Don’t Hold Back Message Series, January & February 2014

Do you feel that success in some areas of life is out of your reach? Whether it’s your health, finances, relationships, or spiritual walk. It’s possible to come to the place in life where you only feel comfortable doing what you’re already good at. Without realizing it, you’re holding back areas of your life by idolizing what you do well.

In January Pastor David will challenge us to make breakthroughs physically financially, relationally, and spiritually. Get ready to break out of the rut.  [divider] 

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S.T.A.R.T. 2014 – January 5th 

A match is small, weak, and easily broken.  But it is powerful – or even dangerous – when used by the right hands! Place your 2014 potential, like a match, in God’s hands this Sunday.  This message is a match of motivation for your 2014 fire-starting potential.  Get ready for His hand to strike your life on fire so you can burn and set ablaze the world you live in!

“The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. [Instead] look at the new thing I am going to do.’”  Isaiah 43:18-19 (NCV)   

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Pulling Punches – January 12th

If a boxer is pulling punches, it means that he’s not punching all the way through.  He or she is not trying to win!  The apostle Paul addresses this no-victory mentality in 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 and shows us how it applies to every area of our lives.  The real decision to fail always starts before the race or the fight ever begins.  The issue is never whether you succeeded or failed, but whether you raced to win and never pulled any punches!  

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 (NASB)   

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Don’t Hold Back…The Gospel – January 19th

I was in awe of how God’s spirit drew in our members and all the newcomers to follow Christ in the new year.  My great prayer for you all is that as you focus on Christ in the beginning of 2014 that you are empowered to be faithful to him through the end of the year.  It always convicts my heart and motivates my body to remember: “The Faithful Follow-Through!”

This Sunday morning God has led me specifically to teach more about the true nature of “The Gospel” as the center-point of our lives.  I have seen that in our community it is too easy to go to church on Sunday, work hard to live a good life, but slowly drift away from the life of true satisfaction found only in the Gospel.

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

Simply put, the power of the Christian life comes from a life committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel is God’s one and only plan for us and He always infuses power into the lives of people who are daring enough to stake their entire lives on it!

Luke 15 tells the story of a Father and two sons.  We usually think of the younger son as the story’s only rebellious prodigal because of his typical sinful lifestyle.  The truth is that both sons were prodigals.  Both of them wanted only what the Father could give them instead of the Father himself!

They both turned away from the power of the Father’s love and presence as their true inheritance.   This Sunday you and I will come face to face with the two brothers in this story and see how their hearts expose our hearts.  The true Gospel is a message of coming home to a Father who fills your heart with his love, presence, and power to such an extreme degree that you NEVER want to leave home again!

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Part II

[/one_half]Don’t Hold Back…Spiritual Warfare Part I&II – January 26th & February 2nd

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

• HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS.   The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…  2 Corinthians 4:4

• HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU.   When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  Matthew 13:19

• HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU.  …and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.   2 Timothy 2:26

• HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU.   For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us.  1 Thessalonians 2:18

• HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

WHAT CAN I DO? 

PRAY GOD’S WORD AND WILL UNDER SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY WITH A HUMBLE HEART!  

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  Ephesians 6:13, 18

1 Peter 5:1-11 (NASB)

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;

and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

REMEMBER… YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6:15-17

REMEMBER… WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY. WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4