Blessed To Be A Blessing

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Blessed To Be A Blessing

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Genesis 1:28, Luke 12:32, Psalm 103, Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 28:8

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Blessed to Be a Blessing

The daily grind of life can easily blind us to the reality that God loads us with His benefits—

His blessings—

Every day.

At a time when Food prices and everything is skyrocketing

Jobs are competitive to obtain,

Fuel Prices are higher than anytime in History~

But We can easily forget the truth—

~that we are a blessed people.

1 God’s Blessings from the Beginning:

Genesis 1:28: God blessed them and said to them,

‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

From the book of beginnings,

Genesis,

God has blessed His people.

When He created the heavens and the earth and Adam and Eve, the last thing He did before He rested on the seventh day was to bless Adam and Eve…

God Is A Blessing God~!

And He has been blessing us ever since!

God Created You In His Image~

You didn’t evolve from an ameba slime~ over billions and billions of years there you were~

In Einsteins Theory of Relativity

You Cannot Create something from Nothing!

Every thing that is created has 3 Elements

Time Space And Matter

It’s called a continuum

It’s answered in Gen. 1:1

In the Beginning (Time) God Created The Heavens (Space) and Earth (Matter)

Everything we are Points to an intelligent design

Then there is the Miracle Of The Bible-

Jesus- Eye witnesses to the life death &’resurrection of Jesus Christ-

God Put You Here On This Planet For Such A Time As This~

There is No One Like you and No One Can Be A Better You Thank You!

When You Said Yes To God’s Gift Of Salvation You Became a Child Of God~

There Is Nothing You are Lacking~

Jesus Said~

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Is. 6:3 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory

• Psalm 68:19: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits…”

Benefits are blessings,

He loads us with them every single day.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

He Redeemed from the Curse of Fallen Humanity~

He Redeems, Restores and Renews us~

Every Day Is A New Day~

The opposite of being blessed is being cursed—

and as born-again believers, we have been redeemed from the curse.

The curse of

lying spirits

fear

hate

bitterness

pain are active and rapid in our world like never before-

The global population has grown from 1 billion in 1800 to 8 billion in 2024.

We Rapidly approached 8Billion people on the earth-

many subjecting themselves to demonic influences…

But with all of that…

The GOOD NEWS IS~ WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

• Galatians 3:13: “Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'".

Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection bought and paid for our redemption.

He redeemed us with His blood.

Therefore, we are no longer under the curse; we are blessed…

God Is Love!

Jer. 31:3 He has loved you with an everlasting Love

Jer. 29:11 His Plans For you are Good Not Evil!

Romans 5:8 God demonstrated His Love While we were yet sinners Christ Died For Us!

Jer. 1:5 God Knows All About you Before you were formed in your mothers womb He Knew You And Called you And Anointed You!

There is nothing standing between us and God’s blessings other than our not laying hold of them by faith and receiving all that He has to give us…

• Deuteronomy 28:8

“The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do.”

Because I Am Blessed We are called to bless-

Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

2 Blessed Abundantly

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

God hasn’t blessed us just so we can have our needs met—

just so we can work,

tithe,

give offerings,

care for our families,

have a safe place to live,

save for the future,

have safe and reliable transportation,

and perhaps take time off for leisure—

all the things we might consider being blessed.

He has actually blessed us so that we can do all that and more—

Namely, be a Blessing to others.

•

Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life.

In other words, it’s the will of God that we live blessed and able to think beyond ourselves,

beyond our household,

beyond what’s right in front of us.

If you don’t plant seeds you are going to get weeds-

Because there’s more purpose for being blessed than just meeting our own needs.

We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing.

~How Far Do You See?

Life has a way of limiting our vision,

but all through Scripture,

The Word tells us to look further, to look up and to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

• Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

• Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

_______________________

We are meant to look around and see who we can bless with what’s in our hands right now.

We come to Receive

Yes

Be We Also come to Give-

WE ARE CALLED BY GOD TO RECIPROCATE

Love!

BUT YOU CAN NOT OUT GIVE GOD~

3 God’s Way of Blessing

James 1: 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who never lies or changes His mind

• John 6:

Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five barley loaves and two fish.

BUT~

After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples to gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.

They picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

In all, approximately 20,000 people ate that day.

And they ate until they were full, from two small fish and five barley loaves.

In heaven’s accounting system, it’s the little boy—

not Jesus—

who received credit for feeding all those hungry people.

What’s more,

The little boy ended up with more, not less, for giving his basket of two fish and five loaves, because when the disciples gathered up the leftovers, there were 12 baskets left over!

That’s How God’s Economy Works~

~It’s Called Twice-Sown Seed~

We get to receive exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or think…

• Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

4 What’s In Your Hands?

Ex 4:3 So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

That little boy with the basket of loaves and fish had no idea how big his giving could be in the hands of Jesus, but Jesus knew.

The disciples didn’t know how big his giving could be, but Jesus knew.

Imagine what Jesus could do with what’s in your hands right now if you gave it as seed sowed into The Kingdom of God~

and asked Jesus to bless your seed?

If your budget limits your ability to give above your tithe and the offerings that you’re giving now, start giving your stuff—start sowing it as seed.

Or start selling your stuff to give offerings or to generate income to give to others.

God used a stick of Moses

~God Gave Joseph A Dream

Jesus Used A couple of pennies Of a poor widow It illustrate the Power of Giving!

=A Slingshot Of David

=A Jawbone In The Hands Of Samson

=Some loaves of bread and two

Fish In the Hands Of A Little Boy to Feed thousands~

Your Smile~ Your Being There~

You showing Up to Church not just to receive but to BLESS THE LORD IN YOUR WORSHIP GIVING LOVING HELPING~

Why not do it to give offerings pouring into the next Generation your gift never stops giving-

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Proverbs 11:24-25

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way

we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he Himself said,

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

As born-again, Spirit-filled believers who believe, We Are Blessed To Be a Blessing.

Regardless of our resources, there is purpose to our being a blessed and holy people, and one of those purposes is to bless others.

• 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

We are givers by nature because we have been made in the image of God, who is a giver, who blesses, and who has called us to walk and live in THE BLESSING.

Duet 28:6 6You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

And out of the abundance He has given us—at whatever level of abundance we currently have—

We Are Blessed To Be a Blessing.

If we’ll renew our minds to this truth, and begin practicing it, just like the little boy with the five loaves and two fish, God will multiply our seed.

He will multiply our ability to keep giving and giving and giving. That’s who He is. That’s what He does. He blesses…

HE IS COMING THROUGH FOR YOU IN WAYS YOU HAD NO IDEA~

Two Invisible Kingdoms

September 8, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • John 18:36, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Colossians 1:15, John 5:37, Matthew 12:24–28

A War Between Two Worlds Two Kingdoms- The Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of the enemy who thought he’s flexing his muscles but he’s a defeated Foe- The devil is the god of this world He is the author of confusion He’s There If he can get you confused he can weaken you and when you are weak he strikes kill steal and destroy~ After You Come To Christ You Belong To Him- Nothing can separate you from Him- Your Life Isn’t a dress rehearsal~ This is REAL! You have an enemy of your Soul That you have power over but you have to take the authority you have over it~ John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. The Dilemma Of Life~ ~Manifestation Of Light and darkness~ They are as real as you and I standing and sitting here- You must have an awareness of the Unseen World- The unseen worlds has everything to do with Your Healing, Your Restoration Your Prosperity Your health 2 Corinthians 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Jesus Is~ Colossians 1:15 He Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Jesus speaking to the Religious people of the day... John 5:37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form… Jesus Said~ John 14:8 If you have seen me you have seen the Father~ John 10:30 I and My Father are One Jesus Said~ Two Invisible Kingdoms- Matt. 12:24–28 24 But when the Pharisees heard how Jesus was healing the sick and casting out demons- they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that He drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, Then the kingdom of God has come upon you… Jesus Addressed Kingdom of God and also a kingdom of demonic activity~ —————————————— 1 The Kingdom Of Darkness~ Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual host of wickedness in high places… Planet Earth Is Under ATTACK~ MORE THAN EVER~ The battle of the human soul- Wake up to the Truth that there is a SPIRITUAL REALM- And These are no doubt Satanic energized times~ And you can be very well trapped and deceived- By just flowing through life- And not addressing the strongholds that might be in your life~ It’s a Wrestling match with spiritual beings without bodies… Against rulers with various areas and descending orders of authority... Against the world dominators of this present darkness... Racism, Division, Hatred, Bitterness, Jealously are Demonic in their Origins~ The enemy of your soul works to manipulate you in believing lies about God, Yourself & Others- Invading you with demonic influences to invade your life to develop strongholds- We are called to- Cast Down Strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not in the natural or physical , but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against ... Strongholds are the result of wrong thinking- Wrong beliefs that have taken root in your life. They are contrary to God’s thoughts- Inspired by the devil’s lies – The devil will whisper to your natural flesh to try to cause doubt~ Get you to Question God’s power and authority Just like in the Garden` Someone asked me Where Did God Come From` Asking Where did God Come From Displays You are thinking of the Wrong god~ The God Of the Bible is not affected by Time- Space- Or Matter~ If He is affected by Time Space Or Matter He’s Not God Time Space and Matter Is What we call a Continuum~ All of them Have to come into existence at the Same Instant Because if there was Matter But No Space Where Would You Put It? If There was Matter and Space and No Time Then When Would You Put It? You Cant have Time Space Or Matter Independently~ They have to come together Simultaneously The Bible answers This in Ten Words Genesis1:1 In the Beginning TIME God Created The Heavens SPACE And The Earth MATTER Time Space Matter A Trinity of Trinities Time- Past Present Future Space- Is Length Width Height Matter- Has Solid Liquid Gas A Trinity of Trinities created instantly And The God Who Created Them Has To Be Outside Of Them If He is Limited By Time Then He’s Not God If Your Brain Is Just a Random collection of Chemicals that Formed Over Billions of Billion of Years How on Earth can you trust your own reasoning Processes and the Thoughts That you Think? The Question Of Where Did God Come From Is Assuming A Limited God~ And That’s The Problem! The God That I Worship Is NOT limited By Time Space Or Matter If I could fit The God Of Creation In my 3 pound Brain He would not be worth worshiping~ We are Not Just Some Random Cells that happened to form Billions And Billions Of Years~ 1 The order and the structure of the cosmos point to an intelligent mind 2 Moral Absolutes!! Point to some Moral law giver Without Moral Absolutes Humanity would destroy itself~ And That of Course Is Where It Is Heading 3 Life Comes From Life I’ve never once Have I’ve seen Life come from Non life 4 FREE WILL If there is no God You’re just hunk of biochemical Reactions That’s all I am You’re not free You’re determined by your biochemical reactions- Jesus said- The devil is the father of all lies- John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do… He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it… Jn. 10:10 The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. Kill steal and destroy- Establish that the devil is a liar- Because you are a Extreme Value to God And Because God Created you with a Purpose He created you with intention ~ Eph 1:4 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. In This society Of Rapidly growing Godless influences- are manifesting themselves trying to destroy you of the Truth of Gods Word and His Love For you ~ Lies-You believe about yourself, God or others – IF YOU give the devil a stronghold on your actions, behaviors and habits. The more strongly you believe these lies, the stronger the hold. IF YOU ALLOW OTHERES CONTROL YOU THEY WILL Strongholds don’t just sit in your mind doing nothing. They produce actions, behaviors and habits that, no matter what you try, seem impossible to get rid of. All the pain, death, sickness, Killing of the unborn, Drugs- Pharmakia, witchcraft, new age deception, hatred, bitterness, prejudiced, unforgivness, jealousy and the list goes on... It’s all a Display of demonic strongholds- Strongholds that keep people deceived- IN A LIMITED SPACE OF TIME~ All you see in this world today is what Jesus said would be happening before He would come again- It’s All Under The Banner Of The Kingdom Of Darkness! Eph. 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Notice the Kingdom of the Air~ Or In The Air~ In the Realm of The Earth~ Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies Kingdom Of Darkness! ============= 3 Realms Of Heaven~ Now We Understand The 3 Heavens~ Gen.1:1 “Heavens”are plural Sun The Moon The Stars The Galaxies- Second heaven= Between God’s heaven and visible heaven: satan’s and the demons kingdom (dwelling places) Eph. 4:10 Jesus ascended above all heavens Third heaven/Paradise or God’s Eternal Heaven~ 2 Cor. 12:2–4- Paul The Apostle was Caught up- Third heaven = God’s dwelling place… This IS WHY YOU MUST IDENTIFY WITH WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE NOW! 1 Jn. 4:4 greater... Kingdom of Darkness~ Heavenly Realms~ 2 Kingdom of God~ Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:” Matthew 13: Jesus Gave an illustration or a Parable~ A Earthly Story With A Heavenly Meaning~ Of A Farmer who went out to plant wheat in his field~ And while he was sleeping an enemy came in an planted tears seeds… When the Wheat sprouted there were tears also~ His workers said should we pull up the tears? The Lord Of the Field said no lest we uproot the wheat~ Then Jesus Explained to His Disciples that The Field Is the Soil of the Kingdom of God The Seeds He planted were the Children of The Kingdom~ The tears were the children of the devil~ They look like Wheat They Smell Like Wheat But They don’t produce Wheat for the Kingdom of God ~ God Has Planted you in His Kingdom~ You Will not be destroyed~ God Put You Here Because you are going to make~ The chaff is not going to defeat you it’s trying to up root you But Greater Is He who is in you 1 These. 5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. We Are Children Of The Most High God! We don’t have a FAKE JOY YOU CANT HAVE JOY WITHOUT JESUS Rev. 12:9 ...Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. We must “pray through” and Rise Up- We are Children of The Light! Romans 8:37 More than conquers Phil. 1:6 He who has begun a good work in you The Child of God alone has been given the weapons to intervene in this spiritual war: Intercession Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Christ In You... How To Wage Spiritual Warfare We must take advantage Of the equipment We have To Do with God Wants For You~ Eph. 6:13–18 Spiritual Warfare We have been equipped with the ARMOR FOR OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLE~ You have come To a place of truth when you came to Jesus Christ~ You met the standards Of God’s Righteousness When you embraced the TRUTH of The Gospel~ Ephemeral 6:10–8 1. Waist clothed with truth~ 2. Breastplate of righteousness~ 3. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace~ 4. Shield of faith 5. Helmet of salvation (thought-life) 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the Breastplate of Faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 6. Sword of the Spirit— The Word of God 7. Praying always Matt.12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, usurely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. - First identify- the Enemy then bind, the strong man What is in your life that is attacking God’s Voice~ Don’t let it any longer~ RISE ABOVE IT! Remember You are Going to Rise Up And Rise Above the Attacks of the enemy~ The Thief does not try to break in and steal from someone who has nothing- Thieves don’t drive by homeless people and think lets rob that… There is noting to take~ But You are experiencing Attack because of Whose and Who You Are! I am looking a Valued Saints of God ~ Those who are Called To Be- Redeemed- Restored- Renewed- Rewarded- Readmitted- You Will not be Uprooted You Have Benn Redeemed~ You might be hindered if you allow it~ But By the Blood Of Jesus You Are Back on Track! Recognize the Spiritual Attack and aggressively Cast it down~ In the Name of Jesus~ God has provided the necessary spiritual weapons Prayer Harmonize in Unity~ God’s Promises~ Mat. 18:19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Two or more gathered in His Name~ God is with You! Christ in You the Hope of Glory ~ I and the Father are One~ Christ in You You ARE NOT OF The kingdom DARKNESS- John 14:11 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Seated Far above all~ Dwell where you are seated- In The Secret Place Of The Most High- Thanksgiving Everything give Thanks~ Praising God Acts 16:25–26 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Let Everything that has breath~ LETTING YOUR LIGHT SHINE Remember, we are not of the kingdom of darkness, but of the Kingdom of God. Let us live with this awareness, allowing our light to shine brightly for His glory.

The Prayers Of Jesus Pt 5

September 5, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • John 13:34–35, John 17:24, Colossians 1:15, John 17:20–26, Psalm 133:1

Jesus' Prayer for the Church John 17:20-26 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” 1 Jesus' Prayer for Unity in the Church John 17:20-23 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Jesus prays for unity among all believers, both present and future, reflecting the unity between Him and the Father. Unity is essential for the Church to be a witness to the world. Are our actions promoting unity or division? Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! Unity as a form of evangelism John 13:34-35 – 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” A unified Church attracts others to Christ through love, patience, kindness, and grace… II Jesus' Prayer for Future Believers to Experience His Glory John 17: 24 Jesus expresses His desire for us to be with Him and see His glory, a glory given by the Father before the creation of the world… It’s The Relationship~ He Desire Of Us To Know Him~ John 17: 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. Jesus Is God Manifested In The Flesh~ To Take away the sin of the first Adam He Became A Man~ All Human All God! To Die For His Creation So We Could Know Him~ Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Jesus' will is for us to experience His presence eternally. This is His greatest gift to us—eternal life and fellowship with Him. III Jesus' Prayer for Love to Be in the Believers John 17:25-26 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Jesus prays that the love the Father has for Him may be in believers and that He Himself may be in them. Jesus' love in us compels us to love others, serving as intercessors in prayer, just as He intercedes for us. Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 4 Jesus' Example of Prayer in Crisis~ Matthew 26:39-42 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. ” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Mark 14:36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. ” Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane models how to pray in times of crisis—honestly expressing our desires while submitting to God's will. In a crises, we should follow Jesus' example by laying out our desires to God but ultimately submitting to His perfect plan. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Summary: Jesus’ prayer for the Church in John 17 covers unity, the experience of His glory, and the indwelling love of God. These are not just lofty theological concepts but practical aspects of our daily walk with Christ. Challenge: Reflect on Jesus' prayer and ask yourself: Are you living in unity with other believers? Are you seeking to experience and share the glory of Christ? Is His love evident in your life and prayers for others? Call to Action: Commit to being a part of the answer to Jesus' prayer by striving for unity, longing for His presence, and demonstrating His love through intercessory prayer.

Make Yourself Ready

September 1, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Matthew 1:20, Luke 21:7, 2 Timothy 3:1–9, Proverbs 25:28, Isaiah 49:16

Here are 4 Ways to Make Yourself Ready in the End Times… Before Jesus left this earth, He told His disciples about the future and Future events- And Here we are- —and they asked a very telling question: Luke 21:7 What will be a sign of Your coming? His answer included an entire list of signs and warnings: Many will come claiming to be Messiah, but don’t believe them because I’ve already come… You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but don’t panic, because the end won’t happen immediately… Nation will go to war against nation, ethnics agents ethnic’s, kingdom against kingdom. There will be on increase in earthquakes, famines and plagues in many lands. There will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. (Luke 21:8-11) This list alone is enough for us to see that we are living in the times Jesus spoke about. We’re living in the End Times. We are literally on the brink of World War 3 We see all Nations coming against Israel… it’s only a matter of 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons… 2 Timothy 3:1-9 1But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For 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! -But the good news is that no matter how dark it gets—and it will continue to grow darker— We do not have to be afraid. We do not have to be faint of heart. We do not have to feel helpless or hopeless. But we do have to Be Ready. Mat.24 Watch and Be Alert~ 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Prepare So You Can Respond God Uses Prepared People- Preparation Keeps You From Being Caught Off Guard- Getting reading means we will have to prepare and then we will have to respond. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” To start preparing, We first and foremost deal with the fear that naturally comes with living in the end times… Jesus warned His disciples, and us, saying Luke 21:26 “People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken” Another translation says that people will faint from fear and Feeling something bad is going to happen of what is coming upon the world… It’s going to happen & is happening- The devil knows his time is short- He’s working overtime to kill steal & to deceive & destroy- What is it in this day and age that causes you to be faint of heart? Take a personal inventory: What scares you? Are you fearful for your children and their outcome? Are you fearful of leaving your house? Are you fearful of dying early? Are you fearful over losing finances? Are you fearful your heath will not improve? Are you fearful of losing a relationship? Are you fearful of not finding a relationship? Wait! Those are lies of the enemy of your soul- 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and a SOUND MIND… You can’t let the lying spirit of fear grip your heart- The Word tells us that we do NOT have to be afraid. Ever. Of anything. But we will be afraid—by default—if we don’t prepare ourselves to respond. We must prepare ourselves by building a Wall Of faith with God’s Word. We Have Walls Around Our Homes, Our Communities… We Build Walls To Protect Us~ God Wants You To Have a wall Of Faith to Protect Yourself and Your Family When We Are Guarded We Are Prepared~ Of all the things you can do, there are 4 Ways To Make Yourself Ready in the End Times, that are foundational, that are crucial and that must come first. 1 The Wall of the Word Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. Psalm 91:4 promises us: “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+49%3a16&version=esv Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before Me If you haven’t done so, now is the time to build your life on the Word. Isaiah 33:6 6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure. Now is the time to make The Word the most important priority in your life, To make it first place and give it final authority. -What Does The Word Of Our God Say to Us~ Do Not Fear 360 Times~ John 14:1 Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled Neither Let it Be Afraid~ Do Not Be Anxious- Philippians 4:6-7 this way: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The way you do this is by always keeping The Word Of God Before before you, listening to it and speaking it, because the Word is a protector. It Builds A Wall Between the Enemy and You~ James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. It’s the Word that will guide and direct us. It will help us be at the right place at the right time with the right people doing the right thing. To put the Word first place in your life, what will you change? What will you do to raise the level of the Word in your life? Heb. 11:6 Without Faith it’s impossible To Please Him- Rom. 10:17 Faith comes from Hearing- _____________________________ 2 The Wall of the Name Psalm 91:14 promises us: “Because you have set Your love upon Me, Therefore I will deliver you; I will set you on high, because you has known My Name” The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" is a verse from the Bible, Proverbs 18:10 The Powerful Name God has so many Attributes of name- All throughout the Word, God named Himself with His Attributes over and over, as many as 900 times. But He reveals His Name To Mary- By the Angel- Matthew 1:20 And His Name Shall be called Jesus Phil 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Genesis 22:14 He calls Himself Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides~ Every Provision you could Possible Think of~ Salvation A New Life Healing Restoration Reconciliation He Is Savior, Redeemer and Friend 1 John 4:14 Job 19:25-27 John 15:15 John 10:11 He calls Himself Shepherd And there are approximately 850 more attributes~ Knowing God’s Name means knowing Him John 6:35. He is the Bead of Life 2 Samuel 5:20-21 He is the Lord of the Breakthrough Knowing His name means to know the Name of Jesus—and that all of God’s names are summed up in the Name of Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11 states At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue Will Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; Many In the Church today are living defeated lives because the believe if they are Good Then God Will bless them.... That's Not The Gospel That’s Karma~ The Gospel Is the New Birth experience John 8:36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. Not Budda Not Mohamad Not Hare Krishna Not A Hindui Cow Not any other name~ 3 The Wall of the Blood Psalm 91:10 promises us: “No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. Plague~ is referring to the sickness of death Exodus 12:13 when the children of Israel were getting ready to leave Egypt and God instructed them to put the blood of the lamb surrounding the doorway into their homes: When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt That blood was not only the blood of physical lambs, but it was a type and shadow of the blood of Jesus… The Lamb of God Who Would Take Away The Sin Of The World Blood Had to Be Shed~ Lev. 17:11 Without the Shedding Of the Blood… Heb. 9:27 without the shedding of Blood~ The Main Reason Jesus Came Was TO shed His Blood On The Cross And the blood of Jesus is the blood that ever lives YOU HAVE A BLOOD COVENANT AND THAT WALL SURROUNDS YOU It protected the children of Israel then, and it protects us now. My debt of sin of death is paid, once and for all Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” I am justified Romans 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. “ I am forgiven Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” I am spared from God’s wrath Romans 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. “ I am being spiritually healed; one day even my flesh will be replaced with an incorruptible body I Peter 2:24 “…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” I am spiritually alive John 6:53 “Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” My judgment has been satisfied and I am at peace with God Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” The bloodstream Is purged by the blood Of Jesus Joel 3:21 “For I will cleanse their blood… I am cleansed I John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” I have the power to overcome the enemy Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” I am no longer under the curse of the law Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).” I have been reclaimed from the enemy Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” I am no longer a stranger to the covenant of promise Ephesians 2:12-13 “…that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” I have been moved from the enemy’s kingdom into the kingdom of God Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” I have gained the unmerited favor of God Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” I have been declared righteous 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” I have been justified (just as though I had never sinned) Romans 3:24-25 “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed…” I am able to come close to God Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” I can participate in the sweet communion of remembrance of His sacrifice Luke 22:20 “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup isthe new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” My redemption will never perish 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Jesus testifies on my behalf that I am clean Revelation 1:5 “…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings[ and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I am free Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” By the blood of Jesus, we have access to all that the covenant provides—and that includes the protection of the blood. By His Stripes We Are Healed… You apply the Blood of Jesus By Faith PUT YOUR WALLS UP~ BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS DEVIL YOU CANT GET IN! THE WALL OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS PROTECTS ME Signed Sealed & Delivered By The Blood 4 The Wall of the Angels Psalm 91:9-13 we read, “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling- No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your house. For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (NKJV). God will dispatch angels for your protection and to aid in Your breakthrough Angles are not Fat little Babies With Wings~ Every one of us has angels in our lives that we need to give direction to. Hebrews 1:14 calls them ministering spirits sent out in the service of God to assist those of us who have received salvation. And we activate them by the words we speak. Through this favor, you have POWER, You have ANGELS at work on your behalf, that can sweep aside opposition and overcome obstacles. You, God and His Holy Angles That Outweigh ALL the Odds In Hebrews we read, Heb 1:7 “In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” When we declare Psalm 91:1-2, we are activating the protection of our angels. Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’ When they came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane~ Peter took out a sward and cut the high priests ear off… Jesus said to Peter to put the sword down… Matt 26:53, Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 72,000 2 Kings 19:35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. Herod in the book of Acts~ Acts 12:23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. A young servant of the prophet Elisha wakes up to find their city surrounded by a threatening army. Panicked, he rushes to Elisha, who reassures him, saying, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha then prays for God to open the servant's eyes, and the young man sees the hills filled with divine horses and chariots of fire, revealing God's protection over them. Don’t Worry GOD IS WITH YOU AND YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY A WALL OF ANGLES If you will take these 4 Ways To Make Yourself Ready in the End Times, and put them into practice in your life, you will be prepared for what’s happening now and for what’s to come—and you will be able to respond in any situation. You will walk free from fear and be empowered to walk in faith no matter what comes against you and no matter how dark things grow. With the Word, the Name, the Blood and the Angels of God, you are protected. You are ready! Romans 13: And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation isnearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.