You Lack Nothing

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You Lack Nothing

November 3, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 11:40, 2 Peter 1:3, Exodus 4:2, Exodus 4:1

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You Lack Nothing

Sometimes, we see ourselves at a disadvantage, thinking we lack what’s necessary for success—

more talent, personality, resources, or opportunities

God has already provided everything we need to fulfill our purpose.

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence”

2 Peter 1:4: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,

When we trust Him with what we have`

He takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.

He puts His Super on your Natural and it becomes Super natural

Every one Of you Have Great gifts that are just waiting to Go to the Next Level~

1. Moses’ Encounter: God Uses What’s in Your Hand

Exodus 4:2 – "Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied."

Moses felt inadequate,

Yet God took something as ordinary as a staff and transformed it to do miraculous things.

"What do you have in your hand?"

What Has God Given to You?

When God Called Moses He had a long list of excuses~

Fear of Rejection: Moses was afraid the Israelites wouldn’t believe him.

Exodus 4:1

What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say,

‘The Lord did not appear to you?’”

You have to get the what ifs out of your vocabulary

What if they do…

He doubted his speaking ability.

Exodus 4:10

“Pardon your servant, Lord.

I have never been eloquent...

I am slow of speech and tongue”

Just an excuse…

Moses was learned in the Egyptian culture…He spoke Egyptian and Hebrew~

But He felt It wasn’t Great~

He looked at his Past Failures:

Exodus 2:11-15

-His previous attempt to defend his people led to what he thought was failure and his fled from Egypt to the Desert~

He Felt Insignificant: After 40 years as a shepherd,

Moses felt unfit for a grand mission.

No matter what you feel about it~

No Matter what your mess ups are

No Matter What the Enemy Lies About you~

God IS FOR YOU~

IF GOD IS FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGINST YOU ~

“What Do You Have in Your Hand?”:

God used the ordinary staff in Moses’ hand as a sign of His power.

Exodus 4:2.

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’

‘A staff,’ he replied”

God transformed I this simple tool into a means to perform miracles, emphasizing that God uses what we already have to fulfill His purposes..

Moses Had to Place his Dependency on God:

God assured Moses,

Exodus 3:12

“I will be with you”

Making it clear that divine power, not human ability, would lead the mission.

God often uses those who feel weak or unqualified,…

2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses

God can turn what seems ordinary in our lives into something powerful

~When we give what we have, BELIEVE

God steps in to do the Supernatural…

John 11:40

that if you would believe you would see the glory of God

2 Doing the Ordinary for Extraordinary Results

John 11:39 – "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.’"

Jesus at Lazarus' tomb

…If you would have been here our brother would not have perished~

What seemed Jesus Being 4 days late

Went to bring Sick to Being Dead!

But Jesus Said I am the Resurrection And The Life~

John 11: 25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Then Jesus Proceeded-

Jesus asked the disciples to remove the stone,

an ordinary task,

as He could perform the miracle.

At the tomb of Lazarus,

Jesus, surrounded by mourners, was ready to perform a powerful miracle.

Yet, instead of immediately calling Lazarus out,

John 11:39 He first asked the onlookers to “Take away the stone”

Though Jesus could have moved it Himself,

He involved others,

Inviting their participation and faith in what was about to happen…

Luke 18:8, Jesus asks, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?".

Speak to the Mountain-

Jesus’ instruction to remove the stone reflects a principle:

GET INVOLVED WITH HIM~ AND WATCH THE MIRACLES

God calls us to act in faith,

even in small, practical ways,

before revealing His supernatural power-

Stepping out of your seat and coming forward

Stepping out of a bad relationship that is pulling you down-

Stepping out of a stale relationship with God

Stepping into A Sold out relationship with God-

This small step stirred their faith and anticipation,

aligning them with the work God was about to do.

Faith, Even in small steps,

sets the stage for greater works and shows our willingness to trust God actively….

When we act in faith—moving the “stone” in our lives by taking small, obedient steps—

What stones do you need to remove from your life to see God Raise from the Dead

YOUR DREAMS & DESIRES?

Remove the stones of hate bitterness resentment…

God does the supernatural.

Sometimes, these small acts may be seeds of faith,

seemingly minor but essential for the larger miracle.

When you Step Out in Faith~

In your giving

In serving God In His Church

In reaching Out to tell someone of God’s Love

In Reaching out to a lost friend or family member~

As We Begin to Roll away the Stones God RAISES THE DEAD~

This encourages us to ask,

What simple step of faith can I take today?

I am Going to Plant a Seed Of Financial Blessing To God’s Church~

In doing the natural,

we sow seeds of faith,

making room for God’s greater work.

You Have What You

Need for Your Unique Calling~

=God will use your everything you have~

Don’t compare yourself to others or feel you’re lacking.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack.

WITH THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD YOU WILL NEVER LACK~

What you need for your journey has already been given by God.

ROLL AWAY THE STONE

3 Defeating Challenges with the Ordinary

Samson and the Jawbone

Judges 15:15 –He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.

The Armies of the Philistines

Who were trying to Destroy God’s People

God Told Samson to pick up a Jawbone of a donkey~

Samson and the Jawbone

"Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men."

God used a common jawbone to deliver Samson from his enemies.

God uses ordinary means within our reach to fulfill His purpose.

What you need is often closer than you think.

Your gift-

Something you think in the natural many times is over looked in the unnatural`

Well I don’t sing,

I don’t Preach,

I Don’t I Don’t I Don’t I Don’t

And you probably DON’T See because you are to focused on the DON’T~

It was the first thing that was available~ God Said Grab it~

He did not argue with God~

Well, This is not the average weapon that is used…

I need more like Pro-Sword…

I need what all the others are using~

NO~ You Go With What God Has Given You~

4 Faith Over Deficit: The Widow and the Jar of Oil

-Elisha, the prophet, is approached by a widow whose husband was a man of

God but has recently passed away, leaving her in debt.

The creditors are coming to take her two sons as slaves to pay off what her family owes.

In her desperation, she turns to Elisha for help…

2 Kings 4:2 – "Elisha replied to her, 'How can I help you?

Tell me, what do you have in your house?'

'Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'except a small jar of olive oil.’”

The widow’s response to Elisha

Well what do you have?

Elisha's response is profound:

he asks her what she already has in her house.

At first, the widow thinks she has nothing of value, replying,

"Your servant has nothing there at all," but then she remembers a small jar of olive oil.

This humble jar, though small, becomes a key element in the miracle that God is about to perform.

Whatever little seed you have God can Multiply it~

Elisha's question prompts the widow to look at her situation with new eyes.

What she perceives as insignificant becomes a resource through which God can work.

Obedience Of Faith-

involves both belief and action,

Romans 16:25–27,

Elisha then instructs her to collect empty jars from her neighbors and pour her little oil into them.

Miraculously, the oil continues to flow until all the jars are filled,

Providing her with enough to sell, pay her debts, and support her family…

She had to WORK in FAITH To SEE THE GLORY OF GOD~

This story teaches us that God can use what we already have, even if it seems small, to bring about a solution that is beyond what we could imagine.

When you plant seed it will GROW~

Everything on the Planet Stats With A SEED~

God Blesses Seed~

"He who supplies seed to the sower" is a verse from the Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:10

It encourages us to trust that God sees value in what we bring, no matter how insignificant it may appear, and that He can multiply it when we place it in His hands.

When you give to the Lord You might think

I Pray This Makes A Difference

IT WILL AND IT DOES~

FAITHFULNESS TO GIVE GOD GIVES MORE~

God’s provision often starts with what we already possess.

God multiplied her small jar of oil to meet her needs and more.

Application:

Even when we think we’re at a deficit, God can multiply what we already have.

Small acts of obedience open doors to great miracles.

5 Trusting God with Small Things for Big Miracles

The Feeding of the 5,000

Scripture: John 6:9-11 – "'Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?

' ... Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.”

The Feeding of the 5,000

In John 6:9-11, we see an example of how God uses faith, even when we have very little.

Here, Jesus is with a large crowd of people who are hungry, and all they have to feed them is a small boy’s lunch:

five small loaves of barley bread and two small fish.

The disciples see this tiny amount of food and think it’s nowhere near enough to feed thousands of people.

When you give to God’s Church You God Blessed it and reaches thousands~

But Jesus shows that even a small offering, when given in faith, can lead to a great miracle.

He takes the little food, gives thanks to God, and starts passing it out. Miraculously, the food multiplies, and everyone in the crowd eats as much as they want, with plenty left over.

This story shows that when we bring whatever we have to God—even if it seems like “not enough”—He can multiply it to do much more than we expect when we give to Him

IT STEPPING OUT

Faith isn’t about having a lot;

it’s about trusting that God can use whatever we bring.

It reminds us that with God, even the smallest offering can become a great blessing when given with a willing heart.

: God used a small lunch to feed thousands. God does not need much; He asks us to trust and offer what we have.

Offer God what you have, even if it feels small. He can multiply it beyond what you imagine.

Conclusion

Reflect on what’s in your hand and what’s in your house. No matter how common or insignificant it seems, trust that God can use it.

Declaration: "I am not lacking; I am equipped, empowered, and anointed."

I Believe that God will turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and provide in abundance.

Philippians 4:19 – "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Trust in God's provision and walk boldly, knowing He has given you all you need to fulfill your

Finding The Lost You

October 27, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • John 10:10, Luke 19:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 118:16, Joel 2:25

Finding The Lost You Life has a way of changing us over time. We can lose our joy, passion, and dreams through disappointments, mistakes, or hurts. But God did not create us to live defeated, insecure, or lonely. God created us to live joyfully and confidently, and what is lost can be found. Things Happen and We Lose Parts of Ourselves- A Break Up, A Divorce, A Loss of A Job, Financial troubles, a Child goes astray… A Death or sickness~ Things Can take the wind out of your sails~ We get spun around in a Storm~ The Enemy influences us trying to change who we are~ There is Only One You- You Were Created In Your Mothers Womb God Made You Unique But God did not create you to remain defeated… That Depression, Anxiety, Is a Lie from the enemy and If you allow yourself to remain in that it will bring nothing but defeat~ You Need to Rise Up Out of the deception~ John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it More abundantly~ 1 God Recovers What Was Lost Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity~ To Seek You Out- To Redeem You- To Resurrect What The Enemy Has Killed and Whatever brought death to your dreams- God Is A Resurrection God~ He Resurrects what the enemy has tried to snuff out ~ When we have led ourselves astray~ He Leaves the 99 and Comes and Brings You Back so you can come to a PLACE OF VICTORY~ He Saves Us From Sin That separated Us From Him- What has been stolen? The real you— joyful, passionate, confident— That Can still be found. Psalms 118:16 The hand of God raises In victory! The hand of God has turned the tide! But As a Child Of God No Matter What Happens You Have The Promise of your Father That He is Able to Turn the Tide~ God says don’t lose vision Don’t Lose who and whose you are~ Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.” The key word is together. A difficulty on its own may not make sense, but when it all comes together one day, it’ll make sense. But the God who Turns the Tide In His Mysterious Way works it for your good and His Glory~ With God’s Hand Upon you He Promises to Turn what ever the enemy has tried to deter in your life To turn It To Victory~ Promise: God is about to do a new thing. He will bring new life, passion, and opportunities. Losing Ourselves in Shame The Story of Adam and Eve~ The enemy led Adam and Eve astray ~’ Got them to Doubt God’s WORD When you Doubt The Promises of God You Open Your Mind Up To All sorts of MESS~ God Told Them Not To Partake Of The Forbidden Fruit ~ After Adam partook of the forbidden fruit~ It says Adam hid Himself From God Genesis 3:9 "But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?'" God knew where Adam was physically but was asking about his emotional and spiritual condition. Adam had lost his confidence and joy. Like Adam, we can lose ourselves through the Shame and Disappointment, but God is asking us today, "Where are you?” Right NOW Where are you? You have Have ALL God Has For You Or You Can Remain in a Defeated, complacent life~ Where is the "you" that was joyful, passionate, and secure before life's difficulties? You have Allowed The Enemy’s Influences to Distract Then you find yourself Hiding From the Redeemer Of Your Soul~ Joel 2:25 So I will restore to you the years that the swarming Locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. 26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. God Is With You~ No One Is Going To Shame You~ When you Come To Jesus IT’S It’s Shame Off you~ Revelation 12:10 The Devil is the accuser of the Brethren Like Adam, we can lose ourselves through shame and disappointment, but God is asking us today, "Where are you?” What Are You Hiding From? That You Can’t Take To Your Loving Heavenly Father To Give You Forgiveness, Embracement~ Where is the "you" that was joyful, passionate, and secure before life's difficulties? Before You Listened To the Lies And God Can’t Heal What’s Hidden Many of us hide due to hurts, failures, or disappointments. But God cannot heal what we hide. We can Hide In Sickness, In Felling Like An Outcast~ But God Digs Deep~ Psalm 139:1-3 "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." God sees everything you’ve been through. He is calling you out of hiding to restore the real you. 2. The Enemy's Lies and God's Truth Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee In Genesis 3:11 And God said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?'" The enemy whispers lies about our worth, value, and potential, convincing us to hide our gifts and shrink back. Here’s The Challenge: Ask yourself, “Who told you these lies?” The Lies That You You CANT when GOD Says You Can The Lies That Tell You Your Sick When God Says You Are Healed The Lies That Tell you You Are Not Worthy When God Made You Worthy~ PEOPLE RUIN THEIR WHOLE LIVES BECAUSE OF THE DEVILS LIES THAT THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OR DISQUALIFIED Don’t believe what others say to you or say about you~ or the enemy says about you~ — They don’t determine your destiny~ Believe what God says about you. Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You have been Made In the Image Of God~ God’s Call to Elijah: Come Out of Hiding God had Used Elijah Powerfully to defeat the False Prophets of Baal~ After his great victories A Woman by the name of Jezebel threatened his Life that she was going to hunt him down and kill him~ And In Fear he fled ran and hid~ 1 Kings 19:13 "Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" Elijah, after great victories, lost his confidence and hid in a cave. But God called him out of hiding to remind him of his calling and power. Like Elijah, you may have lost your fire, but God is calling you back to your purpose and identity… 3 Restoration of the Real You Jeremiah 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.” God Wants to RESTORE YOU~ MAKE YOU LIKE NEW~ I love to restore cars~ Bring Them Back to Their Original and even Better look~ God Loves To Restore Us~ But He Starts With YOU HE DOESN’T RESTORE YOU TO BE SOMEONE ELSE THERE IS NOT A BETTER YOU THAN YOU YOU HAVE TO LET GO OF THE OLD LIES THAT GOT YOU TO HIDE! Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Jer. 30:17 I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ' The way you do anything is the way we do everything Are you hiding in An complacent Compromised Life? It Will Trickle down into every aspect Of Your Life- BUT REMEMBER GID IS FOR YOU IN EVERY WAY- Bible Reference: Jeremiah 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.” THE PromisE IS God is in the business of restoration. He will restore your joy, passion, and purpose. But You Must Believe Him John 11:40 If You Believe you will SEE the Glory Of God~ THE PROMISE OF GOD IS THAT HE WILL COME THROUGH BUT YOU MUST TAKE HIM BE THE HAND When You order something from Amazon- you pay for it and it is yours~ You Don’t Have It Yet But It Is There~ You have God’s Promise He Will Restore YOU~ You Might Not See It Yet But the PRICE HAS BEEN PAID AND IT IS ON IT’S ON IT’S WAY God Is Asking, "Where Are You?" Come out of hiding. Don’t let life's disappointments keep you in isolation. God is ready to restore what you’ve lost and bring out the best version of you. Believe that the real you—confident, joyful, passionate—is coming back. You will walk in the fullness of who God created you to be. Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us If you’re ready to step out of hiding and allow God to restore the true you, take a moment now to respond in faith, trusting God for Healing, Restoration, and New Beginnings His Mercy is New Every Morning~

The Ten Commandments #5

October 25, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Ephesians 6:1, Leviticus 19:3, Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2, Proverbs 20:20

Honor is Respect- The Fifth Commandment~ The First Commandment With A Promise~ Attached to it~ Exodus 20:12 - “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” The fifth commandment stands as a pivotal instruction, connecting our relationship with God (the vertical) Relationship with others (the horizontal). God IS Our Father~ 1. UNDERSTANDING HONOR The Meaning of “Honor” Leviticus 19:3 - “Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” Remember Each Law of the Ten Commandments Are The Outline Statement~. Then Explained By Moses Inspired By The Holy Spirit~ to Bring Definition~ The Hebrew word for "honor" signifies weight or respect, implying the deep reverence due to parents. Means To ~ Uphold Values, Protect and Defend~ The Bible warns children to honor their parents with loving obedience. Romans 13:7 give honor to whom honor is due. Ephesians 6:2 - “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” The Law Said To Those Who Defile Is Death ~ Honor through Respect Scripture References: Proverbs 13:1 - “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.” Proverbs 23:22 - “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Proverbs 20:20 - “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.” Point: Honoring parents means respecting their position, guidance, and wisdom. This respect also includes guarding their dignity. 2 HONOR THROUGH OBEDIENCE Ephesians 6:1 - “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” God values obedience to parents as it reflects divine order and pleases Him. Faith and Works are Connected The Promise Clutching to the Promiser The Promiser Granting To the Promised ~ "God, who cannot lie" in Titus 1:2. in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, Other Bible verses that mention God not being a liar include Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Hebrews 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. Obedience to Parents Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1 - “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Point: God values obedience to parents as it reflects divine order and pleases Him. Biblical Warnings Against Disobedience Scripture References: Romans 1:28-30 - “They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.” 2 Timothy 3:1-2 - “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be… disobedient to their parents.” Disobedience is a sign of a fallen world and a warning of the last days. However, obedience to parents aligns with God’s design for human flourishing. 2 Tim. 3:3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! The Why People Talk to their Mothers and Fathers is So Gross~ Movies make parents look like their Mentality Disabled~ Limits of Obedience Love God First~ Do you love God More than Me~ I was waiting for some sympathetic response and She Said~ Of Course I Do~ Without Him I wouldn’t have you and you wouldn’t have me~ Matthew 10:37 - “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Obedience to parents is not absolute. The first allegiance is always to God. 3 HONOR THROUGH CARE 1 Timothy 5:4 1.Caring for Parents in Old Age Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 5:4 - “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” Point: Honoring parents includes providing for their needs, especially as they age. 2.Jesus’ Example from the Cross Scripture Reference: John 19:26-27 - “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” Jesus exemplifies honoring parents by ensuring care for His mother even in His final moments. 4. GOD'S PROMISE ATTACHED TO HONORING PARENTS Deuteronomy 5:16 - “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Point: Honoring parents is uniquely attached to a promise of well-being and longevity. 1.The Family as the Foundation of Society In the Book of Genesis, Noah cursed Noah's grandson Canaan after Noah's son Ham committed a shameful act of Mocking his Fathers Sin of Drunkenness Genesis 9:23 - “Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body.” The stability and longevity of a society are directly connected to the strength and unity of families, which begins with honoring parents. LOVE COVERS~ Those who try to expose the sin of others will bring curses upon themselves~ God Is the Judge~ Jesus Matthew 7:1 said Condemn Not Lest You be condemned~ Galatians 6:1 You are to have the spirit of Restoring and covering Not Exposing~ Traditional Values and Societal Blessing Example: Many cultures that emphasize family honor, such as Asian societies, demonstrate societal stability and longevity, although this can also lead to familial abuse if misapplied. GOD'S MESSAGE TO PARENTS: HONORING YOUR CHILDREN Respect Your Children Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:4 - “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Point: Just as children must honor parents, parents must honor their children by respecting their individuality. Encouraging Children in God’s Will Scripture Reference: Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Parents are called to discover and nurture the unique gifts and callings of their children in alignment with God’s will. Honoring Parents: Ask God for grace to find new ways to honor parents through respect, obedience, and care Honoring Children: Parents, seek to honor your children by respecting them, guiding them in God’s will, and leading by example. Reconciliation: Pray for healing in broken parent-child relationships through the reconciling power of Jesus Christ. Malachi 4:5-6 - “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” The promise of blessing for honoring parents extends to society, and through Christ, reconciliation between generations is possible. Through this, societies are blessed and strengthened

The God Who Stoops

October 20, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Psalm 113:6–8, Ephesians 2:4–10, Luke 15:4–6, Luke 15:11–32, Psalm 139:7–8

The God Who Stoops We often believe that if we live good enough, then God will bless us. If we clean ourselves up, get rid of bad habits, or stop failing, then God will show us favor. The reality is: We all make mistakes and fall short. Condemning voices may say, "You blew it. It's your fault. God will never help you now." But that's not who God is. When we can’t come up to His level, He says, "Don't worry, I'll come down to yours." He is a God who stoops, who comes down into our mess. I. God Stoops to Lift Us Up Psalm 113:6-8 "He stoops down from the heavens to look at the earth. He lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes.” God doesn't just bring us out of our mess; He honors us and elevates us. He comes to the messy places—not to condemn… But to Restore and Set us on A New Path. God doesn’t hold our mistakes against us. He takes what was meant for harm and uses it for our good. Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. He Pulls us Our of The Sin of Deception~ Self, Relational, Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Emotional Deception and by His Great Love Says~ I LOVE YOU~ I HAVE A GREAT PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOU LIFE ~ AND WHEN YOU RESPOND TO ME I RESPOND TO THAT RESPONSE~ Some don’t even know All That God Has Saved Them from- Or Have forgotten- Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy 2 . God Comes to Find Us in Our Lowest Moments Luke 15:4-6 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my Lamb which was lost!’ Parable of the lost sheep: “He leaves the 99 to go after the one.” God doesn't stay with the ones who are safe; PEACHING TO THE ONES TO NEED JESUS WE PRAY CHURCH He goes after those who are lost, even if they are in the messy places of life. Example of the Prodigal Son: God goes to the hog pen to rescue him Luke 15:11-32 He'll come into Dysfunction, Failure, Compromise To Find Us. Psalm 139:7-8: 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. No matter how low we fall, God’s presence is always with us to lift us. 3. The Grace That Stoops JOHN 8:2-12 THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF ADULTERY JOHN 8:2 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? 11 Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:3-6) Saul was the church’s biggest enemy, persecuting Christians. Yet, God stopped him in his tracks, not to condemn, but to call him into his destiny as Paul, the apostle. God's grace is “amazing” It Goes Far Abundantly and above our furtherest Imagination Romans 5:15 meaning it is unrestrained and goes to anyone—no matter their condition. God's grace is not limited by our failures or shortcomings. It pursues us even in the darkest places of our lives. Romans 5:20: "Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." God gives you Power To Overcome~ Because of God in His Great Mercy When you come to Christ your Past does not determine your Destiney~ 4. God’s Stooping Grace for Everyone Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 Jesus chose to dine with Zacchaeus, a notorious sinner and tax collector. The religious leaders didn’t understand why Jesus would associate with someone so "unworthy." But Jesus stoops down to people others would overlook or condemn. GOD DOES NOT OVERLOOK YOU- We must recognize God not only as all-powerful and holy, but as the God who stoops low to lift those who others deem unworthy. He Makes You Worthy- Matthew 9:12-13 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Repentance is a Part Of Your Salvation~ IT’S THE TURNING POINT FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT- It’s Agreeing with God That You Need His Life for Your Life~ Self deception is the Worse Kind of deception the devil Uses to keep people from their destiny… "Ruled by their senses" is a phrase that refers to people who are guided by their five physical senses rather than by Faith- Before You come to Christ you are ruled by what you See Touch Feel Smell Taste People who are ruled by their senses are only guided by what they can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Those who live a Sense Driven Life Will be more likely to be distracted, Addicted, and Attached to things that can cause pain and justify their anti-Holy Spirit life- Gal 6;7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, that they will also reap. 8 For those who sow to their physical senses (flesh) will of the flesh reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Stay In The parameters of God’s Word and Be Blessed- reject them for a temporary short lived life- Duet.30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live- God is not condemning you He’s Calling YOU~ Loving Arms~ 1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hostility , strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 1 John 1:8-10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 5. We Are Called to Be Like the God Who Stoops Galatians 6:1: God’s mercy is an example for us to follow. We should extend grace and mercy to those who are hurting, broken, and off-course… "If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently." We are never more like God than when we help the hurting and lift the fallen. There's enough judgment in the world—let’s be lifters and restorers 6 God’s Amazing Grace Redeems Our Past.. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" No matter our past or present mess, God redeems us, lifts us up, and restores our purpose. God doesn't stop at just rescuing us; He promotes us and gives us influence, as He did with Saul becoming Paul. God will not let you get in a problem that He won’t get you out of. Isaiah 61:7-9 Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion; And instead of humiliation your people will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double [what they had forfeited]; Everlasting joy will be theirs. he God Who Stoops Will Finish What He Started Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God is faithful to finish the work He started in your life. His grace is coming to lift you from where you are to where He’s destined you to be. No matter how far off course you feel, no matter how messy life has become, remember: He is the God who stoops, and He’s coming to lift you up. Don’t write yourself off—God hasn’t written you off. Surrender your brokenness to the God who stoops. Allow His grace to restore, redeem, and set you among princes. Extend that grace to others, being a vessel of God’s mercy to those in need.