April 14, 2024 • Pastor Matt Young • Jeremiah 29:11, Joel 2:23, Acts 2:14–17
Welcome, dear friends and family of Access Church, as we gather together to embark on an inspiring journey titled "Dream Again Part 1," led by our very own Pastor Matt. Today, we stand on the threshold of rediscovering the immense power of dreams and the divine spark within each of us that yearns to create, aspire, and achieve.
From the dawn of creation, God has instilled in us the capability to dream—to envision lives filled with purpose and impact. Yet, so often, we find ourselves merely existing, caught in the routine, forgetting the vivid dreams that once painted our aspirations. Remember, as Albert Einstein profoundly noted, "imagination is greater than knowledge." It is through imagination that we shape our future, crafting visions that transcend the confines of our past experiences.
In this sermon, we are called to consider three pivotal aspects of our spiritual journey:
1. The necessity of being Born Again, to see the world anew through the eyes of faith.
2. The discovery of God’s dream for our lives, a revelation that unfolds the divine blueprint specifically
designed for each of us.
3. The development of our God-given talents and skills, which equips us to fulfill the glorious destiny that
awaits.
In these last days, the Holy Spirit speaks a language rich with dreams and visions, as proclaimed in Acts 2:17—where young and old alike are empowered to see beyond the veil of the mundane. In the words of the prophet Joel, God promises to pour out His Spirit, bringing both former and latter rains, signifying blessings and revelations that rejuvenate our parched dreams.
Moreover, God reassures us through Jeremiah 29:11 that His plans are meticulously crafted to prosper us, not to harm us, offering hope and a resplendent future. Today, let us embrace this truth, step boldly into the clarity of our divine purpose, and dare to dream again.
As we delve into the life of Abraham, whose dream at the ripe age of 75 showcases that it’s never too late to begin anew, we find courage and inspiration. His journey teaches us the steps to clarity in discovering the God-given dream tailored for our lives—rooted not in confusion but in the intentional design of our Creator.
Join us as Pastor Matt unfolds these truths, guiding us through scripture and story, igniting once again the dreams that God has placed in our hearts. Let's dream again, not as the world dreams, but with the conviction and hope that only comes from God.
Dream Again Part 2
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Matt Young • Hebrews 11:8–10, Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 2:14–17, Ephesians 1:11–12, Romans 4:11–12
Welcome back, beloved community of Access Church, as we continue our inspiring journey with "Dream Again Part 2," delivered by Pastor Matt. In our last gathering, we rekindled the embers of dreams placed in our hearts by God. Today, we delve deeper, exploring how these divine dreams transform us and guide us towards a future crafted by God Himself.
God has designed us not just to live but to thrive, connecting our lives to extraordinary dreams that propel us from ordinary existence to extraordinary impact. We're reminded that to lead a truly great life, we must commit to a great dream—one that stretches beyond our abilities and requires divine intervention to fulfill. These dreams aren't just aspirations; they are holy callings that align us with God’s magnificent plans for our lives.
In today's sermon, we will explore the profound narrative of Abraham, a man who embraced God's seemingly impossible dream at the age of 75. His journey was marked not by the certainty of his circumstances but by the certainty of God’s promises. Abraham's story teaches us that God-given dreams often look impossible, inviting us to step beyond the possible into the realm of divine possibilities.
As we engage with Scripture, from Acts 2 to Ephesians 1, we learn that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through dreams and visions, especially in these last days. These dreams are not remnants of sleep but vivid, prophetic insights that shape our reality and our responses to God's calls.
Today, we will uncover several key steps to discerning and embracing the God-given dreams for our lives:
1. Seeking Clarity in Identity: Recognizing who we are in Christ is the foundation of understanding our life's
purpose.
2. Embracing the Growth Mindset: God’s dreams push us to grow beyond our current state, preparing us for
what He has planned next.
3. Intentional Living: Daily aligning our thoughts and actions with the divine blueprint of our lives, changing
how we think, speak, and ultimately act.
Furthermore, Romans 4 teaches us the importance of having role models like Abraham, whose faith in God's promises against all odds provides a template for our own journey of faith. His life was a series of obedient steps towards realizing a dream that was humanly impossible but divinely ordained.
Today, as we look forward, let us remember Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Our dreams, inspired by God, are not just for our benefit but are designed to transform us and through us, to impact the world.
As we dream again, let us dream boldly, with the confidence that our dreams are not just our own but are part of a grander vision orchestrated by God. Dream big, for the God we serve is infinitely greater than anything we can imagine. Let's allow our dreams to pull us forward, leading us closer to the reality God has prepared for us.
Get ready to be challenged and changed as Pastor Matt unfolds these divine truths, empowering us to not only dream again but to live fully in the reality of God's dream for us. Let us step into this journey with open hearts and expectant spirits, ready to embrace the extraordinary plans God has for each of us.
Dream Again Part 3
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Matt Young • Acts 2:14–17, Psalm 37:4, Genesis 13:14–17, Genesis 15:5–6, Genesis 17:1–5
Good morning, beloved family of Access Church! Today, as we gather for the third part of our series "Dream Again," led by Pastor Matt, we are diving deeper into the transformative power of dreams and visions that God bestows upon us. This message is about turning divine dreams into tangible realities, using the life of Abraham as a foundational example of faith and vision.
In Scripture, God speaks to us about the pivotal role dreams and visions play in our spiritual journey. As we have learned, these are not just fleeting thoughts but are the language of the Holy Spirit, a divine communication meant to guide and shape our destinies. Today, we explore how to fully embrace and actualize these God-given dreams by focusing on clarity, vision, and decisive action.
Our focus begins with Psalm 37:4, which assures us, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." This is a profound promise that when we immerse ourselves in the presence of God, our deepest heart's desires align with His divine purpose for our lives.
The Process of Embracing a God-given Dream
1. The Oil - The Bible as Our Guide: Just as oil is essential in painting, the Word of God is crucial in revealing the dream God has for us. It is through regular engagement with Scripture that we begin to see the bigger picture of what God intends for our lives.
2. The Artist - The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit acts as the divine artist in this process, taking the truths we absorb from Scripture and transforming them into a clear vision within us.
3. The Canvas - Our Hearts Ready to Receive: Our hearts are the canvas on which these dreams and visions are painted. It is essential that we keep our hearts open and receptive to what God wants to imprint upon them.
Vision: The Blueprint of Faith
Vision is more than just a goal or an aspiration; it is a divine blueprint that feeds our faith. Without a clear vision, dreams can falter and fade. Abraham's life shows us that God often provides a vision so compelling that it requires faith to believe in its fulfillment. God challenged Abraham to envision his future as numerously as the dust of the earth and the stars in the sky—powerful, daily reminders of God's promise.
Practical Steps to Living Out Your Dream
1. Visualize Your Dream Daily: Just as Abraham was instructed to look around and foresee the promise
physically, we too need to practice visualizing the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives.
2. Take Authority and Act: "Arise," as God commanded Abraham, speaks of taking action. Dreams are realized
not through passivity but through proactive steps of faith.
3. Engage in Continuous Fellowship with God: The name Hebron, meaning fellowship, symbolizes the depth
of relationship required to maintain clarity of vision. It is in ongoing communion with God that our vision for
the future becomes clearer.
4. Believe and Declare Your Identity: Just as Abraham's name change signified a shift in identity aligned with
God’s promise, we must also start declaring and living from the identity and reality that God has spoken
over us.
The Power of a God Dream
Today, let us be inspired by Abraham’s journey from a dream to a vision, and from vision to reality. His story is a testament that with God, no dream is too vast, no promise too outlandish. It is a call for each of us to dream again, to see beyond our current circumstances, and to step into the future God has prepared for us.
As we continue to explore the depth of God's plans for our lives through Pastor Matt's guidance, let us hold onto the truth that the dreams God gives are not only meant to change us but also to change the world through us. Let's embrace these dreams with faith, visualize them with clarity, and pursue them with unwavering commitment.
