The Transformed Mind

By pastor | Published: December 2, 2009

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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.

 

(1.) WHAT IS A TRANSFORMED MIND?

 A mind that THINKS on  the WILL OF GOD and how to perform it.

  

(2.) WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TRANSFORMED MIND?

 It equips you to hear God’s voice and live out his word and purposes

 

 (3.) WHY IS A TRANSFORMED MIND SO IMPORTANT?

 It’s the only way to serve God Successfully

A transformed mind gives birth to a transformed life

Romans 7:25; Romans 8:5-7; Ephesians 4:17- 18

 

 (4.) HOW TO GET A TRANSFORMED MIND?

 BY RENEWING OUR MIND  Romans 12:2

 Definition of Renewing of the mind: The adjustment of your THINKING to the MIND of GOD, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon your life through the WORD OF GOD.

 How: By meditation on the word Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:1-3

 

 (5.) HOW TO USE A TRANSFORMED MIND?

 USE YOUR MIND AS A WEAPON (ARM MEANS THAT)

 1 Peter 4:1-2 ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

 THIS KIND OF THINKING IS YOUR AMUNITION

Philippians 4:6-8

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Are You Prepared For The Return Of The Lord? Part 2

By pastor | Published: October 28, 2009

Main Text: 2 Peter 3:1-18

 The following is a continuation of last week’s message “Are You Prepared For The Return Of The Lord”. The  coming again of Jesus Christ and the end of the world as we know it has been a subject of fascination for many Christians. However, fascination is not what God is after when comes to discussing the return of the Lord. Whether you believe in pre, mid, post millennial view, it is not important. What God is after is PREPARTATION. This message is about just that, preparing ourselves for the coming of the Lord. Below are eight points from the message that will help you to prepare yourself for the coming of the Lord. The time in nigh!

 

(1.)   WAKE UP YOUR MIND (by remembering what the Bible says about Christ return) vs. 1-2

 (2.)   KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO MOCK THE COMING OF CHRIST vs. 3-5

 (3.)   DON’T BE IGNORANT OF HOW GOD VIEWS TIME vs. 8

 (4.)   KNOW THAT GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISE OF CHRIST’ RETURN  vs. 9-10

 (5.)   BE CONSCIOUS OF HOW YOU ARE LIVING YOUR LIFE vs. 11

 (6.)   LOOK FOR AND PRAY FOR THE SPEEDY RETURN OF THE LORD vs. 12

 (7.)   DON’T BE AFFECTED BY THE WORLD’S LACK OF CONCERN OF THE LORD’S RETURN vs. 17

 (8.)   NO MATTER WHAT, REMAIN FAITHFUL BY INCREASING YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND BEING EMPOWERED BY HIM AND HIS WORD vs. 18

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Are You Ready For The Return Of The Lord ?

By pastor | Published: October 14, 2009

We very seldom hear these days’ messages about the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus admonished us to observe the signs in Matthew 24:33, it states “ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” We as believers must not be in the dark about these signs. We must be aware of what is going on around us. We must become familiar with what Jesus said about his return. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” With that being said, let’s be ready my friend. The following are some brief notes for you to consider. Matthew 24:27 (KJV)
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE LORD?

 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22

 Below is a synopsis of Paul’s discussion of the return of the Lord. Paul addresses our personal behavior, behavior toward church leaders, church family and toward God before Jesus’ return. I hope the verse by verse notes will lead you into a deeper study about the return of the Lord. Your eternal destination depends on it!

 

1 Thes. 5:4-11

The Lord’s Return and the Believer’s Behavior, 5:4-11

1  He is not to be overtaken by the Lord’s return (v.4-5)

  a.  Because he is not in darkness (v.4)

  b.  Because he is a child of light (v.5a)

  c.  Because he is a child of the day (v.5b)

2  He is not to be spiritually asleep or unwatchful (v.6-7)

  a.  Fact: Some do sleep (v.7a)

  b.  Reason: Identifies him with the night and evil behavior (v.7b)

3  He is to be sober and to protect himself (v.8-10)

  a.  How: By putting on the armour of God—faith, love, and hope (v.8)

  b.  The reasons (v.9-10)

  1)  He is not appointed to wrath, but to salvation (v.9)

  2)  Christ died for him (v.10)

4  He is to minister (v.11)

  a.  To encourage others (v.11a)

  b.  To edify others (v.11b)

 

 A.   BEHAVIOR TOWARD CHURCH LEADERS:

 Vs. 12-13; KNOW, RESPECT & SHOW LOVE TO YOUR LEADERS

 Behavior toward the leaders of the church (v.12-13)

  a.  Know them (v.12)

  b.  Esteem them very highly in love (v.13a)

  c.  Be at peace among yourselves (v.13b)

 

B.   BEHAVIOR TOWARD CHURCH FAMILY:

 (5.) Vs. 13  KEEP PEACE WITH EACHOTHER

 (6.) Vs. 14, WARN, COMFORT,  ENCOURAGE, BUILD UP, STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, BE PATIENT AND DO GOOD!

 

C.    BEHAVIOR TOWARD GOD:

 (7.) Vs. 15-22:

 Behavior toward God—personal behavior (v.15b-22)

  a.  Rejoice always (v.16)

  b.  Pray always (v.17)

  c.  Give thanks in all things (v.18)

  d.  Do not suppress the Spirit (v.19)

  e.  Do not despise prophesying (v.20)

  f.  Test all things: Hold fast to what is good (v.21)

  g.  Abstain from all appearance of evil (v.22)

 

D.    RESULTS OF PROPER BEHAVIOR:

 The results of proper behavior (v.23-24)

  a.  Sanctification (v.23a)

  b.  Preservation of spirit, soul, and body (v.23b)

  c.  Assurance of God’s faithfulness (v.24)

 

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Are you Prepared For The Flood?

By pastor | Published: October 11, 2009

The newspapers and Television stations were filled with reports on the flood in Georgia. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the US Geological Survey declared the flooding a 500 year flood. Floods can cause some serious problems. Although we are talking about natural floods, there is a spiritual flood. The definition of flood is “An overwhelming quantity or volume”. I would like to submit to you that there is a spiritual flood coming and if we are not prepared for it there will be insurmountable consequences. The following message is to help us prepare for the coming flood. My friend, you better know that you will have a flood coming into your life and you need to be ready when it comes. For those who are prepared, there are some great things in store. Let’s make sure that we are prepared!

 Genesis 6-8

 FLOODS CAN CAUSE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS:

 (1.)  Displaces

(2.)  Devastation

(3.)  Destruction

(4.)  Demolishes

(5.)  Death

 

I. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PREPARE

 (A.)  The first thing you must know is: A Flood is coming!

 (B.)   WARNING! YOU BETTER PREPARE FOR YOUR FLOOD!

 (C.)  The second thing that we must know is that we are BUILDERS! Whether you like it or not you are a builder, you’re building something; YOUR LIFE! When Noah came in contact with God, he became a builder. He was instructed by God to become the builder of the arc. When we come in contact with God, we become builders. Noah built and arc, but we build our lives.

 (D.)  Whatever we build will protect us from the FLOOD that’s coming the same way what Noah was building protected him from the flood.

 

II. HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FLOOD

  1.  Live your life in such a way that you will find FAVOR in the eyes of God!

 Genesis 6:8-9 (KJV)
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Grace in verse 8 is the Hebrew word Khane meaning: FAVOR 

       2.    Build your life on the EVERLASTING  FOUNDATION (1 Cor. 3:11)

 HOW DO YOU BUILD IT ON THIS FOUNDATION? Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6:46-49 (KJV)
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

(a.)  HEARING WHAT JESUS SAYS

(b.)  DOING WHAT JESUS SAYS

  

III. GOD IS PREPARING TO SEND A FLOOD (an overwhelming quantity or volume).

 (A.)  A FLOOD OF WHAT?

          (1.)  HIS SPIRIT

          (2.)  HIS FAVOR

          (3.)  HIS BLESSINGS 

(B.)   HOW TO PREPARE FOR THIS FLOOD? 

          (1.) FAITHFULNESS (TO THE END): Luke 16:10-11

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YOU’VE GOT THE POWER

By admin | Published: September 30, 2009

The following are notes from a message that the Lord gave me entitled “You’ve Got The Power”. Too often the church talks about power. We speak about power but demonstrate very little of it. I believe it’s because of a lack of understanding of the purpose of the power. In Luke 24:49, Jesus told his disciples to tarry until they were endued with power from on high. Acts 1:8 states that when we receive the Holy Spirit, we shall receive power (that power from on high) to be witnesses. My brother and sister, the power is not for show or to bring attention to ourselves, but it’s to EMPOWER US TO DO THE WORKS OF JESUS AND TO GLORIFY THE FATHER! I pray that this study blesses you.

 

Title: You’ve Got The Power!

Text: John 14:12-14 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

 

JESUS SAID THOSE WHO BELIEVE SHALL DO HIS WORKS

 I.   WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE?

      (1.)  To believe

     (2.)  To trust

     (3.)  To commit     

     (4.)  To obey

 

II.   WHAT DOES WORK WORKS IMPLY?

Works imply LABOR! In Matthew 9:37 it says 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

 Jesus states a problem here; the problem is not the harvest, the problem is the lack of laborers.

 The church is notorious at saying we are going to do the works of Jesus but no one wants to work. In order to DO THE WORKS  of Jesus you must be a laborer and a laborer is one who WORKS.

 YOU DO NOT TRULY BELIEVE IF YOU ARE NOT A LABORER, BECAUSE JESUS SAID HE THAT BELIEVES ON ME THE WORKS THAT I WILL DO HE WILL DO ALSO.

 

III.   IN MY NAME:

 To do something in his name means to do it in his AUTHORITY and HIS CHARACTER. It means even in your asking, your represent him and his interests, therefore, however and whatever he would ask, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT AND HOW you would ask. This is why Jesus could so confidently say in verse 14, If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  He knew that if you truly were born again and was his ambassador or servant that you put your agenda aside and took up his agenda in your asking.

 

IV. WHAT ARE THE WORKS OF JESUS

     (1.)  Teaching, Preaching, Healing

 Matthew 4:23 (KJV)
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

     (2.)  Destroying The Works Of The Devil

 1 John 3:7-8 (KJV)
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

     (3.) Doing Good And Helping The Oppressed

Acts 10:38 (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

     (1.)  Pursuing Those Who Don’t Know Christ

 Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV)
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 

V. HOW TO DO THE WORKS OF JESUS

     (1.)  ARM OURSELVES WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST! John 5:19-20; Phil. 2:5; 1 Peter 4:1

 (A.)  Jesus Armed himself with the mind of God. According to John 5:19-20, he fully EXPRESSED AND EXECUTED THE MIND OF GOD!

     (2.)  RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT! Acts 1:8; Luke   24:49 (endued: To put on a garment; to be clothed with; to wear; to dress.)

     (3.)  TAKE ACTION BY DOING THE WORKS OF JESUS! John 5:19-20; James 1:22

 

 

 

 

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The Art of Spiritual Leadership

By admin | Published: July 23, 2009

Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Characteristics not needed to be a spiritual leader:

    • Notoriety
    • Charisma
    • Your financial status
    • Size of your ministry


    Spiritual Leaders must be tested  

     

Characteristics needed to be a spiritual leader:

     
  • OBEDIENCE
  • TIMING
  • COMPROMISE
  • AMBITION

 

THE ART OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IS TO FOLLOW JESUS

 

Servanthood

Mark 10:43-44; Phillipians 2:7

 

TRUE SERVANTHOOD TAKES PLACE THE HEART BEFORE IT EXPRESSES ITSELF IN ACTION

 

A TRUE SERVANT GIVES THEIR LIFE AWAY WILLING!

 

Faithfulness

1 Tim. 1:12; 1 Cor. 4:1-2

 

STICKABILITY

 

PREDICTABLITY

 

Humility

Phillipians 2:7

 

Obedience

Phillipians 2:8

 

OBEDIENCE ON GOD’S TERMS AND NOT OURS

Life of Prayer

1 Thess. 5:17

Sacrifice as a lifestyle

Rom 12:1

Purity of Life

Rom 12:1

Practice Purity as a lifestyle

Rom 12:1

Worship as a lifestyle

Rom. 12:1

Word of God rules your life and conduct

2 Tim.3:16-17

Love for the lost

Luke 19:10

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The Real Church

By admin | Published: June 17, 2009

SERIES: “The Real Church”

TITLE: Cultivating a Lifestyle of VICTORY!

THE WORD IS LIKE A SEED!

A SEED IS PRE-PROGRAMMED!

Matthew 13:10-23 (KJV)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Develop a HEARING EAR!
Mark 4:20; Matthew 13: 10-16

Develop a SEEING EYE!
Matthew 13: 10-16

Develop an UNDERSTANDING AND OBEDIENT HEART
Matthew 13:15; Romans 6:17

RECEIVE THE WORD PROPERLY!

Mark 4:20
(1.) RECEIVE (Mark 4:20 ) paradechomai: to embrace with assent and obedience.

(2.) UNDERSTAND (Matthew 13:23).

(3.) KEEP OR DO IT (Luke 8:15)

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Come share with me

By admin | Published: June 15, 2009

Dear Covenant Member,

I want to invite you to be my special guest at our celebration on this Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. I have a testimony that you must hear. Invite as many people as you can, I know that they will be encouraged. These are turbulent times, but God has a word for his overcoming church. Come and let’s share together. I hope to see you on Sunday with at least one guest. Let’s make it happen for the Kingdom!
Living For His Purpose,

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