Guest Speaker: Championship Faith - Greg Hendricks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB8ndfEplpU

“The Lord wants it all. Don’t negotiate with the enemy. The enemy wants just enough of you to keep you from fully belonging to Jesus,” declared Pastor Tim. We need to totally surrender to Him and not give of ourselves grudgingly but willingly and joyfully. The old song “I Surrender All” captures the Lord’s desire for us in order to have the life He wants for us.

Pastor Greg Hendricks emphasized that the Lord told him that “some one was going to give their life to Jesus today.” He also told him that someone would “rededicate their life back  to Jesus” today. 

Pastor Greg gave the state of the union address from the Spirit. “The world tries to give you labels. Your job gives you labels, but Jesus gives you legitimacy. The world rewards you with trophies, but God gives us eternal life through His Son Jesus,” Pastor Greg stated. Jesus wants us to genuinely communicate with Him and tell Him what is really going on in our hearts. When we candidly talk to Him, God can heal our brokenness. We get to trust Him with our minds, souls and spirits.

What does it look like “Winning God’s Way”?

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the

praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His 

marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

“Remind yourself who you are in Christ,” Pastor Greg stated,”a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.” We are “His own special people.” When we forget who we are, we act differently. “The best way to be free is camping your butt in God’s word,” advised Pastor Greg. “You are responsible for yourself.”

He also contrasted two types of Levitical priests: the Levite Priests and the Zadok Priests. The Levite Priests wandered from the Lord, made the Israelites fall into sin, and had limited in their access to the Lord. Ezekiel 44:10-14 But the Zadok Priests who were Levites and sons of Zadok “kept charge of My sanctuary when the children went astray from Me.” Ezekiel 44:15 (NKJV) They would be able to go near to the Lord in the sanctuary because they followed Him. Which group do you want to emulate: the partial followers, the lukewarm people or the fully surrendered ones? Do you want partial access or full access. Your access depends on how much of yourself you give to the Almighty God.

Also the priests wore linen, which represented purity. They were to teach the people about clean and unclean, Ezekiel 44:18,23 and that the Lord was the Levites’ inheritance. “I am their inheritance.” Ezekiel 44:28 (NKJV) Additionally,”every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs. The best of the first fruits of any kind, and every sacrifice of any kind from all your sacrifices, shall be the priest’s.” Ezekiel 44:29-30 (NKJV)

Faithfulness to the Lord is evident to others. Do your words and actions match? Are you a Sunday Christian and a Monday player? God is winnowing, culling out, separating between the lukewarm and the fully dedicated ones. Where do you stand with the Lord? Are you half in and half out? That goes back to Pastor Tim’s point of totally surrendered. Are you all in with Jesus or not?

Three points to consider in order to win God’s way:

1.  Faithfulness in the Fire Releases Closeness to His Presence (Zadok Priests)

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all our heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”  1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV) Consider how you were before. Were you a dead man or woman walking? How has He revived you? Don’t forget what He has done for you.”He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.”  Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT) He lavishes love on you. Isn’t that picture beautiful? If you, as an imperfect human, lavish love on your children, think of how the loving Lord has lavished His love on you and me. When we are faithful to Him we have more access to Him like the priests of Zadok. Access follows allegiance. You can’t expect all of Yahweh and continue to walk your way. 

Also it is easy to get distracted. The world yells at you. Your job demands your attention. Your family tugs on your shirt tail. However, your drift will eventually impact your devotion. We must stay the course until the end as Paul advised. Drift creates distance but dependency cultivates devotion.

2.  Holiness Is a Lifestyle, Not a Label. (Lifestyle & Calling)

The Lord explained in Leviticus,”And you shall be holy to Me, for I am holy, and have separated you from the people, that you should be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 (NKJV) What we need to understand is that holiness is not perfection. It’s alignment with His presence. Holiness isn’t about distance from people-it’s about closeness to God. We need to see the emphasis which is on the Lord not on people.  However, the Lord wants us to live in peace with others. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see God.”  Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) 

Another aspect of holiness to consider is that what you tolerate privately will eventually contaminate you publicly.  In other words, you may think you are hiding your sin in your closest, but it will come out. When you compromise with sin, it will show itself in some manner. He knows what you do in private anyway so surrender to Him and let Him heal you. “Holiness is not a limitation but liberation,” reminded Past Greg. It is important to set boundaries which do not keep you from life but is a gate which lets the right things in.

Finally, deep devotion strengthens divine connection. Isn’t that what you want, divine connection to your Abba Father and the Great Intercessor at your Father’s right hand, Jesus? How do you develop deep devotion? Pastor Greg emphasized it earlier, ”camping your butt in God’s word.” When I spend time in His word, He talks to me and tells me He loves me; He saved me; and I am His daughter, His Beloved. He is my Shepherd, and I have everything I need. Psalm 23:1. I am connected!

3.  Inheritance Belongs to the Committed (Inheritance)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)

“I say to myself, ’The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.’” Lamentations 3:24 (NIV) Faithful hearts inherit eternal rewards. What is the difference between eternal rewards and temporary rewards? What is more important? Compromise in the flesh delays credibility in the spirit. When I justify poor behavior, am I giving the enemy a foothold in my life and spirit? I need to put my intentions and my action under the Light of the Lord and let Him tell me truth. Then I need to repent and change my thinking and actions. Our greatest inheritance is intimacy with God. That is my desire, Lord, to be closer and closer to You.

When I align my heart, soul, mind, and spirit to His Spirit, I will reflect Him more in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Then may I be salt and light in this troubled world.

Calendar:

2/20 LB potluck, worship, Felipe Villa shares his story. 6:00pm in the Activity Center

3/20 LB potluck and Meet to Swap 6:00  in the Youth Center (Old One Way Inn). Proceeds will go to FC Youth.

3/20 Midnight Hour 8:00-12:00 activity Center

Blessings,

Larry and Annette