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It's Your Move

June 2, 2021 • Pastor John Breshers

Faith Without Works Is Dead

Gen 22:1-18 

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise];


Heb 11:18  to whom it was said, "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." :19  For he considered [it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the dead] figuratively speaking. 

1. Abrahams Faith was tested by God - Gen 22:1

2. Abraham Rose up early and didn't delay gathering the wood & the help he needed when God asked him to Offer up his Promise child.

3. On the third day of traveling, Abraham saw the place afar off and Went alone with Isaac and SAID: "I and the Lad will return".

4. Again Abraham SAID: to Isaac "God will provide himself a Lamb for a burt offering".

5. Abraham finished Strong!! He went through with the sacrafice until the Angel of God stopped him.

6. Gen 22:15-18  Then the Messenger of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I am taking an oath on my own name, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not refused to give me your son, your only son, 17  I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of their enemies' cities. 18  Through your descendant all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." 

1. As Children of Faith - We are the children of Abraham. He is called the father of our Faith!! We are Blessed by God!!!! We are called to take possession!!!
Our Reward comes to us today just as Abrahams reward came to him - As a result of our Faith demonstrated in Obedience.

1. This Life is a Faith Test!!
We are the children of a Faith God. Heb. 11:6
Our tests may come often at times, we must remember "This Life is full of opportunities to Grow our Faith.

2. Get the whine out our voice- If we are going to pass some faith tests we have to start by not talking about our hardships and struggles. - Complaining is NOT an attitude of Faith but an Attitude of self pitty and doubt.

If you DOUBT, you do WITHOUT!!! this is easier said than done!!!

3. We Need Endurance: Three days into the journey Abraham stayed steady... when we begin to get tired, if we are not determined to finish strong this is where we will begin to fail.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and power to the faint.
a. Until you pass the current faith test you cannot graduate to the next level. We need to Stop taking the same test over and over again and get on up to the that next level of the Blessing!!!

Pro 24:10  If you faint when under pressure, you have need of courage. 

Jas 2:14  What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient--genuine faith produces good works.] :15  If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, 16  and one of you says to them, "Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves," but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? 

Jas 2:17  So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. 

Jas 2:18  But someone may say, "You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do]." 

Jas 2:19  You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror--they have seen His wrath]! :20  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless? 

Jas 2:21  Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]? [Gen_22:1-14] 

Jas 2:22  You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, his faith was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience]. 

Jas 2:23  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND THIS [faith] WAS CREDITED TO HIM [by God] AS RIGHTEOUSNESS and AS CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL," and he was called the friend of God.

Jas 2:24  You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith]. 

Jas 2:25  In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works too, when she received the [Hebrew] spies as guests and protected them, and sent them away [to escape] by a different route?

Jas 2:26  For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.

More from The Message

Accessing Grace

March 27, 2024 • Pastor Bracken Christian

* Rom 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. *TPT 32 “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. * Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. ACCESSING WHAT IS OURS IS GOING TO REQUIRE FAITH!  WE CANNOT BOLDLY CLAIM A PROMISE OR BLESSING WE ARE NOT SURE GOD IS NOT OFFERING.  FF BOSWORTH I moved this verse up from the bottom 2 Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 2 Cor 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.  Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Rom 8:32 He who did not spare his own son, but delivered him over for us all, how will He not also with him freely give us all things? Rom 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive (TAKE) the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. * 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS THEN YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME RECEVING HEALING. 1 Pet 2:24 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE Heb 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,   29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? THE GRACE WE ARE REFERING TO IS ALL GOD HAS SUPPLIED FOR US. 2 Cor 8:6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 9:6-8 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; Phil 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. SUPPLY; TO CRAM THE NET, TO LOAD DOWN, FILL THE STOMACH, FILLTHE VOID, PAY OFF DEBT... Heb 4:16 Therefore let us draw near (come) with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. THIS IS NOT AUTOMATIC...  COME/DRAW NEAR; IMPLIES SOMEBODY HAS MADE A DECISION TO ADVANCE SOMWEHERE. THE WORD RECEIVE MEANS; “TAKE” Rom 10:8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. THE REASON WE CANNOT PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH IS BECAUSE WITHOUT FAITH WE CANNOT ACCESS THE GRACE. WE NEED TO BACK UP FROM THE THEREFORE IN 5:1  Rom 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Rom 5:1 Therefore... having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction (Access) by faith into this grace in which we stand Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Hebrews 4:2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Palm Sunday

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian

Harvard study shows- 10million adult men in the united states are so angry they are sick  Disease called intermittent explosive disorder (IED)   BAD TEMPERED PEOPLE ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HEART ATTACKS    EPHESIANS 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.     LUKE 19:11  While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.  JESUS DIDN’T POINT IS FINGER OF ANGER AT ROME BUT AT HIS OWN PEOPLE      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 from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. LUKE 19:37-38 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+19%3a37-38&version=niv#fen-niv-25770a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”     REVELATION 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. LUKE 19:38-44 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2019%3a38-44&version=niv#fen-niv-25770a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” ZECHARIAH 9:9 Rejoice, O people of Zion![https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=zechariah+9%3a9&version=nlt#fen-nlt-22985a]     Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you.     He is righteous and victorious,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=zechariah+9%3a9&version=nlt#fen-nlt-22985b] yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—     riding on a donkey’s colt.     ROMANS 9:20-21 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+9%3a20-22&version=niv#fen-niv-28176a]21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?   THE FAITH THAT CAN’T SUSTAIN YOU IN YOUR CRISIS ISN’T REAL FAITH    A FAITH THAT CAN’T BE TESTED IS A FAITH THAT CAN’T BE TRUSTED    WHAT MAKES GOD ANGRY?  LUKE 19:45-48 45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2019%3a45-48&version=niv#fen-niv-25778a]; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2019%3a45-48&version=niv#fen-niv-25778b]” 47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.   MARK 11:15 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,     MATTHEW 11:29 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Kjv - Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls   Meekness is not weakness  - Strength under control      CHURCH IS A PLACE TO MEET GOD, WORSHIP GOD, AND A HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS   ARE YOU A BRIDGE OR A BEARER FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO GOD  ARE YOU A STUMBLING BLOCK OR A STEPPINGSTONE  SINNING ISN’T JUST DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO.  ITS NOT DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO DO        1 JOHN 1:8-9 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. DON’T JUST MAKE JESUS KING FOR A DAY…..MAKE HIM KING OF YOUR LIFE

His Grace Is Sufficient

March 20, 2024 • Jensen Christian

WHAT IS GRACE? ·      the undeserved favor of God. ·      We believe we are saved by faith through grace.  ·      Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given; it is a gift Grace allows you to know, grow, show   KNOW: Grace allows you to know the Father    John 1:16-18 NIV 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.   By Faith through Grace, Jesus gave us direct access to the Father Romans 5:17, 20-21 NLT 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ..   20-21 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“   His ruling Grace positions us as victors, not victims! -puts us in right standing with the Father -allows us to triumph over sin and death   GROW: Grace enables you to grow in Him and His Word   2 Corinthians 12:9-10 TPT ”But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.“ Grace meets you where you are at, but it also paves the way to take you where God is calling you to go And who He is calling you to be!   Grace not only saves us, but grace is also what sustains us as we walk with God and grow   It empowers you and enables you to do the thing that God has called you to do   There is Grace for your Race!   As my troubles and trials surround me, His grace abounds more and more!   Grace doesn’t just help you survive and get through the day,  But allows you to thrive and live to the fullest and highest!   Grace is made available to us, but it is up to us if we will activate our faith and lean into that grace in our daily lives   Grace creates room for us to grow as we walk with God Grace enables you to pursue a holy life  Romans 3:23-24 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Grace is the only way to reach the standard that Christ set before us… WHAT GRACE IS NOT: ·      A hall pass/license to sin because we are “covered by grace” ·      Something to be abused or taken for granted ·      An indication that God is weak, passive to sin, or a push over “This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age.  Titus 2:12 TPT Grace gives us freedom to turn our backs on sin…   It’s not how much sin can I get away with and still be holy It’s how holy can I actually live   It’s not about cutting off sin, its about loving God so much that your desire to sin no longer exists   Hebrews 4:14-16 TPT ”So then, we must cling in faith to all we know to be true. For we have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”   SHOW: Grace empowers and emboldens you to show the Father/Jesus   Grace allows us to show Christ In the way we live, the way we interact with others, and in the way we respond to situations   Because of Grace we can be bold in our faith! Because of Grace we can be examples, not just to the lost, but to other believers Ephesians 2:7-10 NLT “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.   Just as we are given grace to grow,  We have to make room for people to grow and learn GIVE GRACE!   the revelation of my growth in grace will be revealed in the way I show grace to others Grace allows you to know – access to the father –  first Believe by faith through grace   Grace enables you to grow –then receive grace –  letting His power be made perfect in our weakness   Grace empowers you to show jesus -  give grace