God Is Greater

God is Greater! I John 4. 4 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. We are in a spiritual battle. It seems to have intensified recently. Satan knows his time is short. The Kingdom of God against the Kingdom of Darkness Each generation has had to face this conflict for its time. We have to contend with the world, the flesh and the devil. We have to contend for the faith. Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. From the Kingdom of God we receive Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Satan, we are told by Jesus, is the father of lies. John 8. 44 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. Eventually there will be a war in heaven. Revelation 12.1-17 In this present time... * Satan tries to overwhelm us. When the enemy comes in like a flood. Isaiah 59.19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. We have all had those times when we have quietly thought, “What on earth is happening? What else could possible go wrong?” He works using fear tactics. A roaring lion... I Peter 5. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Here our struggle is against affluence and comfortable living. In other places it is against poverty. * We must be sharp and on our guard. This is a life and death matter. Some of the battles we are facing today: Discouragement Loneliness Fear of the Future Feeling abandoned * People Who are instruments of the enemy can sound very convincing. Watch out for them! Smooth talk... Proverbs 26. 23 Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery. 24 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you. 25 When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute; he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off. 26 No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice, eventually his evil will be exposed in public. Romans 16. 17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Jeremiah 5.30 A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy lies,     the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.     But what will you do in the end? * The One Who is in you The LORD God Almighty The Holy Spirit Rushing Mighty Wind Power Power to overcome. Revelation 12.11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. * God is Greater He is everywhere. He asked Satan where he had come from. Job 1. 6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” He knows everything. Colossians 2. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. He can do anything. Jeremiah 32.27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me? Satan is an interloper. God with us. God in us. Creation groans. Romans 8. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. We have this treasure in a jar of clay. God is greater than all our problems, fears and all that Satan can throw at us. II Corinthians 1. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, Who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. Let’s pray for one another, having always in mind, God is greater.

The Blessed Hope

Our Blessed Hope I John 3.1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. There has always been a lot of talk about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. As with His first appearing so with His second... I Peter 1. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. We have the Blessed Hope. It is of Christ’s Return. Christ will come. We do not know the day or the hour.(Only our Father in Heaven knows) We must always be ready. Let’s follow the scripture this morning... Our salvation, our preparation for that Day is rooted in the wonderful truth that... * God Loves Us He has lavished His Love on us. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5.8 The grace of our LORD was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. I Timothy 1.14 For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3.16 God has loved us to the uttermost. Jesus showed the Disciples the full extent of His love. John 13.1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. His death on the cross. We are now the children of God. We have been adopted. Romans 8.15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." John 1.12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. We belong to Jesus. God is our Father in Heaven. We honor our fathers today but they are ours for this time. God is our Father Forever! We, as His children, are under His care. We are under His Protection. We are loved by Him. He delights in us. He disciplines us for our good, that we might share in His Holiness. * We Do Not Know What We Shall Be Christ will soon appear. We shall be like Him. I Corinthians 15. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second Man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 I declare to you, brothers that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. We will see Him. I Corinthians 13. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I know Whom I Have Believed II Timothy 1.12 For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that Day. * We Have Hope Salvation is now and future. We have hope in a world that is in turmoil. Pastor Mauricio and Erica and I were riding home from Humberto Chavez’s Installation at the Bridge Church in Malverne, stuck in the traffic,surrounded by souls in need of Jesus. This is our mission field. Houses going up all over, people moving out of the city here. This is our time! Let’s look to the fields, let’s look to the LORD! Let’s see what God will do. We have hope when our own souls are being tested. Peace and Hope are given to us in times that try men’s souls. This has a purifying effect on us. Luke 19.11 We have work. We’ll Work Til Jesus Comes We desire to be found in Him when He comes. When we all get to Heaven. There is going to be a meeting in the air. Heaven’s Jubilee. I’ve got a Mansion

Living Like Jesus

Living Like Jesus I John 2. 5 But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: 6 Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. The goal of every follower of Jesus is to be like His Master. We are called to it. It is the acid test of being a Christian. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. (Acts 11.26) Like Jesus being called, “A friend of sinners”, the term “Christian” was a term of derision. Sometimes the judgment of the world is complimentary to us. Like someone who criticized me years ago in a note, “I think you only talk about money when it is brought up as you go the Bible.” What a compliment! The term “Christian” meant follower of Christ. They were saying that the disciples looked like they were imitating Jesus. What a compliment! I hope that is what they say about us! Ephesians5.1Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.… Walking in the footsteps of my Savior.... giving ourselves up, His will becoming my will. I Peter 2.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. * Walking In His Footsteps to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities Walk regulate ones life, conduct oneself. Following Jesus “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew. ... 'Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. ' At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NIV Follow Me, the invitation to begin the journey It is a journey. Progress, growing to become like Him. You cannot rush the process. Like a plant we grow on this journey. We mature. We grow in grace. II Peter 3.18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Following in His steps, living as a Jesus did means we will have... * Forgiveness as a Life Style Colossians 3.13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. You will need the help of the Holy Spirit. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. That is completely impossible without the Holy Spirit’s power. How did Jesus forgive you? Fully, completely and forgetting our sins. You will need to pray over some situations until you are free. Keep praying until you are free. Remember His Words on the cross. Remember His words on teaching on prayer. Following in His Steps, living like Jesus means we will... * Listening to the Broken-hearted Making use of every opportunity because the days are evil Ephesians 5.16 Jesus looked at interruptions as opportunities. He took advantage of them to share His love. He never looked at them as inconveniences. Matthew 9.36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Living like Jesus, walking in His Steps, means we will see people who do not know Christ, as victims of the enemy, not the enemy. Compassion= a heart in which mercy resides Blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy. He spoke the words that cheered and blessed, He welcomed sinners to his breast, I want to be like Jesus. Following in His Steps, living like Jesus means we will be... * Seeking to Please Our Father in Heaven Hebrews 10. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,     but a body You prepared for Me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings     You were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about Me in the scroll—     I have come to do Your will, my God.’” (Psalm 40.6-8) Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness, doing His will, Following in His Steps, living like Jesus means we will be * Having a set purpose of finishing the work God has given to you to do. Jesus prayed, “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do.” John 17.4 Following Jesus means that we are going to do the same thing. Having a life of Intercessory Prayer Using your gifts Investing your time and money in the Kingdom of God. This is not sinless perfection. Only Jesus had that. As we all like Jesus walk we contend with the sinful nature. We stumble sometimes. Provision is made for sin. I John 2.1 Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk in the Light. Live like Him. Always make it your goal to please Him.

From The Beginning

From The Beginning I John 1.1-3 The Son of God is one with the Father and the Spirit. God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity. God is Eternal. He has always existed, is and always will be. Isaiah 40.28 The LORD is the everlasting God,     the Creator of the ends of the earth. John 1. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. He is the Creator. Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father are One. Jesus Christ is Eternal. Philippians 2.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,     did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; 7 rather, He made Himself nothing     by taking the very nature of a servant,     being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,     He humbled himself     by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place     and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,     in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,     to the glory of God the Father. Colossians 1. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. The Son of God is from the beginning. He became a man. The Creator at the creature’s breast. Hebrews 1. 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. John 8.58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” He is * The Eternal Word John 1.1-2 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. Micah 5.2 “... Whose origins are from old, from ancient times.” or from “everlasting”. The Hebrew word for "everlasting" means "beyond the vanishing point". When things began as we know time, God already was. He was always. He is. He always will be. We have eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3.11 ... He has set eternity in the hearts of men... This makes us unique. This makes us hunger and thirst for God. He has shared His Nature with us. The Eternal One was there when we were conceived and when we born. Psalm 139.13 For You created my inmost being;     You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;     Your works are wonderful,     I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You     when I was made in the secret place,     when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;     all the days ordained for me were written in Your book     before one of them came to be. What is happening in your life today, God wrote in His Book before the beginning of time. We are in touch with Eternity back, here and when time is no more. We need to remember that the LORD’s ultimate goal for us in to fit us for heaven. He uses all of our experiences in this life. Psalm 100.3 Know that the LORD is God.     It is He Who made us, and we are His;     we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Walking with Jesus, the Eternal Word. His Word in us. His Spirit within us, making us like Him. The Creator of the universe and all that exists is personally involved in our lives! We have fellowship with Him! v.3 fellowship= community, communion, joint participation, intimacy From the root word: a partner, associate, comrade, companion We are heading on the path that leads us to Him at the end. Psalm 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. That means right now He is with you, at work within you, knows the way. He is the Way! What a wonderful Savior and LORD! He is... * The Word of Life The expression of God The Living Word and the Written Word are the same. Jesus came from eternity was here and went back into eternity. His Word is eternal in the heavens. Psalm 119.89 Your word, LORD, is eternal; It stands firm in the heavens. Here is such an important Truth. God’s Word, Jesus, is in Heaven. By His Spirit Jesus is in us, with us and upon us. He walks with us. Even though heaven and earth pass away His Words will never pass away. They stand firm in the heavens. Jesus never fails. We can depend on Him. We can depend on what He has said. He is with us. He knows all about our struggles. He will guide us to the end. All the Way my Savior leads me, has led me, will lead me. There is not a friend like Jesus. "There’s no higher dream than experiencing God as He moves through every circumstance of life to an eternal encounter with Himself where transformed people will enjoy perfectly loving community around Jesus Christ, the source of Perfect Love. If that really is the highest dream of the human soul, why do so many of us dream only of lesser things and then despair when those dreams are shattered?" -Larry Crabb Jesus has the Words of Life. John 6.68 He is * The Word Become Flesh Titus 1. 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, Who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, That is eternity back, before the beginning of time. He humbled Himself He became a man He became obedient to death on a cross He understands our predicament. He walked in a human body. Revelation 13.8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. This was God’s plan. This was God’s will This demonstrates God’s love for us. We walk with Him in the light of His Word. One day we understand. We will know even as we are known. He is coming again. Jesus is our Hope. He has the Words of eternal Life!