same place where praise becomes second nature!

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

When we aren't listening for someone in a place of distraction we won't hear them. If we want to hear from God we need to be listening for Him. His whisper will be like a roar in our ears.

5. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving.

David was a shepherd who became king. Jesus was the King who became The Shepherd.

Be grateful you have a gate to go to.

"Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." John 10:7

Jesus is our gate!

6. Be thankful unto Him.

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

7. Bless His name.

"and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his." Daniel 2:20

The names of God are powerful.

The word "god" is a generic term. The specific names of God mean something. We lose a lot in our English translations. We are the sheep. Sometimes we are frustrating. We need a shepherd to herd us. We were not meant to be without Him, not meant to be alone. We don't do well without God. Jesus is always with us doing His job as our Shepherd.

We have not only a shepherd. We have The Shepherd.

A wandering lamb was a problem -- could cause others to wander. Break its leg and carry it until it was healed. It would learn to follow because of its total dependence on the shepherd for everything. The discipline is for our benefit (not God's.)

1. Certified Shepherd by the Great Shepherd 40 times God is called The Shepherd and Jesus is the Son of God.
2. The Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4
3. The Crucified Shepherd Matthew 26:31
4. The Caring Shepherd 1 Peter 5:7
5. The Common Shepherd Genesis 46:34

A shepherd is not a high position. In fact, it was the lowest position.

6. The Compassionate Shepherd Mark 6:34
Jesus didn't have to heal or preach to the big crowds. That wasn't exactly why He came to earth. He did because He loved them. He had compassion on them.

7. The Good Shepherd John 10:11-14
Hebrews 13:20
John 10:1
John 10:35

The Greatest Story Ever Told

12/23/2018

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His [a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Foundational.

Martin Luther called it, "The minature gospel."

Makes Satan shudder.

Lights pathway to heaven.

Let's break it down.

"FOR GOD"

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

"The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable [a]deeds;
There is no one who does good." Psalm 14:1

God exists. There's no way not to see God. How can there be a creation without a Creator?

"SO LOVED"

Love is mentioned 56 times in the book of John. Our imagination can't comprehend His love.

"GOD LOVED"

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,8 but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lordbrought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of [a]slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." Deuteronomy 7:7-8

God's love began before time and will last after time. A sinner cannot go to hell unloved.

"THE WORLD"

The world means people. God loves everyone -- no qualifications, no limitations. There is no one God hasn't loved.

"THAT HE GAVE" giving with sacrifice; Himself -- His Son -- All He had.

Difference between our giving and His giving. He gave of Himself, gave all He had.

"THAT WHOSOEVER"

"for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

Whosoever means me -- you -- us. Everyone's given this offer. God wants you.

"BELIEVES"

Nicodemus

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

No one can see the kingdom of God without being born again. Every can have it.

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit," Titus 3:5

"IN HIM"

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." 1 John 5:12

Without Jesus we have nothing.

" *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6

"SHALL NOT PERISH"

Noah--Lot--First Born--Rahab

Heaven to gain.

We weren't cretaed to be expendable.

We are travelers in this foreign land. When you come to the Father I'll give you everything.

"ETERNAL LIFE"

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies," John 11:25

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." John 1:4

"to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

God paid what was necessary to redeem Me! He wants me. He wants all of us back. God doesn't put strings on His offer. Believe in Him.

The Prophecy and the Promise

12/2/2018

My notes are not good this week. I'll just post the recording.

In One Accord

11/18/2018

The phrase "in one accord" is mentioned 11 times in the book of Acts.

"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Acts 1:14

The Early Church:
*Anointed and Full of the Holy Spirit
*Preached the Word Boldy
*Miracles, Signs and Wonders
*1000s saved and were being added to their numbers
*One purpose

What changed?

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

We've dropped the ball somewhere along the linee because Jesus Christ hasn't Changed. The Father and the Spirit haven't changed. God's gifts are still perfect.

Maybe we've slidden away from having passion for Christ into man made stuff, rules and regulations.

We need to go back before we can go forward.

"How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore." Psalm 133:1-3

Unity is anointed.

They were unified in prayer. Have faith. Have belief -- Pray with faith.

"He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."
2 Chronicles 20:15

God, do your will. Praying this is part of our worship.

"When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them." Acts 4:24

All prayed. All worshipped.

How often do we pray, "God use us"?

How often do we ask God to let His power come through us? Our prayer needs to be purposeful and directional.

We need to be united in vision and purpose.

Our church needs to be a place where:
-- we worship in Spirit and in truth.
-- We grow and become more like Jesus.
-- We encourage and build each other up.
-- We minister and serve.

Reach out to the lost no matter the cost!

Some people have no hpe. We can give them hope. If we're truly heart-broken about someone, we will reach out. If you see pain and hurting, bring them to Jesus.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-- 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

Like heart, like mind, like action.

Do we have this relationship with Jesus? Do we share?

Endless pot of blessing to share.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

We don't have time to be tired. Our role is to preach the gospel and make disciples. If I want it done I must do it.

Our Role in the Church

11/11/2018

(I messed up the recording this week. There will be another one next week...sorry!!)

What is our role in the world at large?

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

The church is not the building but the people.

People make the church.

So what's our role? Each of us has a role to fulfill in the church. If one part of a body fails, the body can die.

Three holistic roles of the church:
-- worship
--edification
--evangelism

Worship -- expressing our love by worshipping the Creator.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your [a]years with good things,so that your youth is renewed like the eagle." Psalm 103:1-5

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and [c]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with [d]thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100:1-5

Make noise for Jesus!

Don't be an eyore.

Edification -- building each other up (bible study, continuing education, praying for each other, hospitality, meeting needs, spiritual, physical, emotional).

"Therefore [a]encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

Never been a more opportune time to do God's work! Should be a major mission to edify each other.

Evangelism -- reaching out to a lost world.

People have questions. It is our responsibility to know the truth and to be able to defend it. We need to be able to express compassion and mercy tangibly. We need to truly make a difference. Express compassion and mercy tangibly.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Get busy. You have an incredible gift you need to share. We have been commissioned by God to lead. Am I just watching? Or am I doing?

"The basic function of the church is to be involved in every facet of the life of the believer. Christ looked at the needs of the people, provided it and then began to preach the good news. The church today must live up to its own billing" Gilford T. Montrose

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the [a]saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;" Ephesians 4:11-12

We are the people. So what should we be doing?

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”" Isaiah 6:8

Do you have ears?

10/28/2018

"Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:9

White noise, so much noise in our world to distract us. Bombarded with tons of messages.

"Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”" Matthew 13:2-9

Parables were a new way of teaching for the disciples.

"The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 13:10-12

Are we getting numb to God and His word?

God spoke because someone was listening.

"This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." Matthew 13:13-14

Some of them just don't want to hear it. We need to have intentional listening.

Intentionally listen to God.

It's easy to get distracted.

Jesus says there is a purpose.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

Are we shutting God out? Are we callous to God?

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more." Mark 4:24

You listen to me -- you're going to hear something.

The more you listen the more you'll hear.

Why bother to listen?

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David." Isaiah 55:1-3

God says focus on what's important. Focus on God first.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-21

If we don't glorify God and give Him thanks, we can grow hard toward God.

If God is living and active, what are we doing about this? How do we listen?

Listen through the Spirit.

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21

If we want to speak we need to listen.

"However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]--
    the things God has prepared for those who love him--
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

The knew the shepherd so well His voice was unmistakable.

Wod of God has to be our foundation.

God's waiting for us, waiting to hear from us, waiting for us to listen.

Have you listened?

Are you listening?

Radical Encounter at the Well

7/1/2018

Jesus had a way of dealing with people groups -- radical! Sometimes we're afraid of crossing lines. Jesus never is.

GASP! Jesus went to Samaria.

5 "So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about [a]the sixth hour." John 4:5-6

He goes through and stops in the middle of the day.

7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 She *said to Him, “[a]Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” John 4:7-12

She falls back on tradition.

13"Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
15 The woman *said to Him, “[a]Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” John 4:13-15

Water was a big deal. Her shame was relived every day as she walked to the well.

16 He *said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus *said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” 19 The woman *said to Him, “[a]Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet." John 4:16-19

God knows all our sin. He knows all our dark spots. He knows it all but He still offers His living water.

She brings up a religious argument. Her question goes back to religion.

20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21 Jesus *said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is [a]spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:20-24

True worshippers worship in Spirit and Truth.

Being filled with the Spirit.

Think of the disciples like us.

27"At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?” 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and *said to the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not [a]the Christ, is it?” 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.
31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anythingto eat, did he?” John 4:27-33

Disciples uncomfortable with Jesus's actions but didn't confront him on them.

Woman took this encounter with Jesus and ran with it. Allowed it to change her! She goes to the ones who shun her and told them the Good News!

Jesus has just fulfilled His purpose with this woman. He was full. He gave. She accepted.

34"Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:34-38

He stayed two days. The Harvest was in process!

39"From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I havedone.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word;" John 4:39-41

Live water= running water

Do you have a stock pond or a river in reference to your faith? Is your faith a stock pond (stagnate) or a river (deep and flowing)?

Live water is overflowing, pressurized, bursting out. Spirit will overwhelm us.

37"Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “[a]If anyone is thirsty, [b]let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From [c]his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39

#1 You gotta be thirsty.
#2 Come to Jesus.
#3 Drink!

What's keeping us from drinking from the well?

What's separating us from the living water?

What fears keep you from commitment?

Whose rules are limiting your witness?

What is stopping your harvest?

We're missing the harvest. God's harvest will happen, but are you giving away the opportunity to take part in that harvest?

Have you encountered Jesus in this radical way?

Have you asked for the living water?

Have you received the living water?

"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, [a]clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of [b]the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve [c]kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they [d]will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5

Take it now!

10"And he *said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near."
Revelation 22:10

The time is near!

12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man [a]according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13

He is coming soon!

He doesn't want us to be fans. He wants us to be followers.

What have you done for the kingdom of God?

Take them to the well!

Let the river flow!