Eyes & Ears

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Eyes & Ears

Part 6 - The Blessing Of Hearing

November 7, 2021 • Pastor Bracken Christian

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Matt 13:11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

15 for the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them.’

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Genesis 2:10 Say’s a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.

4 DISTINCT RIVERS OF THE Holy Spirit.
RIVERS; PISHON (Edification), GIHON (Revelation), TIGRIS (Power) & EUPHRATES (Intercession).

GIHON – MEANS TO LABOR TO COME FORTH.

IGNORANCE IS THE BREEDING GROUND FOR DECEPTION.
DECEPTION INCLUDES THE ILLUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.

Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

3 MAIN DISPENSATIONS RECOGNIZED IN THE BIBLE.
1) THE DISPENSATION OF THE PATRIARCHS…
Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

GOD DEALT WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THEY RELATED DIRECTLY TO GOD.

2) THE DISPENSATION OF LAW
God dealt with the nation of Israel and put them under law.

3) THE DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL OR GRACE, DIRECTED TO THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE.

THIS DISPENSATION REQUIRES AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE.

ONE REQUIREMENT IN EACH DISPENSATION *(HEARING HIS VOICE)*

ISRAEL AT THE WATERS OF MARAH
Exodus 15:26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.

ISRAEL CAME TO THE BASE OF MOUNT SINA
Exodus 19:3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

THE BENEFITS; BECOMING A UNIQUE PEOPLE, LIVING ON A HIGHER LEVEL, LIVING IN PROVISION AND BLESSING UNKNOWN TO OTHERS

3 PHASES OF GOD DEALING WITH ISRAEL
1) GOD BROUGHT THE PEOPLE TO HIMSELF…

2) GOD SAY’S, I WANT YOU TO OBEY MY VOICE.

3) IF YOU’LL KEEP MY COVENANT. YOU’LL BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

MOSES WORDS TO ISRAEL JUST BEFORE ENTERING CANNAN

Deuteronomy 28:1 Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the (VOICE OF) LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey (VOICE OF) the LORD your God:

THE OPPOSITE: 28:15 But it shall come about, if you do not obey the (VOICE OF) LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you

WE DECIDE WHAT WE WANT BASED ON OUR HEARING AND DOING.

GOD CONFIRMED THIS TO ISRAEL THROUGH JEREMIAH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING.
Jer 7:22 For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.
23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

HEARING AND OBEYING IS THE KEY TO WALKING IN THE BLESSINGS

John 10:3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

THE BASIS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP IS HEARING AND FOLLOWING

16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

THERE ARE 3 THINGS THAT MARK OUT THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD.
THEY HEAR HIS VOICE, HE KNOWS THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW HIM.

WHEN WE TRULY HEAR FROM HEAVEN IT CHANGES OUR STANDARDS, OUR VALUES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE WAY WE LIVE.

3 DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF HEARING GOD’S VOICE.
1) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS PERSONAL
2) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS INTANGABLE
3) HEARING GOD’S VOICE IS PRESENT

The Book of Ruth

September 18, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian • Ruth 2

IN THE LAST FIVE DECADES, MARRIAGE RATES IN THE U.S HAVE DROPPED BY 60% 63% OF MEN UNDER THE AGE OF 30 ARE CHOOSING TO BE SINGLE 77% OF MILLENNIALS PREFER TO LIVE WITH THEIR PARTNER BEFORE MARRIAGE. 50% OF MARRIAGES END IN DIVORCE IF YOU DO WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO – YOU’LL GET WHAT MOST PEOPLE GET RUTH CHAPTER TWO – FIND THE LOVE YOU WANT RUTH 1:16 NIV But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. WHEN YOU TURN AWAY FROM MOAB, YOU’LL FIND GOD’S BLESSINGS IN BETHLEHEM RUTH 2:1 NIV Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. RUTH 2:2-3 NIV And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. VS. 3 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. PROVIDENCE OF GOD – WHEN GOD USES NATURAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO BRING ABOUT HIS SUPERNATURAL PLANS. RUTH 2:4 While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT FIRST WHAT THEY VALUE THE MOST DON’T LET YOUR PAST TALK YOU OUT OF THE FUTURE GOD HAS FOR YOU RUTH 2:5-7 Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” 4 THINGS WE SEE SHE’S FAITHFUL TO GOD. SHE’S LOYAL TO HER FAMILY. SHE’S A HARD WORKER. SHE HONORS GOD MORALLY. RUTH 2:8-9 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” RUTH 2:12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” QUALITIES IN BOAZ HE HONORS HER. HE PROTECTS HER. HE PROVIDES FOR HER. HE PRAYS FOR HER. RUTH 2:14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. WE ARE A LOT LIKE RUTH 1. SHE WAS A MOABITE AND SHE SINNED AGAINST GOD 2. SHE CAME EMPTY HANDED 3. BOAZ BLESSED RUTH WITH MORE THAN SHE EVER EXPECTED 4. BOAZ INVITED RUTH TO HIS TABLE VS. 3 As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

What's Next?

September 15, 2024 • Pastor Brody Christian

2 CORINTHIANS 3:16-18 Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. GALATIANS 5:1 NIV It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. WORLDLY FREEDOM TELLS YOU TO DO WHAT YOU WANT BIBLICAL FREEDOM IS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE HAS FOR YOU BURDENED – GREED WORD - ENECHO – ENTANGLED OR TO BE ENSNARED WHAT PUTS US ENTANGLED 1. OLD MINDSETS - PERFORMANCE MINDSET - MY PERSPECTIVE OF GOD o MARTIN LUTHER – “ My temptations is this: that I think I don’t have a gracious God. This is because I am still caught up in the law. It is the greatest grief, and It produces death.” ROMANS 8:6 CSB 6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. ROMANS 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 2. WORLDLY EXPECTATIONS GALATIANS 5:7 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 3. MY SIN HEBREWS 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, HOW DO WE GET OUT OF BEING ENTANGLED AND FIND FREEDOM? GALATIANS 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. CALLED – GREEK WORD – KALEO – INVITED OR TO BE CALLED BY NAME 1. ACCEPT GODS’ INVITATION MATTHEW 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 2. TRUST GODS’ AUTHORITY MATTHEW 11:29 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. GALATIANS 5:17-18 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. PSALMS 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (ISAIAH 26:3 NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 3. KNOW WHAT JESUS DID ON THE CROSS WAS ENOUGH! ROMANS 8:1-3 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. THE WHIP: FREEDOM IN MY BODY. 1 PETER 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” THE THORNS: FREEDOM IN MY MIND. JOHN 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. THE NAILS: FREEDOM IN MY HANDS. HEBREWS 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” HEBREWS 9:14 NLT Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. THE SPEAR: FREEDOM IN MY HEART. (PSALM 147:3) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26 The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. JAMES 5:16 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY AS SICK AS YOUR SECRETS

Identified In Christ

September 11, 2024 • Jensen Christian

We were made in His image so the more we know Him, the more we become ourselves and who we are meant to be WE ARE TO BE A REFLECTION OF THE FATHER AS JESUS WAS! How do we come to know who we are? Know God, know His Word If you don’t know whose you are You’ll never discover who you are ROMANS 8:29-30 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Once you know how God sees you, You can become the vision that God has set before you It’s not a destination, it’s a journey! ephesians 1:3-8 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%201&version=nlt#fen-nlt-29173b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. YOU HAVE BEEN ADOPTED! IT GIVES GOD GREAT PLEASURE TO CALL YOU HIS CHILD! AS SOON AS YOU BECOME A NEW CREATION, EVERYTHING YOU NEED HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED INSIDE OF YOU! YOU HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!! Colossians 2:8-10 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%202%3a8-10&version=nlt#fen-nlt-29463a] of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%202%3a8-10&version=nlt#fen-nlt-29464b] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. YOU ARE LOVED You are boldly, uniquely, unconditionally, relentlessly loved! GOD DOES NOT LOVE HIS CHILDREN EQUALLY, HE LOVES US UNIQUELY. Galatians 6:14-15 14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross,[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%206&version=nlt#fen-nlt-29163c] my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Romans 5:8-11 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation YOU ARE REDEEMED REDEEMED FROM DEATH, SIN, YOUR OLD WAYS, FROM HELL! THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONDEMNATION AND CONVICTION Conviction is from the Holy Spirit Condemnation is from the enemy Conviction leads you to repentance and brings you back to God Condemnation keeps you hiding from God in your mess IT IS NOT HUMBLE OR MEEK TO STAY IN CONDEMNATION OR SHAME IT IS US SAYING WHAT JESUS DID ON THE CROSS WAS NOT ENOUGH! IF GOD WHO IS PERFECT CAN FORGIVE YOU… WHO ARE YOU NOT TO FORGIVE YOU (OR OTHERS) THE DEVIL WANTS YOU ISOLATED HE WANTS TO KEEP YOU IN SHAME WHEN WE HIDE IN OUR SHAME, WE LOSE SIGHT OF JESUS AND WHERE HE IS TAKING US INSTEAD HIDE IN THE SHADOW OF HIS WING So many times we let down or defenses to the enemy because we don’t know who we are! We open the door to fall victim to sin, strife, bitterness, etc., when we don’t know who we are in Christ! JUST LIKE PAUL KNEW HIS RIGHTS AS ROMAN CITIZENS WE SHOULD KNOW OUR RIGHTS AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN AS CHILDREN OF THE ONE TRUE GOD AS JOINT HEIRS WITH JESUS Don’t take things that aren’t yours… The enemy can only have what you allow Him to Don’t let the enemy or even yourself put things on you that you were never meant to carry The very same power that raised Jesus from the dead Is alive on the inside of His children 1 john 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. When you know who you are in Christ - you won’t be led by emotion - You don’t let others or society define you - you aren’t moved by circumstance - you are confident and know you are complete - You keep the enemy exactly where he belongs – under your feet WHEN YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE YOU SEE YOURSELF THE WAY GOD SEES YOU Get ahold of this picture in your heart: You are a treasure hunter's greatest dream. You have the treasure map. "X" marks the spot for the hidden treasure, but this time you don't have to go searching for the hidden treasure because the "X" is written on you! You are the hiding place for God's greatest treasure — the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit! - So meditate on this truth today: You are valuable and precious in God's sight. Even though in the natural you may seem weak, fragile, and valueless, God has chosen your human body as the place to hide His greatest treasure. Now you can say, "When God looks at me, 'X' really does mark the spot." 2 corinthians 4:7 I am pursued I am holy I am anointed I am righteous I am justified I am redeemed I am loved I am valuable I am approved I am a joint heir with Christ I am more than a conqueror I am citizen of Heaven I am a child of the king I am a new creation I am whole and complete I am chosen I am bold and brave as a lion I am made in the image of God I am/have enough because He is more than enough!! David knew God intimately So then he could declare him publicly and boldly Stop looking for the streams of living water when it’s already on the inside of you waiting to bust out