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Category Archives: Kingdom Sermon Notes
Not in Vain
Not in Vain
Much is being said today about the church and its influence in the world. Many are expecting a revival in America. I have been praying, along with others for several years, that an awakening would move across this land.
It is needed. People are often confused about revival. Revival is for the church. Of course in great revivals people will come to know Christ as their Savior. Still, it comes, God sends it, when the church is found in repentance for the darkness it has embraced.
When I speak of darkness, I simply mean that often the light of Christ is diminished in the church world. With all the hate filled rhetoric streaming from pulpits. Diving into the politics of the world. Fighting over theology and interpretation.
The only message that will change a heart is shrouded in the darkness of opinion and anger.
Of course this is not true across the board. Even those caught in this web of darkness are good people. Still they move forward with the whims of the majority, and leave behind the most important story from the Bible.
The story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
I know, if you have read one of my blogs, or one of many Facebook posts, you have heard this before.
I see an awesome change taking place in ministry.
Change is occurring in the message from many pulpits and organizations across this awesome country.
Jesus is alive. He loves everyone. You can not live like you want when you come to Christ. We know that, and teach that.
Over the years I have come to realize that people will change when they know they are loved.
When you convince someone of the great love that God has for them. When they embrace it, things will change. People will repent and turn to follow Christ.
I love the church. Still we must be aware of the influence we embrace. The message we give. The church must be willing to repent.
Repent from such things as growing cold in our praise and prayer. Repent for our lack of forgiveness, and our religious self righteousness.
Repent for rejecting the needs of our community. Even if all you can do is pray. You must shine in the place that God has planted you.
Somehow from the very beginning I moved away from my original thoughts. Still, they have become relevant now.
Over 2000 years the church has weathered every storm. From persecutions, poverty, religion, disease.
It has never been perfect, “only in heart”. Still we move forward in glory at times. At other times in repentance.
With our ups and our downs we keep moving. Shining the light of Christ. The light that reveals His love for us, and our need for Him.
Paul gave the Corinthian church this encouragement.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
I love this stuff.
Have a blessed day and keep on working for the Lord. Some plant, some water, some reap. Everyone has a part in this wonderful movement.
The church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
#lovewins #hopelives
Jesus in Disguise
September 13, 2015
Amazing Life Church
“Jesus In Disguise”
Greet People
I am so excited about God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and
the Living Word that breathes life into our souls when
we consider it each week. My prayer is that you read
some of it every day, even if it is random in place and
just a few verses. It is spiritual nutrition and seed that
will grow into faith.
I write passages and thoughts down almost every day.
Sometimes they sit for months or longer before I either
continue to keep the notes, discard them, or use them in
a message.
When I read some again this week it seemed to be time
for one and I wrote down this for a title. “Jesus In
Disguise”
I usually don’t read as many verses for times sake that I
will today so bear with me as I quickly share them.
Read Luke 24 in entirety when you get a chance.Page 2
Luke 24:13-24 NASB
13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to
a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles
from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking with each other about all these
things which had taken place.
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus
Himself approached and began traveling with them.
16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you
are exchanging with one another as you are walking?”
And they stood still, looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to
Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and
unaware of the things which have happened here in
these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said
to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was
a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God
and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered
Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to
redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day
since these things happened.Page 3
22 But also some women among us amazed us. When
they were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that
they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He
was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb
and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but
Him they did not see.”
If you read the verses above these you find that these
people had a knowledge of who Jesus was, His
disciples, and were followers of Him at some level.
They knew what He looked like, sounded like, and yet
they still did not know Him. Verse 16 interested me.
“But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.”
The word prevented seemed clear but it has a interesting
meaning. The Greek word translated was, Krat-eh’-0,
and it means to have power, to be master of, to hold, to
continue to hold, and restrain. It comes from the root
word, Krat’-os, which means, force, strength, and
dominion.
These words all add up to this. There was a time when
we could only see Him when He wanted us to. See
meaning, to understand who He was. Dominion.Page 4
After the resurrection, ascension, and Acts the 2nd
chapter we have been given the responsibility and
authority to know Him and what He looks like.
John 14:26 NASB
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name, He will teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Preach Dominion
You will see an early version of this in,
Luke 24:30-31 NASB
30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He
took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began
giving it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized
Him; and He vanished from their sight.
You will find other examples in John
20 and John 21.
A common experience or the experience that someone
else had shared opened their eyes to who He was. They
recognized him.
Preach Today
Share Doug’s Friendship Email of Mother TeresaPage 5
Today, particularly in the American church Jesus has
been presented with so many different faces. So how do
we know it is Jesus. Well of course we pray and study.
We hear Him preached and taught yet there is still
confusion sometimes.
Now I personally have thought and preached a similar
version of Mother Teresa. Preach Jesus in Needs
Jesus taught us the same thing. Do you remember Jesus
teaching on the separation of the sheep and the goats.
Matthew 25:34-40 NASB
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you
who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was
thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger,
and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited
Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we
see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You
something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or
naked, and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you,
to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,
even the least of them, you did it to Me.’Page 6
Matthew 25:40 Message
Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth:
Whenever you did one of these things to someone
overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Preach WOW
In Christ, I don’t see alcoholics, or addicts. I don’t see
straight or gay. In Christ I don’t see failure or success.
Sick or well. In Christ I don’t see rich or poor.
I SEE JESUS IN DISGUISE
Preach
To Him Who Is Able
September 6, 2015
Amazing Life Church
“To Him Who Is Able”
Greet People
I pray your week has been filled with His mercy and
grace. God is ever present in your life to move you
forward in your destiny.
This week for me has been one of reflection. It happens
from time to time as I think on God and His amazing
plans for my family and this church. By the way you are
all family to Betty and I. We pray for you daily and
contend in the spirit for blessings for all of you. God is
big in this house and with that comes a big
responsibility.
We must hear, obey, love, and forgive. We must pray,
and we must praise as we live for Him each day.
Holy Father has led me to some passages that will
encourage us to do several things. Praise Him. Live for
Him, and tell the story of Jesus.
Bear with me as I share some thoughts titled, “To Him
Who Is Able”Page 2
Psalm 145 is an amazing song of praise that was written
by David. Read it in entirety when you can. There are
some relevant passages to the last few weeks messages
that I want to share.
Psalms 145:8-13 NASB
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and
great in loving kindness.
9 The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all
His works.
10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD ,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And
talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your
dominion endures throughout all generations.
These are amazing words of God’s favor and grace for
His people. As Jesus said if you don’t believe me for my
words, believe me for the works I do. God’s works, His
answer to prayers has always brought honor to Him and
caused people to believe in Him.
Verses 12-13 are relevant to the last several weeks
messages.Page 3
Psalms 145:12-13 NLT
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the
majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You
rule throughout all generations. The L ORD always keeps
his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
Hear these words and understand the power in the
words you speak giving God glory for the things He has
done. The world will see the difference.
The book of Jude is a very interesting book in the New
Testament. It is believed to have been written approx.
68 AD by the brother of Jesus and another brother called
James the Just. Portions have been misinterpreted over
the years and I will explain that in a moment.
The heart of Jude is the church and the pure doctrine
that the Apostles had preached and the church was built
upon. Who Jesus was and the things He had done. The
message of Jude was a warning against apostates,
people within the church who reject authority, and
change the message to fit their personal agendas.
Read it when you can it is only 25 verses.Page 4
These passages interest me for today.
Jude 1:17-25 NASB
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that
were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord
Jesus Christ,
18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there
will be mockers, following after their own ungodly
lusts.” Preach Misinterpretation
19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-
minded, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting
anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
eternal life.
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;
23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on
some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment
polluted by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
and to make you stand in the presence of His glory
blameless with great joy,
25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before
all time and now and forever. Amen.Page 5
These passages and many others have reinforced my
drive to preach and teach the dominion and authority of
the church. It is with the supernatural presence of God
that we will bring glory to God.
It is a divine, supernatural event when God creates
within someone the new creature. The person He
transfers all this kingdom authority to. It is with great
humility, yet a strong resolve that I along with others.
Many of you I pray, will move forward in His anointing.
Releasing the Holy Spirit to move in our lives and our
world.
With all of this said God brought me back to prayer. I
want to share this before I close.
“Preach Job and the patriarchal season. And His
testing”
I found these verses interesting.
Job 13:14-16 NASB
14 “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my
life in my hands?
15 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
16 “This also will be my salvation, For a godless man
may not come before His presence. PreachPage 6
According to time line information the book of Job was
written before 2100BC. Hebrews was written in 68AD.
Over 2168 years after Job this was written.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has
passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been
tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the
throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.
In verse 16 that word confidence or boldly is translated
from a Greek word which means, “freedom in
speaking, openly, frankly. Without ambiguity, free and
fearless confidence.”
He is our High Priest and our only hope.
To Him Who Is Able Will I Come
We Are Witnesses
August 30, 2015
Amazing Life Church
“We Are Witnesses”
Greet people
So much comes to my heart each week that I have to
sift the things that I believe that God would have me
share. When I am praying for something real, something
authentic, and something relevant, I always find myself
looking at the story of Jesus. It is fascinating to me how
He was interwoven into every book of the Bible. Types
and shadows of Him are found throughout, from
Genesis to Revelation. I absolutely love this stuff.
I want to begin today in the book of Acts and I want to
make this statement as I do. “The heart and soul, the
constant theme of the book of Acts is the story of Jesus.
Who He is and what He did.”
“If the church was built on that message it obviously
should be maintained, strengthened, and increased by
that message.”
Bear with me as I share some thoughts titled, “We Are
Witnesses”Page 2
Acts 10 tells the story of Peter being called to the house
of Cornelius. There Peter preached this message.
Acts 10:38-43 NASB
38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed
Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He
went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the
land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to
death by hanging Him on a cross.
40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that
He become visible,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were
chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and
drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and
solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been
appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.
43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through
His name everyone who believes in Him receives
forgiveness of sins.”
Preach
Biblical power and Kingdom authority will be
accomplished by the telling of the story of JesusPage 3
Acts 10:44 NASB
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy
Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the
message.
WOW Preach Again
If you remember a few weeks ago I mentioned a prayer
that I used to teach youth. We prayed it a few times.
Ephesians 1:17-23 NASB
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of Him.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so
that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are
the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward
us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of
the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the
heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in
the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and
gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.Page 4
The Bible gives us a clear representation of Christ and
His Finished Work. From birth to death and then
resurrection we have been clearly taught who He was,
What He did, and what He provided for those who
follow Him.
Preach My Heart-Have we grown complacent?
Have we shrouded His Majesty with words that have
no power? If so, How do we get it back?
(Tell The Story of Jesus)
I Peter 5:6-11 NASB
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand
of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for
you.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the
devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the
same experiences of suffering are being accomplished
by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of
all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish
you.
11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.Page 5
1 Peter 5:9-10 Amplified
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—
rooted, established, strong, immovable, and
determined], knowing that the same (identical)
sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole
body of Christians) throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of
all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has
called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
will Himself complete and make you what you ought to
be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen,
and settle you.
Share false teachings on suffering from the passage.
Sufferings translated means, an affliction, an enduring,
and undergoing. In verse 10 suffered means, to be
affected, have been affected, to undergo in a good
sense.
Remember these verses are in response to verse 8.
1 Peter 5:8 Amplified
8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be
vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of
yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in
fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and
devour.Page 6
Listen carefully to this.
In the context of these verses they are speaking of the
afflictions that Christians undergo on behalf of the cause
of Christ.
Christ experienced this same inward suffering when His
flesh was tempted in the wilderness and in the Garden
when He cried out to the Father.
The devil is constantly trying to confuse and hinder
your walk with Christ. He is fearful that you will come
to understand the Finished Work of Christ on the cross
and become the overcomer Christ died for you to be.
Everything that happens in your life can be an
amazing testimony of who Jesus is and what He has
done.
Preach Verse 10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of
all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who
has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ
Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you
ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and
strengthen, and settle you.”
Thirsty Souls
August 23, 2015
Amazing Life Church
“Thirsty Souls”
Greet People
I have really enjoyed the series the last few weeks as I
have focused on dominion and vision. I pray that
something said has stuck in your heart and mind like a
seed and will grow into a powerful walk with Christ. I
pray that you will be stirred in your heart and soul to see
the supernatural take place. I will never leave the theme
for I believe it is the destiny of the body of Christ and
the hope for a dying world. The church must return to
the Gospel of Christ and proving it with signs and
wonders. It is who we are.
With that said there must occur what I call an attitude
adjustment. To move forward in the supernatural you
have to become willing to take risks. Risking your pride
so that God can do great things in you and through you.
Remember that repentance not only means turning away
from your sins and your past. It means changing the
way you think.Page 2
As I get into todays message titled, “Thirsty Souls” it
will not be the path everyone will take. Be clear if you
are one who becomes willing to risk all to see the
supernatural happen. We can not do it without others in
the church holding us up in prayer and support. It takes
every single person in the Body of Christ to be what the
church should be.
Preach
The first thing that will materialize in people who are
willing to risk everything is thirst. Not a thirst like the
one you had before you met Christ. This is a thirst for
more of Him. More revelation, more power to confirm
Him in our world. Let me state emphatically that He
will satisfy that thirst, but it often comes with a cost.
The sons of Korah wrote a very significant Psalm to this
message.
Psalms 42:1-3 NASB
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul
pants for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When
shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, While
they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”Page 3
Psalms 42:1-3 Message
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to
drink God, deep draughts of God. I’m thirsty for God-
alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it— arrive and drink
in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears— tears for
breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at
my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?”
The Psalms goes on sharing failure, loneliness,
rejection. It seems they shook themselves in verse 5 by
saying, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why
have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God,
for I shall again praise Him For the help of His
presence.”
They went on to talk about being in despair and rolled
over by life. They finished this way.
Psalms 42:11 Message
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are
you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be
praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my
God.
Preach-thirsting for HimPage 4
Access to the supernatural can begin with a lonely path.
There is a lot of praying, crying, believing, and
wondering why. It is as it always has been. People
wonder why you are so serious. Why you pray or read
so much. In your life moments they will wonder where
this God is you talk so much about.
Your victories and your dreams will be difficult to
explain and even more difficult for others to understand.
For all of us there is a constant call to make God 1 st in
our lives. I want to take you to Matthew the 6 th chapter.
Please read the whole chapter when you can. Jesus is
doing some amazing teaching. Explaining how to be
real with your faith and your prayers. Revealing the
traps of life and how to avoid them. Within chapter 6 is
the Lord’s prayer that I hope you have been praying
every day. He explains the eye being the light of the
body and how we should be careful what we cast our
eyes upon. He talks about food, drink, and shelter and
shares how the Father takes care of all of His creation.
We should not worry for ourselves because the Father
will provide. Then He makes this remarkable statement
in light of our natural desire to provide for ourselves as
best as we can.Page 5
A passage you are probably very familiar with.
Matthew 6:33 NASB
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you.
Amplified
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His
kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and
being right), and then all these things taken together will
be given you besides.
I have shared this passage many times so I will not
spend a lot of time with it as there are 2 very important
points I have to make. Just to say this.
“To seek Him first is to pursue God’s dominion in
every aspect of life. The supernatural is all about the
dominion of God and the character of Christ.”
In Mark the 9 th chapter verses 14-29 we find the story of
the young boy who was tormented by demons. His
father had petitioned the disciples to cast them out and
they could not. He came to Jesus and our Lord did some
teaching and reinforcing the power of believing.
Jesus then commanded the spirits to leave and the boy
was made whole again.Page 6
Mark 9:28-29 NASB
28 When He came into the house, His disciples began
questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it
out?”
29 And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by
anything but prayer.”
Now many of us have prayed prayers that have not been
answered but I want you to consider this from these two
passages.
When you pray a prayer that is founded in Biblical faith,
supported with Biblical promises and is relevant to the
Kingdom authority that Christ has transferred to His
church. If your prayer goes unanswered; “It is ok to ask
why.”
Christ will use your desire to grow to teach you how to
be successful in prayer the next time.
Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne
of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help in time of need.
One more thing.
PreachPage 7
Matthew 11 verses 7-15 record the tribute to John the
Baptist by Jesus. It is verse 12 that interests me today.
Matthew 11:12 NASB
From the days of John the Baptist until now the
kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men
take it by force.
Amplified
And from the days of John the Baptist until the present
time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent
assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious
prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with
most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
In Matthew 21 Jesus is sharing the story of the Father
who sent his 2 sons to the vineyard to work. One said I
won’t go but later went. One said I will go but didn’t.
Matthew 21:31-32 NASB
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They
said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you
that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the
kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness
and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and
prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not
even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.Page 8
Luke 16:16 NASB
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John;
since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has
been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
These scriptures are the revelation of Matthew 11:12.
They are showing how the message of Christ was first
to the Jews. It was for the 12 tribes that John came to
awaken and Jesus came to save. They had very little
response to the Kingdom message unlike the worst of
the worst who forced their way past the entitled and and
entered into the kingdom by faith in the message they
heard.
Something about the message that will change lives
and give hope to the hopeless.
Preach
Living Water
August 16, 2015
Amazing Life Church
“Living Water”
Greet people
I want to thank everyone for your prayers for Betty and
I on our recent trip. It was extremely tiring but it was
also a wonderful blessing.
In studying this week I was reminded with some
insistence about the promises of God. Specifically about
their relevance for today. Promises that define and
activate Kingdom Living in individuals as well as the
local church.
I am talking about Jesus again today. I want to begin by
sharing this. “Jesus became the model for all who
would embrace the invitation to invade the impossible
in His Name.”
In the eyes of His earthly followers it appeared that
Jesus was often taking risk. One such occurrence is
found in the Gospel of John chapter 7.
I want to share some thoughts titled, “Living Water”Page 2
At the beginning of John 7 Jesus is in Galilee and it was
the time of the feast of booths. Or the feast of
tabernacles. This Jewish feast was also called the feast
of in gatherings and it was celebrated after the harvest
time.
It was important because the feast was one of the three
Pilgrimage festivals in which the Israelites would make
long journeys to the Temple in Jerusalem.
At first He was not going because the Jews were
looking to kill Him if He showed up. He sent His
followers and then later went Himself but He did so
secretly.
Around verse 14 He couldn’t resist anymore so He went
into the temple and began to teach. As expected it
caused quite a few passionate responses from the people
in attendance. The feast lasted 7 days.
John 7:37-39 NASB
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood
and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to
Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From 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.Page 3
As usual I have some words that need attention. Thirsty,
those who painfully feel their want and long for refreshing,
support, and strength. Drink, to receive into the soul to
refresh and strengthen. Innermost Being or Belly, from the
Greek it is also defined as the place where the fetus is
conceived and nourished until birth.
Preach Preach-New creature
Rivers, means torrent or flood. Living, to be among the
living, blessed endless in the Kingdom of God, to be full
vigor, to be fresh, strong, and efficient. Water, has a figurative
meaning, out of and through which the world was created.
Preach WOW
In John’s Gospel this living water stuff had occurred before
chapter 7 In chapter 4 you will find the story we know as the
woman at the well.
John 4:7-10 NASB
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.)Page 4
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.”
Just to remind you from the Greek living and water means
this. “Living, to be among the living, blessed endless in the
Kingdom of God, to be full vigor, to be fresh, strong, and
efficient. Water, has a figurative meaning, out of and through
which the world was created.”
Explain skipping
John 4:19-26 NASB
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a
prophet.
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 spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He
who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all
things to us.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”Page 5
There are several things I want to share about this lady
beyond the obvious that is commonly shared.
1 st . This conversation with the woman at the well is the
longest recorded private conversation that Jesus had
with anyone.
3 Things He did that He was not supposed to do.
He spoke to her being a woman. She was a Samaritan.
And He asked for water which would have made Him
ceremonially unclean if He had drank from a vessel she
touched.
This woman had five husbands and was living with a
man not her husband.
Let me share some things from church history. Tradition
relates that the Apostles baptized her with the name
“Photine” meaning “enlightened one. She repented after
a very gentle and wise conversation with Christ and
went and told her townspeople that she had met the
Christ. For this, she is sometimes claimed as the first to
proclaim the Gospel of Christ. She converted her 5
sisters and 2 sons and they all became tireless
Evangelists. They were all Martyred together in 66AD
under the persecution of the Emperor Nero.Page 6
She won so many people to the Lord that she was
referred to as “equal to the Apostles.”
I want to read 2 verses again.
John 4:25-26 NASB
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is
coming (He who is called Christ); when that One
comes, He will declare all things to us.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
This is a rare time recorded in the Gospels prior to the
death of Christ that He plainly acknowledged He was
the Messiah.
This story has become even more relevant to me than
ever before.
He spent so much time with her, even revealing Himself
to her.
A woman who in the eyes of the world around her had
no value.
It was not value that took her from her tragic life to a
life of greatness in the Kingdom of God.
It Was An Encounter-Preach Preach
I Will I Am
August 9, 2015
Amazing Life Church
Dominion and Vision Series part 7
“I Will I Am”
Greet People
Here I go again trying to fit Jesus in 25 minutes or so. I
am certain that I will have 1 or 2 more messages simply
about our Lord. In our consideration of Kingdom living
and Dominion in our lives we must be clear about the
mission, and enlightened in the Way. Way meaning, “a
course of conduct, thinking, feeling, and deciding.”
I want to share some thoughts today titled, “I Will I
Am”
The phrase I Will is used 1753 times in the OT and 244
in the NT. Obviously not every time was it God or Jesus
speaking. The phrase covered many people and
situations. How ever I want to quickly share a few times
the words I Will were used by Jesus.
In Matthew 8:7 He said, I Will come and heal. Matthew
11:28, I Will give you rest. Matthew 16:18, I Will build
my church. Mark 1:17, I Will make you fishers of men.
John 14:3, I will come again.Page 2
John 14:21, I Will love. Finally John 15:26, I will send
the Helper.
It is comforting to know that the words, I will are so
common in the language of Christ.
Preach
Matthew 8:5-8 NASB
5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came
to Him, imploring Him,
6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at
home, fearfully tormented.”
7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You
to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my
servant will be healed.
He went on to share his understanding of authority and
it so impressed Christ that He acknowledged his intense
faith.
The word I simply means Me, and the word will means,
“intend, to take delight in, to have pleasure, and
desire.”
Then Jesus said this.Page 3
Matthew 8:13 NASB
And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for
you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed
that very moment.
I will never understand why people have a problem
believing that God takes delight in doing good things
for those who believe in Him. It is His good pleasure to
say, I Will.
Preach-I Will
Now let’s talk about I am. The phrase I Am is used 742
times in the OT and 271 times in the NT. Again they
were used by different people in different situations
throughout the Word of God.
Jesus said in John 14:6 I Am the Way the Truth and the
Life. Way being, “a course of conduct, thinking,
feeling, and deciding.” Matthew 28:20 I Am with you
always, Matthew 11:29 I Am gentle and humble, John
8:12 I am the Light of the world. John 10:7 I Am the
door of the sheep and John 10:9 I Am the door.
The phrase I Am is defined this way. I means Me or My.
Am means; to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.Page 4
John 6:35-38 NASB
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who
comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in
Me will never thirst.
36 But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do
not believe.
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and
the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My
own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Bread is used symbolically. The Israelites made it in the
form of an oblong or round cake. It was as thick as a
thumb and as large as a plate. The loaves as they were
called were consecrated to the Lord.
I find this interesting about the bread. It was never to be
cut. It was always broken.
This is a picture of Jesus and His death for when what
we call the Lord’s supper took place He said this.
Luke 22:19 NASB
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My
body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of
Me.”Page 5
The word hunger is translated to mean, to crave
ardently, to seek with eager desire. The word thirst is
used figuratively to mean, painfully feel their want of,
for things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and
strengthened.
I want to close with the story of the death and
resurrection of Lazarus form John 11. I will skip
through it to save time but the entire chapter is a must
read when you can.
Jesus and Martha were having a conversation on
Lazarus rising from the dead. Then this occurred.
John 11:24-27 NASB
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again
in the resurrection on the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will
never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that
You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes
into the world.”
I want to spend a minute on the word Resurrection.Page 6
“I Am the Resurrection”
The word resurrection is translated from the Greek word
an-as’-tas-is, and it means, a rising up, rising from a
seat. The root word for resurrection, an-is’-tay-mee,
means, to cause to rise up, raise up, raise up from lying
down. To raise up, to cause to appear, bring forward.
To rise up of those who prepare themselves for a
journey. To arise, appear, stand forth.
He used this term with a much broader meaning than
simply raising Lazarus from the dead. He could do that
because of the power invested in Him by the Father.
What He was telling Martha, and telling us was that He
is right now. I am present, here, available. I will
resurrect you right now. Raise you up, cause to rise,
move you forward, prepare you for the journey. I will
arise, appear, and stand forth in your life right now. You
don’t have to die to be resurrected. Simply die to that
old way of life.
PreachPage 7
On down these words were spoken.
John 11:41-44
41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His
eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard
Me.
42 I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the
people standing around I said it, so that they may
believe that You sent Me.”
43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a
loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”
44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and
foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around
with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let
him go.”
I found something interesting in verse 44. He came alive
from the dead. Resurrected, but he was still bound.
Preach Resurrected but Still Bound
Lazarus was alive but bound. Have you been saved but
remain bound by your past or addiction.
The Way-The Truth-The Life
August 2, 2015
Amazing Life Church
Domain and Vision part 6
“The Way, the Truth, the Life”
Greet People
I can not tell you how difficult it is to comprise a
message about Jesus that will fit a 25 minute or so time
frame. Where do you start? There are so many places
beginning in the OT. Is He the Shepherd that David
spoke of. The 4 th Man in the fire. Did He step into the
Lion’s den and close their mouths to save Daniel. On
and on we can go and never even get to the New. Isaiah
spoke often of Him.
Isaiah 53:4-6 NASB
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows
He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for
our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we
are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has
turned to his own way; But the L ORD has caused the
iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Preach PreachPage 2
Sharing thoughts titled, “The Way, the Truth, the Life”
John 15:1-11 NASB
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;
and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may
bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have
spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit
of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless
you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me
and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can
do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a
branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into
the fire and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and
so prove to be My disciples.
9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you;
abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My
love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and
abide in His love.
11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be
in you, and that your joy may be made full.Page 3
There are some words in these 11 verses that need some
attention. It is my goal each week to share with you
what God has revealed to me. As always I will do my
best to make it relevant for today. Living is often
difficult. Jesus died to make living a success.
The first word is in verse 1. The word true comes from
the Greek word, al-ay-thee-nos’, and it means, “that
which has not only the name and resemblance, but the
real nature corresponding to the name.”
Jesus said, I am the true vine. The word vine is referring
to the grape vine and the Lord chose this example to
show the Spiritual union which subsists between
Himself and His followers.
The branch is the tender flexible sprout that grows from
the vine and bears the grapes.
Let’s get this picture up to now. The Father owns the
vineyard, the world. Jesus is the vine in the vineyard
and we, His followers, are the branches.
The word fruit is mentioned 6 times in these passages. It
means literally fruit from the vine. Figuratively it refers
to that which originates or comes from something.Page 4
The word abide appears 10 times in this text. It comes
from the Greek word, men’-o, and it means, “to remain,
to continue to be present, to be held or kept, to last or
endure, to survive, to remain as one.”
Preach our union with Christ and bearing fruit as we
remain with Him.
Let me read verse 7 again from the Amplified Bible
John 15:7 Amplified
If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My
words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts,
ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
When you read this verse you see a covenant
relationship in Christ. God says I will do something as
you do something.
Abide in Him. Keep His words in your heart. When you
do this you will be connected to His thoughts. His
righteousness. You will not ask for things for the wrong
reasons.
James 4:3 NASB
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong
motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
In covenant you will ask according to His purpose.Page 5
Let me read verse 11 Again.
John 15:11 NASB
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may
be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
The root word for joy means, to rejoice exceedingly, to
be well, thrive.
You are gonna love the Greek word translated full. It is
play-ro’-o. It means, “to make full, to fill up, to cause to
abound, to furnish or supply liberally, to complete to fill
to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full
measure, fill to the brim to consummate.”
Sometimes depth is found in the most simplistic things.
The deep things of God are not found by reading
between the lines. They are found by listening in prayer.
They are found in covenant with Jesus. The author and
finisher of our faith.
Religion, and the world looks for an explanation.
The simple truth of dominion and kingdom authority is
found in abiding in Christ.
I am not through talking about Jesus. There is more to
come next week but I will close with this.Page 6
John 14:1-6 NASB
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God,
believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it
were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a
place for you.
3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you
may be also.
4 And you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where
You are going, how do we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the
life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
From verse 6 truth is, what is true, and life is, absolute
fulness of life.
The word way deserves some attention. It means
literally, the road. It is used by Christ metaphorically to
say this. “A course of conduct, thinking, feeling, and
deciding.”
WOW
Preach Preach
Activate and Pursue
July 26, 2015
Amazing Life Church
Dominion and Vision Series Five
“Activate and Pursue”
Greet people
This week when I began to study for this message I
found myself having difficulty narrowing down the
passages needed to continue on in this series. I have so
many places to go and points to make as we move
forward. In four messages I have done my best to relate
the Kingdom of God and it’s importance in our daily
lives. It’s importance to us is crucial in being what we
have been created to be.
As I prayed the Holy Spirit shared with me two words
and one course to follow. The two words are activate
and pursue. The course to follow Is Jesus.
I believe that God wants us to begin to put some
Kingdom Principles into action in our lives.
If you will remember I likened following Jesus with
getting a gift that needs assembly. You have the gift in
it’s entirety but it is not effective when unassembled.Page 2
We have had four weeks of instruction. The knowledge
is there and the purpose is defined. Now it is time to
activate the gifts.
The word activate is defined this way, “to make
something active or operative, to set in motion.”
The key to activate your gifts and your Kingdom
authority is found in one word. Faith
There are a lot of modern definitions of faith and I
found one I loved.
“a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of
religion, esp when this is not based on reason.”
Hebrews 11:1-2 Amplified
1 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title
deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of
things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality
[faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the
senses].
2 For by [faith—trust and holy fervor born of faith] the
men of old had divine testimony borne to them and
obtained a good report.
This is a very simple process that has a distinct
beginning in our lives.Page 3
To save time I want to read again from the Amplified
Bible.
John 1:12-13 Amplified
12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He
gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become
the children of God, that is, to those who believe in
(adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
13 Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will
of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of
man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are
born of God!]
Paul confirmed this again.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
the old things passed away; behold, new things have
come.
The word creature is amazing. It implies a new species
which would seem to be what the passages in John are
describing. The word from the Greek actually means,
the act of creating. It implies process. The root word
means to completely change or transform.
Preach-Now that you are activatedPage 4
Now that the Kingdom principles are activated in our
hearts there comes the second word God spoke to me.
Pursue.
Once faith is activated then we must pursue. Pursue
today means, to follow in an effort to overtake or
capture.
Psalms 34:13-14 NASB
13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from
speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and
pursue it.
Peace comes from the Hebrew word, shaw-lome’. It has
a very broad meaning which includes, “completeness,
soundness, safety, welfare, health, prosperity, quiet
tranquility, and contentment.”
The word seek comes from a Hebrew word which
means, “require and desire.” The word pursue
translated means, “to pursue ardently and aim eagerly
to secure.”
Preach Preach PreachPage 5
Peter echoed this same charge in his first letter.
1 Peter 3:10-11 NASB
10 For, “T HE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE , TO LOVE AND SEE
GOOD DAYS ,
M UST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM
SPEAKING DECEIT .
11 “H E MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD ;
H E MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT .
Seek, strive after, to crave. Pursue, “to pursue, to seek
after eagerly, earnestly, and endeavor to acquire.”
I love the word peace. It is translated from the Greek
word, i-ray’-nay, and it means, harmony, security,
safety, and prosperity. It also implies this regarding
Christianity. “So sure of your salvation that you fear
nothing from God!!!”
Preach Preach-relationship, gifts, callings, destiny,
purpose, is still all for His glory and honor.
In Matthew the 6 th chapter Jesus is preaching a short
sermon. It is all about the things we worry about every
day. Food, water, clothes, and how God loves us and
wants to supply our every need.Page 6
He then says this.
Matthew 6:32-33 NASB
32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for
your heavenly Father knows that you need all these
things.
33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Seek, strive after, to crave. Kingdom, royal power,
kingship, dominion, and rule. the royal power and
dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s
kingdom.
So what about the word righteousness? It comes from
the Greek word, dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay, and it means
broadly, “the state of him who is as he ought to be.”
It also has a more expansive meaning. It means, “virtue,
purity of life, correctness in thinking, feeling, and
acting.”
Like Him Like Him
Preach-”thinking, feeling, and acting.” Like Him
Pray for gifts and dreams. Next week all about Jesus!
Kingdom Keys
July 19, 2015
Amazing Life Church
Dominion and Vision Series
“Kingdom Keys”
Greet People
I am going to get started quickly this morning as there is
a lot of ground to cover. First there are a couple of
things I want you to know. I often read one or two
passaged from a chapter to illustrate whatever point I
am making. Please believe that I am diligent in my
efforts to not take anything out of context. I am simply
trying to give the most info possible in a short amount
of time. I always encourage you to jot down the
passages and make notes, then go home and study them
for yourself.
I do not fear accountability.
Secondly, I love to have fun but my messages are
geared towards growth and strength and prayer. I am not
eloquent in speech and I don’t know many cute stories. I
don’t do cute when it comes to the Gospel.
The Gospel is the most powerful force known to man.
Power to change, heal, deliver and transform. It creates
a new heart in those of us who believe. WOW
With that said I want to share the 4 th in the series
Dominion and Vision titled, “Kingdom Keys”Page 2
Isaiah 22 records an interesting story of the transfer of
power in Jerusalem. Shebna was in control of the royal
household and God was not happy with his service. God
said this through the prophet.
Isaiah 22:19-23 NASB
19 “I will depose you from your office, And I will pull
you down from your station.
20 “Then it will come about in that day, That I will
summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah,
21 And I will clothe him with your tunic And tie your
sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your
authority, And he will become a father to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
22 “Then I will set the key of the house of David on his
shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he
shuts no one will open.
23 “I will drive him like a peg in a firm place,
And he will become a throne of glory to his father’s
house.
There is so much going on in theses passages but time
moves me on. It is important to understand what the key
of the house of David is. To do so we must go to 1
Chronicles.Page 3
God said this to David through Nathan the prophet.
1 Chronicles 17:11-14 NASB
11 When your days are fulfilled that you must go to be
with your fathers, that I will set up one of your
descendants after you, who will be of your sons; and I
will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his
throne forever.
13 I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will
not take My loving kindness away from him, as I took it
from him who was before you.
14 But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom
forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”
In the previous scriptures from Isaiah the word key is
translated from a Hebrew word which means, opening
instrument.
It is significant of someone with authority. If you have
the keys you have the power to open and close. The key
the prophet is referring to is the promise of God for a
Savior to come from the house of David.Page 4
Approximately 1065 years from 1 Chronicles 17, and
793 years from Isaiah 22, we read this passage from the
words of Jesus found in John’s Revelation.
Revelation 3:7 NASB
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David,
who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no
one opens, says this:
I must quickly share the fate of the other 6 churches.
Now listen to what Jesus said of the church at
Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:8-13 NASB
8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an
open door which no one can shut, because you have a
little power, and have kept My word, and have not
denied My name.
9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan,
who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will
make them come and bow down at your feet, and make
them know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept the word of My
perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of
testing, that hour which is about to come upon the
whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.Page 5
11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so
that no one will take your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the
temple of My God, and he will not go out from it
anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God,
and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and
My new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.’
My sermon in the middle of my sermon. Philadelphia
literally means, brotherly love. It comes from 2 Greek
words. Phileo which means to love, and adelphos which
means brother.
Preach Favor for the church that loves, and tells the
story of Jesus and His perseverance.
In Matthew 16 we find the story titled, Peter’s
confession. It was the time Jesus asked who do men say
that I am. After throwing out a few names He then asked
who do you say that I am.
Peter responded this way.Page 6
Matthew 16:16-19 NASB
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God.”
17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon
Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to
you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this
rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will
not overpower it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have
been loosed in heaven.”
Preach I got all tore up over this.
The word translated keys means, power to open and
shut, it denotes power and authority. I love the word
heaven. It comes from the Greek word, oo-ran’-ee-os. It
means, in heaven, coming from heaven.
Preach Thy Kingdom Come.
I have to read verse 19 again from the Message.Page 7
Matthew 16:19 Message
“And that’s not all. You will have complete and free
access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every
door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth
and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on
earth is no in heaven.”
So what is the key? “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”
Who He is and His perseverance are the keys of heaven.
Given to one of the founding fathers of the church and passed
down by the Holy Spirit to us today.
The Gospel is comprised of two things. The story of Jesus and
love for one another.
Those two things will break the heart of a sinner and lead
them to repentance. Those two things will join together a
house divided. Those two things will heal broken and
damaged people.
The story of Jesus and love will change the world. It has done
it before and it will do it again.