Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The WORD Works Pt 2

The Word Works, Pt 2 Hebrews 4: 12 – 13
Notetaker

1. In the Beginning:
a. In the beginning was the ___________________. Genesis 1:1, 6 - 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water…John 1:1 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
b. The world was ___________________by the word. Hebrews 8:10 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out what was visible.




2. Implanted into our heart through Jesus:
a. The word is ___________________in your hearts via Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13: 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
b. The word is ___________________through study. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
c. The word keeps you from ___________________. Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
d. The word is ___________________through stuff





3. Implemented through faith:
a. The just shall live by ___________________and the ___________________in his word. Habakkuk 2:4 - 4 “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness
b. Faith without ___________________is dead and the word is dies in you. James 2:17 - 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
c. Faith in the word and ___________________on the word makes the word ____________. Ephesians 6: 13, 14 after you have done everything to stand… (14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…
d. Without faith it is ___________________to please God. Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
e. Failure to ___________________the truth in the word is treason against the kingdom (state/country) Story of Sampson Judges 13 – 16






4. Infused through trials and tribulation and test:
a. The word is ___________________, strengthened, ___________________your life through ___________________, ___________________, and ___________________. 1 Cor 10: 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.





5. Enjoyed through God’s faithfulness:
a. God’s faithfulness makes living his word ___________________. Psalms 37:4 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 119: 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
b. It is a ___________________when our life is ___________________with the word Jeremiah 15: 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
c. When you delight yourself in the ___________________he gives you the ___________________of your ___________________. Psalms 37:4 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.





6. Instructive for everyday living:
a. His word gives you the ___________________to better yourself ___________________. Deut 8: 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
b. His word ___________________you when you trust the truth in it. Psalm 30: 2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
c. His word ___________________my ___________________. 1 Peter 5: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Phil 4: 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Isa 26: 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.




7. Secures you for eternity: John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The WORD Works Pt 1

Sermon Text: Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Sermon Title: The Word Works Pt 1
Point 1: The word of God Cuts vs. 12a For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubled—edged sword, When we think of cutting we tend to think of pain…
(a) It’s alive.
(b) It’s active.


Point 2: The Word of God Corrects vs. 12b it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The text tells us how the bible brings us in line and gives us correction and direction for our life. It does it by dividing the desires of the soul from the demands of the spirit…

(a) It has an agent
Isaiah 55:11 describes scripture as being a living agent or messenger that God sends to touch our lives. Listen to what God says in this passage... "....My word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." So, unlike any other book, the Bible is living and powerful and giving us direction. Paul put it this way.

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.


Point 3: The Word of God Conforms vs. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. God Sees Everything There Is No Hiding. Only the Word of God is capable of exposing the thoughts and attitudes of a single human heart. There really is no use in hiding…

Romans 12: 1 Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Your mind is transformed by the word.

Life Implementation:
(1) When problems arise in your life and they will go the word of God for the solution…
(2) Do what the word of God says…
(3) Read the word of God daily…

Monday, March 19, 2012

Worship Works: This Time It's Personal

Sermon Text: Hebrews 13: 15 Through Jesus, therefore let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

There are miracles around us all the time, yet we can always find something to complain about. There is ALWAYS something that you can worship the Lord or strike a sound of victory for. Your worship should be for an audience of one=GOD.

Point 1: Find Your Praise Quotient Ps 150: 3 – 5 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourines and dancing praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals…

(a) You are built to uniquely praise him…singers shouldn’t dance and dancers shouldn’t play instruments…clappers shouldn’t sing, etc. There are a variety of options to be able to praise God. He is equally satisfied with all or just one. When you worship God authentically, He will do a work in your life.
(b) God accepts all sacrifice of praise one is not better than the other
(c) Your praise quotient is a formulae that should produce Personal Praise/Worship + Authenticity = godly Results
a. Glory to his name
b. Renewing/refreshing of your spirit
c. Power for living
Worship God in the way that you are led to. Your relationship with God is personal and therefore your praise and worship should be personal. The Bible doesn’t dictate a particular style of worship but the focus is more on the fact that we SHOULD worship.

Point 2: Praise Him with Your Whole Heart Ps 9: 1 I will praise you , O Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders
2 Tim 1: 3 Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors.

James 3: 9 – 12 put it this way. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (12) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
So make sure your heart is:
(a) Washed by the blood of the Jesus
(b) Forgiven by the Jesus
(c) Through Jesus
Your worship must come from a pure source. If your heart isn’t clean, your worship is tainted. Contaminated hearts produce contaminated worship. We are to praise God with all of our being: our physical strength and spiritual disposition. If it doesn’t originate from deep within, it’s a shallow response to the request to worship.

Point 3: Praise Him: Visible not Audible Ps 22: 25 Msg Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I’ll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers.

Ps 42: 4 These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!

Matt 6: 25 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
Most people would rather see a sermon than to hear one. We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. The Hebrew meaning of the word “worship” means one’s lifestyle. Don’t separate worship in church from your lifestyle. Your lifestyle should say “every time you see me, I’m worshiping.” What you look at on TV and who you hang out with are both forms of worship. A lifestyle of worship leads to no worrying. Make sure that your lifestyle matches your worship.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Where in Hell r u God

Sermon Text: Psalm 139: 8KJV   If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Sermon Title: God, where in Hell R U?!
Point 1: Stop looking—God is there with you. Vss. 11, 12 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” (12) even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
So often we spend endless time and energy looking for God when we start having problems. In Hebrews 13: 5 He already told you he would never leave you nor forsake you. In Psalm 86: 7 and in 62 other places in the bible He said in the time of trouble he would be there.
Church I have a two question quiz for you.
(1) When did God show up for the three Hebrew boys; before the furnace or in the furnace?  
(2) When did God show up for Daniel in the Lion’s Den; before he went in the den or after he went in?
 
 
Point 2: He made you to go through Hell vs. 1 – 6; 13 – 16 (1) O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. (2) You know  when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (3) You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (4) Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. (5) You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16a) your eyes saw my unformed body.
First
Second
 
 
Point 3: Hell has and expiration date vs. 16, 19 (16b) All the days ordained  for me were written in your book before one them came to be.(19a) If only you would slay the wicked…
Isa 46: 10Msg From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, ‘I’m in this for the long haul, I’ll do exactly what I set out to do,
Conclusion: Do 3 simple things
(1) Hold on to God
(2) Remember if it hasn’t killed you it is making you better
(3) Trust God—He is in control.  
 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Leadership Development NOTETAKER

March Leadership Development: The Power of Partnership
Moving from Isolation to Cooperation in Your Ministry
Big Rocks:
 Holy Week – Evangelize!
o April 1-8 with Baptism at the Sunrise service…Agape Meal at 630 – all other weeknights 7pm
 Prayer Series
o Starts Wednesday 11th with Church-wide collective Bible Study at630 and Bishop Teaching at 730
 Convocation! June 25-28…if you are planning to go and have paid your $20 registration…you are registered!
o Book your hotel (Westin Riverwalk) http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1110149359&key=49B66
o Book your flight…Contact Dagne’s office if you have any question – 618.622.6721
 Barbershop Initiative – Men of Valor FREE FRESH CUTS! Saturday, April 15
 Next Leadership Development – Saturday April 21st at 10am
 Couples Retreat – April 27-28! Register today!
LifeChanger Covenant Partners
 Over 46 souls saved
 Of that 46, 32 were teens saved in SPL2iF!
 Largest Leadership Summit ever!
 Men taking Jesus to the streets with the Barbershop Initiative (evangelize, free haircuts, and health screenings, & health consultations)
 Construction preparing to restart
 Floodgates of Youth
 Partnerships to expand the kingdom...Springfield Urban League, Eastside Health District, Shiloh UMC, East St Louis Senior High School, John Maxwell EQUIP
 600+ African Pastors in Leadership Development
 If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done . . . You are a member...If you do it because you sensed God saying it needs to be done . . . you are a LifeChanger Covenant Partner!
 It’s hard to get excited about simply being member...It’s almost impossible not to get excited about being a LifeChanger Covenant Partner!
 If you know the vision but never made it a reality...You are a member… If you know the vision and intentionally live it...you are a LifeChanger Covenant Partner!
 An average church is filled with people who are simply members...A great and growing church is filled with people involved in LifeChanger Covenant Partnership! Which one are you? Now that you know, what do you do?
(Adapted from christianitytoday.com—author unknown)

1. They were________________________. (I Samuel 20:1-4)

2. They were _____________________. (I Samuel 20:5-17)

3. They were ___________________. (I Samuel 20:18-33)

4. They were __________________. (I Samuel 20:34-42)

The Truth about Partnership

1. Effective partnerships are built on ____________, openness and mutual concern.
2. Lasting partnerships need a facilitator or ____________.
3. Effective partnerships develop in order to accomplish a specific ____________ or ___________.
4. Relevant partnerships begin by identifying _________among the people to be served.
5. Partnerships are a ____________, not an .
6. Great partnerships are even more challenging to _______________than to start.
7. Fruitful partnerships are made up of ministries who each have a clear ____________.
8. Effective partnerships _______________the differences between the ministries.
9. Lasting partnerships stay ____________on the ultimate goals, not immediate problems.
10. Smart partnerships expect ______________and plan ahead for them.
11. Pastors must develop a _____________big enough to attract successful LifeChanger Covenant Partner.
LifeChanger Covenant Partner must develop a _______________ to enable pastors to fulfill it.
12. Pastors must include LifeChanger Covenant Partner in _________so they can own the ministry.
LifeChanger Covenant Partner must include pastors in both their finances and ____________.
13. Pastors must give the __________________to LifeChanger Covenant Partner.
LifeChanger Covenant Partner must give their ____________________to the church’s ministry.
14. Pastors can offer one thing that LifeChanger Covenant Partner want most - ____________ of one’s gift.
LifeChanger Covenant Partner can offer one thing that pastors need most - ____________.

What does it mean to be a LifeChanger Covenant Partner? A ______________ ______________between two or more parities to live a new life together as one to _________ ____________________ one another through sacrifice!
What is the purpose of LCP? It is when God brings His people together to ________________________.

What is covenant relationship with a church? The Power of One states: “___________________ we propose to do will be impossible for us!” (Genesis 11:6 - New Living- Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
How do you know when you have covenant with the Bishop and other LifeChangers? You promote, protect and prosper him, one another and the vision God has given him. Here are some of the scripture references:
15. You _________________ the Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
a) ___________________ your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Thessalonians 5:12 - 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
b) ____________________ your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Thessalonians 5:13 - 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
c) ________________ your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Thessalonians 5:13 - 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
d) __________________ to your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
Hebrews 13:17 - 17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
e) ________________ your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
John 10:27 - 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
16. LCP’s:
a) _________________ for your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Timothy 2:1-3 - 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
b) ________________ your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Peter 3:15 - 15 “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
c) ________________ unity with your Bishop, each other, and the vision God has given him!
I Corinthians 1:10 - 10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
Attributes/Characteristics of Type of Person NLIC is more likely to reach:
• All races – 12% non-African American – Diversity
• Young families – especially with children
• Singles parents – especially with teens
• People who are tired of traditional church and want to belong to a progressive church
• Age range 35-55
• 75% Reside in the Metro-East; 25% St Louis
• Education level: High school diploma; with some college, 4-year degree
• 50% male
• % Mobile
• % Military
• % Multimedia/Internet users
• People who want to make a difference

Friday, March 16, 2012

DEVOTION: Worship Works...It's About the Atmosphere

Worship Works: It’s all About the Atmosphere!
Devotion by MIT Robert Goodwin; Edited by Bishop Dudley

Psalm 100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.

Marvin Sapp wrote a song called “Rivers Flow”..he sings, “I’ve got a Well of worship inside of me!”, “From my belly, Flows a Well that’s springing of living water…worship inside of me.”, “Flow, Flow…Worship inside of me.”….. How appropriate the song considering the human body is composed of nearly 70% water. It is somewhere within, from the Crown of our head to the Soles of our feet. We raise our arms in praise to our Lord, with our feet we dance in the spirit and with the fruit of our lips we worship and bless his Holy name. Last Sunday at the 8:30 am service, Lady Dudley profoundly stated, “Praise is what we do, Worship is who we are!” The atmosphere was already stirred with Rivers flowing in praise and worship. Then came the Word that went forth and did not return void and accomplished a purpose for every witness that came to the altar. The more you praise God and the more you worship God, his Spirit of joy and gladness wells up inside of you. The abundance of God’s grace and mercy- pressed down, shaken together and running over.. tears began to flow out of you. It’s all about the Atmosphere.
Psalm 95:1-3 O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Lifechangers,”Let the Rivers Flow!”

http://youtube/9XZuOsGKbq8

Thursday, March 15, 2012

It's All About The Sound

Sermon Text: Heb 13: 11 – 16
Sermon Text: Heb 13: 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of Praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

The problem with noise is that’s all we think it is. Noise has a purpose and a result. For instance, a parent knows the noise in the next room without entering the room. The right frequency will turn noise into a sound. Worship is a sound with a purpose. When you make the right sound, expect something to happen.

Point 1: The Sound of Victory (Joshua 6: 20) When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpets, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

The battle of Jericho is well known. What isn’t well known this victory could have easily been won another way. They were able to go straight in because they were in the right position. Often times we can’t take position of what God has for us because we are not in the right position. When you are in the right position you don’t have to look for what God has for you; it’s right in front of you . God decided to use noise to take down the city. That alone lets you know there’s something about making the right noise. Be careful, don’t let the wrong noise come out of your mouth.

(a) The Lord is waiting for you to decide what your noise will be (5: 13…”Are you for us or the enemy?” Neither…I am the commander of the Lords army..) There was a decision to make the noise. So often we decide before the battle that we are already defeated. We must make up in our mind that the battle is already won. Decide when you wake up that you are going to make the right noise. Decide to worship. God is waiting on you to decide what you are going to do. Make the right noise.

(b) The enemy is already on notice waiting for your noise (6: 1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.) The word was already out about Israel’s ability and their God. You have to have the right noise. The enemy already knows it’s defeated. We simply must get it in our spirit that we are victorious. Praise Him. Your praise is your confirmed prayer to God. It confirms what he has already done. God was just waiting for them to be obedient.

(c) Victory is yours you just have to obey (vs. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands… You are set up for victory.)

Point 2: The sound of faith (Judges 7: 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 (16) Dividing the three hundred men into companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside… (18) When I and all are with me blow our trumpets…For the Lord and for Gideon…(19) They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands…(20) The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed their jars…(21) While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran crying out as they fled. Here is another sound/noise at work. This time it is the noise of faith.)
There is no point in making noise when it is not connected to faith. Although they may have looked ridiculous their faith carried them. God brought their army down to 300 and their faith had to carry them.

(a) Worship through the faith you have in Jesus Christ
(b) Worship equal to your level of faith- little faith produces little worship, GREAT FAITH PRODUCES GREAT WORSHIP.
(c) Worship in the confidence that God is going to do just what he said.

Point 3: The sound of Praise (Judges 20: 18 The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites?” The Lord said Judah shall go first.)

So often many refer to this battle to reinforce the point of putting the noise of praise before the battle. But when you drill deeper you find that this battle and subsequent victory comes after the Israelites were twice defeated by their own.

What does it mean to put Judah first? Judah means praise. So to praise God is to affirm the fact you are going to win. But how do you praise him? Judah comes first when we:
1. Stand When We Worship
a. “ And the Levites, ..... of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high” 2 Chron 20:19

2. Clap Our Hands
a. “O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triump” Ps 47:1

3. Lift Our Hands
a. YADAH - to worship with the extended hand -- giving of one’s self in worship and adoration.
b. TOWDAH - to give worship by extension of the hands in adoration, avowing or agreeing with what has been done (or will be). This word is commonly found in connection with “SACRIFICE” implying the giving of THANKS or PRAISE as a sacrifice, before reception of manifestation. Agreeing with the word of God - Faith in His Word.
c. “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without warth and doubting” 1 Tim 2:8

4. Have Audible Praise Unto God
a. HALAL - to praise, to make a show or rave about, to glory in, or to boast upon; To be clamorously foolish about your adoration of God. The word praise in the Hebrew word “HALLELUJAH” - Praise to Yehweh - speaking the glorious attributes, working, mercy, goodness, power, love, etc, of God. –
b. “ I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” 1 Tim 2:8
c. SHABACH - a loud adoration - a SHOUT - proclaiming with a loud voice (unashamed) the Glory, Triumph, Power, Mercy, Love of God. This word implied that TESTIMONY is praise. The praise “SHOUT UNTO THE LORD” can be understood as the action of “:SHABACH”.

5. Sing Choruses As Well as Hymns
a. TEHILLAH - to sing HALAL - hymn of spontaneous praise - glorying in god in song - the total improvement of one’s self in worship unto god - It is the praise that we KNOW God inhabits.

Life Implementation:
(1) Remember you have the victory
(2) Believe God and let your praise be the voice of your faith
(3) Put your confidence in the right noise not your size or strength

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Worship Works: This Time it's Personal

Sermon Text: Hebrews 13: 15 Through Jesus, therefore let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Sermon Title: Worship Works: This Time it’s Personal
Point 1: Find Your Praise Quotient Ps 150: 3 – 5 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourines and dancing praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals…
(a) You are built to uniquely praise him…singers shouldn’t dance and dancers shouldn’t play instruments…clappers shouldn’t sing, etc.
(b) God accepts all sacrifice of praise one is not better than the other
(c) Your praise quotient is a formulae that should produce Personal Praise/Worship + Authenticity = godly Results
a. Glory to his name
b. Renewing/refreshing of your spirit
c. Power for living
Point 2: Praise Him with Your Whole Heart Ps 9: 1 I will praise you , O Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders
2 Tim 1: 3 Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors.

James 3: 9 – 12 put it this way. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (12) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
So make sure your heart is:
(a) Washed by the blood of the Jesus
(b) Forgiven by the Jesus
(c) Through Jesus
Point 3: Praise Him: Visible not Audible Ps 22: 25 Msg Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I’ll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers.
Ps 42: 4 These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!
Matt 6: 25 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

WORSHIP WORKS: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SOUND OUTLINE

Sermon Text: Heb 13: 11 – 16
Sermon Text: Heb 13: 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of Praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Sermon Title: Worship Works: It’s All About the Sound

Point 1: The sound of victory Joshua 6: 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpets, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

The battle of Jericho is well known. What isn’t well known this victory could have easily been won another way.

(a) The Lord is waiting for you to decide what your noise will be 5: 13…”Are you for us or the enemy?” Neither…I am the commander of the Lords army…
(b) The enemy is already on notice waiting for your noise 6: 1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. The word was already out about Israel’s ability and their God. Your enemy is defeated and he knows it. You have to have the right noise. The noise of order
(c) Victory is yours you just have to obey vs. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands… You are set up for victory.

Point 2: The sound of faith Judges 7: 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 (16) Dividing the three hundred men into companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside… (18) When I and all are with me blow our trumpets…For the Lord and for Gideon…(19) They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands…(20) The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed their jars…(21) While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran crying out as they fled. Here is another sound/noise at work. This time it is the noise of faith.

(a) Worship through the faith you have in Jesus Christ
(b) Worship equal to your level of faith
(c) Worship in the confidence that God is going to do just what he said

Point 3: The sound of Praise Judges 20: 18 The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites?” The Lord said Judah shall go first.
So often many refer to this battle to reinforce the point of putting the noise of praise before the battle. But when you drill deeper you find that this battle and subsequent victory comes after the Israelites were twice defeated by their own.

What does it mean to put Judah first? Judah means praise. So to praise God is to affirm the fact you are going to win. But how do you praise him? Judah comes first when we:
1. Stand When We Worship
a. “ And the Levites, ..... of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high” 2 Chron 20:19

2. Clap Our Hands
a. “O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triump” Ps 47:1

3. Lift Our Hands
a. YADAH - to worship with the extended hand -- giving of one’s self in worship and adoration.

b. TOWDAH - to give worship by extension of the hands in adoration, avowing or agreeing with what has been done (or will be). This word is commonly found in connection with “SACRIFICE” implying the giving of THANKS or PRAISE as a sacrifice, before reception of manifestation. Agreeing with the word of God - Faith in His Word.
c. “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without warth and doubting” 1 Tim 2:8

4. Have Audible Praise Unto God
a. HALAL - to praise, to make a show or rave about, to glory in, or to boast upon; To be clamorously foolish about your adoration of God. The word praise in the Hebrew word “HALLELUJAH” - Praise to Yehweh - speaking the glorious attributes, working, mercy, goodness, power, love, etc, of God. –
b. “ I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” 1 Tim 2:8
c. SHABACH - a loud adoration - a SHOUT - proclaiming with a loud voice (unashamed) the Glory, Triumph, Power, Mercy, Love of God. This word implied that TESTIMONY is praise. The praise “SHOUT UNTO THE LORD” can be understood as the action of “:SHABACH”.

5. Sing Choruses As Well as Hymns
a. TEHILLAH - to sing HALAL - hymn of spontaneous praise - glorying in god in song - the total improvement of one’s self in worship unto god - It is the praise that we KNOW God inhabits.

Life Implementation:
(1) Remember you have the victory
(2) Believe God and let your praise be the voice of your faith
(3) Put your confidence in the right noise not your size or strength

Friday, March 9, 2012

Devotional: Imperatives of Worship

Psalm 96:4, For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is feared above all gods.

We praise God for his faithfulness, mercy, grace, and goodness that surpasses all understanding. His attributes cannot be measured for he is a great and powerful God. His greatness is the very reason we must exalt His name and extend His kingdom. We praise God because it is who we are and that very praise brings gladness and healing to our hearts. He is well worth all praise, glory, and honor which he will not share with another. Praise and worship are a team that amplifies each other.

What a great and awesome God we serve to bless us with new mercies morning by morning!

Devotional by Vickie Brown - Approved by Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr., D.Min.

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