3 things Samson did that we need to learn.

·        why we have scripture card?

·         Matthew 4:3-4, Jesus could have said something to Satan that could BECOME a scripture, but he quoted from the OT

·         2 Peter 3 è Expect the great thing, reserved for fire, purification daily in our Christian life so we cannot have caught spiritually naked when we expect second coming of our Lord. We have our opportunity of evangelization.  

·        Isaiah 48:18-9- We are commanded -Do not dwell in the past, but keep looking forward.

·         Judges 13:5- Samson who lived in the past.

·         God blessed him from the announcement of his birth, his growth

·         Judges 14:6-9

·         he had affair with prostitute

·         he had lots of mistakes in his life.

·         In our Christian life, it’s dangerous to drive forward while looking into the rear view mirror.

·        3 things Samson did that we need to learn.

1.   Samson show his future through faith - when his eyes out, he was forced to look to God through faith.

Ø Hebrews 11:6God wanted Samson to please him.

Ø Philippians 3:13- Bible reminds us to forget those things behind you, and forward things that are ahead you.

Ø Ecclesiastes 7:10

Ø Matthew 18:9, take out those things that holds you back - LET IT GO

2.   Judges 16:27-28- Samson cried out to God to deliver from his past mistakes

Ø his is the first time he praises God.

Ø Psalms 18:6

Ø Psalms 86:5

3.   Judges 16:29-30-samson accomplished more than end of his life than his beginning- he recognized that there was more in future then his past.

Ø Job 8:5-7

Sermon Notes: 1/31/2016

The battle is not ours, but God's

·         2 Chronicles 20:15 > …Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

·         2 Chronicles 19:4-11, Jehoshaphat performed series of reform in their land to bring relationship to the God. Because of his reform, he had enemies surrounded to the land.

·         1 Peter 5:8, Enemies is like a roaring lion hungry to pull you down.

·         2 Chronicles 20:3, Jehoshaphat was fearful. when he became fearful, he sought the Lord. He proclaimed fast.   

·         If you need victory in your life, the Bible tells us to seek the lord & observe fast.

·         2 Chronicles 20:14-15, anytime Gods people are attacked, God takes it personally.

How you encounter your problem?

1.    2 Chronicles 20:6 > Jehoshaphat remembered who God is > when we encounter a problem, we need to remember who God is.

2.    2 chronicles 20:7, Psalms 77:11 > Jehoshaphat remembered, what God did for his ancestors

3.    2 chronicles 20:8-12, Psalms 119:49-51, 2 Peter 1:2-4 > Jehoshaphat remembered Gods promises

4.    2 chronicles 20:15-17, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:6 > Jehoshaphat remembered that God is with you

5.    2 chronicles 20:20-25 > Jehoshaphat remembered that all things worked for those who loved the Lord

6.    2 chronicles 20:26 > Jehoshaphat remember to give glory to God, they began to praise God

·         Berachah - the valley of death became valley of victory 

Sermon notes, 1/24/2016

• Are you raising the bar of worship or lowering the bar of worship?

·        1 Samuel 15:10-12 > Time of despair 

·         1 Samuel 16:1-18 > David raised the standard of worship

·         Most often we lower the bar like Saul that given to us.

·         If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

·         Saul partially obeyed - 1 Samuel 13:8- strange fire- unauthorized worship

1.   David raise the bar of worship

Ø  Psalm 138:1 -3 David's desire to worship with > whole heart, boldness and Gods prescribed manner  

2.   I Samuel 17:4-11 - David raise the bar of faith

Ø because of Saul had lower the bar of faith, they were afraid of Goliath. They were paralyzed by fear.

Ø 1 Samuel 17:23-26,45-47- David raise the standard of faith

Ø 1 Samuel 17:34- David's declaration of faith., 2 Corinthians 4:13- if you believe in Gods promises then speak about it.

Ø Joshua 2:8-11- it was a time when fear of Israel was upon the enemy.

Ø God does not need weapons of war, God needs weapons of faith.

3.   David raise the standards of God’s glory

Ø 1 Samuel 17-46, David refuse the weapon of war. He trusts the name of God.

Ø the glory came back to the house of Israel.

4.   David raise the bar for the next generation.

Ø 2 Samuel 21:16-17 -Who is Zeruiah? > 1 Chronicle 2:10-16

Ø 2 Samuel 21:20-21, David's nephew kills the giant.

Ø Early church kept the bar raised in their time of difficulties, and God uses them greatly & mightily 

Psalms 89:20-29

Sermon Notes 1/17/2016

The Four qualities of effective prayers

·         James 5:18 > Fervent prayers from a humble, submitted servant are powerful.

·         1 Kings 18:42-46 > The Four qualities of effective prayers

1.    1 kings 18:42, effective prayers are humble prayers- His grace are for those who are humble.

2.    Effective prayers are specific- Elijah had one request, Rain. Effective prayers come boldly to the throne.

3.    Effective prayers are persistent; God will open the window of heaven for you. Keep praying, God will show up in His time.

4.    Effective prayers are expectant prayers.

·         Elijah’s position – one of humility and intensity.

·         His persistence – he told his servant to go check seven times. He didn’t give up.

·         His faith – Once the first little could appeared he knew what was coming even though it hadn’t rained for 31/2 years.

·         The results – Not just a little rain.

Sermon note 1/10/2016

There is no restrain to the LORD to save by many or by few.

·         1 Samuel 14:6 > Book of Judges is book of chaos.

·         Shamgar was a Judge.

·         Judges 3:31; Judges 5:6 > Children of Israel were on high alert due to philistine. Philistine were controlling children of Israel. It was a time when the people of Israel were filled with fear. They were afraid to travel the highways because of their oppressors. They were afraid to live in their homes because of those who invaded and attacked them.

·         SHAMGAR was a farmer. He carried and fought with an “oxgoad”.

·         An oxgoad was not a weapon, it was an agricultural tool. It was a pole some 8 to 10 feet in length and about 2 inches in diameter. One end was tipped by a long iron point. This end was used to encourage the oxen he was driving to move. Oxen might not respond to voice commands or the pulling of the reins, but they would respond to the sharp point of the oxgoad. The other end of this tool was shaped like a spade. It was a metal blade used to clean wet clay, roots and other impediments off plow points.

·         When God saved us, He enlisted us in His army and set us about the business of spiritual warfare. We are war today! We are at war with Satan, like the Canaanites, he would oppress us. We are at war with the world, like the Philistines, it would invade us and take away everything we value.

1.    Shamgar was an unqualified person to fight against philistine.

·         Because he was a farmer who use ox goad. A man with no experience of fighting. 

·         1 Corinthians 1:27-29 -God qualify unqualified people to fight the battle. 

·         why God choose unqualified because he wants no flesh to glory in His presence.

·         Christianity is based on believing.

2.    Judges 3:31- Shamgar fought the battle alone. He was un accompany.

·         Genesis 39:1-2; 20-21, when it seems like you are alone in your trial & tribulation, you are never alone, God is with you.

·         Genesis 41:38, can people acknowledge that God is with you?

3.    Judges 3:31 - Shamgar fought with what he had, He used least significant thing - Ox goad

·         God wants to use what you have. You have to see your gift, your talent.

·         Exodus 4:2, God anoint a rod in to His power to make it more significant thing.

·         God wants you to anoint you with His power to make you more significant 

4.    Judges 3:31, Shamgar was un reluctance, patiently waiting for victory. He left the results to God

·         God took insignificant & make significant over and over. 

5.    Shamgar did what he could do. 

·         God wants your availability to follow Him.

·         do what you are capable of doing- stand in the gap & pray.

·         When Jesus was tempted as a human being, He did not use His divine power to defeat the temptation, instead He use prayer, fasting, & word of God to set an example for us what we can do as a human being.

Sermon Notes 1/3/2016