Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Talk the Talk...Walk the Walk: The Tree & The Temple



Sermon Text: Mark 11:8 - 24

Point 1: Jesus’ Discovery (vs. 11, 13, 15)
    a. Matthew 12:33-37 (ESV)
    b. Matthew 15:8-20 (ESV)
Point 2: Jesus’ Disappointment (vs. 14 - 16)
Point 3: Jesus’ Declaration (vs. 14, 17)
Point 4: Jesus’ Demonstration (vs. 20 – 21)
            a. 1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV)
            b. 1 Corinthians 4:18-20 (NIV)
            c. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)
Point 5: Jesus’ Desire (vs. 22 – 24)

- Pastor Johnathan Barnes 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Talk of a Champion

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Sermon Text: Exodus 33: 11 the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend, Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
Sermon Title: The Talk of a Champion
Song: The Hall of Fame
Context: In our text this morning we have Moses going outside the Camp to a tent that he has set up to meet with God face to face. This tent is called the "tent of the meetings" because it is the place where Moses meets God and God meets Moses. It is also the substitute for the Tabernacle that is supposed to sit in the middle of the Camp. The Tabernacle is the place he was supposed to meet God, but its construction has been put off because there is so much murmuring, talk and disobedience going on inside the camp. Since Moses still had to hear from God he built the tent of the meeting outside the camp so he could hear what God said and not what "they say." What stands out to me in the text is what Joshua does.
Point 1: Joshua Waited on a Word from God vs. 11b …but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Joshua did something most people no longer do. Joshua refused to go anywhere until he heard from God. David said in Psalms 27: 14 wait on the Lord be of good courage and again I say wait for the Lord. He didn't leave the tent.
Point 2: Don't Use Wilderness Words while you Wait vss. 3 - 5 But I will not go with you because you are stiff-necked people…When they heard these distressing words, they begin to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
Numbers 11:1 The Message (MSG) Camp Taberah 11 1-3 The people fell to grumbling over their hard life. God heard. When he heard his anger flared; then fire blazed up and burned the outer boundaries of the camp. The people cried out for help to Moses; Moses prayed to God and the fire died down. They named the place Taberah (Blaze) because fire from God had blazed up against them
Exodus 16:2-3
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
Numbers 21:4-7 The Message (MSG) The Snake of Fiery Copper 4-5 They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: “Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water—we can’t stomach this stuff any longer.”
Point 3: Winning Words Numbers 14: 6 - 8 Joshua son of Nun…said to the entire Israelites…if the Lord is pleased with us he will lead us into the, a land flowing with mild and honey, and will give it to us He knew how to say words that brought on victories. Listen to what else Joshua said when it was time to fight like a Champion.
Joshua 24:15
15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Where did Joshua get those words? While he was in the presence of the Lord listening to what God said not what they say. This is the way the song put it.
Yeah, You could be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the king kong banging on your chest
*You could beat the world
You could beat the war
You could talk to God, go banging on his door
*You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself
*Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

*You could go the distance
You could run the mile
You could walk straight through hell with a smile
*You could be the hero
You could get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke
*Do it for your people
Do it for your pride
Never gonna know if you never even try
Do it for your country
Do it for your name
Cause there's gonna be a day
*When your, standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame
*Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion
On the walls of the hall of fame
*Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
*Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be true seekers
Life Application:
1. Sign up and serve like a Champion
2. Ignore what they say about you listen to what God says about you…he says he sent his son to save you…

3. Live by what God says about you!

Week Three: Days 15-21 of 21 Day Fast Prayer & Scriptures

Prayer Focus – Days 15-21:
Dear Lord, Whatever my test of "40" is, help me to pass it with flying colors!  Help EVERY LIFECHANGER pass their personal test!  Help New Life to pass it's  test of"40—Our Journey...His Story. We will do these things together, on one accord as we believe God in our NLC Corporate Prayer…
Dear Lord, Open the doors for us to build a church for your glory and saving souls. Make the vision a reality. Enlarge our territory with land, people and influence to plant NLC. Cancel the enemy's plans to stop NLC.  Give us wisdom and stamina. Give us prosperity and favor.  Give us cooperation and unity. Give us a spirit of sacrifice and a mind for kingdom building. Give us a spirit of followship and loyalty. Give us souls and we will care for them with all our might. Give us this community and with your help, we pledge our lives to win it for you. Give us a church planting anointing that will change lives in our lifetime. It is in Jesus name we pray, believe and declare it done!  Amen!

Sunday
1.      Ephesians 4:1-6 THE MESSAGE - 4 1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.  4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
Monday
2.      1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Tuesday
3.      Proverbs 29:18 ESV Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off  restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Wednesday
4.      Habakkuk 2:2 ESV And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
Thursday
5.      1 Peter 3:8 (NLT) 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.  Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Friday
6.      2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Saturday

7.      Philippians 4:13 ESV I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

They say HE Say!

Text: Luke 1: 28(a) The angel went to her and said…
Point 1: What does God say about Mary/You? Vs. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Point 2: What did God put in Mary/You? Vs. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
Point 3: What is Mary/Your response? Vs. I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Dictation Will Determine Your Destiny!


Point 1: En-Courage Your Words  - Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. Paul put it this way Ephesians 6:22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. The writer of Hebrews even told you how much and how often you should use your words to encourage. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Point 2: Keep Your Word. Ecclesiastes 5:5  It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Matthew 5:37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. The writer of Proverbs said this. Proverbs 4:24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Proverbs 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
Point 3: Guard Your WordsProverbs 4:23-25 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Matthew 15:17-20a - 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Point 4: Fast Your Words Isaiah 58: 3 -5, 9 (3) ‘Why have we fasted…Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. (4)Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. (5) Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?  Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?  Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? (9)Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;  you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,  with the pointing finger and malicious talk, (1) Choose your words confidently! (2) Speak carefully. (3) Repent quickly. (4) Restate with authority

Point 5: Fuel Your Words. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
THE MESSAGE VERSION SAYS - God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.
In order to do this you have to do at least two things.
(1) Hide his word in your heart. Psalm 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

(2) Have faith in his word. 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.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Week Two Sunday, Sept 8th - Saturday, Sept 14th

Week Two Sunday, Sept 8th  - Saturday, Sept 14th
PUTTING GOD FIRST – MY PRIORITIES WEEK 
Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   
Fast Options:  One Meal a day before 6am/after 6pm w/ Liquids only between 6a-6p
OR No sweets, no meats no breads all day
Prayer Focus:  Dear Lord,
Help me to put YOU first. Make YOU my priority. Refuse to let anything get in the way of attending church Sunday AND Wednesday; my prayer life (talking to YOU); giving my tithes (trusting YOU); reading my word (learning from YOU); Connecting with a small group (gathering with like-minds) and serving YOU in the church.
I will put YOU FIRST.  Everything else you will do when I do that!  In Jesus Name! Amen

Sunday Sept 8th 
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  

Monday 9th        
Exodus 20:3 ESV “You shall have no other gods before me

Tuesday 10th      
Proverbs 3:6 Common English Bible (CEB) 6 Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.

Wednesday 11th
1 Timothy 2:1-3The Message (MSG)  2 1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

Thursday 12th    
2 Timothy 3:17  Common English Bible (CEB)  17 so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good

Friday 13th          
Luke 12:34 NLT  34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Saturday 14th     

Matthew 6:33 THE MESSAGE  30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Mouth Over Mind: 5 Ways to conquer My Words

Sermon Text: Psalms 19: 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Point 1: Open Heart In-Comes words (Gates) Luke 11: 34 - 36 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When you eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness (35) See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. (36) Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark,  It will be completely lighted, as when light of a lamp shines on you.
Point 2:  Imaginations are word pictures in Your Heart 2 Corinthians 10: 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to obedience
Point 3: Open Mouth Out-Comes Heart Proverbs 23: 7a For as he thinketh in his heart so is he… James 3: 6 The tongue corrupts the whole body sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.
Point 4: Meditative Heart Monitors the Mind Joshua 1: 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it Then you will be prosperous and successful. Romans 12: 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Point 5: Guarded Heart Produces godly words Proverbs 4: 23 - 25 Above all things guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (24) Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. (5) Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

LORD PLEASE HELP MY MOUTH:
GUIDE TO CHANGING MY LIFE
1. When you feel that you don’t have the strength to go on
2. When you are angry and bitter
3. When you need confidence
4. When you are discouraged
5. When you are depressed
6. When you are afraid
7. When you need healing
8. When you have been abandoned
9. When you have been rejected or betrayed
10. When you are lonely
11. When you need financial help
12. When you have lost your joy
13. When you feel guilty and condemned
14. When you feel weak
15. When you need self-control
16. When you’re facing a new challenge
17. When you are facing temptation

18. When you need to improve your thinking

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Week One - 21- Day Fast Prayer & Scriptures

Week One:  Sunday, September 1st—Saturday, September 7th
PERSONAL HOLINESS & WHOLENESS WEEK 
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  

Fast Options:  One Meal a day before 6am/after 6pm  w/ Liquids only between 6a-6p
OR  No sweets, no breads all day 

Prayer Focus for the week:  Dear Lord,
Help me to start the things I've wanted to start and stop the things I've wanted to stop!
For example, "I've wanted to pray more, read my bible more, attend church more, speak words of life, tithe more, have devotion with my family, have more faith, etc."
I've wanted to stop watching so much TV, listening to music that does not glorify you that contaminates my spirit man, yielding to temptation, lusting, gossiping, etc.  With your strength and power I know I can do it!  In Jesus Name! Amen

Monday 2nd       
Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT)  7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Tuesday 3rd        
Galatians 5:24-26 - 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Wednesday  4th  
James 1:26-27 THE MESSAGE - Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

Thursday 5th       
Ephesians 6:13 The Message (MSG) 13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Friday 6th            
Ephesians 4:31-32 The Message 31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Saturday 7th       

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Virtual Family Sunday Questions

What ways can we create community as a family? How has our viewership/church attendance enhanced or diminished our family covenant? What way...