Angels

Notes: Angels

Hebrews 1

Psalm 91

SPEAKER:

Jack Graham

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, July 24, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

Angels are spoken about all through the Bible. They are spoken about more often in the New Testament them agape love.

"Do not fear because the Angels are here"

Psalm 91:11-12 NLT

[11] For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. [12] They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

This is a promise to all believers in the world.

We live in a physical world, but beyond the physical world is an invisible spiritual wold.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

[18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

All around us is divine activity. Heaven is a real place and it is also a dimension. The eternal world is much closer than we think.

Elisha prayed to God that He would open Elisha's servant's eyes to see, God did...it was an eye opening experience. Elisha and his servant saw the angels there.

The best reason to look for angels is to see God. Angels are always there for the purposes of God. These are Angel beings doing God's work.

Three points today:

1. Angels are worshippers.

They are there to worship God. They are never to be worshipped.

Just like them, we are only to worship God.

Isaiah 6:2-8 NLT

[2] Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. [3] They were calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven's Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" [4] Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. [5] Then I said, "It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies." [6] Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. [7] He touched my lips with it and said, "See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven." [8] Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?" I said, "Here I am. Send me."

The Angels are there worshipping:

Isaiah 6:3 NLT

[3] They were calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven's Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!"

Angels watch us worship. What do they see when they watch you worship?

Angels are created by God...humans will never become angels.

Colossians 1:16 NLT

[16] for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see- such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

God created them for Himself.

Psalm 148:2 NLT

[2] Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Job 38:4-7 NLT

[4] "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. [5] Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? [6] What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone [7] as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

We don't know how many angels there are.

2. Angels are witnesses.

An angel is a messenger. They deliver important messages to individuals and sometimes to groups.

Pastor Jack said Harvest is known as a highly evangelistic church.

Angels do not share the Gospel. We have to declare the witness of Christ.

3. Angels are warriors.

The Bible does not confirm that we have a guardian angel, but it does confirm that we have an angel guard.

Angels are warriors fighting on our behalf in spiritual battles.

Daniel 10:9-21 NLT

[9] Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. [10] Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. [11] And the man said to me, "Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. [12] Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. [13] But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. [14] Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come." [15] While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. [16] Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. [17] How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe." [18] Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. [19] "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!" As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me." [20] He replied, "Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. [21] Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.

Prayer is not preparation for the battle, prayer IS the battle!

Angels are there fighting the spiritual battles for us.

We may not always see angels, but angels always see us.

Angels point us to Jesus.

Tis' The Season (Becoming Ant Man)

Notes: Tis' The Season (Becoming Ant Man)

Proverbs 30

SPEAKER:

Levi Lusko

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Thursday, July 14, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

Proverbs 30:25 NKJV

[25] The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

An old saying "don't sweat the small stuff", that can be good advice in some scenarios. But in some scenarios that can be deadly advice.

The space shuttles that exploded, exploded because of very small issues .

Luke 16:10 NKJV

[10] He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

If we take care of the quality of our minutes, we can trust God to take care of the years.

We need to do the small things for the Lord, the things that no one else sees. God sees it!

God keeps track of those who get the assist.

Small tactical activity can lead to large breakthroughs.

Agur speaks of four things that are small but are exceedingly wise...

Proverbs 30:24-28 NKJV

[24] There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: [25] The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; [26] The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; [27] The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; [28] The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings' palaces.

There are a million trillion ants in this world. There is 1.5 million ants per person on this planet.

Ants can lift 50 times their body weight.

Ants understand the power of teamwork. Even ant holes are the same size of a soldier ant's head.

Proverbs 30:25 NKJV

[25] The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

They do something when it is not winter, so that they have it when it is winter.

Proverbs 6:6 NKJV

[6] Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

Proverbs 6:8 NKJV

[8] Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

If we are to become Ant Man:

1. We need to learn to Understand Seasons

They are unavoidable and somewhat predictable.

Genesis 8:22 NKJV

[22] "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease."

Seasons are unavoidable! Yet they are predictable.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV

[1] To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: [2] A time to be born, And a time to die;A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; [3] A time to kill, And a time to heal;A time to break down, And a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh;A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to gain, And a time to lose;A time to keep, And a time to throw away; [7] A time to tear, And a time to sew;A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate;A time of war, And a time of peace.

To everything there are seasons.

Every season has a strength and a struggle, a blessing and a burden.

2. Diagnose Your Season

The sooner you can diagnose, the sooner you can adapt.

We need to access our season to know when to react.

We can keep building our sand castles too close to the break, or we can build it so it doesn't wash away quickly.

What's a small tactical activity you can make that can be a huge breakthrough for you?

Some seasons go quickly and some seem to drag on and on.

David was told he was going to be king, and then everything got worse for years.

Small decisions can bring you into and out of seasons.

No season last forever.

Your favorite season will be coming soon.

Once the season is gone, you will never get that exact same season back.

The season you are in would be greener if you would just water it.

If you get a blessing before its time, it will not become beautiful, it will be a burden when you don't want it.

3. Prepare for coming seasons

An old Chinese proverb: When is the best time to plant a tree? 10 years ago. The second best time is right now.

God at times will give us tomorrow's provision today. We must plan.

We have to become Ant Man, if you want potatoes in the fall, you must plant them now.

This is not just money that we may get today that will get us through tomorrow, it may be spiritual supplies you are given today as well that will get you through tomorrow.

One of the wisest things you can do in this life, is to train for a trial that you are not in now. It may not be for your benefit, but for someone else you care about.

Luke 16:9 NKJV

[9] "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

Use the money you have now to take care of those that will spend time with you in Heaven.

4 Celebrate your season.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

God is up to something and He is doing something. You might not know what it is, but it is for your good.

Trust your God that everything will become beautiful in time.

Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV

[11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] 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. [13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

No matter what season you are in, tis the season to be jolly...falalalala lalalala

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

Notes: Early to Bed, Early to Rise
1 Thessalonians 4:13
1 Thessalonians 5:1
SPEAKER:
Levi Lusko
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
Sunday, July 10, 2016 — 12:00 p.m.

Who can heal America? Jesus Christ!

Of we want to be like God, we won't see skin color, we will see the blood of Jesus Chirst.

Colossians 3:11 NLT
[11] In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
[13] 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NKJV
[1] But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. [2] For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Paul couldn't be with the church in Thessalonica, so he wrote them.

Paul says in almost all letters, the main point. Jesus died, Jesus rose, and Jesus will come again.

John 14:1-3 NKJV
[1] "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

1,845 mentions in the Bible about the comings of Christ.

The enemy will oppose all the unities of the church.

Every time Paul planted a new church, he was attacked.

Just like in our lives, if we are on the move for Christ, we will be attacked.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV
[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.

1. Not being clear will lead to unwarranted fear.

Unclear thinking will lead to unnecessary grieving.

The Message puts it like this:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 MSG
[13-14] And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

2. Because of Jesus, death is only temporary.

Our bodies will be raised in power.

The grave is only temporary.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 NKJV
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Because Christ rose, we can know that the same thing will happen to us.

The Cross of Christ is the payment, and the resurrection of Christ is the receipt. 

Jesus will either come with us or for us.

If you come with Jesus on that day, He is first coming for your body.

If you are still alive when Jesus comes again he will take you and you will be transformed on the spot.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 NKJV
[10] who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV
[15] and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Ephesians 2:2 NKJV
[2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

"When"is not the question "what" is.

1 Thessalonians 5:1 NKJV
[1] But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

"You have no need" to know. Get busy doing Gods work now.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NKJV
[11] that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, [12] that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Get to work, go back to your job so people don't need to support you, give back to the world.

Our goal is to get as many people to Heaven as possible. We don't pull back from the world as a church we are to go into the world.

The "what" is the holy living. The "what " is living for the glory of God.

How to and How Not to Pray

Notes: How to and How Not to Pray

Matthew 6

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST:

Steve Amerson

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

The Lord's Prayer

Sunday, July 3, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

We are all looking for certain things in life. God is looking for things too.

1. God is seeking the lost.

Luke 19:10 NKJV

[10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Gods heart seeks us, like we seek a lost child.

2. God is seeking true worshippers.

John 4:23 NKJV

[23] But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

3. God is seeking spiritual fruit.

Luke 13:7 NKJV

[7] Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'

4. God is seeking people to stand in the gap.

Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV

[30] So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

5. God is seeking intercessors.

Isaiah 59:16 NKJV

[16] He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

What if it was painful to pray? You should still pray.

Why don't we pray more:

1. We  think we don't have the time.

People check their social media accounts about 17 times a day. 5 hours a day watching tv! 

2. We don't think that prayer is that important.

Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer, He found it important.

Joshua learned how important it was to pray. They forgot God and lost the battle.

3. We think that prayer does not really work.

We need to learn how to pray. We need to pray the way Jesus has taught us.

James 4:2 NKJV

[2] You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Struggles may come and we don't pray for help.

We also need to learn how not to pray:

Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV

[5] "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [7] And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

We can actually be sinning while in prayer. Focusing on the one praying and not focusing on who was being prayed to.

God looks upon our heart as we pray. That's why we don't need to memorize prayers, we need to know how to pray.

Some prayers that we teach kids seem almost scary... "If I die before I wake..."

It's possible to "pray" with no thought of God at all.

Luke 18:11 NKJV

[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

The Pharisee stood there and praised himself.

Some "pray" to praise themselves, sometimes to gossip, to impress others. Prayers like that go no higher than the ceiling.

The objective of prayer is to get your will in alignment with God's will.

God already knows everything, but you are to petition Him for your needs.

The objective of prayer is not to change God; its to change you.

You don't want to change God, you need to change you.

It's not to inform God, it's to get us closer to God.

Matthew 6:9-14 NKJV

[9] In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. [13] 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. [14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

First three statements of the Lords Prayer deal with the glory of God, the final verses focus on our needs.

We don't want to think of God as an earthly father, but as the Bible looks at your Heavenly Father.

The word "hallowed" means to, "set apart."

God is set apart in your life, He is Lord over all. 

Can you write "hallowed be thy name" over your life and the actions in your life?

If you can't ask the Lord to bless it then don't do it!

Prayer is not getting my will in Heaven, its getting Gods will on Earth.

1 John 5:14 NKJV

[14] Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.

John 15:7 NKJV

[7] If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

You can ask for whatever your heart desires... But are you walking in a living communion with God.

If you are in a boat and you throw your rope to the dock, are you pulling the dock to you or you pulling yourself to the dock?

God is like the dock.

Matthew 6:10 NKJV

[10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

What is the kingdom of God?

It is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Luke 17:21 NLT

[21] You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you."

God is here in our presence. What is your relationship with Him?

Sometimes we mix up God's kingdom with Man's kingdom.

We need to vote with the Kingdom of God in mind. It's the most powerful kingdom and God will reign.

What is "thy Kingdom come":

1. This is a request for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

Lord come back to Earth and do it really soon!

Do you want Jesus to return?

2 Peter 3:14 NLT

[14] And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

2. This is a personal request.

Lord, I give you access to my whole life to do your will.

3. This is a request for the salvation of those that don't know the Lord.

Do not give up on praying for others. Keep praying that the Kingdom will come.

Matthew 7:13 NLT

[13] "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

God gives us a free will, so pray that God opens the eyes of nonbelievers.

Others can escape our presence, but they cannot escape our prayers.

There is a time to talk and a time to just keep quiet and pray.

Isaiah 53:12 NLT

[12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

"Give us this day our daily bread" Matthew 6:11

A Jew during Jesus' time would have bread with every meal.

Jesus was tempted by the Devil to turn a rock into bread.

By praying the prayer for daily bread, you are acknowledging that God owns it. We are dependent on God and He is independent from me.

What we have has all been given to us from God.

Thank God for everything you have.

James 1:17 NLT

[17] Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT

[18] Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

 

Jesus does not tell us to pray for dessert, but for our necessities.

We should work hard, that is Biblical. It is also one of the things that made our country strong.

Daily bread, not monthly bread. The Lord parcels it out so we can keep going back to Him.

God never gives you less than you need. 

Prayer... What a privilege!