The Believer in Jesus Christ lives within a body of sin, however due to the Holy Spirit, is given a new nature. The body, the mind, and the heart will always struggle with evil desires (instigating action in the carnal nature), however God equips us not to walk by them with a number of invaluable spiritual assets. For one, as a Believer, we have the Holy Spirit living within our hearts. Secondly, we have the living, breathing, and enduring Word of God. Thirdly, we have an intercessor who can embolden and strengthen us if we ask Him directly and yield to His direction. We possess these assets, but the question is for every believer is; do you use them, and how often? Your faith, spiritual status, mental and spiritual health all hinge on what you're basing your decisions on. Are you basing your decisions on the flesh or are you walking by the Spirit? This will determine how well you are walking in victory, or how deep you are wallowing in defeat. Pastor Troy continues to expound on the seriousness of this matter in light of Peter's letter addressing this dynamic.
It is VERY EASY for the church in America today to lose focus of its identity. Because of this, it is easy for us as believers to lose focus of our identity in Christ. And yet, when you examine the identity aspect of what Jesus bought and paid for for us, one finds that He raised us on an entirely different level than we could ever imagine. Jesus Christ designated His people as a royal priesthood, a chosen people, a holy nation, and God's SPECIAL possession. The problem today, as it did in the day that Peter wrote this letter, is that believers don't embrace this truth. The Holy Spirit placed these words into Peter's heart to tell us WHAT WE ARE MADE TO BE. Since you were bought with a price by Jesus -- by an invaluable connection to God--you are shared in this special connection with God, and feelings, negative circumstances, struggles, or any other adverse thing that the world throws at you, should not even be a forethought in light of this truth. The question is; is it? Pastor Troy challenges every believer to really think about this concept in light of God's design for every believer.
Join us for a very special Prayer and Praise Service led by the leaders of Living Faith Community Church. In this service, we orate powerful scriptures, pray on the substance of those scriptures, and sing praises to God in a spirit of thanksgiving and adoration. This presentation is the perfect answer to believers who need to have their faith re-calibrated in some way, shape, or form.
Paul was burdened for the church as they did not walk in faith, obedience, morality, etc. In that, Peter noticed that the churches really didn't grasp their identity in Christ. Peter sets out here to remind the people of the church that they have a new life, and challenges them to walk in it. Peter exhorts the church why it is important to depend on, hang on to, and take most seriously our faith. In this, Peter likens us to "spiritual stones" being built up into a "spiritual house".
The American church is struggling in many ways. Too many people within the church have their own sets of eccentric preferences, comforts, yearnings to be entertained rather than exhorted, and they all too often seek messages to make them feel good rather than pay attention to what they need. A strong faith demands maturity, humility, exhortation, and among other things, boldness. In this message, Pastor Troy challenges every believer to examine themselves in light of this. Do you know your identity in Christ? Does your relationship with Christ make a difference in your life? Are you more afraid of people than you are of God? The reality is; every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). We need to start doing that now by taking our relationship with Christ more seriously.
Love is more than a complex emotional. psychological, and physiological state due to a connection being made. Love, when it is brought upon you by God is a powerful force. Sincere love is something is the most extraordinary. Why is that and where did it come from? In this message Pastor Troy Billow explains why God chose you out of the world to be separated for His will and purposes, and how love became the driving force to set this dynamic in motion. Jesus Christ CHOSE to love you. He did not have to do that, and we did not deserve that. But He chose to do it to the ultimate extremes, following through on the only way to redeem, sanctify, and purify us, so that in connection to Him, we have the wherewithal we need to have sincere love for one another.
There is a reason why God wants your heart. There is also something built within every human being that needs God, though they may fill that need with something else. Sin created a barrier between these two dynamics, however Jesus Christ was sent on a rescue mission to eliminate this boundary and bring you into relationship with God. In this message, Living Faith's own Gust Speaker John Beechy brings a message on a life that is transformed when you take the opportunity to receive Christ and have a relationship with Him. This, along with trusting Him, and depending on His promises begins a life that will become transformed the more you depend on Him. Like a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, the metamorphosis of a person being spiritually awakened yields fruit that not only remakes a person, but also allows them to be salt and light in a dark world, and add "taste" to it.
This message asks a fundamental question; "are you walking in faith like an unassuming child?" In this passage, we see a situation unfold, in which two disciples, James and John, are arguing about which of them would be the greatest. Both James and John were zealous to serve, but in the process, a spirit of pride started to develop and foment, causing division. Jesus, knowing their thoughts and intentions, took a little child, had him stand beside Him, and told them that, โWhoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.โ While in this moment James and John were looking ahead to a position of prestige, with personal pride at the center. Jesus is looking for a heartfelt willingness to serve, with humility at the center.
Days after Jesus led His disciples into preaching the Kingdom of God, He took Peter, John, and James into the mountain to pray. Jesus made prayer a top priority (Acts 2:42) as it builds unity and attracts the attention of God (Matthew 18:20). As Jesus prayed, His countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistening. While this was occurring, two men, Moses (the giver of the Law), and Elijah (the most important/key prophet), the most prolific men in Judaism, were talking to Jesus, and in the midst of this conversation, the voice of God the Father broke through in the presence of the three disciples and told them, โThis is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.โ This sets in motion a number of dynamics, which in this message, are addressed by Pastor Troy Billow. This encounter also gives another dimension to what Paul talked about in Romans 3:19 where he mentioned that the Law and the prophets TESTIFY to the reality and purpose of Jesus Christ.
What exactly does it mean to "carry your cross"? Throughout Jesus's ministry and in the midst of his most profound miracles, Jesus challenged people to deny themselves. Jesus today challenges people to deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him. Why does Jesus ask such a thing and what does that mean for you? It is the active ingredient of discipleship. In I Peter 4:1, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls everyone to ARM YOURSELF with this attitude, which carries the ambition of "I am done with sin". Another way to look at it is; I am going to live my life like i am not ashamed of Him. Jesus gives motivation for people to apply this attitude so that when He returns in glory and majesty, you will be confident, happy and looking forward to this event, not sad, lacking in confidence, and ashamed.