Valor: Grace Above the Law

Notes: Valor: Grace Above the Law

October 6, 2015

Pastor Jason Powell

Harvest OC

What is the wire we are balancing on in our Christian walk, the thing we need to have laser beam focus on?  Justification

Galatians 2:16 NKJV

[16] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Justification is the truth of the gospel.

Justification is a legal word borrowed from the court system. To be justified is to be declared legally righteous.

God delivers righteousness to us. God takes it from Jesus and hands it to us.

Romans 5:9 NKJV

[9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Colossians 3:3 NKJV

[3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Justification is what gives us joy because we are right with God.

One of the greatest mysteries in life is that a righteous God in Heaven has handed justification to me.

When we learned that we are justified we all tend to work harder for the Lord, not because we have to but because we want too.

In Galatians 2 Paul is calling out the distorters of the Gospel. Then Paul calls the people back to the Gospel.

Acts 14 and 15 appear to be written in parallel to Galatians 1 and 2.

In Acts 14 and 15 Paul is a new believer. Galatians 1 and 2 are referencing that time.

What does it take to be saved? Faith in Jesus.

Galatians 2:1-4 NKJV

[1] Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. [2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. [3] Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. [4] And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),

Galatians 2:5-10 NKJV

[5] to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. [6] But from those who seemed to be something-whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man-for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. [7] But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter [8] (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), [9] and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. [10] They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

The world around us today is trying to do the same things as the false brethren were doing here.

The world is very ardent in trying to tear away at our foundation as believers.

We need to confront the distorters of the Gospel with the truth of the Gospel.

The church needs to hear the gospel just as much as everyone else.

Galatians 2:11-16 NKJV

[11] Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; [12] for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. [13] And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. [14] But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? [15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, [16] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

In Acts 10, Peter clearly knew that he was no longer under the law. Yet, even Peter returns to the law.

Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

I am counted right in front of God because of Jesus, not because of me.

Galatians 2:17-21 NKJV

[17] "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! [18] For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. [21] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Again...

Galatians 2:21 NKJV

[21] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Nothing can justify us in front of God except the blood of Jesus Christ.

Symptoms of drifting away...

1. Pride for what you have been doing, going to work, the way you act etc.

2. Feel like you act different at church then at home?

3. Feeling a little conviction for your actions?

We are to focus on the gospel. We will never be justified by our acts.

We all need to be called back on a daily basis to justification by faith alone.

Glory Days

Notes: Glory Days

Joshua 6

SPEAKER: Max Lucado

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, October 4, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Some times it feels that we all need to just spend a moment with Christ.

Max became a believer in college, just before he could of easily gone into a life of alcoholism and womanizing. Best decision he ever made.

Jericho was a walled city filled with bad people. The walls seemed impenetrable. Joshua didn't take the walls down, God did.

Our Jericho could be anger, fear, grief, pain or any other thing that keeps us from our glory filled lives.

Joshua led 2 million people into the promise land during the 7 Glory Years of Israel.

Do you feel like you could use some glory days? Do you feel like you have spent more time in the wilderness than with God?

Only 11% of Christians feel like they are advancing in their faith.

The book of Joshua is in the Bible so people can see how God can move us from a barren life into a Promised Land life.

To enter into the promise land, your Jericho must come down. That is anything that is blocking your faith from advancing.

Joshua 6:2-5 NKJV

[2] And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. [3] You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. [4] And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. [5] It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."

Saved people fight from victory not for victory.

The Christian Faith is all about receiving your inheritance from the Lord. You didn't earn it, your received it.

You are not just a heir but a co-heir of Heaven with Jesus.

Promised land people get these things, Promised Land people know there are bad things coming but those bad things will not win.

Do not trap yourself with "Wilderness" thinking.

Promised Land people don't think or talk like Wilderness Land people.

We move forward in faith not fear. From victory not defeat.

Joshua believed in his inheritance.

Joshua 6:6-10 NKJV

[6] Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD." [7] And he said to the people, "Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD." [8] So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. [9] The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. [10] Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, 'Shout!' Then you shall shout."

There was no war cry, the people were told to be quiet.

Jericho was engaging in Spiritual Warfare.

There is a devil, he is on a short leash and his days are numbered. He spits lies at all times to deceive us all.

As Christians we are not afraid of the devil. We see that he is there, but we focus on God.

Jericho is a stronghold or attitude that keeps us from marching into the promise land.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

In our case, a stronghold is not a physical wall, but a thought or opinion that keeps us from God. It's a lie.

"Nothing good has ever happened to me" is a stronghold it's a lie.

You have to acknowledge that there is a stronghold, just like Joshua acknowledged there was Jericho.

Then he put the Arc of the Covenant in the middle of it, for us that is God. You put God into the center of your stronghold.

Then he blasted the ram’s horn. It's a symbol of how God provides. They were living out their inheritance. You get your Rams horn out of Bible scriptures.

A great Rams horn...

Romans 8:1 NKJV

[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Rather then give into a stronghold pick up a Rams horn.

Next time you sense a stronghold grab a Rams horn:

Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are in spiritual warfare, and we must battle it accordingly. Satan will not stay where scripture is used to battle him.

Psalm 25:5 NKJV

[5] Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

The Bible is the sword of the Spirit.

Memorize some scripture and pull it out like a sword when you need to battle the devil.

We don't know how long we have to march around our Jericho.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

[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.

Keep God in the middle of your strongholds.

Why You Need the Church and the Church Needs You!

Notes: Why You Need the Church and the Church Needs You!

Acts 2

Pastor Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST: Dominic Balli

SERIES: What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

Thursday, October 1, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

If you are not growing as a Christian then you are going backwards. You are getting stronger or you are getting weaker.

There was a weight trainer that gained 70 lbs so that he could better relate with his clients. He found it exhilarating at first, but then he started to feel the effects. Greg said that is like a back slider.

Proverbs 14:14 NKJV

[14] The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

[8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

A Bible that is falling apart is a good indicator of the owners life that isn't falling apart.

We must have a prayer life. To pray about everything and anything.

1 Kings 18:15 NKJV

[15] Then Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today."

If you can kneel before God, then you can stand before any man.

You need to be a part of the church and serving.

You need the church and the church needs you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

[24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 John 3:14 NKJV

[14] We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1 John 2:19 NKJV

[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

The closer you are to God, the closer you want to be to His people.

Are you more comfortable being around believers or nonbelievers?

Church is not a movie theater. Church is a family. The church is not all about you.

It is a state of spiritual maturity when you don't want to be the person that is served, but the person that serves.

Why does the church exist?

The glorification of God, the edification of the saints, and to evangelize the world.

Where do you find the things you need in your life? What better place to find the things you need than in the church!

The church is the place you get what you need.

People with faith heal faster, have lower blood pressure, and are less depressed.

Acts 2:42-47 NKJV

[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, [45] and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. [46] So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

This church was W.E.L.L.

Worshiping, evangelistic, learning and loving.

1. W - They were a worshipping church.

Worship is not a warm up act, it is prayer set to song,

Psalm 106:1 NKJV

[1] Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Revelation 15:2-3 NKJV

[2] And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. [3] They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!

God doesn't care what your pitch is or your key, He looks at your heart when you sing worship.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

[15] Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Job worshipped when he lost everything.

Worship can be a witness:

Acts 2:47 NKJV

[47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Paul and Silas worshipped while they were imprisoned and the others listened to them.

You are a witness to others in church that are visiting just as much as the pastor.

Worship is a wonderful way to get things into perspective.

Praising the greatness of God is a great way to get things into perspective.

Psalm 73:16-18 NKJV

[16] When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. [18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

2. E - They were an evangelistic church.

A growing church is a healthy church.

3. L - They were a Learning church.

We need to study the word of God at the church and together.

We need to be in the church.

The Bible needs to be a part of your life.

Acts 2:42 NKJV

[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

"Continued Steadfastly" we need appointed speakers, but we also need appointed listeners.

You listen differently when your life depends on it. Your life does depend on listening to the word of God.

4. L - They were a Loving church.

Malachi 3:16 NKJV

[16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

God likes to eavesdrop on our prayers.

Church is not a classroom, it is a place to learn and love.

When you find yourself out of fellowship with others in the church, you find yourself out of fellowship with God.

I am to judge and you are to judge fellow Christians. Accountability is a part that happens in church.

You need to have a place you belong.

We need to get to the place where we enjoy serving.

Romans 12:4-10 NKJV

[4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Volunteer for everything and find out what you are good at. The process of elimination is effective.

If you are called to serve, then serve well.

When you honor others, the Lord will honor you.