Calvary Chapel Battle Creek

Do you ever doubt if Jesus is real, and if the rest of the world is right and we are wrong? DOUBT CORRECTORS: 1) Jesus' Life - He actually existed; no one credible doubts this 2) Bible Prophecy - The Bible is the only Holy Book with fulfilled prophecy 3) The Existence of the Jewish Nation - The only people group dispersed and relocated to their homeland, just as the Bible prophesied! 4) The Creation Account - Evolution of Creation. Can something come from nothing and the something has morals? 5) Einstein's Theory of Relativity - Has been confirmed, space time and matter are co-relative, you can't have one without the other. They came into existence at the same moment. Why? How? 6) The Anthropic Argument - The universe has been fine tuned for human life; the environment is perfect for us. Coincidence? Blind Luck? What do you think? Look, doubt can happen to anyone; the right stressor at the wrong time and doubt can come in. Remember Church: We counter doubt by simply knowing the TRUTH! DOUBT - What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!! DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS BEFORE YOU DOUBT YOUR BELIEFS

Conflicts will happen as worldviews collide Your loyalty to our Savior will be tested Hope - the earnest expectation that something good is going to happen We are a people of HOPE! Not pretend, pie in the sky HOPE But real HOPE - Romans 15:13 Overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit!! Overflowing HOPE, superabounding HOPE, only believers have superabounding HOPE Only believers have the power of the Holy Spirit and HOPE in impossible situations! We can also expect over the top rewards Rewards, or loss of rewards, for works done for Christ after salvation (Bema Seat Judgment) Allow your mind to bathe in the Majesty of God Ponder the following words of Scripture - Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Public confession, when possible, is expected of a Jesus follower. Why do confessing Christians march to their deaths so willingly? As a witness for their Lord - Acts 1: 8 was real to them!! This was their finest hour - They refused to deny Christ! I suspect, at their final moment, the Holy Spirit gave them miracle power to do the impossible! Jesus' Promise: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you" Do not fear the trials of life, all the "thems" of life! My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4 You were saved by Jesus for a purpose! Be a steward of your life! When all is said and done, may we "be found faithful" - 1 Corinthians 4:2 DO NOT FEAR THE "THEMS" You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you. - Deuteronomy 3:22

Religious Opposition: Those with a quasi faith will not embrace a genuine Biblical world view. Quasi Christians will take on the values of the state church and oppose the True Church. The state church is told what to teach, all in line with the state (China, Russia). We can expect this with the new world order. Government Opposition: Progressive governments oppose True Christianity. Progressivism is a multifaceted philosophy advocating progress and change. In progressivism, humanity is progressing and evolving, in charge of its own destiny. Progress can be good or bad Becoming progressively Godly is good, progressively ungodly is bad Left to himself, mankind’s tendency is to devolve, not evolve! The Holy Spirit slows down negative progressivism. The Restrainer is still at work in our world! Family Opposition: Jesus teaches that opposition will even occur in families. Families will split on who Jesus is and what part He plays in our lives. Family Hope: Stay God focused; do not waiver from the truth! Parents, model the truth! Family Survival: DO life together - have a meal together, talk around the dinner table, take time for one another (no phones at the table). DO take a fast from information overload. DO worship and serve together “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! - Joshua 24:16 DO pass on Christian values - This does not come by osmosis, but by inputting! Psalm 16:8 - I have set the LORD alway s before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. DO be discerning about what you allow in your mind. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Guard your heart - guard you mind - protect what you allow into your mind! Global opposition is increasing and coming at us from all directions - listen closely! Our Shepherd is speaking - John 10:27 True sheep only follow the Shepherd's voice! Listen closely . . . your Shepherd is speaking - the time is short! You can almost hear the "Footsteps of Messiah" coming closer and closer! HE IS COMING!! DON'T IGNORE IT. READY. OR. NOT. JESUS IS COMING!

Truth has exited most churches! The Bible is out - weekly affirmation is in The truth dispels the lie - Keep speaking the truth!! Many pastors are being trained in woke seminaries, filling woke churches and giving woke sermons WHERE ARE THE MEN OF GOD WHO STAND FOR TRUTH? Men in America are being conditioned to be boys for life Flee responsibility, flee honor, flee character, flee being men, and become a hybrid of man/boy. The emasculation of the American male is occurring C.S. Lewis terms this “men without chests” WHERE ARE THE MEN OF GOD WHO PREACH THE WORD? Paul warned this was coming - 2 Timothy 4:2-5 Verse 5a - But you be watchful in all things Key word: WATCH!! Watchman: Warn your family, friends, coworkers, and all people God brings into your path Men and Women of God: WATCH , stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” 1 Corinthians 16: 13 . . . endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” 2 Timothy 4:5b May we, band of brothers and sisters, good fight of faith TOGETHER!! May we not give into the head winds of our time TOGETHER!! May we band together as true followers of Jesus Christ, encouraging one another and building one another up TOGETHER!! The Church throughout history has done this - we are no exception!! We have a message and a mission... MAY WE FULFILL OUR MISSION!!

The 12 disciples were given Messiah’s authority to do signs and wonders to authenticate their message You have something greater! You have the indwelling Holy Spirit! The “dunamis” power is in you – Acts 1: 8 You have a mission: Go and tell, make disciples. The Great Commission Evil will do everything to inhibit your mission: DECEPTION DISTRACTION DISCORAGEMENT FIREY DARTS Stay on mission Stay focused Stay engaged Stay SALTY!! Right now, you are being prepared for another place you are being prepared to RULE ! Just think: FOREVER! Prepared to DO and to RULE ! Heaven is not BORING!! Until then, stand by, the waters will be choppy, the resistance immense, the battle will rage!! Watch, Stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Know this truth.... You are prepared to DO (now), You are being prepared to RULE (future)

Know that God is an expert at entering impossible situations Our faith in God places us in miracle country Our faith does not guarantee things will turn out as we hoped During faith-testing time, I must realize a couple of truths: 1) Faith does guarantee that God is in the boat, the storm, the turmoil with me 2) You are not alone - our God will go through the fire with you Heaven is real! More real than anything you can imagine! Our senses will be enhanced, our knowledge enlarged, our future amazing! Until then, while we are here in this inferior state of not seeing clearly: We walk by faith and not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 The righteous will live by faith - Romans 1:17 Impossible? NO WAY!! With God, all things are possible - Matthew 19:26

Criticism: No one likes it, no one relishes it, but everyone experiences it Yet, only a few (a remnant) experience criticism for Christ - most blend! The Compromised Church will not experience criticism, they will lock step with the world! Criticism is ramping up, you sense it, you are in the way of what the world calls progress! When criticized for Christ, know you are in fine company! - Acts 5:40-42 To avoid criticism: Say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. Disciples of Christ, Have the courage to be criticized! STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR MISSION!

What you need to know believer: Stay away from things that open a portal to the demonic realm: drugs, the occult, tarot cards, ouija boards, fortune tellers, astrologers, psychics, etc. Satan promotes things to take people away from the true God Satan's Character: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44 Satan’s greatest tool is deception – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 The Believer's Protection: You need not fear or be preoccupied with Satan and the demonic - be occupied with Christ!! Simply be aware, be informed of the TRUTH!! The battle is for control of the mind - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 God will strengthen you and protect you - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Abide in God's Word and overcome the wicked one - 1 John 2:14 God will keep you and protect you - 1 John 5:18 God has given you armor to stand - Ephesians 6:11 God will keep you from stumbling - Jude 24 Fight the good fight of faith - 1 Timothy 6:12 THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS!

What you need to know believer: Stay away from things that open a portal to the demonic realm: drugs, the occult, tarot cards, ouija boards, fortune tellers, astrologers, psychics, etc. Satan promotes things to take people away from the true God Satan's Character: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44 Satan’s greatest tool is deception – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 The Believer's Protection: You need not fear or be preoccupied with Satan and the demonic - be occupied with Christ!! Simply be aware, be informed of the TRUTH!! The battle is for control of the mind - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 God will strengthen you and protect you - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Abide in God's Word and overcome the wicked one - 1 John 2:14 God will keep you and protect you - 1 John 5:18 God has given you armor to stand - Ephesians 6:11 God will keep you from stumbling - Jude 24 Fight the good fight of faith - 1 Timothy 6:12 THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS!

Disciples of Christ : You have eyes to see what most do not see - a changing world! Expectations for true disciples of Christ: Do not fold under the pressure to conform Do not fold under the chaos that is being introduced into your life Do not fold in panic moments, there are plenty! – Proverbs 24: 10 GLOBALIST PRIORITIES: One World Government They have no mention of the true God - NONE! THE TRUE DISCIPLES’ MARCHING ORDERS: 1) Stay close to Christ - your highest priority! - DO NOT FEAR! 2) Resist the pull of the world (to be like the world) 3) It is okay to be weird - "we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth - Hebrews 11:13 4) Stay close to one another; you may feel alone, but you are not! There are many "weird" just like you Being called "weird" is of small consequence when you are changing the world! True Disciples of Christ That the world may know that you have been with JESUS! EMPOWERED BY THE KING!!

What did Jesus come to rescue me from? Rescue me: from my consequence of sin Rescue me: from separation from God, forever in Hell Rescue me: from the grip of Satan Rescue me: from the devil's work, sin, disease, death, and chaos Full rescue from sickness, emotional and relational distresses is coming - done deal! We still experience the fallout from the distresses of life while here We are not whole yet; we still have a sin nature to deal with While here, the more I yield to the Holy Spirit, the less I will act like the old me Our transformation will not be complete until we are in heaven and glorified (state of perfection) Hold on..... YOU ARE ALMOST HOME!! .....then we will be like Him - 1 John 3:2

ESUS IS ALIVE! The world must deal with this truth! GOD ENTERS...! From despondency to delight! WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Happy Resurrection Sunday!!

We have learned that our life, as a believer, is about preparation for another place. We are living in an evil world, in enemy held territory, as Jesus’ representative. We are to be salt and light in our world! We are to impact our world, and to be different than our world. Those who are in preparation for another kingdom will be unpopular. We cannot embrace the lies of the culture, we must speak the truth! A boy is a boy, and a girl is a girl - it's biology! Marriage is one man and one woman - God says! Abortion is murder, not a woman’s right to choose - God says! This world view will put you at odds with the culture. The True Church is an obstruction to progressivism. Progressivism is the promotion of humanity’s growth and what humans value, usually excluding the True God. Our world is changing at rocket speed - YOU SENSE THIS! Our lives are also changing and are unsettling; the rains, the floods, the winds are coming - YOU SENSE THIS! Going forward, your foundation will be more important than ever!! It would be wise to build your life on the Rock of Ages! MAY WE KEEP OUR FOCUS ON OUR ASTONISHING JESUS!

Many people are deceived and believe a message that appeals to their lifestyle 2 Timothy 2: 19 is clear no room for error! "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' 2 Timothy 2:19, NIV HAVE SOME HOLY SPIRIT GUTS !! Be different! Go against the flow! Go against the polls!! Stand alone!! Turn away from wickedness!!! Stand like the “BULL IN A BLIZZARD” No matter throws what at like the life you, be Apostle Paul: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1: 27 “Having done all to STAND ” False prophets and false ways will not move one whose foundation is Jesus Christ! SELAH - Pause to Ponder!

Dealing with the dogs: PRAY! When the dogs of life attack, savage people, stressors, disappointments: ASK, SEEK, KNOCK! Dealing with the dogs: THE GOLDEN RULE Though the dogs want to tear into us, Jesus teaches us how to treat them - like you want to be treated (be nice to them) Admittedly, not easy! A requirement in dealing with the dogs of this world is a CHANGED ME! "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2 Dealing with the dogs : LOVE THEM AND SHOW THEM JESUS We are commanded to tell them about Jesus and His love Jesus’ command to go and tell is clear in Scripture Many have died for their faith by going and telling others about the Savior Life is not about here this is passing away! Life is about there our eternal home! JESUS’ FINAL COMMAND TO YOU: GO AND TELL!!

We are living in a time when fewer and fewer want to hear the truth For the dogs, the swine, and the defiant ones, those in the arrogance cycle, God cautions us! “Do not give what is holy to the dogs” (the defiant ones) Chuck Swindoll, in his book, , tells us how to identify defiant ones “Stress Fractures” (arrogance cycle) : 1) I want my own way they think about me, me, me! 2) I won’t quit until I get my way 3) I don’t care who it hurts husband, wife, peers, parents, kids, friends, etc. 4) I refuse to heed counsel to do no one can tell me what 5) I am not concerned with the consequences (until they happen) Defiance and arrogance always leads to personal misery: “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard.” Proverbs 13: 15 Jesus is telling His disciples to have wisdom when faced with defiance A MUST KNOW: God is an expert in dealing with defiance and arrogance, we are not! SO . . . . . . . . . . . . LET GO and LET GOD!! Go to your peace place and allow God to work

Worry, impossible situations, can be opportunities to shine for Christ! Worry need not control our lives: “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible” (Chuck Swindoll) The antidote for impossible situations: 1) TRUST GOD! 2) Do not focus on hypothetical scenarios “what if” scenarios 3) Refuse to turn a situation into a worst scenario 4) Worry must be treated as an unwelcome enemy 5) We must approach worry with a warrior attitude! WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR WORRY RESPONSE!! “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace, GOD IS AWAKE!” (Victor Hugo) NEVER FORGET! GOD IS AWAKE !! ENTER GOD - EXIT WORRY !

Joshua gives a heads evil world –- up on how to be blessed in this Joshua 24: 1415 Each person must decide whom they will serve “Stuff” gods or the “True God” God’s promise to those who choose to serve Him: Psalm 119: 165 John 14: 27 John 16: 23 Hebrews 13: 5 The “stuff” stuff gods cannot give you anything but a constant lack of fulfillment and peace! Satan is the chief of the “stuff” gods: “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy” John 10: 10a JESUS : “I have come that they may have life, and they may have it more abundantly” John 10: 10b When your world caves in John 10: 10b (and it will), Jesus will be your source of strength and rest! Matthew 11: 28 & Matthew 28: 20 JESUS made it simple: JESUS or stuff You cannot serve both! Joshua encouraged the nation to choose rightly Let the whole world know, with boldness and Holy Spirit strength, “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD”!

This is a disciple of Christ prayer. A pattern, a model prayer. This prayer is straight forward and simple, deeply profound! Jesus has taught us the Jesus way to pray! Now go and do what you have been taught! The Disciples of Christ Prayer: "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13

What does real worship look like? In all our worship we are ascribing worth to God – it’s never about me! “The self-life blinds us to the holiness of God. The self-sins keep us from seeing God as He is” (A.W. Tozer) Our worship is not a one and done, but “a continual gaze of the heart at God” (Tozer) When we worship God, set our gaze on God, God will set His gaze on us! “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” Psalm 22: 3 The God of the universe will take time to sit with you, dwell with you, and set His gaze on you! Can you imagine how much God loves you? May we worship our God in spirit and truth! May we glorify our God today and always!! May we set our gaze on Him in all of our worship!!! THIS IS WHAT REAL WORSHIP LOOKS LIKE BE EXALTED, O GOD IN MY LIFE

This teaching is hard, impossible, and not for the faint of heart! It is only attainable through the Holy Spirit’s power! Your job = to be transformed! A transformed mind, growing in Christ, is you working in concert with God to CHANGE!! It is only in growing that a spirit of retaliation will dimmish. It is only in growing that I can love my enemies. It is only in growing that I can pray for those who use me and persecute me. BELIEVERS ARE TO BE LIKE JESUS When Jesus was crucified, Jesus was abused, persecuted, spitefully used, and tortured. Jesus prayed for his persecutors: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” Luke 23: 34 Can you now see that we are to be like the Master?!! We are to show the world that we have been with Jesus! That the world may know that Jesus really changes lives!! RETALIATION or GRACE “But I Say to You” BE LIKE JESUS! BE A GRACE GIVER! THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE HE MADE IN MY LIFE!!

As the people of God, we are different than the people of the world. Our marriages are under God and in submission to God. We do not give in to the world and its ways We do not give in and give up; we fight for our marriages! We glorify and honor God! We are a witness to the world when we OBEY God! Carry out your role in marriage; glorifies God! this Your marriage can be a witness to the world! That the world may know that we are different, a peculiar people, the people of God! THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS!!