The Parable of the Tomato

When Pastor Ben was a boy, he didn’t like tomatoes. However, during COVID, he started a garden, because there wasn’t much else to do. The easiest thing to grow in a garden is tomatoes. It was through that research and trial and error that he found some favorite tasting tomatoes. 

There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes. There are cherry tomatoes, red tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, etc. With heirloom tomatoes, you can take the seeds out, plant them, and get heirloom tomatoes next year. With a genetically altered tomato, you might not get the same type of tomato next time. Genetically altered tomatoes aren’t bred for taste, but rather for shelf life, pretty color, shape, etc. 

Heirloom tomatoes taste better. 

It is not as easy as it seems to garden. The sun gold cherry is one of the best tasting. Pastor Ben’s favorite is a cherokee purple tomato. 

John 15:1-7 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

A plant, a tomato plant, is designed to have tomatoes. Ultimately, the point of tomatoes is to grow fruit with seeds to have more tomatoes. 

You are part of a vine. A branch by itself will not produce anything. It’s just a stick. If it’s connected to the vine, it will produce fruit. 

We are supposed to be connected to the ‘Source’ so that we can produce fruit just like a tomato. John the baptist talked about it. Jesus talked about it. 

In Mark 11, Jesus sees a fig tree with beautiful leaves, but no figs, no fruit. It was lovely to look at, but it wasn’t doing what it was created for. So, Jesus cursed it. 

In the Bible, if something is repeated, that means it’s important. Over and over in Scripture, we are told to produce fruit. 

So, how do we produce fruit? What are some issues that you can have that will keep you from growing? 

Something that will keep a tomato from growing is growing too many leaves and getting too tall. A tall, leafy tomato plant doesn’t produce tomatoes. 

In order to keep a tomato plant from getting too tall, you’ve got to prune it, cutting some leaves off and making it shorter. Cut all of the ‘sucker’ plants off. Those suck energy away from making tomatoes. Prune away anything that distracts or takes away just because the plant wants to get bigger. 

What are the things in your life that suck away from you growing fruit? 

Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

If you have patience, are people won over to Jesus? Yes. Without patience, people don’t want to be around you, much less trust what you have to say about Jesus. This fruit of the Spirit wins people over to you and then to Jesus.

So, you’ve got to get rid of those ‘selfish’ leaves from out of your life that keep you from developing fruit. 

Some tomato plants are really hard to grow. Some are particularly prone to blossom and rot. It’s really gross. As the tomato grows, at the tip where the flower used to be, it starts to rot. Tomatoes get blossom and rot because they are lacking in calcium. This isn’t from the soil. The problem is the calcium is not getting from the roots to the tomato. 

The key to the fruit is in the root. 

Certain tomatoes don’t have a very deep root system. The help for that is a root stock. A few of those help the main tomato plant produce fruit. You cut off a part of the plant, take the stem, and tape it to the root stock plant. The tomato plant will merge into the root stock plant. It can pull from the root stock. It’s connected to a better source that enables and empowers. This is called grafting. 

Rom 11:17 “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”

Unfortunately, just because you get grafted into the right place, doesn’t mean you will automatically have great fruit. Challenges are not suddenly over. 

Even with grafting, you’ve still got to get those nutrients where they need to go. You’ve got to have consistent watering. 

You can apply this to people in consistency in the watering of your own roots in Jesus. This is through consistent connecting with God. 

So, grafting is like your initial salvation. Watering is keeping a consistent connection to God. Even that is not quite enough. 

You can take a tomato plant and bury part of the stem with dirt because the fuzzy parts will grow roots when buried. Being grafted in and buried too much can cause the little tomato plant to pull from the weaker root source. 

You can apply this to you by making sure you don’t draw off of the wrong thing. Our own fuzzy furs can still grow the wrong roots. Your root system needs to draw from the right sources. Those things that don’t help you grow good fruit need to get cut off. 

You are a little tomato plant. You have some gardening to do, some tending that needs to happen in your life. If you become so focused on building up yourself, your own kingdom, then pruning must take place. You’ve got to focus on growing fruit for the Kingdom. 

Take time to self examine. What is your source? Are you grafted into the Spirit of God? If it’s just you, trying to do your own thing, you’ll get blossom and rot. You won’t have good fruit. 

Without good roots, you won’t have good fruit. 

Consistent watering is necessary to avoid stunting your own growth.

Cut off those bad habits that will keep the good roots from growing. 

Examine yourself. Where are your roots? Are you consistently getting enough water? Are you avoiding the wrong things in your life? Are you producing good fruit? 

As you think about your own life, the things that you produce, are you producing love, joy, peace? Are you producing patience? Is there so much fruit that people can’t help but notice and want to be with you, to be like you? Are you producing self-control so much that people want what they see in you? 

It is easy to focus on the wrong things. It’s easy to lose connection with Jesus. We need that constant, consistent connection with Him. Let there be a lot of good fruit, so that God’s Kingdom grows. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. How is your ‘fruit’? Are you getting enough ‘water’? Are your ‘roots’ healthy? Are you growing good ‘roots’? Are there any changes you need to make in your thinking/habits? 
3. Read Romans 12. What are the instructions in these verses? What are we to think about? How are we to live? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Ben Nolan.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook and Bible studies on Wednesdays at 7 pm (in person).  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Going the Extra Mile

Many sayings today have Biblical origins, ‘Weighed in the Balance,’ ‘By the skin of your teeth,’ ‘to put words in someone’s mouth,’ ‘at your wits end,’ ‘a drop in the bucket’, ‘pearls before swine’, ‘blind leading the blind’, ‘to wash one’s hands of the matter,’ and many more. 

The one to focus on right now is ‘Go the Extra Mile.’ 

Kids Game shows were really great in the 1990’s. Each episode of Nickelodeon Guts had different obstacles to be overcome. These kids went the extra mile in order to win. At the end, the contestant with the most points would win a medal and a glowing piece of a radical rock trophy. Kids from all over the world came to compete. 

Legends of the Hidden Temple was another game show. This started with crossing a moat. Then, a giant talking rock would tell a story and ask questions. The first team who got three right answers got to overcome various obstacles. It was quite grueling. At the end was the Temple of Light, a giant, two-story obstacle course. If you got through the temple and retrieved the mystery object, you got another prize. 

What motivated these kids to go the extra mile? 

Was it the prizes, the fame, the parents pushing them? Whatever the motivation, these kids went the extra mile. They did more than was expected, more than most. 

Mat 5:38-42 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

During this time in history, it was common for Roman soldiers to conscript jews to carry their equipment for one mile. If a jew was alone and had his own stuff, they had to leave it, carry the Roman’s stuff, and then go back to get his own and go his way. 

1. It is not healthy or prudent to carry someone else’s baggage without putting down your own first. 
2. Serving out of a sense of obligation does not devalue the blessing to the person you are blessing/serving. 
3. You will most likely be unfilled doing just the bare minimum. 
4. As a Christian, if you feel like serving is below you, you have missed it.
5. Retaliation is a reaction born from humiliation. You will not retaliate if you choose to not be humiliated. 

When Jesus was on trial, He opened not His mouth. He took verbal and physical barbs, yet He didn’t speak. He knew He would be justified. He knew the evil He was experiencing would be turned around. 

Jesus wasn’t being a pushover. He was showing what it takes to love your neighbor and follow peace. 

Mat 5:43-48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

It is easy to love people who love you back. But, being in the church is not supposed to be easy. We don’t choose who needs the church or what their needs are. We don’t get to play ‘Select-a-Saint’. We don’t get to customize our congregation. It is not up to us to be spiritual bouncers. The church is a place of refuge. How could we refuse those who need refuge?

We get to choose to love those who persecute us. We get to choose to treat others with the love the world has not shown them. We get to be a church that goes the extra mile. 

Mat 25:31-39 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37  Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’”

When did we go the extra mile? 

Mat 25:40-46 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’ 41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

You have no idea what you are sowing into when you bring someone a home-cooked meal or offer to babysit for overworked parents. You have no idea how you will impact others by your serving. 

Gal 6:1-3 “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

Context is very important in your study of the Bible. A few verses before and a few verses after will explain so much. Take the time to see it. 

‘If you think you are above going the extra mile…’ It’s not up to us to be selective about who we serve. Let’s just serve. Jesus went out of His way to heal or serve or teach or minister to just one. He went out of His way to the Samaritan woman. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He went the extra mile. He resisted the devil while fasting for 40 days. He could’ve done it in a spectacular way, but He didn’t. He modeled for us what we could do. 

Jesus is the perfect example of a good boss. He won’t ask us to do something that He didn’t already do. 

John 15:13 “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

If Jesus did that for us, what is our excuse for not going the extra mile? 

For some, going the extra mile means a paradigm shift. For others it means going to God in prayer. It means losing something, giving up something. 

Mat 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

You might lose out in the short term, but the Lord will restore that and more. You may end up at a loss for a short time, but soon, you will be back in the black. Go the extra mile and see what God does in your life. 

Seek first the kingdom of God. 

Become more kingdom minded and less self minded. There will be people coming that have been rejected by the world. These are the ones who need our ministry. They need to meet people who care about them. Reach for the ‘least of these’. Help people to feel loved and valued. 

Pastor Michael’s parents have gone the extra mile in raising him. His mother hasn’t hesitated to help or give to those in need. What an example! 

Learn to recognize the needs of people around you. Then, respond with, ‘What can I do?’ Jesus has gone the extra mile for us. What can we do to go the extra mile for others? 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What are some needs of the people around you? What is Jesus leading you to do to meet some of those needs?
3. Read Psalm 46. Who is our help? Knowing the riches available to us because of He who loves us so much, how can we be a blessing to those around us (especially those who don’t know Him)? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Michael Lagle.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook. 

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Behold an Open Door II, The Mystery of the Kingdom

Behold an Open Door II, The Mystery of the Kingdom

You are akin to the Philadelphia church. You have kept His Word. You have kept His love. The open door is the revelation and understanding of the Kingdom of God. This can come only through His revelation. 

Humanity is intrigued by mysteries, by the unknown. We want to know the unknown. God has put inside of us a God-sized hole that only He can fulfill. Nothing else in this world can fill that hole in our lives. 

In life, we look for that perfect fulfillment. We look to our jobs, success, relationships, entertainment, etc. Only God can fill that place, but we continue to look in things. 

Substance abuse is a thing today because people are looking for fulfillment. COVID brought everybody into insolation. People isolated themselves from everyone, including God. We get lost when we isolate ourselves from God. Only He can fulfill us. 

Even after COVID, people still want to isolate themselves. Live-stream is not a replacement for gathering together. It’s difficult to engage if you are not together. When we come together in one mind and one accord, we can connect. 

There was a mystery of aliens in the Miami mall. Apparently, aliens came to the Miami mall that were over 7 feet tall. People took pictures of shadows. The truth is there was such a desire today for people to know something beyond this place, that they would believe in aliens coming to the Miami mall. People are searching for something beyond this life. They are willing to grasp at straws. But, when they find Jesus, they find what they really need. 

The Bermuda Triangle is a mystery. So many mysteries are among us. Scientists haven’t discovered everything about the body or mind or even our own earth, much less all that lies in space beyond. God knows. He can change mindsets and deliver us from wrong, unhealthy thinking. He opens up understanding in our minds. He helps us see things that we can’t understand in the natural. He opens up possibilities that there is more than meets the eye. 

There is a real portal that opens in us by God. He reveals Himself and truths we can’t understand in the natural. We receive an alien species in us when we receive the Holy Ghost. He said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ This is a different kingdom. When we receive the Holy Ghost, we receive a new identity. We receive a living being in us that wants to move and grow. 

Mary received the Messiah in her womb. When He was born, He said, ‘Where I am from is a different world.’

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Mark 4:11-12 “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

Rom 16:25-26 “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

1 Cor 2:7-8 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Not even the princes of this world knew. That was a well-hidden secret. If they knew the power and the authority, they would never have crucified Jesus. If the leaders of this world would have honored God, instead of crucifying their SAvior, the world’s problems would have been solved. 

Not even Jesus’ own received Him because their eyes weren’t open. Jesus was in front of them the whole time. 

Eph 1:9 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”

It was a plan that was to be revealed in His own time. 

Col 1:9 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

We need the knowledge of His will. Then, we will have wisdom and spiritual understanding. 

Looking through the natural eye, we get frustrated. Looking through spiritual eyes, we understand His purpose. He is in charge. 

Col 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Instead of praying the sickness or problem away, we should ask, ‘What is Your purpose and how can I grow in this season? What do You want to do in and through me?’ 

He wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He wants His will to be done, not my own. It’s His strength, not ours. 

Col 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

We are transformed as no earthly program can transform us. Only God can change your life. At the end of the day, it’s God that does the transformation in us. We can be delivered through Him. 

Col 1:13-16 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” 

God is so patient with us. He gives us time to choose to get into right standing with Him. 

Col 1:17-18 “And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence.”

Everything happens in our heads. All our decisions are in our heads. If He is our head, then He’s making the decisions. He is the head. He is in charge. 

Col 1:19-21 “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”

Isolation is not your friend. Trying to figure it all out by yourself is not your friend. You must be a part of the body of Christ. 

You’re not supposed to make the decisions, He is. Let Him do the planning, the thinking. Our part is to obey Him, to move according to His will. 

Alienated, there are enemies in your own mind. In Christ’s mind, there are no enemies. He is triumphant and completely victorious. There is only victory and triumph. So when we’re feeling down, we’re not in His mind. Don’t get all up in your own feels and head. 

Getting lost in our own minds and feels get us distracted. It becomes our focal point. How will we do this, that, and the other? 

Col 1:22 “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

We are holy in His sight!

Col 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

Col 1:26 “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:”

What wasn’t known was made known to His saints–us. Through Him we get an ‘aha’ moment. 

Col 1:27 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

The mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

There is something inside of you that is not of this world. It’s not tied to the rules of this world. It is only of the Kingdom of God. There is something inside you that is longing to triumph and be victorious, to take authority and dominion on the earth, that says, ‘I am not of this world.’ In Jesus, you are a new creature. 

When you were baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Holy Spirit, you were possessed. Of course, the devil tries to mimic the things of God. However, God literally transforms us into new creatures–good and beautiful creatures. That’s why the devil tries to devalue the kingdom inside of you. That’s why he tries to devalue the worthiness of the kingdom of God inside of you. 

We will rule and reign with Him because of what is inside of us that is not of this world. When this body decays, there is something inside of us that will break through this flesh and live forever. 

When Jesus was transfigured, this was a preview of what was to be revealed in us. Jesus walked through shut doors. He walked on water. Of course He didn’t do that in the flesh. There was something inside that flesh that gave Him the ability to break the laws of gravity, the ability to heal people. 

This is why when we pray for people, something inside of us causes a healing to happen. Mixed with faith miracles happen, Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

There is something that happens where the peace of God rules. We are faithful and grateful for the things of God. We understand that things operate that are not of this world. 

There are not enough books to bring you the full revelation of what you need. Only Jesus can do this in you through His Spirit. You can receive the revelation of the kingdom. You can know there is something inside of you that is beyond this world that wants to move and operate and grow in you. 

When we begin to grow and mature in Christ, His will becomes the more predominant authority. We allow God full control. We trust Him. We desire His kingdom. 

What is grace? It is the ability and the capability to do what we can’t do in our own strength. 

It’s not sloppy agape. This is giving us a supernatural ability to do what really can’t be done. It’s not about working hard enough or performing hard enough. That’s not God’s will. He wants His grace to work through and in us. 

God will give us restraining grace, the ability to not be tempted. He can restrain us from wanting drugs and alcohol. In His kingdom, we find joy and peace, everything that we need. 

What does a kingdom child look like?

Col 3:12-15 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

This is what a kingdom child looks like. This mind is of humility and humbleness. Jesus could sacrifice Himself only through this kingdom mind, a mind of humility and humbleness. Of course, His flesh didn’t want to die. He was so stressed that blood came out of his pores. He said, ‘Let this cup of suffering pass from me. But, nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.’ 

We are called to get into that kingdom mindedness today. 

We’ve got to think differently about who we are. When you look at yourself, don’t just see an earthly vessel, see something moving and working inside of you that is not of this earth. In His kingdom is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. Soon and very soon, we will be with our King. Everything in this world will not matter anymore. 

It could be today. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will not pass away. What is inside of us will not pass away because it’s not corruptible. We will get new bodies that can’t die or decay. We will be completely transformed. There will be fullness of joy. 

The mindset of the kingdom of God is understanding that Heaven is our home. We are new creatures in Him. In Him all things are new in Him. Believe in the Name of Jesus that God will give us this new mindset today. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What do you need to change/let go of in order to have a kingdom mindset?
3. Read Phil 4:4-13. What are we commanded to do in these verses? What are we commanded to not only think, but to dwell on? What is the result of this way of thinking?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Dave Gardner.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook. 

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Spiritual Paradoxes, A Lesson on Trust

Luke 6:20-23 “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

John 12:24-25 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

We need to learn how to think. There are spiritual paradoxes, difficult to understand, but important. We need to learn to think as Jesus thinks. The most important is choosing to trust Jesus, no matter what. 

In the Chicago metro, 14% live below the poverty line. Their household income is about $300/wk. 9% is ‘food insecure’, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. 1 in 4 women suffer from domestic violence, not just physical, but also emotional, verbal, etc. 

Rev 6:10 “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”

They were asking, ‘When?!’ 

Jesus said, ‘There would be people close to you who reject you, but in that pain, rejoice.’ How? How do we do this? When Pastor had an intestinal sickness, the doctor said, ‘Relax.’ His response was, ‘I don’t relax like this at home!’ When Jesus was saying this stuff, He was telling us to trust Him. 

God operates on principles. Of course, He has anger and joy, but He always acts on principles rather than on emotions. You might FEEL like you can fly, but the law of gravity will bring you down to the ground quickly. If you want to walk on water, it has to be frozen. 

On the other hand, there is Someone who can change the laws of nature, the very One who wrote them. However, we are not given that power. 

Hosea 8:7 “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”

Hosea 10:12 “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

It’s what’s in the seed, not the soil that determines what harvest you will reap. No matter what kind of soil, if you plant an apple seed, you will have an apple tree. 

Job 4:8 “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.”

Prov 22:8 “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.”

Gal 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Jacob stole a blessing from his father through lies. Then, he ended up running for his life. Later, Jacob ended up being lied to by his father-in-law. The lies Jacob had sowed, he ended up reaping. In fact, Jacob ended up married to the wrong woman after working for seven years. He was tricked. The fullness of his sowing and reaping hadn’t yet happened. Later on, his own children lied to him about his favorite son, Joseph. Lies bring so much hurt. 

David sowed some sin in his kingdom (adultery and murder). Because of this, he reaped endless wars; there was never a time of peace during his time as king. In fact, David’s own son, Absalom, tried to take his throne. 

How can we avoid the consequences of the bad things we’ve done? Can we just say, ‘Jesus died for my sins, so can we call it even?’ Can we avoid receiving the punishment we deserve? Yes. We can avoid the full punishment for our sins. The question is, How?

What happened to stop this law from coming to pass? 

Jesus is the master at reversing laws and instituting a substitute for this law. 

Jesus said, ‘If we weep, we will laugh.’ How do we get there? How do we receive something we don’t deserve to receive? 

A paradox is ‘a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true,’ according to Oxford Languages Dictionary (online). ‘He that finds his life will lose it.’ This doesn’t make sense. These are spiritual paradoxes. ‘He that loses his life will find it.’ 

It doesn’t make sense, yet it is a spiritual paradox. Jesus will change your life. He turns evil into good. It’s a lesson in trust. 

In order to enter into this, you must activate the Law of Transformation. You must insert Jesus into these situations and circumstances. He is the master of reversals. 

How can something grow when it is cut back? That’s how these transformation laws work. How can you be strong when you are weak? It’s the law of transformation. It can only be activated by trust in Jesus. 

Understand how Jesus operates and have the faith to try this out. 

If you have a spirit of heaviness, burden, put on the ‘garment of praise.’ Who starts praising God when they are depressed? It’s the person who chooses to trust Jesus in spite of how you feel. Because God said it, it is so. 

How do you know something that is unknowable? How can you have chaos going on all around you and yet have peace? It’s all in trusting Jesus. It’s real. The pressure coming against you squeezes out anointing. 

At the foot of the Mount of Olives there are olive trees all over the place. Gethsemane is a word that means ‘olive press.’ Jesus knew that He must go to the Garden of Gethsemane before going to the cross. Jesus was under tremendous pressure when He prayed. Of course, He didn’t want to be crucified! Yet, He chose to submit His flesh to His Spirit. There would be joy afterward. Jesus went through it because of what was on the other side, joy forever. ‘Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.’

We don’t want brokenness, but it is through that we get wholeness. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He’s a healer, so why am I sick? This is a lesson in trust. Where is the God who said, ‘You will reap these blessings after you go through’? If you choose to trust in spite of, you will reap the blessings He promised. 

A pastor lost his three-year-old child. She died of a brain tumor. At the funeral, the dad lifted his hands and blessed the Lord. It wasn’t easy, but he chose to trust God anyway. 

1 Pet 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Job 23:8-10 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

I don’t know where God is, but He knows where I am. 

Psa 66:10-12 “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.”

Prov 17:3 “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.”

It’s not the devil which tries us, it’s God. 

You may not like the answers God gives. Asking why may yield more answers than you really want. We want the victory, but not the battle. When I suffer and struggle and choose to rejoice anyway, I grow. 

In order to make a coin shiny, it gets spit on and rubbed hard. Who wants that? We want shiny without the spit and rub. 

In order for extraordinary, supernatural things to happen in your life, you’ve got to choose to trust God. God is with you. With Him, anything can happen. 

Allow your hearts to be purified. This requires refining fire. It is after the fire that you have the pure silver and gold. 

Mal 3:3 “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Both the devil and God get blamed for things they didn’t do. We sometimes do stupid things and receive those consequences. Even in that, there is hope. 

Peter said, ‘We’re not drunk as you suppose. This is the Spirit. Job talked about this.’ The Holy Ghost is like wine. Everything is beautiful. Pain is numbed. Everyone is happy. Love is everywhere. 

Wine comes from grapes. They’re easy to squeeze. You can’t do that with an olive. An olive must be pressed. If you want the anointing, you must be pressed. 

Two things that priests and kings had in common, they were appointed and anointed. The Bible says that we are now kings and priests. We are appointed and anointed. We are chosen. The apothecary makes anointing oil. Olives must be squeezed and pressed and crushed and destroyed. In order to get the blessing, there must be a breaking. 

John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

Stop saying that you’re a failure. Instead, say, ‘I’m blessed.’ Don’t say, ‘I’m stressed.’ Stressed backwards is ‘dessert.’ Yum! If you take a seed and plant it, it will decompose and mix with the soil and start to grow. In order to know your purpose, you have to die. You’ve got to go into the dirt and get stepped on. Then, more happens. One seed produces many, many apples. It’s not just one apple. It’s an entire tree full. When Jesus died for us, He came back a conqueror. 

How many blessings can come from your suffering? Joseph was broken and was then blessed and saved many people. Jesus died and then rose again and many were saved. 

Don’t give up hope. This is a lesson in trust. It may seem crazy. If you forget about your dreams and trust God, you’ll see all that and so much more happen. If you give up your life, you will find it. This is a lesson in trust. 

It’s so simple to talk about, but not simple to live out. Paul said, ‘Nothing can separate you from the love of God.’ 

Rom 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Paul was talking about us saying that ‘through Jesus, we are more than conquerors.’ Jesus cares so much that He will walk with us through the fire. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What trouble are you dealing with now? What is your response? Are you choosing to trust Jesus in spite of what’s going on? Why or why not? 
3. Read Isaiah 26:3-4. What are the promises here? What is our part in order to receive those promises? Why can we trust Him?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook. 

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  On Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm you are invited to join a Life Group. We would love to see you!

Seasons of God

Ecc 3:1-14 “ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” 

God is in control. 

God determines the times and seasons of all things. There was a determined time and season for all the universe, for all the people and things of the universe. The universe has not existed forever or even of itself. It wasn’t an accident. The universe was created out of the wisdom and power of God. 

He has fixed a time and a season for the universe’s duration and end. It has an end. “Heaven and earth shall pass away.” Only God knows when the time of the end is. 

There is a predetermined time for each and every kingdom. There is a distinct time for the rise and ruin of the antichrist. There is a time and a season for Jesus on earth. God knows. He set this up. 

Certain people saw those signs and found the infant Christ right after He was born. 

God cares about even the daily goings on in your life. He controls and ordains the seasons and time of your individual life. Not everything is good, but it all has an appointed time, an appointed beginning and ending. God’s timing is beautiful. 

There is war and weeping and fighting and peace and love and joy. All things have their own seasons. ‘It came to pass…’ NOT ‘It came to stay…’ So, enjoy the moment because it won’t last. Even good things don’t last forever. 

You complain, ‘Why God?’ The situation may not turn out the way you want and you forget Who is really in charge. God gets in the way of what we’re trying to do sometimes. It might look like a mess or that something evil is going on. Sometimes, it looks like a mistake. But, God is still in control. 

God draws men from their own agendas and will and inserts some disaster. You get frustrated. There is a reason for this. ‘God has this problem, He thinks He’s God.’ –TF Tenney. 

Jeff Arnold said, ‘You want God to laugh, tell Him your plans!’ He will change them. 

Every season and time has its own purpose. 

We may not understand, but God does. God is more powerful in controlling the situations and circumstances of your life than you understand. 

Don’t blame God for your circumstances. Trust Him to work all things for your good. We can see from A to B. Some can see all the way to C or even D or further, but no one can see all the way to Z. Only God can. Joseph sat in a prison in order to save his entire family from starvation. 

Encourage yourself with the knowledge that God has a plan!

Everyone is talking to you, speaking good and bad. Learn to talk to yourself and say, ‘It’s not always going to be this way.’ Trust God. The seasons are of God. He is good. 

Lev 19:23-25 “And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of. 24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the Lord withal. 25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the Lord your God.”

V23 is saying for 3 years it’s uncircumcised, don’t touch it. It’s not good. Throw it out. The 4th year goes to the Lord–all of it. The 5th year is for you, you get to eat that harvest. 

Why? Seasons. Sometimes, the fruit is simply not ready. But, all of a sudden, things just start working well. Why? Seasons. All of a sudden… God is making it ready. He is the One who gives the increase. 

It’s the 5th year for this church! 

This is a season of increase. 

Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Everything happens in accordance to the plan and purpose of God. When a new season starts, you must learn how to walk in that season. 

What was Joseph thinking? If he was so forgiving, why not tell his dad he was alive and send the boys? Why all that messing with his brothers? The name of his first child was ‘God has made me forget’. Forget what? Think about it. The name of the second one was ‘Fruitful’. God was blessing him. God’s original dream for Joseph had finally come true. Joseph had such tough seasons, slavery, prison, he was forgotten. Then, he had an ‘all of a sudden’. How could he possibly understand the various seasons he went through while he was going through them? 

God doesn’t show you the in-between times. He just shows the promises. If God did show the in-between, we would never take the journey. God hasn’t forgotten you or forsaken you. This season will end. 

It wasn’t until after the storm that the disciples realized that Jesus was the Messiah. 

All of a sudden, the wind stopped and Jesus was just standing there. If Jesus can handle the storms and seasons of the universe, surely He can handle the troubles of life. That season of increase is on its way. In the midst of the storm, look to Jesus and trust Him. You are in a season that is about to be over. 

It’s a season of increase if you will walk through that door that God has opened for you. Just trust Him. You may not feel capable or qualified or adequate, but God is in control of every season and circumstances. 

There really is a devil and he wants to kill you. But, he is still under God’s authority. God wants us to conquer the things we feel when it’s dark. He will strengthen us, but we must fight. 

Prov 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

Ex 6:9 “And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.”

Moses saw a bush that was burning and yet not burned up. Then, a Voice spoke to him. It was God. God told him to speak to His people. Moses was reluctant. So, God showed him His power. God has power over inanimate objects. He has power over the living as well. 

Ex 6:8-9 “And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord. 9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.”

The people didn’t believe. Because of their current circumstances, they couldn’t believe that something better could happen. 

God is in control of every season you go through. 

The season of increase is upon us and we have an open door to step into that promise. 

Isa 54:2 “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;”

Job knew that his Redeemer was alive. If you can speak hope in the dark, you are ready for the increase. 

Psa 115:14 “The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.”

Psa 144:13 “That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:”

This is not just for you, it’s for your children, multi-generational blessings. 

Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Mark 1:15 “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Zech 8:12 “For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.”

What you sow in your own thinking right now, you will reap. If you are sowing bitterness, you will reap bitterness. If you sow hope, you will reap hope.

Mark 4:8 “And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”

Good ground. Four different kinds of soil, but one yielded an increase. Compared to the effort put in, more was received. 

God does things in three levels, 30, 60, and 100. If God has an 100-fold increase for you, and you only yield 30, you won’t be happy. If you hold onto frustrations and anger, you keep yourself from the greater harvest. 

Check your thoughts and attitudes. Are you thinking the way Jesus wants you to think? Even in the dark, Jesus is still the Light of this world. There is always hope because we worship the God of Hope. Do you believe it? How do you prove that you believe it by the way you live? What do you think about? What do you ‘dwell’ on? 

Don’t let the devil lie to you anymore. You always have a choice. You can choose to think good or evil. You can choose to think hope instead of despair. It’s your choice. You have hope because Jesus offers you hope. You just have to choose to take it. Think about the hope you have in Jesus. Dwell on that. 

Choose to trust God. Choose to not take offense at people. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What do you habitually think about? Is it in line with how Jesus thinks? 
3. Read Isa 26:3, Romans 12:2-3, and Phil 4:4-8. What are we to think about? How are we to think of ourselves and others? What are we to focus our minds on? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook. 

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  On Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm you are invited to join a Life Group. We would love to see you!

Stumbling Over a Coin

Stumbling Over a Coin

Pastor Ben is very familiar with the airport. Because of his job, he travels a lot. In airports and on airplanes, people can be at their worst. Everyone is in a hurry. It’s very stressful. Everything is going wrong. Because Pastor Ben travels a lot, a certain level of entitlement is encouraged. 

So, he is trying to be a nice guy instead of an entitled jerk!

Mat 17:24-27 “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”

This story is a strange miracle. It’s not nearly as popular as feeding the five thousand or raising the dead. 

So, what was the temple tax? 

This was a tax that wasn’t necessarily a ‘tax-tax,’ it was more of a cover charge. It was a little fee that people over 20 years old paid once a year for the upkeep of the temple. It wasn’t in the laws. It probably came about in the time of Nehemiah. It wasn’t mandatory, but voluntary, like tipping  a waiter. 

You don’t have to tip a waiter, but it’s part of our culture. If you don’t tip, people get offended. 

So, when Peter was asked, his response was, ‘Of course!’ 

Before Peter got a chance to even tell Jesus, He already knew what was going on. That’s why He asked that question, ‘Who pays, the prince or the stranger?’  If you owned a rental property, you wouldn’t charge your own child to stay there. You’d charge strangers. 

Jesus was saying that the temple was there because of Him. Then, He said, ‘However, so that we don’t offend them, do these things…’ It’s all about offending somebody. 

Several years ago, Pastor Ben was a behind the scenes guy for a large youth conference. There was a small charge to help cover costs. At the entry desk, there was someone who refused to pay. A teenager was the daughter of a really big-time preacher. She had a bad, entitled attitude. Because of this, Pastor Ben got offended. It was something that he couldn’t forget. He couldn’t get over it. Actions like these rub people the wrong way.

Jesus was saying, ‘If you’re going to be a follower of Me, don’t offend somebody. You can ruin your witness and give Me a bad image.’ 

The way that we know that this was Jesus’ whole point is the next few verses. 

Mat 18:1-7 “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”

This isn’t necessarily talking about children (little ones), it includes new followers of Jesus. 

1 Cor 10:27-33 “If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

‘Do not offend Jews or Greeks or the church of God…not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many.’ 

If I offend somebody, I ruin that person’s view of both myself and Jesus. 

Jesus says, ‘We don’t offend people.’ 

Of course, there were times that Jesus said, ‘You’re a brood of vipers…’ That was because those priests were keeping other people from being saved. 

What causes offense and how do we stop it? 

Generally wanting your way can cause offense. Having an entitlement mentality, ‘I’m owned,’ a sense of selfishness and pride, causes offense. ‘You owe me.’ ‘I’m the boss.’ ‘You have to treat me the right way.’ ‘You should listen to me.’ ‘I’ve been hurt by you, so you owe me.’ 

Jesus says, ‘No.’ He didn’t have to pay the temple tax, but He paid anyway to keep people from being offended. 

You might think, ‘I owe me.’ Maybe you’ve been a nice guy and done so much for so long that you think you ought to have whatever. You might think that God owes you because of all the bad things that have happened. 

Mat 18:21-35 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

10,000 talents is like 200 years worth of income. The man begged his master and was forgiven. He then went out and found a guy who owned him only a little, but he refused to forgive him. He sent the man to debtor’s prison. When his original master found out, he brought back the debtor who owed so much and through him into prison. 

The reason that we offend other people is that we feel like we are owed something. God says it is nothing compared to what you have been forgiven for. 

Eph 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

‘…Even as God in Christ has forgiven you.’ 

It’s easy to focus on what you are owed, what’s been done TO you. But, it’s really about what’s been done FOR you. The way that we walk is about being tender hearted, even at the airport. It’s not that bad things didn’t happen. It’s more important to focus on what Jesus has already done for you. 

The shadow of your hurt can seem really large. It can seem like forgiveness just enables the one who hurt you. Yet, if you forget the shadow of the cross, you’re missing what Jesus has done for you. 

Why in the world did Jesus say, ‘Peter, in order to not cause offense, go catch a fish, and in the fish will be a coin to pay the tax,’? 

In all the other miracles, a provision was readily available, multiplying what a kid offered (fish and bread), or water turned into wine. In this case, Jesus told Peter to go fishing with a pole, not with a net. 

Peter did it and got enough from the fish for Jesus and himself too to pay the tax. This wasn’t just checking all the fish in a net, it was catching one fish at a time. Peter had to offer the fish bait that the fish would take. That one fish that has its coin in its mouth is like that one person who needs something from you. Your actions could ruin the chances for that person to take the bait. If you offend someone, you ruin your chances of reaching that person. You are fishers of men, not just fish. You are a reflection of Jesus. 

Peter was a fisherman. Jesus was saying that Peter could catch fish and Jesus could put a coin in that fish’s mouth. 

Jesus was saying, ‘You don’t do what you do because you are owed. You do what you do because people need Jesus.’ If you have an entitled mentality and offend people, you don’t represent Jesus well. Live your life so the people around you see Jesus. 

You could think, ‘I don’t’ care what people think,’ or ‘I deserve this.’ Here, in this country, you are free to do and say whatever you want. However, if you act in such a way that it looks as if you think others are less important than you, then you are acting in the opposite way that Jesus did. 

This is for those who have been forgiven and know what it’s like to have that heavy burden lifted. Jesus paid that price for me. How dare I hold someone else to a standard that is so much smaller than what I’ve been forgiven for? How could I risk the gift that has been given to me? Die to yourself daily. 

Do I do things that hurt other people? Not: I deserve this, etc. No, it’s Jesus. The person next to you matters because of all that Jesus has done for me. 

Offenses will come. What will you do about it? 

There is a hurting world out there. People are confused and lost. Your job and obligation is to show them Jesus. If you show them you, they won’t see Jesus. 

Examine yourself. Thank Him for all that He’s done for you, forgiveness. Say you’re sorry for those times you got offended and acted like you were owed something. You can be forgiven for that too. Let Him be seen through you. Show them Jesus. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What situations cause you to get offended? Based on this sermon, how should you act/think?
3. Read Romans 12:1-3. How are we to live? How are we to think? How are we to think about ourselves and the people around us? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Ben Nolan.

The Valley of Achor

Hosea 2:14-15 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.  15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.”

Joshua 7 “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! 8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? 10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. 14 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the Lord shall take shall come by households; and the household which the Lord shall take shall come man by man. 15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. 16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken: 17 And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken: 18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. 19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. 20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. 22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. 23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. 24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.”

From that time forward, that place was called The Valley of Achor. Joshua had just led a great victory against a great city–Jericho. The spoils were not to be taken, but destroyed, as unto the Lord. Only Rahab was spared. One man, Achan, saw something he wanted and took it. Because of this sin, the battle at Ai was lost. 

Sin literally has the ability to stop victory from coming into the church, your life. If you want victory, get the sin out of your life. 

God went through all the people and showed them who the person who brought all this trouble was. Joshua said to Achan, ‘What have you done? Why have you brought trouble to Israel?’ 

Disobedience was dealt with and buried right there.  

God’s love is unconditional. He loves you no matter what you have done or do. However, in order to obtain the blessings of God, you’ve got to obey. Because Achan chose disobedience, he received the consequences, not just on himself, but many people died in that battle. You can choose what you do, but you cannot choose the consequences. 

It’s possible the Valley of Achor became a phrase used to show trouble. However, God promised hope even in the midst of trouble. 

It was in this place of trouble that God put a promise. 

The trouble and distress that Achan brought to himself and to other people was burned and buried in the Valley of Achor. 

Jesus is the One who promises liberty and freedom. Everything is available in Him. We get a bit of heaven on earth through His Spirit. We have hope because of Him. Even in the valley, we can find hope. Mercy and judgment meet together in the valley. 

“the valley of Achor for a door of hope…” The door symbolizes entering in or leaving from. A door in Scripture represents access to a new place. We go from one place into another. We don’t go through windows, because only a thief or a robber does that. We don’t go through the roof because only teenagers would think of something like that! We go through the door because we have access. The door is in the Valley of Achor where mercy and judgment meet. 

Mercy is not only in words, it is also in the restoration the Lord gives us. 

Isa 32:15 “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.”

The door is found in the valley. Let the trouble and frustrations go. You have an opportunity to LET IT GO! In the place of death, there is a door of hope. 

There is transformation possible, but from what to what? 

We transform from where we are today to what God wants us to be. You are a work in progress. God is not done with us yet. 

The Valley of Trouble made the Promised Land possible. The thing that holds the promises back needs to be burned and buried. This is the purpose of the fast. 

Transformation is about trying to transform the person who drives you nuts, it’s about Him changing YOU. Jesus turns your sorrows into joy. He turns your crazy into peace. 

With the devil, things start good, and then things tank. It always goes from good to bad. With Jesus, if you obey, it goes from bad to good. In the place of trouble and death and sin. 

God will help change your character and your destiny. That change is a door of hope, but you have to walk through. 

Jesus said that right there in the valley of trouble is your door of hope. In order to get to the Promised Land, you’ve got to go through the valley. Sin and judgment happens because some things can’t go to the Promised Land. If you want to get where God wants you, there are some things that must be let go. 

Peter, the disciple, was not the easiest guy to deal with. He put his foot in his mouth–many times. He cut off a soldier’s ear. He was very passionate and didn’t think before he spoke or acted. Yet, this same man got out of the boat and walked on water. He trusted God. He wanted to walk with Jesus. He wanted to be with Jesus. He allowed Jesus to change him. He grew into maturity.

You have to let go of comfort. Trust Jesus. Let Him lead you and see something incredible. Any time you want to come towards Jesus, He will put solid ground under your feet. Nothing shall keep you from Him. 

What does God require of you today? If a door of opportunity has opened, will you walk through it? 

Of course, the devil doesn’t want you to walk through the door, but he can’t shut it. The only thing he can do is put obstacles in your path and try to convince you to not walk through. It might not be the easiest, but trust God and go through. 

Victory is on the other side. If your hands are tied, use your feet and walk. If your leg is broken, crawl. Deal with your anger issues, your relationship issues, your financial issues. Face them and take responsibility. Do what you can do. When you deal with your issues (and obey Jesus in helping you deal), the door opens. 

Isa 42:3 “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”

A reed is something that grows on the seashores of Galilee. They found the ones that were the best to use. But, God doesn’t do that. He can use everything, everyone. A smoking flax can’t be used anymore, but God won’t put out your fire. He will breathe on it and cause it to come back. 

Mat 12:20 “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.”

He didn’t say ‘judgment unto truth.’ He said ‘judgment unto victory.’ Jesus wants to bring judgment to things, not you. He wants to destroy the things that keep you from Him. He doesn’t want to laugh at you. He wants to develop you. 

There is revelation in the book of Job. God was looking for a way to bless that man. How do you bless somebody who has everything already? God used Satan to bless Job. God had a plan to bless Job, but he had to go through the Valley of Achor in order to receive the blessing.  

The door is opened. No one can shut it. God is in the transformation business. He wants to change something. He wants to make new neural pathways in your brain. You are not your mistakes. You are precious and wanted. 

People have changed because of Jesus. Why? Because He loves us. 

He wants to protect you and heal you. He is so willing and ready to reverse that curse on you. It’s a lie, ‘I can’t change. It’s always going to be this way, etc.’ That’s a lie! There is change available to you in Jesus. 

God will bury the stuff that keeps you from Him. However, He won’t push you through that door. Instead, He says, ‘Come!’ The door is open. It’s up to you to walk through that open door. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What things in your life have already been burned and buried? What things still need to be burned and buried? What is keeping you from a deeper relationship with Jesus?
3. Read Col 1:20-29. What are we to do in order to hold on to that hope mentioned in verses 23 and 27? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

The Key to an Overcoming Mind

Rom 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2 Tim 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

In the movie, Batman Begins, a mob boss is working hand in hand with Prof Crane, Scarecrow. The Scarecrow uses one of his fear toxins to break the mob boss psychologically and he ends up in a care facility. 

Outside of the institution, the mob boss was a giant. He had judges in his pocket. Inside the institution, he was nothing. Only the mind could grant him power. The doctor said, ‘I respect the mind’s power over the body. It’s why I do what I do.’

The mind has a mind of its own. ‘Man can alter his life by altering his thinking.’

Rom 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Thoughts precipitate your character and your character determines your destiny. It all starts with your thoughts. It ripples across your lifetime. 

From a physical perspective, as the head goes, so goes the body. In a confrontation, control the head, the mind. With a horse, you control the head (with a bit in its mouth) and tell it where to go. 

The anointing starts at the head and goes down to the rest of the body. 

This is why it’s so important to have the mindset of an overcomer. 

If on the other side of a locked door is an overcoming mind, what is the key? 

The answer is: Contentment. 

Contentment, in and of itself, is powerful, but it flows into other things. 

Contentment should not be confused with happiness. Happiness is a fleeting  emotion. If we rely just on ‘the pursuit of happiness,’ you’re always going to be pursuing happiness. It will never be enough. Contentment has staying power. It is finding peace in your current circumstances (even the bad ones). 

Understand there is only so much you can control. God is in control of the rest. 

Pray like it all depends on God. Work like it all depends on you. 

Worry is not only doubting God’s ability to succeed, it’s also having faith in God’s ability to fail.

Phil 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Contentment in every season, whether it’s a good circumstance or bad, will guard you from jealousy, comparison, resentment, worry, etc. Peace is so much more attainable if you’re not preoccupied with what everyone else is doing or what’s happening tomorrow or what happened yesterday. 

Mat 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

If you focus on wealth or fame, anything you get can be taken away in a moment. Earthly things are temporary. There is no contentment to be found in earthly things. The world will chew you up and spit you out.

There is contentment to be found in heavenly things. If you continue to live in a mindset of contentment, you will overcome worry, doubt, depression, addiction, or whatever life throws your way. God is your provider, so I can be content whatever happens. It will all be alright.

Mat 6:24 “ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Money is NOT the root of all evil. The LOVE of Money is the root of all evil. When money becomes an idol that is evil. 

Being so focused on wanting something, you can’t be content. If all you do is chase after things of the world, you will never be content.

Mat 6:25-34 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Being content focuses on what is, rather than what is not. Contentment is focusing on God’s faithfulness. He knows your needs. You don’t have to worry about tomorrow or next week. 

If you beg God for your need, and you get it, you will beg Him for the rest of your life. If you praise God for what you need and you get it, you will praise Him for the rest of your life. 

Find peace and contentment in your circumstance right now. 

Phil 4:10-13 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Contentment focuses on what is, rather than what is not. ‘I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.’ God will make up any difference. God is always more than enough. 

Job 1:20-21 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

If Job’s focus had been on what he lost, we never would have seen this Scripture. This is around the time frame of Genesis. This is toward the beginning. Imagine how the course of the Bible might have been changed, if Job’s focus was on, ‘I lost everything?’ 

How is your destiny changed if your focus is on, ‘Look at all I don’t have’? If that is your only focus, your entire history will be miserable. 

Job was generationally wealthy. He had enough that his great, great, great grandkids would be fine. Then, in a moment, it was all gone. Yet, Job said, ‘I have lost everything, but blessed be the name of the Lord.’ He chose contentment to overcome his grief. 

It took him a while to get there, but he still chose contentment to overcome his grief. The Lord didn’t just restore what he lost, he restored exceedingly abundantly all that he lost, plus interest. (It was double all that he lost.)

If you choose to bless God in spite of your circumstances, you will see something so much better than what you lost. 

Rev 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.”

They loved not their lives unto death–contentment. They were content with whatever outcome happened. Why? Because they knew their ultimate end–glory. 

How? The blood of the lamb and the WORD of their testimony. This is contentment. Contentment chooses to testify the goodness of God whatever happens. 

The 21 Day Challenge is difficult. Our testimonies help us find contentment in the midst of challenges. 

1 Tim 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

Contentment, finding peace in your current circumstance is the key to an overcoming mind. 

The 21 Day Challenge is tough. We can have the, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t eat that, etc.’ We can view life that way. ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that, etc.’ Challenges are a part of life. We have to give up some things. Choosing contentment no matter what is the key to an overcoming mind. 

Recognizing the things that don’t please the Lord is good, if we choose to be content as we get rid of them. In our daily lives, living for God, are you content? The challenges in life can bring us closer to Jesus and each other if we choose to be content. 

When you’re walking with the Lord and you feel a check, a conviction, look at it through the lens of contentment. God isn’t out to get you or deny you. He wants to bless you, to give you exceedingly above all you could ask or even think. 

Have you ever given a gift to someone and the response was clear that they didn’t like it? Instead of showing gratitude, they weren’t thankful. Your response might be, ‘Well, this is the last time I give you anything.’ How much more can we apply this to ourselves and all that God has given us? He has blessed us. Do we appreciate it? Are we thankful or do we complain about what we don’t have? 

Do you want to be stuck in ‘my life is not good enough’? 

However, it’s good to be ambitious. You need to grow, to move, to mature. Of course, you should progress in life. 

Pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on you. 

In the season you’re in, find contentment. When troubles come, choose contentment and you will overcome and see God’s glory in your life. You will experience that peace that passes all understanding. 

Be thankful in your circumstances. You control what you can control, but God will take care of the rest. Keep your focus on Jesus. Keep your focus on what Jesus has done for you, on what you have, rather than what you don’t have. 

Don’t ever be so successful that you lose humility. Be content in where you are now. Temptations come, but contentment in Jesus is the key to an overcoming mind. 

Contentment is the key to an overcoming mind. Gratefulness is the way to live. Contentment is the key to peace. Rejoice and be glad. You are alive and God is good. ‘This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.’ 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. Serenity Prayer: ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ –Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr. In what areas of your life do you need more serenity? More courage? More wisdom? 
3. Read Phil 4:4-9. According to these verses, what are we to think about? What are we to focus our minds on and talk about? What are the results of doing this?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Michael Lagle. 

An Open Door

Rev 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (emphasis mine)

1 Cor 16:9 “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (emphasis mine)

Many times the phrase ‘an open door’ is used in Scripture. 

‘A great door is opened…’ It’s not a small window. It’s not just a crack, but it’s a great and effectual door that is open. 

Any time you read about a door in Scripture it’s one of these things, an abundant opportunity is available, it could be going from one place to another, or it could be new access. An opportunity is for doing something. The door could mean a chance at something. Walking through a door could also be going from one place to another. In this case, the door is wide open. The door could be a passage out or a passage in. It’s the leaving of one place into another. Jesus said, ‘I am the door.’ 

Acts 14:27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

The church is a group of people who gather and talk about Jesus and His Word. 

2 Cor 2:12 “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,”

Col 4:3 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

Jesus gave Peter keys to unlock doors. 

An open door is wonderful. Sometimes, the Lord says, ‘No.’ The door is locked. Sometimes, He says, ‘Get out.’ Today, the door is unlocked and open.

An effectual (effective) door is an abundant opportunity to do something. This could be encouragement, access, providing opportunity for action. It’s open. Effectual means it works. When God opens a door, nobody can shut it. 

There is stuff to fight, but the door is open. When God shuts the door, no one can open it. God shut the door to Noah’s ark and the people couldn’t get in after that. The door had stood open for years, but the day came when it was shut. 

Isa 22:22 “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”

This is a prophetic verse. This is access and authority. This verse is all about the salvation of Jesus. Jesus is that door. 

Rev 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

Jesus has access to your life. He gives the right to come in. No more is the door closed. The door is open and you can just walk through. 

An open door can also mean that the will of God is being revealed to you. Sometimes, you will feel resistance. This might be God stopping you from something. Paul said, ‘The Lord hindered me from going…’ An open door might be God revealing His will. God actually forbade Paul from going to Macedonia. Paul wanted to go, but God said, ‘No.’ Instead, God had another door open, leading Paul to another place. 

While we were on our way to doing something else, God said, ‘I’ve got a different way and I’m putting you into a different position.’ This can be any situation you may find yourself, job, relationships, etc. God opens and closes doors, leading you in His will that is good. 

This door is from God, open wide, walk through it today!

Paul said there are many adversaries, opponents, people who will resist the gospel. The book of Acts records a lot of this. Great revival and great persecution happened in Ephesus. The door was open even though there were adversaries. 

Having a great open door in your life often involves great opposition. God is the only one who can open the door, but it IS open. Of course, the enemy of our souls doesn’t like it. Going through the door is not a walk in the park, it’s a walk on the battlefield. 

There are some doors open and some doors not open. It’s all about timing. God knows why, but we don’t. If something isn’t working, it may be that the timing was wrong. 

What do you do with an open door?

When there is opposition, this does not mean that you are not in the will of God. In fact, it might be the opposite. The adversary wants to stop you from walking through that door. The door is open. 

1. Don’t quit. 

The devil is like a fly. He buzzes around and bothers you, and then, all of a sudden that fly is dead. A fly only lives a few days. Fight long enough. If you don’t give up, you WILL win. 

Be careful of having a ‘the door has always been closed’ mentality. If you walk through a door, you have confidence that it’s open to you. Don’t have the mindset of ‘I don’t have what it takes, I never win, I’m not good enough, etc.’ The truth is God gives you what it takes. You have already won. Jesus makes you good enough. You are a beautiful, precious gift to this world, to God’s glory. God has broken your chains. You are free. Walk through the door! 

The waters of the Red Sea set the Israelites free from Egypt. What do free people do? They sing, they dance, they rejoice in the Lord. The Isrealites went through the open door and danced. 

The Song of Moses is the song of the church today. Don’t quit. Don’t give up on the dream. The door is open. Don’t stop believing. Everything can happen with Jesus’ open door. 

2. Be faithful. 

Because it’s more difficult, we continue to be faithful to what God has called us to. Be faithful in the difficult times, because when God opens a door, there is something great on the other side. Be faithful in the hard times. 

Sometimes, people get stupid attacks and decide to do stupid things. One lady decided to stop going to church because she felt like God wasn’t there for her. When things go hard, go running TO the Lord, not away from Him. Realize you are a winner, not a loser. 

In the tabernacle, there were three doors. The first was the gate where people walked through. The next entrance was a veil into the holy place. The last place was a door with blue thread on one side, scarlet on the other, and in the middle, purple. Purple is a royal color. Blue represents the heavenly. Scarlet represents humanity. Jesus is that door. Purple comes from blue and red (primary colors). This is the entrance into the holy place (the holiest place). You walk through Jesus to get to where you need to be in God. 

Jesus raised three people from the dead, Jairus’ daughter, a widow’s son, and Lazarus. Every time He raised the dead, He showed both His divine power and His humanity. With Jairus’ daughter, He said, ‘Give her some food.’ Concerning the widow’s son, Jesus brought the boy to his mother first thing. For Lazarus, Jesus said, ‘Unwrap him.’ Jesus exercised the ‘blue,’ heavenly power and then the ‘red,’ understanding humanity. 

Sometimes, the Word of God hits a wall. Receive the Lord’s direction and walk through the door. Don’t keep trying to break down a wall when the Lord has opened the door.  

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What ‘locked doors’ do you need to let go of? What ‘walls’ do you need to leave behind? What doors are standing ‘open’ in front of you? Why have you not walked through yet?
3. Read John 10:1-14. Who and what does Jesus say He is in these verses? What does that mean for your life? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio. 

Accessing Spiritual Authority

Mat 17:14 “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

The disciples were learning a lesson on Spiritual Authority. Jesus was saying that He would give them the tools and know-how to deal with this. 

It’s very simple to have Spiritual authority. The formula is simple, but the actual things we need to do are not so easy in practice as in principle. 

Jesus was talking about Spiritual jurisdiction. He instructed the disciples as to why they didn’t have the authority to cast out this devil. NOw, comes the lesson of increased discipline, authority, and understanding. 

Jesus talked about prayer, fasting, and faith. 

There is a 3-fold cord that is used in preaching for a wedding.  

Ecc 4:12 “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Spiritual authority involves prayer, fasting, and faith in God’s Word. These three activities that we can do bring us into the presence of God. It’s not something we earn, it’s something we can do to draw near to God. 

The point of this Daniel Fast is to equip you to be ready for Spiritual battle. This is discipline. 80% of what you identify as the devil is more than likely your lack of discipline. 

Judges 3 talks about how God left the enemies of Israel alive to teach them how to fight. It’s all about accessing spiritual authority. 

There are all kinds of prayers. It brings health to the sick, vision to the blind and hearing to the deaf. Maybe you don’t have a demonic problem, maybe it’s a prayer problem. Maybe you don’t have a financial problem, maybe you have a prayer problem. Discipline matters. Prayer moves God to supernaturally intervene in millions of lives over the course of history. God may be waiting for you to pray. 

The atmosphere is changed through prayer. 

‘You are beating the evil out of the air when you clap during prayer.’ 

Prayer not only sanctifies your food, it allows you to hear from God. It is the fuel that moves the vehicle for revival. Do you lack in your fire or excitement? Are you weak in your faith? Pray!

Prayer is the first strand in that threefold cord.

Hannah, in the Bible, prayed for a son. She was the mother of Samuel who was one of the greatest prophets of ancient Israel. He anointed (pouring the oil upon) King David. Solomon prayed and released the glory in the temple. Pray at home. Pray at school. Pray at work. Pray at the grocery store. Pray everywhere. 

Speak things that aren’t as though they were in prayer. Pray out loud as well as silently. 

People that understand prayer influence their communities. 

Mothers who pray keep their children from falling away from the Lord. Prayer is one way to get closer to God. You cannot be a disciple of Jesus and not know how to pray. You can learn to pray by doing it. 

Prayer is simply talking to God, listening to Him, and getting on His page.

This was what frustrated Jesus, not getting on God’s page (our lack of submitting to His will). A key will unlock a door, but you need to put the key into the lock and open the door. This is access.

Your prayer time and your prayer space, if it’s the same every day, the quality will increase. If you follow an outline, like the Lord’s prayer, it will help make your prayers more effective. Pray the Psalms. 

Don’t just ask God for things. Praise God. Sing along with the worship song. That’s prayer.

Be consistent. 

A prayer life is not meant for a foxhole situation. It’s not just for when you’re in trouble. A true disciple has a prayer life. It’s not only before you eat or sleep. It’s touching God and walking with Him. 

A great man of God got into a terrible car accident and was in a coma. Yet, every day, at a certain time of day, his brain activity went nuts. It gave his family hope. Eventually he woke up. It turned out that this time every day was during his regular prayer time. He would say, ‘Hello, Jesus, it’s Brian.’ During that coma, Jesus came and said, ‘Hello, Brian, it’s Jesus.’

In your prayers, don’t just repeat the same thing over and over. This makes it meaningless. Don’t merely repeat the Lord’s prayer over and over. Talk to Jesus from your heart. 

If you want access, you’ve got to learn how to pray.  

Say something when you pray. Talk to God. Share your life with Him and let Him share His heart with you. 

Fasting. This is the second strand of the cord. Fasting is doing without something for a season that your body enjoys. You have only one master. So, submitting your flesh better positions yourself in submission to that Master. 

Daniel didn’t stop eating for 21 days. That was Darius, who fasted from food for a single night. 

A consistent once a week fast is good for your soul. 

Jesus said, ‘This kind comes out but by prayer and fasting.’ 

He was rebuked and challenged as to why His disciples didn’t fast. He said that the disciples ate because the Bridegroom was still there. But, He really wasn’t talking about true fasting. He was talking about fasting as a religious activity. Do not make fasting a religious activity. 

We are not mastered by chocolate, football, or various media. Don’t let anything but Jesus master you. There are some people who would rather do their thing than listen to God’s will. 

Fasting will humble you so God will be exalted.

Psalm 35:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”

Fasting does not fight the battle for you, it prepares you for the battle. 

1 Cor 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Your flesh has antichrist characteristics. If you can’t control your spirit, you are like a city with no walls, no protection. Being quick to lose your temper is a sign of immaturity and no spiritual authority. 

Fasting gives you access to God’s power. Don’t let your little three-year-old self control you. Don’t be controlled by your ever-changing emotions. 

Fasting is not a diet. It’s about controlling the appetites of the flesh and subduing them. It’s saying, ‘Flesh, I’m not going to let you control my life!’ 

You may be prone to depression or frustration or being conquered by your emotions. Fasting will help you overcome all of that and more. 

During a 40 day fast, the devil tried to tempt Jesus with food. Jesus’ response was, ‘It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 

The last strand is Faith. A rope is not as strong with only two strands. When woven together, the third strand makes it nearly unbreakable.

James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

You’ve got to have faith in God’s Word. There are levels of faith. In the Bible, Jesus talked about great faith, little faith, and no faith. He asked, ‘Where is your faith?’

Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

By hearing preaching or reading the Word, your faith is increased. 

1 John 5:4 “or whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

1 Pet 1:9 “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

If you have consistent, routine, disciplined prayer and fasting and faith, you will increase in your access to Spiritual authority. Faith is a muscle. 

You have to exercise faith: 

1. Do by faith. You walk by faith. You do something. Peter got out of the boat by faith. Noah built an ark by faith. Sometimes faith is spelled R-I-S-K. Do something by faith. 
2. Speak by faith. You say something. You speak to the mountain. This is how you exercise faith, speak. 

You can speak life or death. This is also faith. You must choose what you put your faith in. If you speak death to yourself, (I’m a loser, I’m a failure, etc.) you will end up killing yourself. You can speak life, (I’m a winner, I’m a success, I belong to Jesus and He has great plans for my life, I’m beautiful.) you will change your life for the better. 

Speak affirmations over yourself and your life and your world. 

You can be a different person through prayer, fasting, and faith. 

Ezekiel was brought to a valley. It was a graveyard of dead bones. God asked, ‘Do you think these bones can live?’ Ezekiel answered, ‘You know.’ God was saying, ‘Where is your faith?’ 

God is looking for your faith. Will He find it in you? What kind of faith will He find in you? 

There are a lot of things you can do without God’s help. Seek after what is seemingly impossible. What does God want in and from your life? Are you willing to take a risk in response to His leading? Whatever is now is not forever, by faith. 

Elijah said, ‘I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.’ All this from a single, little cloud after 3 ½ years of drought. Elijah had been praying, fasting, and trusting God (faith).

You may be in enemy territory, spiritually, but God is greater. Don’t give up. Your situation is tough, but God is greater. Don’t quit. Keep your faith in God. When you are knocked down, get back up. 

Sometimes, you can’t see, but God can. Trust Him. This is Faith. If you can see past what human eyes see, you’ll see what God sees. Human eyes see only the desire for comfort, but spiritual eyes see the need for grit. Spiritual eyes are able to see and get rid of the snakes hiding in their gardens. 

You are royal people, a chosen generation, called to show forth His praises. When you slow down long enough to listen to God and see from His point of view, your mind will be blown. Spirits come and lull you. They set up barriers, but God is greater. 

The Spirit of Chaos and Distraction causes you to miss things. It keeps you from focusing. Open your eyes and see what the Lord wants you to see. Open your mind up to higher thinking. Recognize the lies of the enemy. Push through your desires for comfort and ‘relief’. Pray. Fast. Read God’s Word. Choose to have faith, trusting Him.

Jacob wrestled with an angel all night. He said over and over, ‘Bless me.’ At the end, God changed him. 

We have wrestled all night and God will change things. You will see the supernatural. People will be healed and delivered because of spiritual authority. Pray, Fast, and Walk and Speak Faith in God. 

Sickness has no place in God’s Kingdom. Chains have to go. We are set free by God’s Spirit. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.’ 

Speak God’s Word into the atmosphere around you. When you face resistance, keep pushing by prayer, fasting, and faith. It is your faith and alignment with the King of kings. It is only through submission to God’s will and way that you will have victory in your life. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. Which of these three ‘cords’ do you struggle with, prayer, fasting, or faith? What can you change in your life (thinking/actions) to get better?
3. Read Isaiah 26:3-4. What are we called to do in these verses? What will God do in us if we choose to do these things?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.