STEP OUT OF YOUR TENT // Sunday, March 23, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 23, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Step Out of Your Tent

 

Genesis 15: 5 (NLT)

   Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

 

Take an honest self-assessment

 

Ephesians 1: 1 (NASB)

   Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

 

Romans 12: 3 (NLT)

   Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 

1 Timothy 1: 15 (NLT)

   This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ”— and I am the worst of them all.

                                                              

Philippians 3: 17 (NLT)

   Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

 

Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 (NLT)

   …Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 

Discerning God’s Will

 

1.              God’s will is not a feeling.

         (The mystical approach)

 

Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV)

   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

 

2.              God’s will is not a formula.

(The mechanical approach)

 

a.              Formulas often contradict one a another.

 

b.              Formulas must be followed to perfection.

 

3.              God’s will is a friendship.

 

1 Corinthians 1: 9 (ESV)

   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Our perspective can hinder God’s will

 

1.              Don’t be fatalistic about God’s will.

 

Healthy People Grow…

 

John 7: 17 (NLT)

    Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

 

2.              Don’t be fearful of God’s will.

 

Ephesians 2: 10 (ESV)

   …we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

3.              Don’t be frustrated with God’s will.

 

God’s will is a long-term process.

 

The purpose of the process is to makes us like Jesus.

 

Colossians 1: 28 (ESV)

   Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,

   that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

 

 

 

                                                                       

FAITH // Sunday, March 16, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

FAITH

 

John 3: 16 (KJV)

   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Matthew 7: 21 (ESV)

   Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,

   but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

James 2: 14 (NLT)

   What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

 

F:  Follow Christ’s example.

 

John 13: 17 (NLT)

   Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

 

John 8: 12 (NLT)

   Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

 

Matthew 7: 24 (NLT)

   Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

 

A:  Accept God’s grace.

 

Romans 3: 22 (NLT)

   We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

   And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

 

Romans 5: 17 (NIV)

   For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

 

Mark 10: 15 (NLT)

   I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

 

I: Invest my life in Him.

 

Romans 6: 13 (NLT)

   Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

 

2 Timothy 2: 15 (NLT)

    Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

 

T:  Trust in God’s wisdom and strength.

 

Colossians 2: 6 (ESV)

   Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

 

Philippians 4: 13 (NLT)

   For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

H:  Hold on to God’s promises.

 

Hebrews 6: 18 (NLT)

   … it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

 

Romans 8: 38 & 39 (NLT)

   I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.   39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

THE WORD BECAME FLESH pt 4 // Sunday, March 9, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, March 9, 2025 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

  

The Word Became Flesh

 

John 1: 1 – 18 (ESV)

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

   and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but 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. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

 

Incarnate –

 

Jesus was BOTH human and divine!

 

Kenosis –

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Body

Gnosticism

 

Physical is Evil             Divine is Good

Nag Hammadi codices

Divinity put on Humanity – Mind

Apollinarianism

 

Apollinaris of Laodicea

 

Jesus had a human Body and a sensitive human soul, but a Divine Mind and not a human rational Mind

 

Hebrews 4: 15 (ESV)

… we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

Humanity                      Divinity

  Tested                        Without Sin

Tempted

 

Divinity put on Humanity – Will

 

Matthew 26: 39 (ESV)

   …going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

 

St. Gregory in his letter to Cledonius

 

That which is not taken up (or assumed) is not healed.

 

That which is united to God, that will be saved.

 

If half of Adam fell, also half will be taken up and saved. But if all [of Adam], all of his nature will be united [to God], and all of it will be saved.

 

Why does Christology matter?

 

Romans 7: 15 – 17 (NLT)

    I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

 

Romans 8: 1 - 4 (ESV)

   There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

MAXIMIZE YOUR NEW YEAR // Sunday, December 29, 2024 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, December 29, 2024

 

Maximize Your New Year

 

Healthy People Grow

Growing People Change

Changed People, Change People

 

Proverbs 17: 24 (NASB)

    Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

 

Steps for having a fruitful New Year:

 

  1. Take responsibility for your life

 

Proverbs 22:13 (NASB)

The lazy one says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”

 

Galatians 6: 5 (NASB)

  For each one will bear his own load.

 

  1. Have confidence that you can grow / mature.

 

Ephesians 2: 10 (NLT)

   For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

  1. Clarify your priorities.

 

Proverbs 34: 3 & 4 (NLT)

   …’The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’
   4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

 

1 Corinthians 10: 23 (NASB)

   All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.

 

  1. Act now.

 

Ecclesiastes 11: 4 (NASB)

  One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest.

 

Personal Development Goals

 

Luke 2: 52 (ESV)

    Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

 

  1. Intellectual: What do I want to learn?

 

Probers 19: 8 (ESV)

   Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

 

  1. Physical: What will improve my health?

 

Proverbs 17: 22 (ESV)

   A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

 

  1. Spiritual: What will deepen my relationship with God?

 

2 Peter 3: 18 (ESV)

   …grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

 

  1. Social: What will my ministry be to others?

 

1 Peter 4: 10 (ESV)

   …each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

 

Ephesians 6: 10 (ESV)

   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

 

 

 

 

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH // Sunday, November 10, 2024 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor

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Sunday, November 10, 2024

 

To the End of the Earth

 

Acts 1: 8 (NKJV)

   …you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

   and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

Saturating the world with the gospel even to the most remote areas…

 

Overwhelming! 

 

Not a Burden…  Joyous Adventure!!!

 

Boy with 5 Loaves & 2 Fish

 

Panoramic View of the Bible

 

1.              Creation Narrative

 

2.              Flood Narrative

 

3.              Tower of Bable

 

4.              Abrahamic Covenant

 

Genesis 12: 3 (NKJV)

   I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

 

5.              Poetic Literature

 

~ 175 verses focused on taking salvation to the ends of the earth…

 

The psalmists called on the people of Israel to praise the Lord and declare His deeds to the nations so that they too might worship the Lord God of Israel. The psalmists both invited and exhorted the nations of the earth to worship the Lord.

                                                                    ~ TJ Betts

 

Psalm 67: 4

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah.
2 That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Selah

 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.7 God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

 

6.              Prophetic Literature

 

Isaiah 49: 6 (NLT)

   “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

 

Simeon spoke these words over Jesus at His dedication in the temple

Luke 2

 

7.              The Great Commission

 

Matthew 28: 19 & 20 (NLT)

   …go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

LPAG / OC Response:

 

1.              Equipping people

 

Yesterday…

 

Amour Bearer     Tuesday Classes

 

Home Groups    

 

   2. Prayer    Guide

 

  • Church Mobilized

  • Doors opened / Opportunities

  • Interceding for Missionaries

 

3.              Eternal Focus

 

Hebrews 9: 27 (NLT)

   …each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.

 

4.              Generosity

 

Women & Children

 

Project Rescue Logo

$3,000.00

 

Liberation Offering

July 4th

Goal: $12,000.00

 

Lisa Russi & Joy Krajicek

$2,400.00

 

ComPact Logo 

$3,000.00

 

Shauna Whiddon

$2,200.00

  

ChildHope Logo 

$1,700.00

 

One Child Logo 

$15,000.00

 

Women’s Care Center Logo 

$3,000.00

 

Vulnerable Women & Children

$42,300.00

 

Convoy of Hope Logo

 

Easter Sunday

Resurrection Offering

 

Goal: $40,000.00

  

STL Logo 

$15,000.00

  

BGMC Logo 

Goal: $5,000.00

  

12 U.S. Missionaries 

$15,000.00

 

25 World Missionaries 

$28,260.00

  

Faith Promise 

Need: $43,260.00 

60 Pledges of $60.00 = $43,200.00