More God

• Pray

 Text: - 2 Cor 10: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

By default – If we believe in Jesus, we believe in Satan – Good vs. Evil

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly

1.    Spirit world (can’t see) / natural world (can see)   

a.  although we can’t see it spirit world far more real than the world we live in.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual

forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

               

                2. Forces influence our behavior

a.    Things going on in spiritual world behind scenes that we would not believe –

b. Influence negative or positive

1.    only two choices – only two choices in spirit realm Christ or no Christ

CHOICE is the keyword – John 3:16

·         God made a choice to send His Son

·         Bible full of choices – good and bad

·         God chose - re-establish kingdom,

·         God chose to -have fellowship with us, creation, etc.

Joshua 24:15 (Amplified Bible)

15  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

·         We must make choice – good or evil

·         Good choices – good life / bad choices – bad life

·         what we choose  will influence the way we live and ultimately what happens in our lives and those around us – we effect others ( It’s A Wonderful Life)

           

3.Inspite of us choosing to do good, will bad things still happen to me?

1.    of coarse – sin entered world & all things bad.

2.     Gen 3 fall of man  -  disobedience

4.  For the most part – if we always do the right thing we will be rewarded

1.    Job, Daniel. Jacob, Moses,

2.    Jesus, Paul, Peter

a.    these all martyred – what’s good?

b.    Obedience for it own sake

c.    They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the reward that awaited them.

                                                                  i.    Disciples -Lived with Jesus (God on earth)

                                                                ii.    Paul saw Jesus and heaven

                                                               iii.    Jesus told them (disciples) about His Kingdom

                                                               iv.    They accepted obedience to God as being it’s own reward

                                                                v.    When we make up our minds to do this we will start to find our purpose and live fulfilled lives.

                                                               vi.    Do the right thing on purpose – by staying connected to The Word, we put ourselves in position to serve others by being used by God. He can only bless us if we have a heart to bless others. When we display what Paul call the fruits of the spirit – people are attracted to us and we can truly help them

5. they came to realize they did not need less (fill in the blank)

 THEY NEEDED MORE GOD!

·         Chris – grass seed to choke out weeds, not weed killer to kill weeds.

THE SAME IS TRUE WITH US! – WE ALL NEED MORE GOD AND NOT LESS (FILL IN BLANK)

When we choose more God, we will not have to choose less (fill in blank) it will all ready be chosen, and we won’t want anything but more God anyway!

Jesus Is God

- Text scripture John 1:1

·        most important doctrine of Christianity

• Christianity hinges on this fact
• In the days of Christ, the son was EXACTLY the same as the father.
• ONLY prerequisite to righteousness with God 
• John 1:1 & 1:14 who Christ is
• Lord and God used interchangeably – Hebrews 1:8-10

Matt 1:23 – Angel speaking to Mary about being pregnant and not married:

Emmanouēl	Pronunciation em-mä-nü-ā'l (Key)
Part of Speech proper masculine noun	Root Word (Etymology) Of Hebrew origin עִמָּנוּאֵל (H6005)
TDNT Reference n/a

Outline of Biblical Usage

Emmanuel = "God with us"

1)      the title applied to the Messiah, born of the virgin, Mt 1:23, Is. 7:14, because Jesus was God united with man, and showed that God was dwelling with man.

Eph 4:14   That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15   But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:
Eph 4:16   From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love

-         I have heart to this ministry – to spread The Good News of The Lord – The Gospel. Especially to the incarcerated and in a broader sense, anyone who will listen.

-         I have nothing to gain by telling mistruth or lies. In fact, Word says I’m more accountable.

a)    As we read through The Bible God seems more concerned with what He is like rather than proving Himself (who He is).

b)    There are a few thing that Jesus insists on though –

1)    He is God The Son (this is what the Jews used against Him to crucify Him) – sonship in those times=same as the father

2)    John 14:10
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works

He did however prove who and who Jesus is (John 1:1 & 14)

-         There are some other instances of God telling who He is – “I Am” (Moses) – others

-         Hebrews 11:6 – Please God , who He is

3)    no way to heaven except thru Him.   John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Romans 10:9  ⁹That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.