• Message: “What Does God See?” from Pastor Joe

  God is Looking and What Does He See Lesson Objective:  To discuss what God sees when he sees us in action every day. Scripture:  James 2:23; Matthew 25:23; Matthew 3:17 Friend—James 2:23 1 Samuel 20:42 David and Jonathan acknowledge their covenant ( Lord is the witness) 2 Samuel 9: 1-13 David upholds his oath to Jonathan Verse 1.  And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake Verse 7. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. Friends keep their words Friends show mercy to each other Friends act out of love and not for what they can get Good and Faithful Servant Luke 16: 10 Does God see someone who cares for what he has provided? One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Matthew 24:  48-51 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants[d] and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Are we good stewards of what God has given us? Do we follow his commandments even when he is not looking? (smile) Pleasing in His Sight Is God pleased with what he sees in our actions and words John 8: 28-29 so Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. Romans 12: 2 Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God Hebrews 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Does God see love in us 1 Corinthins 16:14 Let all you do be done in love What is the motivation behind what we do 1 Corinthians 13: 1-4 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing John 13: 34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. What does God see when he looks at our hearts? Proverbs 2:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. What we say comes from what is in our heart Proverbs 23:26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways Psalm 26:2 Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; Heart and mind (rein) inner part of the body  (eliminates brain) Why would someone ask God to examine them? .  

• Message: “What Would People Say About You” from Pastor Joe

  What Would People Say About You? What Do People Say About You Now? Lesson Objective:  To examine how we live and what are our values that others see in us. Scriptures: Proverbs 22:1;  Galatians 1:10; Romans 15: 1-2; 2 Corinthians 8: 20-21 Introduction Death of Kobe Bryant and discussion of his life Committed basketball player Hardworker and smart Highly competitive, a fighter Family man Devout Christian who attended mass the day he died Overcame mistakes in life He used his talent that God gave him and pushed himself What would people say about me if I died today Should we care what people say? Strive not to please man Galatians 1: 10 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Men speaking well of you- be careful Luke 6:26 Mark 12: 14 Must have a good name and be above reproach Proverbs 22:1 2 Corinthians 8: 20-21 Romans 15: 1-2 1 Timothy 3: 7 Philippians 1: 19-20 Titus 2: 1-8 What do you want God to say about you? Matthew 25:23 Good and Faithful Servant Mathew 3:17 Well pleased James 2:23 Friend Lover- John 13:34 Heart of God Acts 13: 22 1 Samuel 13:14 So What--- How are we living our lives so that the pastor will have something truthful to say and What will God say when we stand in front of him?  Are we using the gifts that God has given us and are we a model for others?

• Message: “Spiritual Minded” from Minister Blessing

  SPIRITUALLY MINDED. How does God sees us in his eyes? Who are we to him? Does he look at us and feel pity for us for the things we don’t have? Or does he look at us when we are in trouble and say i am going to fix them? Most people according to their feelings they perceive how God sees them or what God thinks about them. A lot of Christians they live according to their feelings and senses. They pray when they feel like praying. Because they feel good that day thats when they pray, and thats when they believe their prayers have been heard by God. And when they are sad they feel like it didn’t go anywhere. They worship God because everyone in Church is in jovial mood and is hilarious. When everyone in church looks sad or cold they also turn off to prayer. They only love those that love them because they think its not in their nature to love those who don’t love them. They only talk to the people they like. They give when they feel like giving, or they give you when they like you. They talk nicely when they feel nice themselves. When they feel bad they think God is not on their side. Because they did something terribly wrong they think they are no longer worthy to come to church to pray and worship because they feel like God is doing something about their case, they think God is orchestrating a severe punishment to fix them. And yet the bible says in Hebrews 10:14 ...you have been perfected in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.   There are even those that persecute others in church saying how dare you, you come and sing in front of us in Church after all you have done! They love to see people coming to church happy and going back home sad. And yet people are suppose to come to church with their heavy burns, and feel relieved in Church. These people are controlled by their emotions, their feelings, and their sensual perceptions. They are (Eph 4:17-18) Spiritually Blind. 2 Corinthians 5:7 The Bible says to walk by faith and not by sight,  but this does not mean that faith is blind. It means that faith is not limited to physical sight.   The world is governed by its own natural systems. A man is governed by his 5(+) senses. And with these senses there are things a human being cannot perceive in the domain of his senses eg the radio waves in the air. But you have to use some certain instruments to identify whats in the air. If you are sick the Doctors examines you using some form of equipments to see what is the problem, this is because our senses are limited. To come up with solutions, we use instruments based on what our senses can comprehend. A human can not function outside the domain of his senses.   1 John 4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. Man has become a slave of his senses. But this is not how he is born in Christ. Now how did Jesus know he could walk on water? Talk to a tree? By touching blind eyes to make them see? Waking up the dead? It means he functioned from another realm which is the realm beyond what the human senses can comprehend, and that is the realm of life.   As Christians we are suppose to function beyond the domain of our natural senses and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.     There are spiritual laws and you can’t find them anywhere else in the world, not in the laboratories or in libraries but only from the word of God.   New King James Version For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.   Romans 8:14 Amplified Bible (AMP) 14 For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.   Romans 8:6 Amplified Bible (AMP) 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever].   Being born in this world means being born to the domain of darkness, where you will be governed by the principles of this world. And you will be governed by your senses, and yet  senses alone are way too much limited. Thats why God tells us to be born again so we can become alive to the Spiritual realm, where we are led by the Spirit of God.   Jesus showed up in the senses realm, and dominated the senses. Thats what he did, and He rather said in John 8:23 I am not of this world but i am from above.   1 Corinthians 2:12 Amplified Bible (AMP) 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God.   1 John 2:15-17 Amplified Bible (AMP) 15 Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.   Mark 8:36 Amplified Bible (AMP) 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul?   1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.   Ephesians 4:21-24 Amplified Bible (AMP) 21 If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], 22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].   There is a difference between a man that was served and the man that was born. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ....All things are become new and all things are of God.

• Message: “It is Well!!!” from Pastor Joe

  It Is Well Lesson Objective:  To understand the importance of having a firm belief in the power of God Scripture: 2 Kings 4: 18-26; Daniel 3: 16-18 The importance of positive attitude Norman Vincent Peale wrote a book The ‘Placebo Effect’ is a well-documented phenomenon in medicine Story of the song written by Horatio Spafford (modern day Job) He was married and had six children Son died and Chicago fire destroyed all of his real estate A few years later his four daughters died in a ship accident He wrote song while traveling to be with his wife Story of Shunammite woman and Elisha Her only son died 2 Kings 4: 18-20 Verses 22 and 26 It will be well She went to Elisha and would not leave him Verses 29-30 Do people have that much trust in us Verses 34-37 Child comes back to life Did Elisha fail the first time Hebrew boys and fiery furnance Understood the power of faith Daniel 3: 16-18 Roman Soldier’s Faith Luke 7:7-9 So What!!!!!!! In times of crisis in our lives can we truly make the statement that it is well. ? How do we position ourselves so that we can have that confidence? And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul

• Message: “What Is Your Song?” from Pastor Joe

  What is Your Song? Lesson Objective :  How we can use songs to praise and worship while just as importantly using songs to remind us of our relationship with God. Scripture:  Psalm 40:3 What are songs Words, music, words and music One should really understand the words to the song rather than just the music accompanent Keeping a song in your heart Psalm 40:3 Psalm 42:8 Example of songs Leaning on Jesus What a fellowship - Phillippians 2: 1-2 What a Joy Divine - Psalms 47:1 Philippians 4:4 Leaning on Jesus- 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 3: 5-6 Blessed peace – Psalm 29: 11 Trust and Obey One must trust and obey for there is no better way to demonstrate that we really love Christ. Both are equally important What is your song?

• Message: “What Will You Do?” from Pastor Joe

  What Will You Do? Lesson objective:  To identify opportunities for New Year resolutions that we can keep for the coming year. Scriptures:  James 4: 13-17;  Romans 12:1; Exodus 20:17 Someone once wrote this short poem: “Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.” History of New Years Resolutions Thouglht to have begun by Babylonians 4000 years ago Also followed up by Romans in 46 BC with the event of the Roman (Julian) calendar First known modern Christian news years event was recorded in 1740 Modern resolutions Secular in nature rather than Godly Concentrate of self improvement 45% of Americans set new year resolutions and 8% are successful KEYS TO GREAT RESOLUTIONS What is the motive for the resolution Are your resolutions personal How does your resolution affect others Example Why do you want to lose weight- Romans 12: 1 Putting our financial house in order- Exodus 20:17 and Philippians 4: 11-13 Including God in our resolutions James 4: 13 Minimize the number of resolutions – Matthew 22: 36-40 John 13: 34-35 and John 15:12 Make resolutions about others and not yourself Matthew 25: 36-37 Make resolution quantifiable Have someone hold you accountable Someone once wrote this short poem: “Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.  

• Message: “Victory and Double Strength” from Elder Jacquie

  Wednesday, January 1st 2020 VICTORY & DOUBLE STRENGTH Book of Joshua Chapter 1 (Message for the year 2020)       Introduction: Malachi 3:10 & Psalm 65:11: Blessings and Promises from God to us. Because we have acknowledged and honored Our God by committing our first hours, our first thought, our presence unto Him, overflow shall be our portion and accompany us all this year and the years to come. In Jesus name. Amen.   Just like the Children of Israel led by Joshua by the river Jordan are ready to go in and conquer, we too are at the border of our promised land and are reminded by God that Victory awaits us on the other side but with that assurance we have to be geared with strength (Psalm 28:7-8), Faith and Obedience to claim it. This new year, God wants us to see, enjoy and really possess the victory He secured for us. He commands us to overcome, to be free and to be strong ttherefore He gave clear strategies on how we can assuredly win.     VICTORY IS OURS. (Joshua 1:1-5) God made it clear from the begin, what, where, how far lay His promise and He commanded Joshua to lead His people and go occupy it. This territory, this promised victory isn’t just a mere promise, or something that He has to form once they got there, or conditioned by how strong they are, and whether they win? No. It is an accomplished promised, safe and secured in and by God (Ecclesiastes 3:15/ Ephesians 1:3). We will be successful when the direction and the goals are clear. Knowing the exact and specific territory to conquer will boost our Faith. We are not just going forward, but we are going forward with assurance, conviction, purpose and vision (Proverbs 29:18): to occupy what is Ours.   Prayer: God reveal and specify to us your vision and purpose for our lives throughout this year and Holy Spirit give us the gift of obedience and the unwavering Faith (James 1:6) to follow where You lead, Just like Joshua. In Jesus name. Amen   HE KNOWS WE ARE AFRAID & HE GOT US (Joshua 1:7-9) The promised land wasn’t just a simple, ready-for grab place. It was a place crawling with giants and other occupants. Fights are inevitable, and promising to be fierce and we have to use violence to gain it. So, only those who endures and who fights until the end will win and see the promise. God knows, we can’t compete with the enemy but it is comforting to know that We have a Great God who isn’t worried about the size of our enemies or the fact that we are weak, unqualified, inadequate, insecure or the size of our enemies. And as we enter this New year, and through it, we have to remember that Our God knows all that and that He already prepared a way out. He sent His word ahead. He commanded Joshua “Be strong and courageous, for I am with you. I’ll never leave nor forsake you”. He spoke His word into being, just like when He created the world. He spoke and it Was (Psalm 33:9). God’s Word is Himself manifested (John 1:1-5). And as He commanded, Joshua received Strength and courage to do as God said. Therefore, we believe that we have receive; strength and courage to conquer because He has spoken His word into existence in us.  The Almighty God is in us and with us, therefore who can be against us.   Prayer: Heavenly Father, when we feel weak, and defeat threaten our lives – do not allow us to give in to fear and intimidation – but just as you shook Joshua when you said “Have I not commanded you”? shake us to realize that the battle is already won and that it is Yours. Remind us that You are our strength, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 3:14), and that we are more than a conqueror in you Jesus (Romans 8:33). In Jesus name. Amen   TAKE HIM AT HIS WORDS (LITERALLY) Joshua 1: 10-18 Matthew 1:3. Says we should have a Faith like that of a child, if we want God’s Kingdom. When God commanded, Joshua executed. This is what God wants from us this year and the years to come. Trust Him and His words. Do as He say. No rationalization, logic, intellectualism, human intelligence or questioning, for He is far beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Just trust and Obey. It is as simple as that. God doesn’t need our understanding to interpret His instructions. If we want to be victorious this year, we have to stop allowing our feelings to lead us and stop leaning on our intelligence (Proverbs 3:5-6). Even when we don’t see it (Hebrews 11:1), or when we don’t understand the way He takes, we must hang on to His words and trust His leading, our lives depend on it, and our God is Trustworthy.   Prayer: Though we are intellectuals, Lord create in us a childlike Faith so we can live victorious for your Glory. In Jesus name. Amen.   HELP OTHERS (Joshua 1:14-15) Finally, being mindful and caring for others is one requirement God has put down for us to enjoy our blessings. God sent the strong ones among His people, through Joshua’s command to go and secure their brother’s portion before coming back and claiming theirs. We can’t conquer and be selfish, thinking about our own battle, our own gain, our own needs (Philippians 2:3-4). We have to have a heart for the Kingdom of God and His people (Ephesians 6:18). We must support each other, help each other, encourage each other, through prayers, our faithfulness and integrity towards God. We are to be there for each other (John 15:12-13). As servants of the Lord, for example, when we neglect God’s Lordship in our lives, we rob others and ourselves of God’s blessings. When we preach, when we sing, when we welcome people, they won’t witness God, they’ll only see us. The Holy Spirit can’t move through and touch the people of God because there aren’t available vessels. And so, we also fail God. We must keep the main thing, the main Thing i.e. God first, so that what we do won’t be vain but will built eternal glory for the Lord. (Psalm 127:1-2)     Prayer: Create in us a willing heart to be used by you Lord. Deliver us from the deception of religious Spirit. Help us not to worry about our own fate for ours are already secured in You, instead make us sensitive to your call to be there for others. Increase us in love and Humility. May Your Kingdom come, your will be done, in our lives, and all over the world. In Jesus name. Amen.     May God’s presence lead us daily. His Holy Spirit keep the zeal for His House and His Holy fire burning in us. May God lead our paths and the desire of our Heart. May His Mighty protection cover us always. May The holy spirit keep His light shining within us. May we grow closer, and planted deeper in Him. May God make us more and more like Him.   Glory to The Almighty God alone. In Jesus Christ Our Lord. God bless us all.                    

• Message: “Change New Years Message” from Pastor Joe

  Change Lesson Objective:  To identify various characters in the Bible and how they changed and how we can implement positive change in our lives Scripture:  John 18: 15-27; Luke 22: 31-34 Is the New Year really a time for change Definition of Change- Make or become different- Dictionary Bible definition  Romans 12:2 Peter Denial of Christ  John 18: 15-27 One disciple was with Christ Law required at least two witnesses to condemn Christ told him that he would deny him but also prayed for him  Luke 22: 31-34 Preaches the Gospel  Acts 2 and 3—Preaches repentence Judah Brother of Joseph One of the brothers of Joseph Betrayed Joseph but sold him into slavery Changed when Benjamin was thought to be in trouble Christ was born in the lineage of Judah So What How will God use you in his kingdom as we continue to change?  

• Message: “What Have You Done?” from Pastor Joe

  What Have You Done? Part 1 Lesson Objective: First of a 2 part sermon on evaluating the past to make a better future. Scriptures: Romans 12: 1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Acts 3:6: Matthew 5:16 A . Ideas for messages 1. Listen to others around me 2. Learn from my experiences B. This message is from a song that friend sent me 1. Christmas song 2. The first line says “ So this is Christmas and what have you done. Another year over and new one just begun” C. To look forward one must look back first 1. Businesses have annual strategic sessions but the first thing that they do is look at the past 2. To learn Philiipians 3: 13-14 Deuteronomy 8:1-5 3. Not to yearn for the past like Lot’s wife -- Genesis 19: 260-+ D. Did you use what God has given you last year 1. What were your plans ? 1 Did you use what God has given you ? Acts 3:6 Peter 2. Were you a light? Matthew 5:16 E. Excuses 1. Banquet Luke 14: 15-25 2,Moses excuses: a. Who Am I? (vs 11-12) God’s answer was - it doesn’t matter Moses: who you are - what is important is who I am and that I will be with you. - b. I won’t know what to say (vs 13-14). God’s answer was I will tell you. - c. They won’t listen to me (vs 1ff). God’s answer was that I will work through you in power. They will see and believe. - d. I can’t speak well (I don’t have the skills) (vs 10ff). God’s answer was to speak through him. 3. 2 Peter 1:3 F. So What happens now Someone once wrote this short poem: “Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.”

• Message: “Why am I Angry With You?” from Pastor Joe

  Why Am I Angry With You? Lesson Objective: To look at what the Bibel says is often the cause of the breakdown of love in the Church and often times in our relationships. Scripture:  James Chapter 4 Overall overview of the book of James Attributed to James the brother of Jesus Was a convert to the early Church- Galatians 2:9 Galatians 1:19 James believed in the practicle use of faith Many see it like the book of Proverbs James 2:17 Christianity is to change our lives Why do we fight and quarrel? James 4: 1 – caused by inward battle – fight flesh against spirit We allow our desires to cause us to covert what others have and when we cannot get it we fight Verse 2 What do we covert.. material things rather than spiritual peace and harmony in our lives We have not because we do not ask God—James 4: 2 Why do we not ask God? When we do ask why does God not provide We ask for the wrong motives 4:3 Acts 8: 18-24 We must learn to be content with what we have and to not covert or want what others may have