On the Sabbath Day, in a Synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus reads a prophecy from the scroll of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2), and proclaims that the prophecy He just read has been fulfilled by Him in that moment. That proclamation sparks a heated reaction. However, after witnessing all of the miracles that Jesus did, people doubt the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus read. Jesus notices this, and "pins" the doubters down both in their hearts and in their attitudes. The base question for them then and for us today is; do you have faith in your heart? Do you have the faith to EXPERIENCE God in your heart? Jesus ALWAYS means what He says. If you have even just a little faith (the size of a mustard seed - Matt 17:20), impossible things can, and does in fact, happen. With love, prayer, and faith, God can, and does, turn things completely around. Join us as we convey the power and truth of this dynamic.
In this message, Guest Speaker Jay Peters speaks about the importance of a believer stepping out and evangelizing to fulfill The Great Commission. A few key takeaways:
--What You LOVE, you will talk about. -
-Most of Jesus's Ministry took place OUTSIDE of a religious setting, near peoples homes. It was rarely in a temple. -
-Jesus leads by EXAMPLE, teaches people to "catch people" for the Kingdom".(Matthew 4:19)
-What does The Great Commission mean to you? Is it awkward? 100%! Is it worth it? A million percent.
--Let resistance be FUEL for you when you are obedient.
...and much more. So join us to watch this powerful, challenging, and engaging message.
When Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah in the Synagogue in Nazareth, many underlying dynamics became awaken. For one, 39 chapters are focused on punishment. The remaining 26 chapters are geared towards restoration, hope, the coming of the Messiah, which in turn offers a bright and glorious future. Until the time Jesus came on the scene, the hold of Satan was at its peak in human history all around. Sin, deception, misconceptions about God's Law, a brutal, iron fisted political system surrounding them, and a number of other factors dogged and dragged the people and their spirits, until John the Baptist's message woke them up. After John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit was upon Him, and the powerful hold that Satan had on the world, political systems, religious systems, and people started to come loose. This freedom that Christ initiated then is still being initiated today. What does this all mean? Find out what this means to the Body of Christ, as Pastor Troy Billow lays out the details from a Kingdom centered perspective.
When John the Baptist is preaching, He is tying repentance and God's wrath to baptism. That is, or should be, a primary motivator. In that, he illustrates how Repentance opens the door to humility, as opposed to no repentance being an act of pride and in turn rebellion against God. Pride should be put low and humility should be raised up, as John illustrates, "smoothing the road". Jesus needs humility to use you as a powerful person, and John talks about how repentance is possible, as Pastor Troy Billow will explain in this message.
When John the Baptist came on the scene, he looked like a wild-eyed crazy man who ate bugs. The background of John the Baptist is more profound. God wanted to draw John the Baptist away from the world to spend time with Him, and get John the Baptist ready to engage people from God's standard. When John the Baptist engaged people, he warned them of the need to get their "paths straight" and "prepare the way" for the coming of the Lord, which leads to a profound question? What is in the middle of your road? What needs to take place to make your road smooth? John the Baptist's message was so profound that it attracted Jesus to him, leaving John with the trust to baptize Him. Christ, is King, and wants to come in to the "highway" of your life, and John's message is one that still rings loud and true today; in our hearts and in our lives, we NEED to prepare the way for the Kingdom of God.
When Jesus gave John a glimpse of Heaven, and instructed him to write down the details and share them with the seven churches in Asia Minor, He did so to emphasize the side of His Authority and to proclaim the side of the Glory of God. In that, Christ wanted us today to see the side of His Kingship. By emphasizing Christ's Kingship and sovereignty, it opens the door to allow for the Kingship aspect to enter our hearts. Now why is that important? In Heaven's eyes, we as believers in Christ are regarded as royalty; as Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses. Jesus Christ is due time will share His inheritance and give power, authority, and sovereignty to His people when He returns, to rule and reign on earth. The question is; does that fact influence how you act today? in a world that may discard and disregard you, Christ has other plans for you and they are big and serious. In this second half to last week's message, Pastor Troy billow will elaborate on how valuable you are in the sight of God, and the show you the royal purpose you are destined for, when you belong to Christ, as he shares His Kingdom and the enormity of its Majestic impact, power, authority, and influence. on this earth.
Most of the time mainstream Christians focus on the Lamb aspect of Jesus Christ, His ministry on earth, His death, burial and resurrection. While all of that is essential to being a follower of Christ, another side of Jesus lacks the consideration that it should especially in the lives of believers. That side is the Lion aspect of Jesus Christ. This side focuses primarily on Christ's sovereign authority, power, control over world affairs, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In this message, Pastor Troy Billow explains how important it was for Jesus to share this aspect of Him to John, so that He could share that with The Seven Churches in Asia Minor and in turn share that glory with us today, so that we may meditate on that aspect that doesn't get its due diligence in Christendom today.
Islam's influence in America is growing exponentially, as Muslims are expected to be a majority by 2050. Since Muslims are starting families and their fertility rates are much higher than that of Americans this is a truth we will have to face. One of the things that is interesting about Muslims is that, Jesus is appearing to many, and they are documenting these encounters and coming to Christ in numbers. In this message, Guest Speaker Olin Giles speaks on how important it is for the church to rise up and engage these individuals as Christ cares very much about them too. Olin makes the point that the answer to radical Islam is a radical church and stresses that if we do our part, God will go His part. This is a message to heed, especially if you engage people and want to grow your understanding of other groups in your quest to evangelize.
In this portion of the Book of Revelation, God gives John a glimpse of Heaven. This is designed to help YOU and I live, have the right perspective of Him, change our character, attitude and behavior towards Him, and prioritize these things. When Christ deals with us, He always sees the whole picture (where we only see what's in front of us) and handles us with our full potential and purpose in perspective. The question is; do we see how REAL God is? In this message, Pastor Troy Billow will open a window as to why God opens the doors of His Kingdom in scripture, and explain some of the various purposes as to why this is important to our faith, our walk with Christ, and our peace of mind and perspective.
Laodicea was a wealthy city with wealthy people. As such, they became lazy and "overly comfortable". They depended on their wealth, comfort, big ideas, and have a need for nothing. This adversely affects a number of things, all of which gets the Lord's attention, and appoints John to take a message to them. Jesus wants the church to remain faithful, loyal, and strong. But He has this against them; they didn't fulfill this obligation. Why? Because their perspectives and priorities were way off from where Christ needed them. They were so disgusting to Him, because they were so lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, that He said that He would vomit them out of His mouth. What happened is that they fell out of relationship with the Lord, neglected to win the lost, and began to wane in meaningful service. It became more of a social club than anything, and these vices still have sway in some churches today. This then raises a powerful, universal question today; do you resemble the characteristics of this church? Are you in relationship with the Lord? Are you laboring to win the lost? Do you serve others? Do you care?