The Blessing
The Blessing Week 9 | Chance Barnett
April 2, 2023 • Pastor Chance Barnett • 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Malachi 3:10, Luke 19:28–40, Zechariah 9:9, John 12:16
Palm Sunday Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-11 Mark 11:1-11 Luke 19:28-40 John 12:12-19 Luke 19:28-40 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Zechariah 9 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. John 12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. “The Lord has need of it” Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Worship Giving Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Invites / Influence 7 out of 10 people (70%) will live their lives and never be invited to church one time. What initially brought you to church? 6-8% - Walked in by own initiative. 2-3% - Liked a program offered. 8-10% - Liked the pastor. 3-4% - The church had met or assisted their needs. 70-85% - Invited by a relative or friend! Time Ephesians 5 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
The Blessing Week 8 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
March 26, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • John 2:1–10
No More Nearby Now John 2 1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” No More What has ran out in my life? I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages. — Charles Spurgeon Why do (don’t) you involve me? Nearby Now
The Blessing Week 7 | Pastor Ethan Boggs
March 19, 2023 • Pastor Ethan Boggs • 2 Samuel 23:11–12
2 Samuel 23:11-12 NLT 11Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory. When we fail to value something, we are vulnerable to losing it. 2 Samuel 23:12 NLT but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. Hold your ground. Fight your fight.
The Blessing Week 6 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
March 12, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • Matthew 16:13–17, Psalm 23
What do you think? Matthew 18:12 Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Luke 12:26 Why do you look at the speck (splinter) of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 6 Do you love me? John 21 What are you looking for? John 1:38 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Matthew 16:26 Matthew 16 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Who do people say I am? Who is God to me? Time Talent Treasure Trust (Fear) Treat (Others) Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Who do you need God to be in your life?
The Blessing Week 5 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
March 5, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • John 9:1–38, Matthew 10:32–33
John 9 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Why? What is God asking me to do? What am I afraid of? Matthew 10 32 If you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you belong to me. 33 But if you stand before others and say you do not believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you do not belong to me. Am I willing to boldly take a stand for Jesus?
The Blessing Week 4 | Pastor Matt Rice
February 26, 2023 • Pastor Matt Rice • Joel 2:28–32, Exodus 3:1–10, Exodus 4:1–2, Psalm 145:4
WHEN REVIVAL CALLS - Joel 2:28-32 - Exodus 3:1-10 WHEN REVIVAL CALLS “The” Revival There are four critical questions when revival calls. 1. Will you turn? – Exodus 3:2-4 2. Will you take off your shoes? – Exodus 3:4-5 (3. Will you go? – Exodus 3:7-10 4. What’s in your hand? – Exodus 4:1-2 – Psalm 145:4 WHEN REVIVAL CALLS
The Blessing Week 3 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
February 19, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • Psalm 133, Acts 2:1–4
Psalm 133 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Precious Acts 2 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The Blessing Week 2 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
February 12, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • Matthew 7:13–14, Romans 6:20–23, Psalm 1
Romans 6 20 In the past you were slaves to sin, and you did not even think about doing right. 21 You did evil things, and now you are ashamed of what you did. Did those things help you? No, they only brought death. 22 But now you are free from sin. You have become slaves of God, and the result is that you live only for God. This will bring you eternal life. 23 When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The righteous and wicked contrasted. Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Blessed The Ungodly The Righteous “Love means to honor and celebrate another’s choices. Love should make you feel good.” Walk Stand Sit/Seat There are byproducts to our beliefs. Positioned Planted Productive Prospers Where am I positioned? Am I planted? Am I getting enough water? What is my life producing? The Way Of The Righteous The Way Of The Ungodly Matthew 7 13 Go in through the narrow door. The door is wide and the road is easy that leads to hell. Many people are going through that door. 14 But the door is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life that lasts forever. Few people are finding it.
The Blessing Week 1 | Pastor Micah Pelkey
February 5, 2023 • Pastor Micah Pelkey • Psalm 34:1–8, Matthew 24:10–12, James 1:12, Philippians 4:12–13
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. — Aaronic Blessing “Baruch Ata Adonai” Psalm 34 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him! All Times Perilous Times Matthew 24 10 During that time many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will come and cause many people to believe things that are wrong. 12 There will be so much more evil in the world that the love of most believers will grow cold. Invisible Times Tough Times James 1:12 — Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Philippians 4 12 I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me. Can I bless God in my abundance? Can I bless God in my suffering? I will bless the Lord at all times.