The Greatness of Grace

The Greatness of Grace

Bishop Ron Lewis

Focus: God’s grace in Jesus Christ finds you, saves you, keeps you, and empowers you for his glory.

Points:

 I shouldn’t be here…except for the grace of God. 

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:14-17

• Jesus is full of grace.

• It doesn’t matter how bad or good we’ve been.

• Grace is mentioned 4 times in these 4 verses.

• Jesus came to the lowest place in the world: Israel (geography), manger (like an animal), cross (like a criminal).

• All we can do, is RECEIVE the grace of God. 

• 39 of the 40 miracles in Acts were outside the church.

• Where we are, God is there. 

What is grace?

• God’s→Riches→At→Christ’s→Expense

• Jesus did it all and we can only receive.

• The blood of Jesus Christ for our sins is God’s grace toward us. 

• If we reject God’s grace we must rely on our obedience to the Old Testament standard of righteousness based on perfect obedience to 600+ laws.

• Grace guarantees that we have been acknowledged, accepted, redeemed, chosen, loved, ransomned, adopted and adored by the living God through Jesus Christ. 

We Become New 

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

• Grace makes us brand new.

• Grace restores us to God and others 

6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”- Malachi 4:6

We Are Kept 

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, - Titus 2:11-12

• The grace of God brings salvation.

• The grace of God trains us to live godly lives here and now. 

• Before grace sin was normal.

• ‘Hesed’ is God’s covenant kindness to love us, never leave us, or forsake us. 

• This Hesed empowers us to do God’s work.

• We are now living in grace and we can expect good things to happen. 

• Grace is the gift of God that help you be who you’re meant to be.Questions:

• Are you too proud to receive God’s grace in Jesus Christ?

• Does your success keep you from God’s grace?

• Are your failures keeping you from God’s grace?

• No matter what you’re going through God is with you, never leaving you, and is giving you his grace.

• All we can do is say thank you.  

Pray

Thank you God for your grace that finds me, saves me, makes me new, and empowers me to be who you’ve called me to be in Jesus Christ. Fill me again now. Amen.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. - John 3:16-17

Second City Church - Bishop Ron Lewis 

Running In The Rain

 Running In The Rain

Pastor Jim Critcher

1 Kings 18:41-46 (NIV84)

[41] And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” [42] So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. [43] “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” [44] The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' ” [45] Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. [46] The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

1. Running In The Rain - 1Kings 18:46; Psalm 20:7-8; Joshua 3:3-4

2. Rain and Revolt - 1Kings 19; 2Cor. 4:4

3. Rain Reveals - Isaiah 6:5; Romans 7:24-25

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV84)

… since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 

The Way of the Exile

THE WAY OF THE EXILE 

Pastor Nathan Lewis

Main text; 
Jeremiah 29:4-7, 11 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. (Genesis 1!!)  7 But seek the welfare of the city (Shalom) where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Supporting Text: 
John 17:14-18 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

Summary Thought: 

When we are able to recongnize that God is working thought the circumstances that brought us to where we are today (the city), we can find fresh calling and mission where he has placed us. Even when we feel like we don’t belong somewhere God can use us to be a blessing

Potental questions: 

1. What brought you to live in this area? Do you see any evidences that God brought you here or do you see it as entirely upon your choices and circumstances? 

2. How do you think God feels about Chicago? Why might God want his people to move into areas of density and diversity like cities? 

3. Jesus’ teaching in John 17 is often summerized as, “be in the world, but not of the world”. What does this mean to you? What difficulties do you face to not be “of Chicago?” 

4. Why does God call his people to live so differently from their surrounding culture? In what ways is God calling you to “seek the welfare of the city”? 

_______________Message Notes______________

Exile - 605 BC- Kingdom of Judah captured by Babylon - Cultural assimilation - Brought IN!

RESIST // ASSIMILATE - 3rd Way  — THE WAY OF THE EXILE 

False Prophet Hananiah - don’t settle down, stay outside- 2 YEARS! 

Jeremiah 29:4-14 4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. (Genesis 1!!)  7 But seek the welfare of the city (Shalom) where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Living in tension of GLORY and EXILE - Meaning for life & disciple follow JESUS Teach how to live FOR GOD - in a broken & Fallen world - Way of Exile - 6 points 

1. Purpose In Your Placement. 

God - “I have sent you into exile” 

                           If God has sent you — There is Purpose in your Placement

2. Make a Home Here - “Build houses and live in them” - Chebar Canal vs. Babylon 

Scotland — “let your heart move to the city” 

Put the call out — Move into the city, move into the place of power, influence, culture

-geographic - Encourage you to stay connected with the city. SO many come to take, degree, career bump, — Get involved here, stay here, raise kids here, build community here, 

-emotionally - don’t check out. Don’t turn off the news, draw the curtains, wait for the rapture, don’t hide in christian subculture or wait for some sweet by and by

3. Plant & Eat  - “plant gardens and eat their produce”

Longterm vision for Livelihood - Not just self promotion — be PRESENT. 

Start tending the relationships at — your work— apartment block — 

Treat it like you’re going to be there for a while. 

Decorate your home — Meet your neighbors — Particulate in local elections — Get involved in your kids school.  — PLANT. 

The twist - you’re in but not of. You’re on a mission. We know our home is temporary. 

For some - Plant, commit 

For others - Stop seeking only personal gain - Make a difference 

4. Make Covenant Commitments - 

A. think multigenerational        

6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

GROW THE FAMILY!  Genesis 1 — Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

Make disciples. Be a disciple. 

Discipleship - Helping others Know God… commit to this church 

— Serve something!    Tithe,    Turn UP (REGULARLY!),       Let your name be known.

B.Think Covenantally 

Give yourself deep covenantal relationships — commit to each other. Ask the hard questions. Invest in people in our church.     Go out of your way.     

5. Pray & Seek Shalom — J.29:7 But seek the welfare (shalom) of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Your job has purpose — you can influence for JESUS 

- Also work is participating in Shalom  — Bringing flourishing 

70 Years — God’s ppl. left a mark! - Kings came to know God  

The 1 True God became so famous - Persian King knew him

6. Follow The Ultimate Exile 

a wicked king could bring Israel OUT — but only a righteous king could bring us IN 

GOAL: Not just OUT of Babylon (not OF the world) - IN a relationship with GOD (garden)

Jesus is the ultimate exile — left HEAVEN to rescue EARTH  

John 17:14-18 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

The way of the exile = The way of Jesus - Being in the world, but not of the world

leave behind - achieving identity and purpose form this world

to follow Jesus means stop playing the world’s game - Join Jesus’ mission. 

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 

Guest Speaker: Pastor Reggie Roberson

Participation in Visitation

Guest Speaker: Pastor Reggie Roberson

God is visiting our nation in a special way. There is a river of power flowing through our nation because God has chosen to pour out HIs spirit.

• New York stories: (Bound 3 million g of porn suspended in hell, guy drugged by girl encounters Christ.)

• One lady came to our church to door dash food and heard the audible voice.

• San Antonio - 14 people the majority over 60 baptized in the Holy Spirit

• Austin guy (Muslim)

Brothers and sisters, this is just the beginning of God’ visitation to our country.

Second city church

• Vision of a ball of light spinning and bringing things quickly into itself. Acceleration of growth and maturity

○ Young people who responsibly handle the word and push aside temptations mightily.

○ Transplants of people who are looking to live on the edge of their faith.

○ Resources

I want to exhort you today, family, that God doesn’t want you to miss his visitation but instead God’s wants your Participation in His Visitation

I want to talk about this today.

Luke 19:35-44 ESV

35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,

42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side

44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.””

Let’s pray!

Context:

God through Jesus Christ was visiting the Jews. He was longing for the Jews to see him and his work so they could believe in him and have life.

Jesus was a walking revival and with signs, wonders, miracles and people had radical turn arounds.

Yet there were also those who would reject Christ despite the evidence of His messiahship in the work.

It is very puzzling to me as to how it could be that the Jews, who had extensive knowledge of the scripture and 400 years before Christ they had no prophets or miracle workers until John the Baptist and then Jesus and the Jews missed the time of God’s visitation.

Not accepting the day of God’s visitation in Christ had dire consequences for the Jews; they would see a Roman invasion at 70 ad in which they would take out their temple and do things predicted by Christ in this passage.

Jesus says I longed to give you the things that make for peace but you would not have it.

The question of the hour is:

● Will we miss the good things that God longs to give us?

● Will we perceive the day of God’s visitation in Christ?

God’s wants your Participation in His Visitation

How does your participation look in the visitation?

Devoted Exaltation

v. 38 (Pharisees rebuke your disciples not the rocks will cry out v. 40)

There were two things these people got right: Praising God and following Jesus where He was going.

● We need to praise God. Declare out of our mouths who he is and what he has done; this keeps our hearts ready for what God wants to do. “But You are holy, enthroned (visit) on the praises of Israel.” Psalms 22:3 HCSB

● We also need to follow Jesus in our lives. We should seek to discern his will and obey it.

Obeying God means we do God’s will God’s way in God’s Time.

They got the exaltation right but the devoted part was wrong. Many of those who praised Jesus, even the disciples, would abandon Jesus and betray Him.

We know how to celebrate people when things are going as we expected but we struggle to do so when it is not as expected.

● Your favorite sports team.

● A project at work;

● a kid in school.

Our praise and obedience can be silenced by circumstances.

Has your praise of God been silenced by your circumstances?

Here’s the thing: God is good all the time even when things are not looking like we expected.

He works things out for our good Romans 8:28. You see, God is looking for the ones who will be faithful to him regardless of what happens in their lives so He can show himself strong on their behalf and use them powerfully during the time of his visitation.

This brings me to my next thought:

Adjust Expectation

V. 42 Jesus goes from this high moment to weeping over the city. What happened? He knows their hearts and how they will lose devotion.

They lack devoted exaltation because they had not adjusted their expectations.

This is what caused them to lose their devotion.

They expected God to move and work in a particular way and it did not happen. They expected

Jesus to march into Jerusalem and set up his Kingdom and kick Rome's butt. Of course that meant that their lives would be easier because they know Jesus. Jesus totally violated this because instead of dominating his enemies, he died for us enemies. Instead of taking back power he gave up power.

When expectations are unmet it leads to frustration or offense and sometimes passivity, quitting, or taking matters into your own hands.

If we do not adjust our expectations we may not participate in God’s visitation.

Illustration: Jesus Revolution Movie

What are some blessings you’ve had that didn’t come in the way you thought they would have come?

During a time of visitation, devoted exaltation is possible when we adjust our expectation as we Contend for Revelation.

Contend for Revelation

Jesus says that visitation was hidden from their eyes v.42 Many scholars agree that this hiding is spiritual and sinister in nature. It is the same hiding that is spoken of in 2 Corinthians 4:4 where Paul says the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.

This blinding of the heart or a lack of revelation is what is at the root of the Jews missing the day of visitation. Here’s the thing, everyone needs revelation from God in this hour; none of us are exempt.

Revelation helps to adjust your expectations and stirs your heart for devoted exaltation.

We need to read, listen to and study the Bible like we have never done before. God speaks to us and reveals things to us from his scripture.

When we get the Bible chapters and verses in our heart we are able to push back the blinding power of sin and binding power of the enemy.

Psalm 119:11

Ephesians 6:17

When we get the word of God in us we have a renewed mind in which we can discern the will of

God including the time of visitation. Romans 12:2

We need to be praying like we have never prayed before. The type of prayer I am talking about is not like a prayer to bless your meal for dinner.

It is a prayer where we go deep and constant.

● It’s deep means less distraction, more time if possible where you have the opportunity to sense God’s heart.

● Constant means prayer doesn’t stop because you finished your devotional time.

○ It means during your classes, at work, in your favorite places to eat, or in your

recreation you are consciously aware that God may choose to move or move you

to do something.

○ You have conversations with God as you live out your daily life.

■ God may speak to you about giving;

■ God may speak to you about serving;

■ He may speak to you about sharing his gospel with a family member, friend, or stranger.

■ He may give a strategy on how to pray for someone and bless them.

We need a revelation of what God wants in our lives. We need precise and targeted revelation knowledge.

Shane’s Mandeville story

If you are not a follower of Christ, God is visiting you today. You must understand and know today that Jesus took this road to Jerusalem for you. This is the road where he would be betrayed and handed over to the Romans and die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and your sins so that you could have forgiveness of sins, and all the blessings that come from a loving relationship with him would belong to you. He did this for you and you can receive what he has done if you put your trust in him today.

Summarize

Prayer If you want to participate in God’s visitation, stand to your feet and I will pray for you.

Salvation

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 

GUEST PASTOR KORE BENDIX

GUEST PASTOR KORE BENDIX 

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

Faith for Freedom

Faith for Freedom

Guest Speaker: Matt Rasch

Faith for Freedom

•    Freedom only comes to our lives because God is redemptive.

•    Redemption is a theological term that describes the saving action of God from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation.

•    Let’s define redemption a little better

Redemption & Redeemer

-   Larousse:

•    Action bring someone back to a well state. To buy back (Larousse)

-   GoogleOxford Dictionary:

•    The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

•    The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.2

-   From the root Latin word “redimere” we understand the meaning of ‘buying back’.2

-   Hebrew גָּאַל g̱â’al 

•    a primitive root, to redeem according to the Oriental law of kinship

-   to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.):

•    avenger, deliver (perform the part of near or next)

•    kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem, rescue, or liberate.3

-   A redeemer is someone who buys back or rescues.4

-   Chris Wright explains that there are three main aspects of redemption in the Old Testament:

1.     Avenging of shed blood

•    If someone was murdered, a member of the victim’s family took responsibility for bringing the guilty one to receive justice.

2.     Redeeming land or slaves

•    If one had to sell one’s land to stay economically afloat, a near relative had the responsibility to buy it for it to stay in the family.

•    If someone because of economic difficulty, had to sell themselves into bonded labor, it was the duty of a wealthier relative to buy the person back. (lev. 25 for the rules)

3.     Providing an heir

1.     If a man died without a son to inherit his name and property, a kinsman had a moral and legal duty to take the dead man’s widow and seek to raise an heir for the deceased.

2.     The story of Ruth and Boaz is one of the most illustrative of this law found in Ruth 4.

Redemption in the Fall

-   We are blessed as we read the Bible from the beginning because we see the theme of redemption from the beginning.

-   We start with Adam and Eve giving into temptation and sinning against God.

•    In their disobedience to His simple command, they end up banned from Eden, and the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from them.

•    These are the consequences of their sin.

•    There are always consequences for our sin; most of the time they start with shame and fear.

-   We see these two in Adam and Eve’s response.

•    Genesis 3:10

-   “I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

-   they were both afraid of God and the consequences of disobedience, but they were also ashamed of their nakedness.

-   Interpretation Commentary,

•    “They had wanted knowledge rather than trust. And now they have it. They now know more than they could have wanted to know. And there is no place to run.”5

-   Interpretation Commentary,

•    “The speech of the indicted couple is revealing, for it is all “I.” Therein lies the primal offense: “I heard . . . , I was afraid . . . , I was naked; I hid. . . . I ate. . . . I ate” (3:10–13). Their own speech indicts them. It makes clear that their preoccupation with the Gardener, with his vocation, his permission, his prohibition, has been given up. Now the preoccupation is “I.” The fear and the hiding helped no more than the eating.”5

•    One would think that all this would only enrage God to kill them and start over.

-   The miracle in this story is not that God punished them but that they lived!

-   In this, God redeems them from certain temporal death.

-   He removes them from the Garden of Eden to keep them from living forever in a state of knowledge of evil and good.

-   This is the beginning of age limitations, and within which the option to serve God is the choice determining one’s eternal destiny.

-   In fact, after God gave out their punishment, He steps in and graciously covers them with clothes that they couldn’t make for themselves, in the process redeeming them.

Overview of Old Testament Redemption

-   Moving to a bird’s eye view of the Old Testament, we see God’s redemption in the following:

•    Genesis 48:16

-   Jacob, near the end of his life, says while blessing Joseph his son,

•    “the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

-   Chris Wright re-phrases with biblical background understanding, “the angel who stood up for me, and defended me against all my enemies and tough circumstances”6

-   Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 that when no one else stood with him, “the Lord stood with him and strengthened him” for the task of preaching the gospel.

•    Exodus 6:6 and Exodus 15:13 show God’s redemptive nature through delivering the people of Israel from Egyptian slavery.

-   They had originally come to Egypt escaping the famine.

-   What started out as generosity and kindness to the Hebrew people by the Egyptians turned into enslavement.

•    “‘I’ am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.”

-   And after the Exodus miracle:

•    “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.”

-   We see God’s love redeeming and leading towards abiding in God.

•    We see this manifest again in Christ’s words found in John 15:4,

-   “Abide in me, and I in you”

•    God delivers the Hebrew people from Egypt when they leave, but then the Egyptians change their minds and try to chase them down in their chariots.

-   God once again delivers His people through the miracle of the Red Sea parting.

-   This is a metaphor for baptism in water

-   We are saved when we are freed from Egypt, but Egypt always tries to come back

-   Baptism in water cuts away supernaturally from the unclean past so that we may be free.

•    After the people’s deliverance through the Red Sea, we see the people wandering in the desert for 40 years experiencing hardships but learning to trust God.

-   During this period of time, God is sanctifying them, cleansing them from Egypt’s idolatrous ways.

-   This is the restoration period where God is healing the past, restoring our souls and hearts to be whole again.

-   It may take longer than 40 years, but we are called to go through this to come into the Promise Land.

•    Our Promise Land is not unlike the land promised to the Israelites, but to enter it we must be living in obedience to the Lord

-   Joshua 5:6

•    “For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord, to whom the Lord had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

•    As a metaphor for us today living born again by Jesus, this Promised Land is not a geographical place, but a place made by Jesus in the Spirit.

-   When we abide in Him, we experience the full benefits of the abundance of the Kingdom of God:

•    Righteousness, Peace, & Joy in the Holy Spirit.

-   No matter our career, our family, our mistakes or weaknesses, as we abide in Jesus, obeying and enjoying Him, we will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7).

•    The people of God experience again and again the redemption of God as they enter the Promise Land and defeat their enemies.

•    The people of God get fat living off of the Promise Land and then turn back to idols.

-   Deuteronomy 31:20 prophesies this

•    “For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant.”

•    The consequence of turning to idols was to allow their enemies to capture them again, allowing the discipline of the Lord to awaken His people.

-   As a result, throughout the Old Testament, we see the pattern repeated:

•    Love God - experience God’s goodness and peace.

•    Prosper - get lazy and start worshipping idols

•    Idolatry

•    Punishment - in the form of other nations defeating and ruling Israel

•    Wakeup - repent, cry out for mercy and salvation

•    God’s redemption - redeems them and the pattern starts again.

-   This pattern repeats itself until Jesus shows up

Redemption in Jesus

-   Luke 19:10

•    “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

-   Jesus’ ministry was that of redeeming mankind from the effects of a sinful world

•    Jesus healed the sick,

•    Jesus cast demons out of those oppressed and possessed,

•    Jesus restored hope to the hopeless

•    Jesus bound up the broken hearted

•    Jesus set the captives free.

-   Overall, we see the ministry of Jesus being a mere precursor to His ultimate intention - the Redemption of humanity once and for all.

•    When Jesus died on the cross, He did something for all Israel and the whole world.

•    Caiaphas the high priest at the time of Jesus’ ministry had a prophetic point that he made in the midst of arguing with the Pharisees and chief priests about the ministry of Jesus.

-   John 11:47-52

•    “So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.”

•    As a result of Jesus’ death on the cross, the price was paid to redeem all of Israel from the vicious pattern that sin forced them into.

-   Israel had a huge debt it owed to God for its selfish and sinful ways.

-   Just like the rest of the world.

-   We all owe God for our sinful and selfish ways

-   But God!

-   Ephesians 2:4-8

•    “But[a] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

•    So we see that in Christ redemption has come to the world.

-   And not only our salvation, but He has raised us up out of the pit and spiritually positioned us in Christ, seated with Him.

-   He wants to show us immeasurable riches his grace and kindness!

-   All free gift!!!

God’s redemption through His church

-   God charges us all to bring the good news to the nations all around us each day in Matthew 28:19-20

-   “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”

God’s redemption in Revelation

-   Today we don't have enough time, but suffice it to say, in the book of Revelation we see God bringing His redemption to the earth and all that He has created.

•    Revelation 21:1-5

-   “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.””

Conclusion

-   God is a redeemer

-   He takes anything and everything bad we can throw at Him, and He turns it around for good, saving us in the process.

-   He is our justice, our deliverer, and our inheritance.

-   He is truly all we need to be free and stay free.

-   Look to Him today

Prayer

1Larousse

2Oxford Google Dictionary

3Olive Tree Enhanced Bible Dictionary

4Dale Patrick - NIDB

5 New Interpreters Commentary

6The Mission of God, Chris Wright

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

Emotionally Healthy, Spiritually Healthy

Emotionally Healthy, Spiritually Healthy

Pastor Dihan Lee

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF

Psalm 139:1-18 NIV

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;  you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you Or “How amazing are your thoughts concerning me”

II. GOD IN MY EVERYDAY

III. GOD IN MY EMOTIONS

“Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality. Listening to our emotions usher us into reality. And reality is where we meet God…Emotions are the language of the soul. They are the cry that gives the heart a voice…However we often turn a deaf ear--through emotional denial, distortion, or disengagement. We strain out anything disturbing in order to gain tenuous control of our inner world. We are frightened and ashamed of what leaks into our consciousness. In neglecting our intense emotions, we are false to ourselves and lose a wonderful opportunity to know God. We forget that change comes through brutal honesty and vulnerability before God.”

Dan Allendar & Tremper Longman

IV. GOD IN MY ESSENCE

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

The Good News According to Luke: Part 16

The Good News According to Luke: Part 16

Pastor Kore Bendix

FOCUS: Jesus comes as the King who disrupts our lives because of his passionate love for us.

Luke 18

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let the Children Come to Me

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

The Rich Ruler

18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers[b] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

OBSERVE

➔ When we read Luke 18 we see Jesus presented as the Great Disruptor.

Question: In what ways does Jesus disrupt the personal lives, religious systems, power structures and culture in Luke 18?

➔ To receive Jesus as a divine disruptor we must also receive him as the author, giver, and redeemer of life.

Question: What does it mean to have Jesus as your life giver rather than your life coach?

➔ Favor of God doesn't mean favors from God.

➔ Luke 15-19 is sometimes called by theologians "the Gospel of the outcast".

➔ Jesus blurs the line of who's in and who's out of God’s Kingdom.

➔ He Replaces the currency of power with that of humility.

➔ We see the idea of being “anti-fragile” through Jesus using the outcast to build an indestructible Kingdom.

➔ Religion tries to trap and control God.

Question: What are you holding on to that you to need to let go of to have room for Jesus and His life?

➔ Sin is an unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness. - St Ignatius

Question: Will God be a Father I trust or a formula I follow?

Pray: Heavenly Father, help me receive your divine disruptions that make room for the eternal life found in Your Son Jesus. I trust you because you love me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

HARVEST READY: Don’t Sleep in the Harvest

HARVEST READY: Don’t Sleep in the Harvest 

By: Pastor Reggie Roberson

Introduction 

Let me speak to you prophetically what I’m sensing; I believe it will be encouraging.  We’re in a unique harvest season. 

‭Psalm‬ ‭107:36-38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And there he lets the hungry (urgency) dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.”

Some of the prayers you’ve been praying about family members, about what you want God to do in your life and in this city are going to get answered and fulfilled more in this time than normal.  Signs and wonders, the presence of God leading to Salvation, freedom, Spiritual Growth, restoration of purpose and healing self-worth and miracles provision.  Harvest of righteousness and Souls!!

I don’t want you to miss what the Lord is doing in this hour.  (Purpose and significance) 

I was sharing this word with prophet Jim Laffoon and he gave me this scripture. 

Proverbs‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

We see examples of this in history.  

In 1945 General Douglas MacArthur occupied Japan representing the ally forces in world war 2.  He considered himself the soldier of God.  He tried to convert the emperor of Japan to Christianity out of Shintoism. He at least got the emperor to admit he was not a god.  He also called for missionaries to come in help in the middle of this flood season to reap the harvest so that the nation would repent and turn from Shintoism and Buddhism to the Lord Jesus.  Unfortunately, not many went and today Japan is less than 1% Christian.  We slept at a critical time when there was people to harvest.  

What could cause us to sleep in the harvest? 

Two reasons 

“His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭56:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ (Watchmen -God’s prophetic people)

Slumber (lacks revelation but has plenty of rituals) Watchmen are asleep. 

• Pharisees -Becoming fixating on the miner things and neglecting the weightier things of the Bible -ideologies

• You filled yourself up with so many other things except for God where his love is compassion.

• Not seeing people’s greatest need is the spiritual need -they need the gospel.

Garden Gethsemane -one of the most important moments in history.  Jesus is getting ready to die on the cross to the penalty for our sins or doing wrong and rebelling against God so we could receive forgiveness of sin, all of his blessings, everlasting life and relationship with HIM.  He is going to make it possible to have a spiritual harvest of souls through salvation and this is what happens.  

45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” - Luke 22:45-46 ESV

Sorrow means grief, mental or emotional pain, sadness, heaviness, grudgingly, or regret.  Have you ever felt any of this?  

Sorrows can come for man reasons: 

• Personal Loss (one of the reasons for the church not stepping up at that time 1945).

• The news: pandemic covid and monkeypox, war, social unrest,

• missed opportunity

• Doors closed with your job

• Family situation with prodigal kids

• wounded Marriages

• betrayal

• misunderstanding

• Difficult to see God's purposes in your work

• health challenges

Regardless of what is the reason for the grief, regret, mental or emotional pain God is speaking to his church; Don’t sleep in the Harvest: we must be harvest ready. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:1-5‬ ESV

God spoke this scripture to me about being harvest ready out of Isaiah 60.

1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

Arise 

As the sun arises out of the night, out of darkness, and takes it’s place.  

The Israelites were to come out of the sleep of sorrow, out of the darkness, out of being scattered and exiled by the Assyrians and Babylonians and take their place as those who rebuild the temple and worship God.   The Lord is saying to us “arise” and take our place as sons and daughters out of whatever slumber and out of sorrow and darkness night we’ve experienced. We are to believe that God is at work fulfilling His precious and magnificent promises in our lives.  It doesn’t mean that we are not experiencing sorrow, but it does mean that sorrows are not consuming me.  Why? The light has come.  God’s glory is consuming us, filling us and satisfying us;  The son of God has come in Jesus Christ and made it possible for us to experience the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is our peace, the Holy Spirit is our joy, and the Holy Spirit is our wisdom, he is our comforter, friend, and power.  He is the one who makes us sons of daughters that cries out Abba father to God. We need to arise out of the slumber and sorrow and take our place by taking hold of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  We are to have assurance and confidence that we are God’s beloved people and display the character of Christ. Awake oh sleeper and let the light of Christ shine on your.  Nothing should prevent us from being who God called us to be.  

Shine 

Isaiah also prophecies to Israelites another imperative, he says Shine. This means nothing on earth should stop them or us from doing what God has called us to do.  

Pain and sorrow are real and we should not pretend like they don’t have it but express and process it with one another while rebuilding the temple to be a witness to the nations through good deeds.   

Listen, we don't deny the pain and sorrow because Isaiah does say that darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the people. So we don’t deny it but we do overcome it with the light of God’s word & presence and good deeds that advance God’s kingdom. Jesus said to us, let your light shine before men so that they see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father Matthew 5:14.  

So, 

Slumber and Sorrow in our world and our lives should not keep us from shining, but can actually make us shine more.  

• Paul sick but sharing the gospel

  • “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.” -‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

• Argentina Prisoners praying for the world.

• Felix lives in public housing but is giving and impacting his community.

When we arise and shine we will not sleep in the harvest but we receive a harvest.   

Here’s what Isaiah prophesy next, that I am prophesying to you.  

3 And nations shall come to your light, 

• The nations will come to your light. People from different backgrounds will be drawn by the presence of God in you and your good deeds.

and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

• He says Kings will come to the brightness of your arising. Leaders will come bringing their influence and resources.

4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. 

• Young people your sons and daughters will put their faith in Yahweh, Yeshua Ben Yahweh JESUS CHIRST and will be saved and come worship with you Him.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, 

Joy unspeakable 

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.”

• The wealth of the nations will come and the abundance of the sea gathered to you. Wealth and God’s glorious provision will come to you.

You will receive a Harvest!  How many of you want to receive the harvest? 

Let’s Pray!

Repent for slumber - create in me a new heart

Ask god for healing sorrow

prophetic act - arise out of your chairs

Shine give God praise 

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher

Leaving Your Jar

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Leaving Your Jar

Pastor Jim Critcher

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.” (John 4:28–30, NIV84)
 

• “Come and See” - she came to the well to become a well!

• Exchange of the natural need and supply for the spiritual 

• The need for a different container - “new wineskins"

Parting the water 

2 Kings 2:13-14

And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Healing the water

2Kings 2:19-22

Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

Believing for water 

2Kings 3:1-20

In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it.

Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?” And he said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” Then he said, “By which way shall we march?” Jehoram answered, “By the way of the wilderness of Edom.”

So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.
  

Second City Church 2022

Mercy Proclaimers

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Mercy Proclaimers

Pastor Peter Dusan

Focus:

That we display who we truly are and celebrate the one who made us His.

Introduction: 

Pastor Dusan shared his story of how he encountered our Lord Jesus thru his friend Josh. 

"I heard The Gospel: Jesus Saves Sinners. I ate it up like it was a bag of cheetos after a fast. I believed in Jesus and became his own, & began the real adventure of life with Him! I’ve never been the same since; in fact I’ve since dedicated myself to expanding the mystery of how simply & profoundly Josh impacted my life, just by enjoying and celebrating Jesus, and refusing to shut up about Him. Because of that, I’m not just a wanna-be baseball player, nor am I just a preacher or father, or husband, or American. I’m more; I am in my core identity: His possession"

1 Peter 2:9 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

Quick Overview of the book 1 Peter

• This letter is written to various 1st century churches located in Modern day Turkey

• Churches that were scattered by persecution, pain, or disease.

• In their pain they had been under the care of the elderly apostle Peter.

Identity Imperatives / Effect of the Gospel

• Response to what God has done, or the effect which God has caused in the Gospel.

1 Peter 1:3-4; 10-13 (ESV)

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 

[10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully . . . (:12) things that have now been announced . . . things into which angels long to look.

[13] Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 1:3-12 

“Because of His death & resurrection . . . his great mercy in making you born again” (Gospel / Cause)

Now therefore, you are HIS (identity), so . . . act like Christians (imperative, or command). 

1 Peter 1:13

Being sober minded--you ARE sober-minded (identity, because He renewed your mind) so set your hope FULLY on him (imperative). 

* Maybe you have reasons to feel anxious (real / difficult reasons), but you possess greater reasons to BE children of hope!

1 Peter 1:14

You are obedient children (identity), don’t go back (imperative). 

* FYI most of our disobedience has less to do with the things we do (behavior), & more to do with lies we believe about who we are. 

1 Peter 1:16

He is holy, (implied-you are his-identity), be holy. (do holiness) 

* It’s the sanctified #YouDoYou (you’re his-you’re holy--be holy) 

Be who you truly are, not just who you think you are or who you used to be. But to learn who you are, you have to get to know God more. 

1 Peter 2: 1-2; 9

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  

1 Peter 2:1-2

You’re born of Him (identity) like newborn babies! So, LONG FOR HIM, and put away malice/hate. (imperative) 

1 Peter 2:9

But you ARE a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession (IDENTITY), that you may (IMPERATIVE) proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

• Displaying who we truly are and celebrating the one who made us His is our transcendent identity.

Chosen Race

• Texas vernacular : “all y’all are chosen.”

• By faith alone, you are regenerated by God the generator himself. If you have faith allegiance to King Jesus, you are not just descendants of Abraham, but direct descendants of the redeemer God himself! Chosen Generation/race.

Royal Priesthood.

• Before Jesus, Israelite priests (Levites) made sacrifices of animals to represent an atoning work on behalf of the people of Israel.

• Without the shedding of blood, there’s no forgiveness of sin.

• Jesus didn’t just represent atonement, HE BECAME THE SACRIFICE & died to fully & finally atone for our sin, and He rose from the grave to bring us new life.

And what happens to us when we really believe that? 

• We become born again, generated anew.

• A chosen race, but also even the extension of his ongoing atoning work, declaring and confirming his forgiveness to others HIM who we proclaim, making peace on the earth!

• We are sent from the king himself to extend his royal pardon

• We are the: Royal priesthood. Paul calls us AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION!

Holy Nation

• The word Peter uses here for “nation” is ETHNOS, the Greek word from which we get our English word Ethnicity.

• When we believe in Jesus, we are the holy ethnos!

• When we’re born again, our past backgrounds, whether ethnically or nationally, aren’t erased; they’re subordinated under a greater, holy identity.

• When God gives us a good thing, like our ethnic heritage, it’s meant to be displayed for his glory. It must be neither eliminated nor elevated above the giver of the gift. Eliminate it and it robs God of his glory of producing diverse beauty; elevate it too much and it can be idolatry. (like any gift).

A People for His Own Possession

• “My life is not my own.”

• Your truest and deepest identity is not something you do (job), & not something YOU identify about yourself, but something HE CALLS YOU. Because you can’t know who you are without discovering whose you’re meant to be.

• I can’t discover WHO I really am until I GIVE MYSELF AWAY, so He can use me . . .

That we display who we truly are and celebrate the one who made us His.

Our calling to Celebrate the One Who made us His

1 Peter 2:9b

[9b] that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

• The purpose of us being chosen and set apart by God also has a lot to do with our calling to tell others about it.

“We weren't just chosen instead of other people, but on behalf of other people.”

~Dr. Brian Taylor

• When God set you apart, it was to love you like no one else could, but also it was for Him to love your neighbor through your proclamation of His goodness. He wanted to do a work in you also ON BEHALF of those around you who would bear witness to it.

• “Proclaim” in KJV is “shew forth, ” original meaning: to tell out, make known by proclaiming, or CELEBRATING.

• Our faith is personal, but not private--enjoy Jesus publicly.

Evangelism can be as simple as living a celebration lifestyle and spreading Jesus

• Pay attention to the words of this verse! It doesn’t say, “Jesus has made you a HOLY NATION, now you go do something for him!” (it doesn't say that, but how often do we act like that’s what sharing our faith is?) ○ That’s not our burden! Peter didn’t say, “y’all should proclaim, ” but “that you may.”

• God removes the burden of what you think you SHOULD do in evangelism, & reveals the simple joy of what you CAN do.

• No longer do we have to do things FOR God, but we can proclaim/celebrate FROM our secure love and identity in God.

• And so, like the priestess JLo implores us: Let’s get loud! Except loud with the truth of a real savior, & not loud with any other foolishness.

What is it that we are to celebrate and proclaim? 

1 Peter 2:9b : HIS EXCELLENCY

• It’s hard to proclaim His excellency when your mouth (or mind or maybe your facebook timeline) is full of other things.

• If you are HIS, the calling to tell of Him is YOURS. It’s not about performing, it’s about displaying and celebrating.

1 Peter 2:10

[10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

• V10 is the cause of our identity and our imperative to celebrate it loudly, & Peter reiterates verse 10, in order to source verse 9.

• This is a couplet; 2 parallel statements stating one truth in different ways.

• There is a relationship between receiving mercy & having a true identity established. No mercy? No identity. because His mercy makes us His! And keeps us his (throughout all our scatteredness)

• Only the Gospel of mercy sets us right, makes us a people. 1 Peter 1:3 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again . .

Bottom Line:

The Great Mercy seen in the Gospel is the only thing that truly renews

• When Jesus (the perfect sacrifice) died for us, it was an infinite act of transformative MERCY.

• When soldiers or police officers or firemen & firewomen lay down their lives for us, they garner for us certain privileges for which we all ought to be deeply grateful. But their sacrifice cannot cause us to be born again. An earthly priest can say you’re forgiven; a life coach can tell you to forgive yourself, but NONE OF THEM CAN ACTUALLY ABSOLVE THE DEATH SENTENCE BEFORE GOD, THAT WAS EARNED BY YOUR SIN.

• Only a perfect man, born of a virgin, can offer to trade the outcome of his perfect life for the outcome of our rebellious life; his life for our death

• Only Jesus can offer this and then actually deliver on it.

• Jesus did do ALL THAT. It’s so great it’s not even fair; it’s mercy. Great. Mercy.

The question is, HAVE YOU RECEIVED IT? 

Is it yours? And therefore are you HIS? Are you born again? Does your life demonstrate it to be so, and are you turning up in celebration?

Would you pray with me? 

• Holy Spirit, show us how to respond. Jesus, you are truly excellent and great. No words can fully express that. And you’ve made us your own. I confess that I live for less. So help me to love you back in a way that is fitting and thus miraculous.

○ For those that have not yet fully given themselves away, not to religion, but to you Jesus, the one who’s already given everything for us to have a whole new life, bring new life EVEN NOW, and faith, and show them what steps to take next to walk out new life with friends in church. 

○ For those whose CELEBRATION OF YOU is hindered in any way, grant the gift of confession and freedom and may their proclamation ripple into new life for friends and family, and may we see it in church this easter season! 

• May your Kingdom come!

Second City Church

Guest Speaker: Kore Bendix "Acres of Diamonds"

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Acres of Diamonds

Pastor Kore Bendix

Focus:  A seeing God creates a seeing people with open hands

• A God Who Sees

• A Son Who Sees

• A People Who Sees

• The Target of our sight

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

Henry David Thoreau

Seeing is a gift of revelation, a recognition of meaning, it involves the activity of the heart, often involves in outward focus involving the we.

A seeing God creates a seeing people with open hands

A God Who Sees

“You are [El Roi] a God of seeing. Truly, here I have seen Him who looks after me” (Genesis 16:13).

A Son Who Sees

“As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” (Luke 7:12-13)

A people who see

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:4-6)

“Grace is the overflow of God’s self sufficiency. So you cannot have grace if you don’t have an utterly infinitely glorious, self satisfied, all sufficient, overflowing God who does not need you at all.”

John Piper

The Target of our sight:

“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong supper to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”

Second City Church

Discipleship with Guest Speaker Pastor J. Magpantay

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Call to Come, Call to Follow, Call to Be

Pastor J. Magpantay

 Call to Come, Call to Follow, Call to Be

I. Introduction:

• We are familiar with the miracles and teachings of Jesus that drew the multitudes.

o But Jesus did more than attract crowds… He made disciples.

o Furthermore, He commanded His disciples to make disciples, not just in Israel, but in all the earth.

II. Text:

Mt 4:18-22 ESV

Matthew 16:24 ESV

III. Connect:

o We might not be able to fly like Mike…but we’re destined for something that’s much greater than that…

​…something that will impact people's lives for God…

…in this life and for the rest of eternity!

o In essence…

…The first call on my life is to be with Jesus and to be sent by Him to bring freedom and life to others.

​…and that’s the essence of discipleship!

• Jesus is calling us to take this trip with Him because the truth is…

…each one of us need to heed to the call of Jesus…

…”to come to Him…

… follow him…

…and to be fishers of men”

But why is discipleship important? 

Is it really necessary to make disciples?

• Discipleship is important because we want people to become fully committed followers of Christ.

o Discipleship helps believers…

… to grow in their faith,

…to grow in maturity and wisdom,

…and build their faith on a strong foundation

… so that they can then disciple and lead others towards Christ.

Discipleship, according to Jesus is a call…

1. Call to “Come”

o The first step in being a disciple is to “come to Jesus”!

A. Jesus deserves it:  

Col 1:15-20.

o Jesus’ confidence to call the first disciples is based on who He is and not who the disciples are!

▪ Jesus knows his divinity…and the disciples humanity!

o We respond to the call of God not because of what we can promise that we’ll do for Him…

…but simply because Jesus is worthy!

o Jesus has the ultimate claim over our lives

B. Jesus demands it

1 Peter 3:15 ESV 

o First, we should set aside our hearts as the place where Christ is fully honored as the Lord 

o When we set apart Christ as Lord, it will change us.

1 Peter 3:15 MSG

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.

• Peter Forsyth: “The duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its master.”

C. Jesus delivers us:

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

2. Call to Follow  (Come follow me)

Mark 8:34-37 English Standard Version

​“…let him deny himself” 

o Follow Jesus before self

Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version

“…take up his cross”

o Follow Jesus before comfort

3. Call to Be (“Be Fishers of Men”)

o Discipleship is the willingness to embrace what God purposed you to be.

John 15:16a

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last”

IV. Conclusion:

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

• Discipleship is relationship 

• And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

o In essence…

…The first call on my life is to be with Jesus and to be sent by Him to bring freedom and life to others.

​…and that’s the essence of discipleship

Second City Church

Testing for Blessing

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Testing for Blessing

Guest Speaker Pastor Reggie Roberson (kingspark.org)

When we are in a moment of uncertainty we can ask ourselves the question: what is God doing in my life? And in my church? 

Although God does not produce the suffering or pain we experience, He is using it to build something in our lives. 

Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:2‬ ‭& 16 NIV

2 “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

16 “He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.”

Big Idea: God is testing so you can steward His blessings. 

God is testing so you can steward His blessings. He is testing you to see if you are… 

#1 Humble

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Humility in this context is knowing that God is your source and you are developing a dependency on Him.

The scripture also talks about how it looks to fail the humility test. 

12 “Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:12-14, 19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

19 If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.”

# 2 Heedful 

Heedful means we are attentive and careful to follow. 

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:1; 5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors.”

5 “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.”

The blessings of God are connected to the desire and power that the king possesses so we must heed the king.  He is the owner and we are managers of what belongs to Him. 

#3 Hopeful

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

7 “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—8 a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” 

While we are in the wilderness we can be hopeful because God is good and he has promised to bless us. 

Why know this?

I wanted to share this with you so you can see the opposition and obstacles in The wilderness as an opportunity for spiritual growth. As you grow in being humble, heedful, and hopeful you will build your spirit and the church to receive God’s  blessing and steward them well. 

Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

16“He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.”

What can we do today in response to what we’ve heard? 

Embrace the testing for blessing. 

The greatest strengthening we can receive is through the example of Jesus. According to Philippians 2:6 through 11…

Jesus was humble which was seen in the fact that he was God yet He left behind the vast riches of heaven to put on human flesh and live in the poverty of the earth. 

Jesus was heedful to the father by dying on the cross for each and everyone of us to save us for the penalty of our sin (our self centered living & wrongdoing) and to grant us forgiveness and a relationship with him eternally. 

Jesus was hopeful according to Hebrews 12:2 because he rejoiced in the fact that his obedience was not in vain but would lead to many more family members being added to His Heavenly Father’s household.

In being humble, heedful, and hopeful God blessed Jesus by giving him a name above all other names; every authority, every power, every ruler -Jesus is far above them. 

Be encouraged by the example of Jesus and know that God is testing so you can steward His blessings.

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher. Guest Pastor Reggie 2020

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 Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2021

Looking For The Living Among The Dead

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Looking For The Living Among The Dead

Associate Pastor Cole Parleir 

Focus: When we stop ‘looking for the living among the dead’ we will encounter the resurrected Jesus.

• The Resurrection

• The Road

• The Return

Scripture (Luke 24:1-35)

'But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 

 And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 

And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” 

So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. '

The Resurrection

Life is too short and eternity too long to look for the living among the dead.

Like the women mourning the crucified Jesus, we too should mourn the results of sin in our lives and the lives of others.  We must do this by going to the tombs made for that which was lost.  This is part of true repentance.  

Like the women mourning who brought prepared spices we, too should be willing to make amends and bring comfort to those we’ve sinned against.  This is part of true restitution.

But…the gospel does not stop at the crucifixion and tomb.  It’s only the valley on the way to resurrection.  

This is where the truth becomes perplexing to the human mind. Heaven must intervene to speak directly to our spirit.  Heaven’s messengers (The Holy Spirit, angels, and preachers of the gospel) do for us what the world cannot do: deliverer a message of eternal hope, full redemption, and indestructible life

Angels are sent by God to minister to those who are to inherit salvation.

“Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

Hebrews 1:7, 14 ESV

“WHY DO YOU SEEK THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?”

We do this all the time.  We say we believe in God and yet, as a result of our unbelief in what He has said, we seek the living Jesus among the dead.

Where do we seek the living among the dead in our lives?  Here’s a few disappointing “tombs” I return to find my self searching for the living God:

• False Religion

• Ungodly Relationships

• Pleasing people for their benefit rather than God’s glory in Jesus

• Romantic Fantasy (yes, even in marraige)

• Success at work, sports, or things I put my energy into

• More security to insulate against hardship

When we realize these tombs are empty, we also realize our hearts are empty. Only when we experience this kind of disappointment is there room to hear what God is speaking.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you….”

They remembered the prophecy that Jesus said this would happen.  Then they returned to the gathering of disciples and  witnessed to the forming church.

Life is too short and eternity too long to not investigate the gospel like Peter did by running the tomb.   The others did not believe…but Peter was inspired to investigate.

Life is too short and eternity too long to not marvel all the way home.

The Road (to Emmaus)

When our hope is in Christ, we are never walking alone.  He is with us. 

Cleopas and the other disciple  were talking about all these things that had happened…and then Jesus drew near. Yet they did not recognize Him.  

“What happened?  What things?”  - Jesus is the master of lead in questions! He doesn’t need your information, just your attention. 

Jesus broke the bread in communion fashion.  “Do this in remembrance of me.”  Their eyes were opened.  

(Acts 2:42)

Their hearts burned as they talked with Jesus not knowing it was Him. This the impact of the Spirit of Truths at work.

Q: Do you know who you’re talking to?  If Truth is being shared, God is talking to you whether you recognize Him or not.  Be humble.

The Return (of the wandering)

Do you see the empty tomb?  The human heart is empty like that tomb.  The fact the tomb was empty was that Jesus had risen leaving a void.   If your heart is empty like the tomb, this also means that Jesus is alive, and you were made for Him and to be communing with Him..  

They rose the same hour they recognized Jesus and returned to the community of worshippers.

• They invited Jesus to stay and prepared the meal…but the guest blessed it!!

• those on the road thought they were making progress, but when they realized what REALLY happened and who they were REALLY talking to, they turned around and began to make real progress by returning to Jesus Word and His Church.

“While they were perplexed…as they were frightened…remember how He told you…return from the tomb and tell the rest” - Luke 24:1-12

Psalm 84

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 

They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 

Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

Psalm 84:1-12 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/psa.84.1-12.esv

Blessed are those who dwell in God’s house (The Gathered Church)

Blessed are those whose strength is in God and delight (highway of the heart) in Him and His people. 

The path to the house may include weeping (carrying your cross as a disciple of Christ doing what is not easy or normal), but He uses the tears accrued in this process to turn barren valleys into places of fruitfulness.   (The process will bless you and those around you)

Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them. 

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.””

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (Among His people)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

Take the next step. Go back to church. 

“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it's pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistake. We're on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity

During life's trials we tend to think God is dead and we, like the disciples heading to Emmaus, are walking alone, or at best, with other people discussing life’s challenges.  Truth be told, in our hardest moments Jesus is with us and carrying us though we do not recognize him.  Jesus is alive. 

Footprints In The Sand Poem

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2021

Guest Speaker Pastor Reggie Roberson: Seeing God move in disruptions

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Seeing God move in disruptions: From scattering to mattering 

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Guest Speaker Pastor Reggie Roberson (kingspark.org)

[Introduction: It is always a privilege and pleasure to share with the Second City church family. Pastor Rollan and B, and are long time friends who are some of the godliest people I know on the planet. God has blessed this church with leaders who have a real vision to display the Kingdom of God in this region and beyond. 

As I have been praying for the church, I am sensing that God wants to encourage us that When the enemy scatters, God is at work so that the church matters. God is using this difficult moment to accelerate his good purposes and good plan for Second City church both for the individual members and the church as a whole.

 ● Gatekeepers in the city 

● Bridge builders in the unrest and polarization 

● Funders of the Kingdom 

● Helps Gift 

● Multiple congregation 

You see, It is of the utmost importance that we perceive what God is doing and we participate in what God is doing. If we don’t we can miss God’s purposes for us and being a part of blessing our city. When the enemy scatters, God is at work so that the church matters. 

Acts 8:1-8 TPT 

Now, Saul agreed to be an accomplice to Stephen’s stoning and participated in his execution. From that day on, a great persecution of the church in Jerusalem began. All the believers scattered into the countryside of Judea and among the Samaritans, except the apostles who remained behind in Jerusalem. 2 God-fearing men gave Stephen a proper burial and mourned greatly over his death. 3 Then Saul mercilessly persecuted the church of God, going from house to house into the homes of believers to arrest both men and women and drag them off to prison. 4 Although the believers were scattered by persecution, they preached the wonderful news of the word of God wherever they went. 5 Philip traveled to a Samaritan city and preached to them the wonderful news of the Anointed One. 6 The crowds were eager to receive Philip’s message and were persuaded by the many miracles and wonders he performed. 7 Many demon-possessed people were set free and delivered as evil spirits came out of them with loud screams and shrieks, and many who were lame and paralyzed were also healed. 8 This resulted in an uncontainable joy filling the city! 

Seeing God move in disruptions: 

From scattering to mattering 

Let’s pray! 

[Comments: Let’s deal first with our perception. This is a critical time in the history of the church. Up until this point, the church was rapidly growing in Jerusalem and Judea. Now the satan, our enemy is using persecution to scatter the church with the hopes that the church will become hopeless and helpless in achieving its purpose. 

I believe that there is a parallel in this passage to what is happening right now. The enemy is using multiple things including the pandemic, social unrest, & economic uncertainty to try to scatter the church so we will become hopeless and helpless in fulfilling God’s purpose. 

Second City, we can not only focus on Acts 8:1 when this great scatter broke out we need to also remember Acts 1:8. Jesus expresses his desire for Samaria to experience the joy of the Gospel. What Satan did not know is that the scatter that took place from the persecution instigated by Satan was used by God to reach Samaria to fulfill Jesus’ desire and plans. 

Knowing this means we can have 

Confidence 

Motivation 

Joy 

Hope & endurance 

Our perception must be that...When the enemy scatters, God is at work so that the church matters. 

For the church to matter when the enemy scatters we not only need to have the right perception, God also wants our participation. 

We participate in Community, with Courage, and through Combat.

Let’s take a deeper prophetic look at this passage: 

COMMUNITY 

We participate in Community, with Courage, and through Combat.

Seeing God move in disruptions: 

From scattering to mattering 

2 God-fearing men gave Stephen a proper burial and mourned greatly over his death.

This scripture tells us that believers who feared God more than men found a way to mourn together. These believers understood their design by God to have people they can mourn with and rejoice with. 

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. We can not experience such pain and loss as we have without having people we can express our feelings and thoughts and process instead of suppressing them or letting our emotions control our lives. 

We must continue to call each other, zoom, facetime, or google meet each other, and not give up on being together. We are created by God for the community and to find a portion of fulfillment in our lives through relationships with other believers. When we allow the enemy’s scattering to isolate us, we become vulnerable to wrong ideas, oppressive emotions, and spiritual bondage. (Disney Hyenas vs. Jaguars) 

No matter how much the enemy tries to scatter the church, we are called by God to figure out a way to continue to be in community with each other. Get in a community group or small group or prayer group- whatever is available even if it is virtual. The church continues to matter when the enemy scatters because we are better together. 

COURAGE 

We participate in Community, with Courage, and through Combat. 

4 Although the believers were scattered by persecution, they preached the wonderful news of the word of God wherever they went. 5 Philip traveled to a Samaritan city and preached to them the wonderful news of the Anointed One. 

Before the enemy brought about scattering by persecution, life looked very different for the people in these two verses. 

These believers were not likely sharing the gospel with those who did not know it. Phillip was helping to serve the church by making sure the church was taking care of widows, and he was not sharing the gospel as he did in verse 5. 

When the scattering takes place, these believers respond with the priceless attitude of courage. They could have dwelled on their current situation and how bad it was. They could have focused on their weaknesses and had a virtual pity party. 

Seeing God move in disruptions: 

From scattering to mattering 

Instead they make a choice to be courageous and overcome personal fears and weaknesses to change. 

They have courage to step out and do something they had not done before. They could have been stuck on how things were before and only lamenting. Because of their courage, they found themselves participating with God making the church matter and impactful. 

The enemy hopes that scattering will make us discouraged and keep us from stepping into new areas of service and greater displays of God’s power. God wants us to go to another level so we can matter more and the city can rejoice. 

Recently, one young man I know pressed past the enemy’s discouragement and courageously acted. When he did, he went to a whole new level, he didn’t digress, he progressed. 

Daniel’s story 

When the enemy scatters, God is at work so that the church matters. We must participate with God by being courageous. 

COMBAT 

We participate in Community, with Courage, and through Combat.  

6 The crowds were eager to receive Philip’s message and were persuaded by the many miracles and wonders he performed. 7 Many demon-possessed people were set free and delivered as evil spirits came out of them with loud screams and shrieks, and many who were lame and paralyzed were also healed. 

Sometimes in a moment of disruption or crisis, we can forget what or who we should be really combating and fighting against. We are fighting the people to grab the last toilet tissue. We are fighting over whether or not we should wear a mask, let kids go to school, our political affiliations, how our church is compared to the other churches we see online. 

Listen if we fight the wrong things then we are distracted and satan and his evil spirits can continue to keep people in bondage and brokenness. Paul wrote to the Ephesians 6:12 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

Seeing God move in disruptions: 

From scattering to mattering 

We need to combat the enemy by letting the word of God cut every chain and deception, despair, and discouragement for which he tries to make us passive. Sometimes, The News, Shows, Social Media are all contributors to the enemy’s rhetoric. 

We need to push back the spirit of division, fear, and despair through persistent prayer. Get the scriptures and start praying and declaring them out of your mouth. 

We combat the enemy by being generous with our money and our serving city, neighborhood, school mates. (House of Mercy) 40-90 families a week. 

We also do combat with the real enemy by sharing the message that Phillip proclaimed which is the gospel: (Rice brooks version) Salvation -sin, sickness, Satan, death, value people inferiority 

(Livestream going into closed nations & young lady feeling the presence of God come into her room when I prayed driving out the depression) When the enemy scatters, God is at work so that the church matters. 

It’s the church that perceives that God is at work during moments of disruption, and who participates with God by being in community, having courage, and combating the true enemy and this brings joy to a city. This where God is leading you to the second city church. 

Seeing God move in disruptions: From scattering to mattering 

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher. Guest Pastor Reggie 2020

OUT is the new In

Out is the new in

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Critcher

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” 

-Eccl. 11:4-6, NIV

1) Seasons 

Daniel 2:21-22; 1Chron. 12:32; Amos 9:13; Mark 11:12-14 

“Out of season” fruit

- Ezek. 47:12; John 7:37-39

Generations

- 1Tim. 4:12-15; Ps. 92:12-15; 2Kings 4:38-41

2) Seeing differently 

2 Kings 3:17-18

Life in and by the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26

3) Sowing 

Genesis 26:1-13

Galatians 6:8

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”

-Hosea 10:12, NIV

Second City Church - Out is the new in - Pastor Jim Critcher 2020