Dominion Fellowship Church

'Tis the Season . . .

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:44:53 +0000

Who Started Christmas?

Author unknown

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A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children.

After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the car. She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her .

As the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot."

From the back of the car, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry, we've already crucified Him."

The rest of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Wise men still seek Him.

Christmas Links. "Who Started Christmas?" Kjos Ministries. 30 Nov 2011. < http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/stories/started-christmas.htm >

The Church

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:47:00 +0000

Acts 2 : 36 - 47 (v. 42)

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and mmany wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and odivided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And sthe Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

ECCLESIOLOGY

Much of what comes to life in this world comes to life via a seed.
- A seed is planted and a tree is born.
- A seed is planted and a stalk of corn grows tall.
- A seed is planted and a baby comes forth.
Seed planting is essentially to the circle of life.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Just like much of God’s Creation coming to life through a seed, the Body of Christ, THE CHURCH, was birthed through a seed. In Acts chapter 2, the Apostle Peter stands among the great crowd of multinational visitors to Jerusalem during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and boldly preaches the Gospel.
The Gospel, the SEED of the Word of God, God’s Message of Love, is preached.
This SEED, the SEED of the Word of God, is deposited into the rich soil of the hearts of unbelievers.
This SEED, the message of Love about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ, falls deep into the rich soil of the hearts of unbelievers.
And the result is LIFE.
The Result is the BIRTH of the Church.

The Bible says in Acts chapter 2 verse 41,
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

THE CHURCH IS BORN.

What is the Church?
The average person just thinks of the church as a “building” or an “institution”.
This view does not correlate with the biblical definition of the church.
The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.”
- The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people.
- It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” The Apostle Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

Ecclesiology is the Doctrine or the Study of the Church.
Ecclesiology is the Doctrine or the Study of Us – the called out ones.

One source says, “Ecclesiology helps us to understand the role of the church and our role in the church.” It teaches us about:
- the ordinances of the church,
- how church leadership is to be chosen and structured, and
- what the church is to be doing in regards to believers (worship and discipleship) and unbelievers (ministry and evangelism).

Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." – this is, in a nutshell, what Ecclesiology is all about.

Believers, we are the Body of Christ.

Ecclesiology, the Doctrine of Church, helps us understand who we are and what we supposed to be doing.

Ecclesiology points us to the Purpose of the Church.
How that Purpose is manifested before all is discovered within two (2) expressions of the church.

I. The Church – THE PERSON

The Church is the BODY OF CHRIST. The Body of Christ is a Living Spiritual Organism.
The Church is a Body that is alive.

Everything that makes US, the Body of Christ, function has been given by God.
<< Example: Offspring receiving their attributes from their parents. >>

According to God’s order, everything in Creation that is alive possesses the attributes of the source from which they came.

To Be the Body of Christ, God had to give us some of His Attributes.

- God has given us His Spirit. We are made alive in His Spirit.
- Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6 : 11)
- God has adopted us into His Family. We are sons and daughters of God.
- 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Ephesians 1 : 3 – 5)
- God has made us to be one body. Just as God is One, we, the body of Christ, are one.
- 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12 : 4 – 5)
- God has given us Spiritual giftings.

1 Corinthians 12
- 12:1 With regard to spiritual gifts,* brothers and sisters,* I do not want you to be uninformed.* 12:2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 12:3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
- 12:4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 12:5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 12:6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 12:7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 12:8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 12:10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 12:11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

Different Members in One Body
12:12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body – though many – are one body, so too is Christ. 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves* or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. 12:14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. 12:15 If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:16 And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? 12:18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided. 12:19 If they were all the same member, where would the body be? 12:20 So now there are many members, but one body. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” 12:22 On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, 12:23 and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity,* 12:24 but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, 12:25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 12:26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a* member is honored, all rejoice with it.
- 12:27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it. 12:28 And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues. 12:29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? 12:30 Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they?* 12:31 But you should be eager for the greater gifts.
- And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.*

These giftings have been given simply for the equipping of the Body.

Our Purpose is TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST.

II. The Church – THE PLACE

The LOCAL Church is the place where the Community of Believers gather on a regular basis to live out the purpose of the Body of Christ.

The LOCAL Church is the place where the Community of Believers gather on a regular basis TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST.

What do we DO when are BEING?
We DO Acts chapter 2 verse 42:
- (1) we teach Biblical doctrine,
- (2) we provide places of fellowship for believers,
- (3) we observe the Lord’s supper, and
- (4) we pray.

Acts chapter 2 verse 42 again says, 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

We DO these things wherever we are AND especially at the place we call church.

Acts chapter 2 verse 42 reveals that we are:

(1) Supposed to be teaching and following the Apostle’s doctrine,
- Where did the Apostles get their doctrine from?
- Who did the Apostle get their doctrine from? THEY RECEIVED THEIR BIBLICAL DOCTRINE FROM JESUS, GOD THE SON.
- Whatever Jesus taught, they taught.
- Whatever Jesus lived, they lived.

(2) Provide a place of fellowship for believers,
- That place is NOT just the church edifice, it is the Community, the community where the Church edifice stands as a visible beacon of Glory of The True and Living God.

(3) Observe the Lord’s Supper,
- We are to observe the ordinances of the church, this passage placing special emphasis upon the observance of the Lord’s Supper which we commonly call Holy Communion.

AND

(4) When we come together at church, we are supposed to PRAY
- It is a natural part of our supernatural nature to communicate with God in prayer.

"We are the Church, and this is what we do."

What does the Bible Call US?

Body of Christ - Ephesians 1 : 22, 23; Colossians 1 : 24
Bride of Christ - Revelations 21 : 9
(The) Church of God - Acts 20 : 28
Church of the Living God – 1 Timothy 3 : 15
Church of the first-born – Hebrews 12 : 23
Family in heaven and earth – Ephesians 3 : 15
Flock of God – 1 Peter 5 : 2
Fold of Christ – John 10 : 16
General assembly of the first-born – Hebrews 12 : 23
Golden candlestick – Revelation 1 : 20
God's building – 1 Corinthians 3 : 9
God's field (husbandry) – 1 Corinthians 3 : 9
God's heritage – 1 Peter 5 : 3
Habitation of God – Ephesians 2 : 22
Holy city – Revelation 21 : 2
House of God – 1 Timothy 3 : 15; Hebrews 10 : 21
House of Christ - Hebrews 3 : 6
Household of God – Ephesians 2 : 19
Israel of God – Galatians 6 : 16
The Lamb's wife – Revelation 19 : 7; 21 : 9
New Jerusalem – Revelation 21 : 2
(The) Pillar and Foundation of Truth – 1 Timothy 3 : 15
Spiritual house – 1 Peter 2 : 5
Temple of God – 1 Corinthians 3 : 16, 17
Temple of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 6 : 16
His Vineyard – Matthew 21:41

"We are the Church, We are the Body of Christ."

God the Holy Spirit

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:29:00 +0000

Who / What is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is received at salvation (Romans 8:9) and is the permanent possession of every believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is MORE than a power or force. He is a Person:
- with a mind,
- with emotions, and
- with a will.

The Holy Spirit can be grieved (emotions).
- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4 : 30)

The Holy Spirit decides (mind) who will receive spiritual gifting (will).
- The question is not can the Holy Spirit give someone a miraculous gift. Scripture affirms this truth. Even in the 21st century, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

God the Holy Spirit, according to the words of God the Son (Jesus Christ), is:
- the One who teaches us ALL things
- the One who reminds of the Word of God everything that Jesus has spoken to us

John 14 : 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

When / How do we receive the Holy Spirit?

1. The receiving / indwelling of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation.

1 Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."

2. The filling of the Spirit is an ongoing process in the Christian life.

How can I be filled with the Spirit?

The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but rather for all believers. However, the Word of God says that we should be "filled with the Spirit."

Ephesians 5:18 "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit," (NKJV)

We must earnestly desire to be filled with the Spirit.

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

We must ask God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ to be filled with the Spirit.

1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him."

Why should I receive the Holy Spirit?

1. YOU NEED HIM

a. Jesus said He will teach us ALL things (what we need to know to live)
b. Jesus said He will remind us of His Word (what we need to have/possess to live)
c. Jesus said He will AID us (divinely) in life (as Helper/Comforter)
 Including the granting of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 11)

1 Corinthians 12:7-11: "(7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

2. HE WANTS TO CONNECT WITH YOU – FOREVER

a. His Presence in our Hearts is a part of our Eternal Salvation (Galatians 4 : 4 - 7)
b. He Regenerates Us; He Causes Us Upon Salvation to be BORN AGAIN (Breath of Life) (John 3 : 3 - 8)

Galatians 4:4-7: "(4) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born [fn1] of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (7) Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

John 3:3-8: "(3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (4) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

God the Son (Jesus Christ)

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:48:00 +0000

Jesus Christ is God the Son.

The questions that lead us to the authentic Jesus are:

- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Father?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Son, the Messiah Himself?
- Who is Jesus Christ according to God the Spirit?

God the Father says at the public baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist,
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 3 : 17)
And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Two (2) years later,
The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Matthew 17 : 5)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Mark 9 : 7)
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"

The Father says at the Mount of Transfiguration, (Jesus with the disciples Peter, James, and John)
“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON,” (Luke 9 : 35)
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son. [fn] Hear Him!"

The Son says in the Temple (Treasury)
# 1 (John 8 : 18)
"I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."

The Son says to the Jews angry about Him healing on the Sabbath
# 2 (John 5 : 17 - 18)
"17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
Jesus’ Equality with God
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."

The Spirit testifies in heaven
TESTIFY (martyreō G3140) (“to prove or confirm by testimony”)
(1 John 5 : 6 - 7)
"This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth."

The Godhead (ALL 3) testify in heaven
(1 John 5 : 7)
"For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."

Based upon the Word of God,
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Father
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Son
Jesus Christ is the Son of God AND God the Son according to God the Spirit

CHRISTOLOGY is the study or doctrine of Jesus Christ, His Nature, His Person, His Work.
CHRISTOLOGY says that Jesus is Divine, He is the Son of God, He is God the Son.

Jesus Christ knew who He was. It is this understanding of Himself that allows us the ability to ascertain (discover / find out) who Jesus is.

Jesus ACTED as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein).
He acted like He was divine, forgiving sin and stating that he and God the Father are One. (Mark 2 : 5 – 7; Luke 7 : 48 – 49; John 10 : 30)

Jesus SPOKE as one who possessed a unique authority. (author Robert Stein)
Jesus said that He was greater than the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob (John 8 : 53; 4 : 12 – 14). Jesus also stated that He superceded the Temple and th Sabbath (Mathew 12 : 6 - 8)
Jesus' words revealed the dependence of the destiny of all people on how they respond to Him (Matthew 10 : 32 – 33; 11 : 6; Mark 8 : 34 – 38).

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman gives us insight into how Jesus ACTED and SPOKE as One who possessed a unique authority.

John 4 : 19 – 26 NKJV: "19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” "

Jesus claimed to be THE CHRIST (The Messiah) (Mark 8 : 27 – 30, 14 : 61 – 62)
Jesus claimed to be THE SON OF GOD (Matthew 11 : 25 – 27; Mark 12 : 1 – 9, 13 : 32)

The Term "Son of God" occurs 47 times in the King James New Testament. In reference to Jesus, it is a title as the heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God the Father (John 5:18-24). It is Jesus who fully reveals the Father (Matt. 11:27). He is the exact representation of the Father (Heb. 1:1-3), He possesses all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5).

Jesus claimed to be The Son of Man (Daniel 7:13; underlying theme: Son of Man will judge the world) (Matthew 10:23, 19:28, 25:31; Mark 8:38, 13:26, 14:62)

Jesus is the REVELATION of GOD TO MAN.

The Doctrine of God the Son is meant to reveal Jesus Christ to us, resulting in us being pointed to and connected with God the Father. It is our new birth in God that makes us, the elect of God, sons and daughters of God, overcomers (ones who “nikao” G3528 (nē-kä'-ō)(ones who, as we hold fast to our faith unto our dying day, we are conquerors over the power of our foes, temptations, and persecutions.)

FINAL THOUGHTS

1 John 5 : 1 – 13 NKJV

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

New Year, New Direction

Jaira — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:19:00 +0000

It's Back to School Time!
- New faces
- New classes
- New friends
- New challenges
- Another school year

To have a really successful school year, we need someone to help guide us through it. We need God.

To achieve school success God's way, one of the things that He makes available to us is WISDOM.
Wisdom = Good Judgment
As kids, we realize that among the many people we know, the people that know what's best for us is our parents.
~ As children, we tend to not want to listen to our parents.
~ As teens, we think adults are bothering us.
But, they know what they’re talking about - most of the time (smile) - ok, all of the time.
They have wisdom. Wisdom will help you have a successful school year.

To get wisdom you need your GPS.
G = Godly
P = Positioning
S = System
It's not your iPhone, Evo, or Blackberry; your GPS is the BIBLE.
This GPS takes us where God wants us to be.

God wants us to have a successful school year.

In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 14 - 17 (NLT) says the following:
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!

Verses 14 - 17 describe "NO GOD LAND". Not using the GPS needed for success may result in you being in "NO GOD LAND".
In "NO GOD LAND", kids skip class, we don't do our homework, we don't practice, we go over to our friend’s house when you weren’t supposed to go. In "NO GOD LAND", we will always experience negative consequences.

In the Bible, Proverbs 4 : 18 (NLT) says the following:
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

We will shine as students when we allow our GPS to take us to "GODville".
In "GODville", kids go to class.
In "GODville", kids believe in themselves.
In "GODville", kids study.
In "GODville", kids listen to their parents.
In "GODville", we know that God loves us and He’ll direct our paths.

Our GPS (The Bible) will always takes us to "GODville".
Let's read our Bible and allow the Lord to guide us this year with His wisdom.
As long as we do that we’ll have an awesome school year and we’ll always have our GPS for life.

Who is Jesus . . . to you?

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:47:00 +0000

HOW DO WE VIEW JESUS ?

According to a Barna Group survey, two out of every three adults (67%) claim to have an active “personal relationship” with Jesus.

This same survey found that one out of every six Americans (17%) claim that Jesus speaks to them in multi-faceted ways. At least one out of every six adults contends that He communicates with them in the following manner:

• 52%: by influencing or connecting directly with their mind, emotions or feelings

• 41%: through the content of a Bible passage they read or which was read to them

• 36%: by providing a sign

• 34%: through sermon or teaching content concerning their immediate situation or need

• 31%: through miraculous or inexplicable circumstances or outcomes

• 31%: through words spoken to them by someone else who was speaking for God

• 18%: through a passage they read in a book other than the Bible

• 16%: through an audible voice or whisper that they could hear

In another Barna Group survey, the researchers found that Americans Continue to Wrestle with Truth (Biblical Truth).

The survey findings suggest that Americans are continuing to wrestle with the concept of truth, the nature of God, and the value of the Bible in personal decision-making.

Many people who do not embrace a literal interpretation of the scriptures nevertheless accept some of the Bible’s more sensational stories. "Not only do most Americans believe in the existence of God, but they believe in His power and in the miracles He performs," commented researcher George Barna, who directed the study. "Holding back the seas, walking on water, rising from the dead, surviving in a lion cage, and killing a skilled and armed warrior with a sling shot are examples of God doing extraordinary things in the lives of ordinary people.
Millions of Americans believe the Bible content is true, but are not willing to apply the truths of the Bible to their daily life. Sadly, for many people, the Bible has become a respected but impersonal religious history lesson that stays removed from their life."

Views on Spiritual Beings

The Barna survey asked questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Satan, and demons.
All 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. In total, three-quarters (78%) said he is the “all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” The remaining one-quarter chose other descriptions of God – depictions that are not consistent with biblical teaching (e.g., everyone is god, god refers to the realization of human potential, etc.).

SATAN: Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan.

JESUS: Although a core teaching of the Christian faith is the divinity and perfection of Jesus Christ, tens of millions of Christians do not accept that teaching. More than one-fifth (22%) strongly agreed that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, with an additional 17% agreeing somewhat. Holding the opposing view were 9% who disagreed somewhat and 46% who disagreed strongly. Six percent did not have an opinion on this matter.

HOLY SPIRIT: Much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.” Just one-third of Christians disagreed that the Holy Spirit is not a living force (9% disagreed somewhat, 25% disagreed strongly) while 9% were not sure.

Demons/Evil Spirits: A majority of Christians believe that a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces, such as demons or evil spirits. Two out of three Christians agreed that such influence is real (39% agreed strongly, 25% agreed somewhat), while just three out of ten rejected the influence of supernatural forces (18% disagreed strongly, 10% disagreed somewhat). The remaining 8% were undecided on this matter.

Another study examined how one segment of the Christian population – those whose beliefs about salvation categorize them as “born again” – differ from the beliefs of people who describe themselves as Christian but do not base their view of salvation solely on confession of sin and God’s grace received through Jesus Christ. (The Barna Group has labeled the latter group “notional Christians.”) For each of the 13 questions examined in the study, there were statistically significant differences between these two segments of the Christian population. Among the most significant gaps in belief were the following:

 Born again adults are at least twice as likely as notionals to strongly agree that the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches; that their life has been greatly transformed by their faith; that a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces such as demons; and to hold an unfavorable opinion of Wicca.

 Born again adults are more than twice as likely as notionals to strongly disagree that Satan is just a symbol of evil, and that Jesus sinned while He lived on earth.

 Born again adults are more than three times as likely as notionals to strongly disagree that the Holy Spirit is merely a symbol of God’s power or presence; that Mormons are Christians; and that the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon teach the same truths.

 Born again adults are one-third more likely than notionals to possess a definition of God as the omniscient, omnipotent creator and ruler of the world; nearly 60% more likely to believe that you either side with God or Satan because there is no in-between position; and slightly more than 50% more likely to say their chief purpose in life is to love God with all their heart, mind, strength and soul.

During the time that Jesus walked the earth, there were also people who believed in the Word of God and the Power of God, but didn’t live it.

The Bible gives us an interesting glimpse into how people viewed the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. Matthew chapter 8 offers the following accounts:

1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (NKJV)

In the accounts listed above, Jesus is acknowledged as LORD & HEALER. The term Lord (Strong's # G2962 kyrios (kü'-rē-os)) means "A Man of Distinction". The term Lord was a title of honor expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greeted their master. The leper, the Roman centurion/soldier, and the disciples all referred to Jesus as "Lord," but not God.

 in verse 2, the Leper says: LORD, You Are Greater Than Myself
 in verse 6, the Roman Centurion says: LORD, You Are Much Greater than Myself
 in verse 25, the Disciples say: LORD, You Are Greater Than Myself, but You are not God.

 The Leper who needs healing comes to Jesus as "a" Lord.
 The Roman Centurion who seeks healing for someone else comes to Jesus as a Lord
 The 12 Disciples who need saving from death (drowning) come to Jesus as a Lord.

However, there’s another group.

The leper, the Roman centurion, and the disciples ALL had a voice to say to Jesus who they believed He was and what they wanted from Him. They said in essence, Jesus is a Great Man and a Healer.

– BUT, there’s another group in whose voice appears to be silenced.

Matthew chapter 8 also states:

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (NKJV)

28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (NKJV)

In verse 16, the demon-possessed are mentioned. In verse 28, the Gadarene Demoniacs are mentioned. What do the spirits have to say about who Jesus is? Unlike the leper, the Roman soldier, and the 12 disciples, the spirits IN VERSE 29 identify Jesus Christ as "Jesus, Son of God", a name reflecting His Divinity and His identity as the Messiah.

Fortunately, the those same disciples would finally BELIEVE that Jesus was both LORD and GOD.

After the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to Scripture, Jesus appears to His disciples. John chapter 20 verses 27 and 28 affirm:

27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (NIV)

It is not sufficient enough to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord only.
 Is Jesus the Son of God to you?
 Is Jesus the Messiah to you?
 Is Jesus the Master of your life?
 Is Jesus YOUR Lord and Savior?
 Is Jesus YOUR God?

Jesus, in his instruction to the former Gadarene demoniac whom He had supernaturally delivered, refers to Himself as "the Lord" (kyrios).
Jesus speaks in Mark chapter 5:
19 But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."
20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. (NLT)

JESUS IS BOTH LORD AND GOD.

COURAGE

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Courage is defined as "the mental and spiritual fortitude that enables a person to address difficulty, opposition, danger, pain, and grief without fear." As humans, we have a natural inclination to fear or to avoid difficulty, opposition, danger, pain, and grief. This avoidance will not eliminate the occurence of hardship and unpleasant situations. Life is guaranteed to present each of us with challenges that include difficulty, opposition, danger, pain, and grief. To manage and/or rise above these challenges, we need courage.

Courage begins with God. God provides all that we need to obtain courage. Courage is found in His Word. God has designed life in such a way that the human experience can be fulfilled within the paradigm of His Word. King David speaks to us from the Word of God in Psalm 23. David, a man of war and courage, said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NKJV) David's life is threatened; yet he finds courage in the divine counsel of the Great Shepherd. God's guidance (His staff) and God's loving protection (His rod) give David the assurance that He needs to be courageous while facing danger and opposition.

Godly courage is cultivated in us each time we exhibit belief and trust in God's Word in our response to hardship and unpleasant situations. The Word of God empowers us to confront and process the realities of life with real courage and godly assurance. We should continue to return to the place where courage begins - the Word of God.

BLESSED

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 15 May 2011 00:39:00 +0000

The term BLESSED is often misinterpreted. The definition of the term BLESSED in the Bible is "Happy". The Blessed Person is HAPPY: “Glad About Everything” and “Pleased With God”.

It is God's desire that everyone be blessed. Being blessed is so important to God that He specifically gave instructions to His Prophet Moses on how to bless His People, the Israelites. God's instructions to Moses are found in Numbers chapter 6:

22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” ’
 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (NKJV)

It is God who blesses people. It is God who makes us blessed. We are the recipients of His blessings. His blessings include His protection, His grace, His love, His instruction, His peace, and His presence.

The Word of God reveals to us that when we acknowledge and accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ (i.e. when we are not "offended" because of Him), we are blessed. Jesus speaks to us in Matthew chapter 11:

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of [fn1] his disciples
3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (NKJV)

The Word of God also gives us a complete description of the blessed person.

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. (NKJV)

The Blessed person seeks to practice right living (righteousness) according to the Bible.
The Blessed person chooses to accept God's Word as his standard for everyday living.
The Blessed person is connected - connected in a thriving relationship with God.
As a result, the Blessed person is stable in every situation and prospers in every season of life.

Trust

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 01:32:00 +0000

Who deserves our trust?
It is the person that has consistently displayed an unwavering commitment to us.
It is the person that has consistently sought to "protect" us and to warn us concerning situations and people that are unhealthy for us.
It is the person that has sacrificed themselves (out of love) for us.

God has never "forsaken" us. He has never withheld His Love from us.
God provides a way of escape for all believers in every crisis of temptation.
God sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ to rescue humanity from a destiny separated from His Love.

The Bible declares,

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. << Romans 8:38-39 NKJV >>

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it]. << 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV >>

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. << John 3:16 NKJV >>

We should trust God.

God's Word speaks to us about putting our trust in Him.
Psalm 9:10 says, "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You."

Those who trust in God should always praise/testify of Him.

Psalm 118 : 1 - 4 says,
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, “His mercy endures forever.”

God's Children should trust God.
1st - His Chosen People (Psalm 118:2)
2nd - His Priests (a subsection of his chosen people) (Psalm 118:3)
3rd - Everyone who believes in (fears / reverences) God (including the foreigner/non-Jew) (Psalm 118:4)

Believers in Jesus Christ are able to say by faith, "God has become my salvation," just like the Israelites sang when they were delivered from slavery and Pharoah's Army. (Exodus 15).
The Believer's relationship with God our Savior (Jesus Christ) is primarily based upon His activity and Person, not ours. (Psalm 118:21)

God's salvation and deliverance should lead to greater trust in Him.

Psalm 118:8-9 gives us timeless WISDOM:
8 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.

Those who receive God's salvation can confidently declare that God has not abandoned them to fate, which includes death.
Psalm 118:17-18 declares,
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

This Messianic Psalm (Psalm 118) declares in verse 22:
22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
The Stone which the builders rejected (rejected by religion), has become the Chief Cornerstone (Jesus Christ).

The Religious Establishment of Jesus' day REJECTED Him
- RELIGION REJECTED WHAT WAS REAL - Emmanuel (God With Us/Jesus Christ) BUT
That Rejected Stone became the One they could not exist without
- IT ALL BEGINS WITH JESUS

The world will not be moved by religion: They will only RESPOND to that which is REAL.
We tend to trust that which is real.

What is REAL? It is the Word of God - Jesus Christ. We can trust Him!

The Sustainable Life - Pt. 2

Pastor Derrick Jackson — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:22:00 +0000

A life that is sustainable is a life committed to the Biblical paradigm of submission to the liberating nature and eternality of Jesus Christ.

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ sought to reintroduce and reveal God's love to all humanity.
It has always been God's desire since the beginning of time to establish and sustain a thriving relationship with His greatest creation, human beings.

There are certain characteristics that must be incorporated into our daily living in order to "Live A Sustainable Life." These characteristics include:
Love
Teachability
Loyalty/Faithfulness
Equitability (Being Just / Being Principled)

The Sustainable Life is a life that glorifies God and positions future generations to be their best in God.

Who I Am and What I Do – can that be sustained BY GOD throughout the rest of my life and in the lives of those coming after me?

Who I Am and What I Do – can that be sustained BY ME throughout the rest of my life and in the lives of those coming after me?

Everyone, whether by accident or intentionally, is building a legacy. Our legacy is molded and shaped by "who we are" and "what we do". WE CAN CONTROL OUR LEGACY.

To build a life and a legacy that God can and will sustain, study the ANT – The Ant Leads A Life That is Sustainable Throughout His Generation/Season.

Proverbs 6 (NIV)
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. [fn1]

“Living An Unsustainable Life WILL LEAD TO POVERTY in our lives and in the lives of those generations that follow us.”
– Why is an impoverished life unsustainable?
answer: The impoverished have decereased control over their daily living or their destiny.

The Word of God instructs us to be INDUSTRIOUS. The resources needed to be industrious are granted to us by God. The ability to posses these resources (health, financial means, advanced education, ideas) are often granted us to in the form of opportunities that we must choose to accept or reject. We are encouraged and even commanded by God to share our resources/abundance with others. Our sharing with the impoverished will help them overcome their decreased ability to live sustainable lives.

The Sustainable Life - Pt. 1

Derrick Jackson — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:38:00 +0000

The Life that is sustainable results in personal and national freedom spiritually, emotionally, behaviorally, economically, financially, socially, and relationally. This continued freedom is sustained by the natural results of consistent and mass application of the Scriptures to daily living.

The life that is not sustainable leads to personal and national enslavement spiritually,
emotionally, behaviorally, economically, financially, socially, and relationally.

In simple terms, The Sustainable Life is a life that glorifies God and positions future generations to be their best in God.

Who I Am and What I Do – can that be sustained throughout the rest of my life and in the lives of those coming after me?

The idea of Sustainability within the context of human life requires a discourse about ourselves as human beings – who we are – more so than about life itself. The lives we live are the sum total of our decisions – how we act towards and respond to God, ourselves, others, and our environment.

The Life of Jesus Christ is our Example for Living “A Sustainable Life”

Jesus Christ, the God-Man, exemplified GOD'S LOVE, AGAPE, during His earthly ministry. The Scriptures recount His many acts of uncoditional, unselfish love towards humanity.

The Life of Jesus Christ revealed the following:

WE MUST POSSESS AND EXPRESS THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST

= "A Life Without the Revelation of God’s Relationship to Humanity is not Sustainable” (God’s Relationship with Humanity)

= “A Life Without the Acceptance of God’s Love is not Sustainable” (Our Relationship with God
)

= “A Life Without a Committed Relationship to another person is not Sustainable” (Our Relationship with Each Other)

WE MUST BE TEACHABLE

= Our lives are sustainable when we allow God and God-given persons to GUIDE the discovery process of our UNIQUE IDENTITY – “teachable “

= Jesus, through the Word of God, desires to teach us HOW to live and be sustained in Him ( Jesus Christ to humanity -> "Imitate my life style" )

<< end >>