Thankful for Eternal Love - Romans 8:38-39

   Thankful for Everlasting Life - John 5:24

   Thankful for an Eternal Home - John 14:1-4

Spiritual Vampires walk among us undetected

Spiritual Vampires Are More Concerned About Their Ideas Of What The Kingdom Should Be Rather Than What God Has Called Them To Be

Spiritual Vampires suck the life out of those around them

The truth about negativity

Negativity reflects what is going on inside a person

Negativity justifies itself

Negativity will choose your friends for you

We Fight Spiritual Vampires By Being Imitators Of Christ

A Zombie Christian has works without faith.

A Zombie Christian has farming without fruit.

Zombies don't know they are dead!

How to keep from becoming a Zombie (or come back from being one)

1- Wake up to your condition.

2- Strengthen what remains of the faith you claim.

3 -remember the gospel you have received and heard.

Sometimes God says, “No,” because He has a lesson to teach

Sometimes God says, “No,” because  He has a greater plan

Sometimes God says, “No,” because it brings Him glory

When God says, “No,” we must trust that God is doing what is best  

This interpretation fails the logic test.

This interpretations fails the theological test.

This interpretations fails the consistency & practicality test.

In Biblical interpretation, context is key.

This isn't a promise of power; it's a promise of presence.

A better interpretation would be, "I can endure all trials through Christ who gives me strength."

THE BIBLE DOES NOT PROMISE GOD WILL NOT GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE.

THIS IS DANGEROUS TO BELIEVE BECAUSE IT GIVES US TOO MUCH CREDIT.

THIS IS DANGEROUS TO BELIEVE BECAUSE IT SETS GOD UP FOR FAILURE IN OUR EYES.

THE BIBLE ACTUALLY SHOWS GOD WILL GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE.

GOD MAY GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE SO WE CAN FULLY RELY ON HIM.

GOD PROMISES HE WON’T GIVE YOU MORE THAN HE CAN HANDLE.

The Bible is not a buffet

Scripture interprets scripture

Scripture has God as it's source

Scripture nourishes us spiritually in four ways

       -  It teaches us

        - It rebukes us

        - It corrects us

        - It trains us to live righteously

Scripture prepares us for the work God has for us

Every open door is an opportunity

JUST BECAUSE A DOOR IS OPEN DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD WALK THROUGH IT

SOMETIMES AN OPEN DOOR IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRUST GOD WHERE YOU ARE

THE EASY PATH IS NOT ALWAYS GOD’S PATH

Exodus 14:10-22

- There are always obstacles on our walk of faith

- You must choose how you will react to these obstacles

- When we wait upon the Lord, He reveals to us the course of action

Philippians 3:13-14

- You must know your goal

- You must quit looking toward the past

- You must strain toward the future

- You must run the race in the present

THE WAYS WE MISPLACE JESUS

A Joyful spirit affects every part of the human person.

A negative attitude can damage our health, as well as, rob our peace.

  Are you taking your medicine?

       God's Prescription

            The Blood of Jesus - the antibiotic of the spirit

            A Merry Heart - the pain reliever for the soul

The condition of our relationship with God directly affects the power He will show in your life.

Our faith, or lack thereof, directly affects God's ability to work in our life.

Faith is not a once for all step in the life of a believer.

Faith is a dynamic process, gift, or power in the life of a believer.

The mountaintop is an invitation only, presence of God event.

You cannot force a mountaintop experience.

The mountaintop is the place where Jesus is revealed the most.

We cannot live on the mountain.

We live life in the valley.

Godly fathers seek out Jesus themselves

Godly fathers believe in the promises of Jesus

Godly fathers bring Jesus into their home

Godly fathers demonstrate their love for their children

Even Believers can be guilty of or wrapped up in blatant sin.

You can't hide your sin from God.

God's holiness never changes.

When you know about evil but do not stand against it, you are part of it.

We will be judged and have the consequences of our own sins.

When we fail to follow God's command, we may forfeit some of God's reward.

1) When we act in selfishness, our relationships are inevitably flawed

1) We should tell God our fears and doubts - Be Honest

2) Sometimes what God asks doesn't make sense in worldly terms

1) We Cannot Let Our Places/Things Of Comfort Keep Us From Being Where Jesus Wants Us

2) Worldly Frustrations Can Keep Us From Seeing Jesus At Work Around Us

3) Believers Must Define Our These

     a) Do you love me more than you love these things 

     b) Do you love me more than you love the Disciples 

     c) Do you you me more than these Disciples do 

4) To Find Our Restoration, We Must Revisit The Place Of Our Failure

5)The Ministry Jesus Has For Someone Else Has No Bearing On His Ministry For Me

1) The empty cross gives us the promise that our sins are forgiven.

2) The empty tomb gives us the promise that we too will be raised to eternal life.

3) The empty burial clothes give us the promise that Jesus is alive and wants to fellowship with you.

1)  The Cross brings us into the presence of Jesus.

2)  The Cross makes us follow in the steps of the savior.

3)  The Cross makes us part of the greatest work in the world.

4)  The Cross can change your family forever.

1) Jesus didn't save himself so he could save us.

2) One thief wanted Jesus to be who he thought he should be.

3) The other thief accepted Jesus for who he was in spite of his circumstance.

4) The one we choose to be will determine our future.

1.  Our separation is only physical, not spiritual or emotional.

2.  The precautions we are taking now are done to protect our future together.

3.  Satan will work overtime during this time to keep us apart.

4.  We have the ability to be proud of each other.

5.  Your Pastor loves you.

You must be who you say you are.

You must focus on that which is good.

You must shun that which detracts from good.

You must diligently do the work God called you to do.

You must not give up.

1 Peter 2:13-20 & Colossians 3: 23-25

It pleases God when we submit to those who have authority over us.

Our righteous actions silence those who would criticize and condemn us.

Our actions must remain righteous.

We are to submit to our supervisors even if they are cruel and mean.

We are rewarded for reacting righteously when we are treated badly.

Everyone who does wrong will deal with the consequences of their action.

The Way Of Jesus Isn't Logical

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Save You  - Childlike Faith Can

Again, To Be Clear, The Only Way To The Father Is The Son

The Invitation To Follow Jesus Is Given To All Who Recognize Their Burden

The Promise Is Rest

We Gain Rest By Receiving A New Yoke

The Yoke Is Light Because It Is Shared

The Call To Follow Jesus Is Not A Call To Walk Alone 

Your wants, desires and dreams are secondary when following Jesus.

        1. )  Jesus rearranges your priorities.

The cross isn't about discomfort. It's about death.

Being a disciple requires us to walk as Jesus walked.

The greatest treasure the world offers pales in comparison to what Jesus offers.

        1. )  Jesus turns the world on its head.

Each person's call is as unique as the individual.

The relationship between Jesus and His followers is mysteriously intimate.

Others may not understand your call.

God's call may make you nervous.

If God calls you to it, He'll provide a way to do it.

Being genuine can open the door to faith in Jesus.

Jesus sees us during the formative times of our lives.

Jesus has always known us.

We don't ascend to God; God descends to us.

Possessions and wealth are, many times, the main thing that keep us from a deep relationship with Jesus.

      1.) Wealth is the natural enemy of faith.

Jesus must be the most important thing/person in your life.

There is reward in heaven for those who give up wealth to follow Jesus.

We shouldn't follow Jesus to receive material reward.

Following Jesus will transform our relationships.

      1.) It is impossible not to share Jesus with your friends if you are following Jesus.

Jesus does not send you into the place of your temptation alone.

       1.) Jesus does not deny their sinfulness.

Following Jesus must change your life.

Disciples of Jesus are foreigners and strangers in this world.

It is impossible to be comfortable in a world in which we are foreigners.

Following Jesus changes our priorities.

The cost of following Jesus weeds out the fans from the followers.

The call to follow Jesus applies everywhere.

The call to follow Jesus can transform your life.

The call to follow Jesus will involve sacrifice.

The call to follow Jesus is immediate.

The call to follow Jesus is worth it.

     A faith that pleases God is a confident faith.

     A faith that pleases God is an acknowledging faith.

     A faith that pleases God is a seeking faith.

     A faith that pleases God is a longing faith.

     A faith that pleases God is an enduring faith.

     A faith that pleases God is a secure faith.

     A faith that pleases God is a rewarded faith.

How big is your God?

Our circumstances cannot become our excuses.

Circumstances are made to be overcome.

Lion Chasers are willing to do a hard thing.

Lion Chasers are willing to do a hard thing in a hard place.

Lion Chasers are willing to do a hard thing in a hard place at a hard time.

We must become Lion Chasers to be effective in the Kingdom.

1. Zacchaeus is defined by what he does rather than who he is.

1. When we define people by what they do rather than by who they are, we shape their lives.

2. When we define people by what they do, we confine God's ability to work in our eyes.

      2. Jesus wants us to invest in and wants to invest Himself in people like Zacchaeus.

      3. Jesus sees Zacchaeus as Zacchaeus.

      4. When we invest Jesus into someone, it can bring radical change.

1. Sometimes God has to get us to our lowest point before He can reveal His plan and blessings.

2. We have to position ourselves to receive the blessings.

3. The blessings God has for us already exist.

4. When God brings a change, He fundamentally changes us.

5. God offers the best if we'll just let go of the rest.

6. Receiving the best blessings of God is always dependent upon our faithfulness to Him.

1. The other brother has something missing in his relationship to the father.

2. The other brother was missing a blessing.

3. Hidden sin can keep you from the blessings of God.

                Sins of the other brother

               1. He was a hypocrite.

               2. He did not honor his father.

               3. He was harboring jealousy.

               4. The other brother misunderstood grace.

Point to Remember - We cannot misunderstand grace so much that we become jealous of those who receive it freely.

1. The One Counts to God

2. God is Actively Searching for Those Who Are Lost

3. God's Love and Reputation Reach to the Farthest Reaches of the Human Condition

4. God Always Celebrates When One Lost Soul is Found