When something is described as great, the meaning is amplified.Like this:I have a wife. vs. I have a great wife.2 of my daughters have husbands. vs. 2 of my daughters have great husbands.Adding ‘great’ is a game changer. It gives Focus. Clarity. Value. Understanding. It changes the story. Great defined: Greek / Megas - great, large, vast, big, high, tall; mighty, importantReveals: great mass and weightMakes it: large, spacious Adds: measure and height and lengthGives: statureLarge in: number and quantity: numerous, large, abundantCreates: intensity and increased degree: violent, mighty, strongIn scientific language - Mega: times 1 million - megaton, megawatt, megahit Luke 2:8-12 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. The word suggests the thought of the Shechinah, or cloud of intolerable brightness, which was the token of the divine presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Never before had there been such a manifestation to such men as these. What had been the privilege of patriarchs and priests was now granted to shepherds, and the first proclamation of the glad tidings was to these shepherds.10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”And suddenly there was with the angel,....That brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds: a multitude of the heavenly host: who being caused to fly swiftly, were at once with him, by his side, and about him; and which was a further confirmation of thetruth of his message to them: these were angels who were called an host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God, that wait upon him, and do his pleasure; and are sent forth to minister to his people, and encamp about them, preserve, and defend them;15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.1. On this day, Great Joy Came.Great Joy Came by, with & through Jesus. Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.Joy - What comes to mind? Jesus, The word of God, The Spirit of God, the Mercy of God, the Love of God, the Grace of God, My wife, My children, My family in heaven and on earth, His church. Strength. Heaven. Family & Friends who have surrendered to the Love & Grace of God. 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. This is so true. Joy defined:  joy, gladness, cheerfulness - the joy received from you; the cause or occasion of joy - of persons who are one's joyJoy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, strength, confidence and hope in/from Him. It is something or someone that provides a source of strength, gladness & gratitude. It appears 88 times in the Old Testament in 22 books; 57 times in the New Testament in 18 books.Matt. 2:9-11 - The Wise Men9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. But that’s not all….2. Great Joy still Comes. a. When we remember again that He Came. Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!b. When we choose to rejoice in the Lord. Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.1 Peter 1:8-98 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.c. In believing in Him. Acts 8:5-85 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.d. Engaged in His ministry.Acts 15:3 Paul & Barnabas sent to Jerusalem - 3 ‘So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.’e. In seeing His redemptive work in people. Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. Great Joy still Comes. But that’s not all….3. Great Joy is coming. Heb. 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.There is Joy that is set before us. He came. He comes. He is coming again. We celebrate His first advent during this season - but there is another advent to come. Something incredibly significant is in front of us. 1 Thess. 4:13-1813 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.2 Cor. 5:4-8 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.One way or another all of us who are in Christ will be present with Him. 1 Cor. 15:57-58  57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.These are some of my favorite verses in the N.T. They were written in light of the resurrection that is to come. We were made for great joy. To rejoice exceedingly. To rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Jesus is our Great Joy. His joy came. It comes. It’s coming. Do you know His joy? Do you know His Name? Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”So we call on His name. We believe on His name. We need Him. He’s ready to forgive. He’s ready to begin His work in Us. Call on His name. Believe on His Name. Why? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He has not sinned and He is worthy of the Glory of God. He has made our way. He is savior, He is the only Lord. He is King of all Kings. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 13.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} He is the way the truth and the life. They only way. Call on His name! 

Northpoint Church-New Braunfels, Texas

'Joy x 3.' Dec. 17, 2017 - Brian Leifeste

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'It is Written.' Dec. 10, 2017 - Brian Leifeste

What kind of church am I? Is the church perfect? Col. 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Let us be a ___________________________ Church.1. What kind of church ___________________I? Matt. 16:18Cooperate with the builder.2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make ___________. Matt. 28:16-203. What is discipleship? The process of learning how to think, talk, stand, step, walk & live in the newness of life in Christ. To learn how to live life “Inside Out”.  Matt. 5:27-28 27/Prov. 4:23 4. What is the ___________________ of my heart?Who sets this temperature? Matt. 6:21/Gal. 6:7-9What’s our Church __________________ set on?a.    Spirit of the Church:b.    Commitment of the Church:c.    Growth of the Church:5.  Am I _________________________? Col. 1:27/1 John 4:4/Rom. 12:11Enthusiasm - “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.”  p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #292929; -webkit-text-stroke: #292929} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #292929; -webkit-text-stroke: #292929; min-height: 12.0px} p.p6 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: #262626} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #000000} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: lower-alpha} Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. 

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? #2 - Brian Leifeste - 11am

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? #2 - Brian Leifeste - 9am

Me and the Church.I love the church. I love the power of the gospel unleashed. I love what Jesus does in and through the church. The unlimited potential of a people together who love Jesus. I love the gathering of the church. Is the church perfect?What kind of church am I? 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.1. What kind of church am I?  Matt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My  church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to _______________.  Matt. 28:16-203. What is ______________________?4. Inside out.  What happens _______________ is seen on the outside.  Prov. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Matt. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.5. You and I are the_____________________ of our own lives.a.    ____________________of the Church.b.    ____________________ of the Church.c.    _____________________ of the Church.6. We can _________________ in helping people along the process.7.  We (the church) needs _______________________. Col. 1:27 / 1 John 4:4p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #292929; -webkit-text-stroke: #292929} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Helvetica; color: #292929; -webkit-text-stroke: #292929} p.p6 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #292929; -webkit-text-stroke: #292929; min-height: 12.0px} p.p7 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: #262626; min-height: 12.0px} p.p8 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: #262626} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #000000} span.s3 {font-kerning: none; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #262626} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: lower-alpha} Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. Rom 12:9-12

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? - Brian Leifeste

Isa. 61:1-3The truth is that there has been and will be, no one like Jesus Christ. From His birth to His life, to His death, to His resurrection... there is none like Jesus.1. I’m thankful for The God of _________________. Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,Now we can begin to see what He is like... and He is, far better and amazing than we could have ever imagined or thought.  I am thankful!2. I’m thankful for The God of ________________.Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn...3. I’m thankful for The God of the _______________________.Isaiah 61:3 / 2 Corinthians 5:21Psalms 40:1-3 A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. (3) He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; 4. I’m thankful for The God of __________________________. Isa. 61:4-5He makes all things new from the Inside Out. 2 Cor. 5:17 / John 3:3 / Tit. 3:5 5. I’m thankful for The God of everlasting _________________. Isa. 61:6-7p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} Our Response: ___________________________________________

The Great Exchange - Thanksgiving 2017 - Brian Leifeste

The Church in Crisis. When Crisis comes to the church/world how do we _______________? It’s vital for us not just to look at this from just a mental or natural vantage point. There is another side. The _________________________ side. There a _____________________ among us. There is a light and darkness, life and death, love and hate, freedom and captivity, truth and deception, faith & fear, heaven & hell.Eph. 6:10-20When Crisis comes to the church what do we do? 1. We Pray.  Psalm 61:1-4/Prov. 15:8/Matt. 21:12-14/Acts 2:42/Acts 3:1/Acts 4:23-24/   Acts 6:3-4/Acts 12:4-17/Rev. 5:8 /Neh. 1:1-4________________ the value and place of prayer individually and corporately. 2. We _____________________.     Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 3. We _____________________.    1 Thess. 4:13-18/John 14:1-6/Phil. 1:21-23/Heb. 11:15-16/2 Cor. 5:6-8Even in death we win. 4. We _____________________.     2 Samuel 12:19-235. We _____________________.     Acts 7:54-60 p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 11.0px} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: #262626; min-height: 12.0px} li.li3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #262626; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #262626} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: decimal}     When we stand for Him. Jesus stands with us. 

When Crisis hits the Church - Brian Leifeste

Sallie Leifeste shares on a "life of Honor."

The Life of Honor - Sallie Leifeste

To every generation - Jesus speaks. Mark 1:16-20 / Mark 2:14 / Mark 8:34-381.    Follow ________. Words that resonate to every generation. 2.    What will we do with these words? Deut. 30:19Rom. 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.3.    Have you ______________________? Mark 1:16-1816 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.Matt. 28:18-20Follow Me means….a.    I __________________________ differently. b.    I __________________________ differently. Rom. 12:1-2 / Col. 3:1-2c.    I __________________ differently. Mark 9:23 - To him who believes what? Heb. 11:6 / John 14:6 / John 8:31-32 / John 17:17Truth. Objective Truth - without biases caused by feelings, ideas, & opinionsThat which is for all times, places & people - not subject to the culture, how we feel or our opinion. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 15.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} li.li2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: decimal} ol.ol2 {list-style-type: lower-alpha} Have you decided?

Jesus speaks to generations: 'Follow Me.' - Brian Leifeste

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Jim Darnell - 'Covenant.'

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'Faith that results in Righteousness' - Sallie Leifeste

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Big Audacious Faith #7: 'Faith overcomes Fear' - Sallie Leifeste

Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake & alive.Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”My faith has a purpose. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.1. Big Audacious Un-Belief.a) Unbelief is doubt accompanied by a desire to believe. Mark 9:23-24 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” b) Unbelief is an obstinate, hard-hearted refusal to believe. Heb. 3:12 ESV Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. This kind of unbelief hinders the work of God in our own lives.Faith & Unbelief are both powerful. Matt. 10:32-33  32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.There is power in belief. Rom. 10:8-13 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Heb. 4:14 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.Heb. 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 2. The day Jesus marveled.Mark 6:1-6  1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.Why? Faith comes by…..Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: decimal} 

Big Audacious Faith #6 - 'Big Audacious Unbelief' - Brian Leifeste

Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake.Jesus says to us, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 Faith speaks to the mountain. Faith does not doubt in our heart. Faith believes.My faith has a _________________________: Faith is God pleasing. Heb. 11:6 Faith is our victory. 1 John 5:4-51. ’Your Faith matters to ___________________.’       a.   Through Action - Matt. 5:16        b.   Through _____________________ - Eph. 4:29 / Prov. 18:21       c.   Through that which we in ______________ can’t give - John 7:37-39       d.   Through sacrificial giving. 2. The ‘______________________’ kind of faith. Mark 2:1-12  5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”Our faith matters to others. All of us will probably have the opportunity to be a participant in a story that is similar. a. ___________________ to be carried. James 5:13-16 b. Having the opportunity to help ________________ someone’s burden.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: lower-alpha} man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Big Audacious Faith #5: 'Your faith matters to others.' - Brian Leifeste

Today - we continue our series on ‘big audacious faith’ - stories found in the scriptures revealed through the lives of men and women who believed God inspite of their circumstances. These are men and women who cried out instead of shutting up. These are those who moved when others said you can’t go there. These are those who got back up when life pushed them down. These are those sacred ‘God’ moments in the lives of people who believed God. People just like us. These stories are found in moments and seasons of crisis, stress, great need, desperation, storms that are within and without. Audacious faith: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks, bold, daring, fearless, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic….based on faith in Him, his word.Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake/alive….. Jesus said these statements about people and their Faith:  Have Faith in God.  How is that you have no faith.  I have not found such great faith.  Oh you of little faith.  Where is your faith?  O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?  Do not be unbelieving but believing. John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.1. Have faith in God.a. Jesus calls us to faith.  Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”b. Jesus gives us a working description of a faith that is active. Mark 11:23-24 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.Faith speaks to the mountain. Faith does not doubt in his heart. Faith believes. Faith receives before physical having. These are signposts of faith. 1 Peter 1:8-98 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.2. Faith comes.Rom. 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.If Faith comes this way: Then we should Stay Close. Keep yourself around Jesus. Keep yourself around God’s word. His presence. His people. His church.Keep yourself in a posture of hearing. Keep yours eyes open to the truth. Keep your heart free from clutter. Ask the Holy Spirit to Help.3. Peter & Audacious Faith.Let’s take a few minutes and look at a snap shot from the life of a man named Peter.A very normal guy, A very common guy, Rough around the edges, A fisherman by trade, One who answered the call to follow Jesus Christ.Matt. 14: Background - John the Baptist Jesus’s cousin has been killed. Jesus heads out to spend some time in a deserted place…..Matt. 14:13-33 Jesus departs to be by HimselfPeople find out and follow HimJesus saw the multitude and was moved with compassion & healed their sick5 Loaves and 2 Fishes miracle - 5000+ are fed vs. 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.vs. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when the evening came, He was alone there.Jesus went to pray.vs. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.a. Jesus has put them in the boat to go somewhere - there on a mission and can’t seem to get anywhere. Just because Jesus sends us somewhere or gives us a vision doesn’t mean it’s a cake walk, without resistance or trouble.vs. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.b. In the middle of our storms - look for Jesus. vs. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear.to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mindto disquiet, make restlessto stir upto troubleto strike one's spirit with fear and dreadto render anxious or distressedto perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubtsc. To get to the somewhere Jesus is sending us too requires faith.vs. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.vs. 28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.vs. 29 So He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.vs. 30 but when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me!vs. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?vs. 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.vs. 33 They those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, Truly You are the Son of God.There’s 2 groups of people in this story: Those in the Boat.Those who walked on the water.4. Life in boats.Boatsitters:  In life it’s not always easy in the boat – These men had toiled all night to move forward and we’re stuck in the middle of an untamed sea. They had direction. Jesus had given them instructions. Go to the other side. there’s at least 3 groups of people that are in the boatpeople that have yet to see what’s going onpeople that watch what’s going on – make observations, make judgements ‘you can’t do that’ / ‘who do you think ur’people right in the middle of what’s going onFear came. In the face of fear. Faith is ALWAYS required. Don’t be content to just sit in a boat! Believe God. Waterwalkers: In the boat, Peter had the gall and audacity to ask the question – Can I walk to you on the water? Can I stand up and rock this boat? Faith can surely rock our boat. Nothing’s ever been done of significance in God’s kingdom without Faith.    Boatsitters: Tend to be governed by their emotions / circumstances / fear – vs. 26It’s a ghost? We can’t do that. What are you doing?p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 54.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p6 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 54.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 14.0px} p.p7 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 18.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p8 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 15.0px} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Optima; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.s3 {font: 12.0px Symbol} span.s4 {font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'} span.s5 {font: 12.0px 'Courier New'} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: decimal} ol.ol2 {list-style-type: lower-alpha} ul.ul1 {list-style-type: disc} ul.ul2 {list-style-type: square} 

hubhopper

Northpoint Church-New Braunfels, Texas

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