December 9, 2018 - Second
Appropriate time to talk about Jesus birth and everything with that. It was prophesied 700 years before his birth. So about 2,700 years ago is when this prophecy happened a long time ago. I am scripture reads this for us for to us a child is born that's talking about Jesus to us. A son is given to the government will rest on his shoulders and he will be called wonderful counselor talked about last week. You'll be called The Mighty Guy. That's what we talked about this week. He will be called Everlasting father and he will be called The Prince of Peace. And so I love talking about God. I love talking about what God can do in our lives and every chance I get I'm going to tell you how great and how Mighty God is and I love talking about how Great and Mighty Is so it is really my order to get to talk about Mighty God when we talked about the name of God today. I've seen God working mighty. Mighty ways through many people's lives and in many situations are there live Are Mighty God that's who we're going to talk about today? He is mighty he is he loves us. He wants to see us just do amazing things. And so the power that it's there is is unbelievable when we talked about this term, Mighty God Jeremiah. He's a prophet in the Old Testament is beautiful crafted scripture that talks about how great how a mighty God is you'll find it Jeremiah chapter 32. It's interesting because it starts with the word is a h. Okay, and and it's the Hebrew word. That's their it means a painful grown. So basically it's like, you know, how you get out of bed in the morning. You all understand that right? Yeah, that's the all that were talking about is like this big painful groaning that takes place and that's how he starts the Italian starts his with his painful groaning and he goes on to say this Sovereign Lord. You have made the heavens and the Earth by your great power and outstretched arm. So my question is this morning what's too hard for God? Nothing is too hard for God and because you have God living in your life. Nothing is too hard for you. Cuz God power God's power comes through you make maybe you came to church today and you got problems, you know, maybe maybe you're in a relationship is a mess. Let me tell you nothing is too hard for God. Maybe you've you've lost your job job recently. You have situations at work. That just aren't going well. Guess what's Nothing too hard for God. No matter how bad it looks let me tell you nothing is too hard for God maybe doctors giving you some information about an illness and it's terminal and it's bad news it and he's telling you to let me remind you this nothing absolutely. Nothing is too hard for God God is the Mighty God. He is all-powerful. He is Almighty. There's some characteristics about guy that I want to share with you today. Do you see the Latin word for all that? There's a painful groaning that I gave you is actually Omni. Okay, Army describe some of the characteristics of God. First of all God is on missions. That means that God he knows everything the Bible says he actually knows your thoughts. And so if you're in trouble right now because you were thinking all I want to do is get to lunch. Right now it's how much longer is this going to be? right God knows our thoughts that I think about that in in in retrospect. Everything we think we don't even have to say it. Knows it.
Wow.
How many times have you just send in your thoughts? And not just filling your words or actions just your thoughts.
It's amazing. God is also omnipresent. God is everywhere is what it means to be God's presence is everywhere. God is omnipresent just blows me away. Think about how many worship services are going on right now at this point how many prayers are going up to God how many places there are in the world and God is there? You think about that? We always say God is with us when I say God's with us. Guess what? That means. He's with me. He's with you. He's with the person in New York. He's with the person in California. Hawaii, Alaska, whatever country you want to come up with God's there. Is everywhere and just at that concert just blows me away. But how about a guy that was just I mean everywhere all the time. It just it just blows. My mind is God God is omnipotent. God can do anything. This Living Word is full of signs and wonders and miracles that got to pick up your Bible and read it sometime I encourage you to do that. Okay, but pick it up and read it sometime maybe maybe you received your gift this week, you know from from the church may be received your email this week from the church saying hey sign up for right now media. If you didn't see me afterwards or send me a message and I will get you signed up for your email at a few of you send that to me this weekend and cuz you hadn't gotten it and we will get that to you. Pick up your Bible. You'll learn so many things that God can do it's full of Wonders and miracles that God has done don't start in Leviticus.
Don't K numbers. Don't start there either. Alright gospel go to God's don't don't do like why Rose doing you sent me the picture, you know, why restarting Revelation back over there? She's been treated by once she was in k but pick it up see the Miracles that he's done. There is nothing that is too hard for God. He's Almighty, you know, he's the god that parted the Red Sea is the same God that like dwells within you. Think about that for a moment. He's all-powerful.
There's nothing that is too hard for God. God is Almighty. He's all-powerful. He can do anything yet often. I know that that in here, I really do. I know it and I read it but I've got to be honest with you. Sometimes I just don't see it. I look at the world is full of pain and suffering full of wars and famine people going off to Wars and in places like Iraq and Afghanistan know those places that I hear and see on the news what people are going through. Trump thanking God. Where is your power? Even look at my own life and being a pastor people probably be looking for answers looking for God's power. And I sometimes I just I just wonder God. Where is your power? I pray and I pray and I pray that thinking where is it? Maybe today in your life. You're asking the same question. Where is God's power in your life? Where is it at? Maybe you're in a real tough road here with with a relationship and Christmas is just making it worse because you just can't seem to reconcile it and you've got more problems in your thinking God. Where are you? Maybe you you had a dream for something to happen. If it hasn't yet you say God. Where is your power will today? We are going to going to go on a journey and gods were because let me tell you Jesus as power is real. We just may not see it the way we want to see it. You see because when we look at Jesus power load times, we want to see it through all rice. We want to be our way. Okay God here's where we want your power to come through my life. This is what I wants. The first spiritual truth this morning. If you taking notes, that means if you have a pen and paper and write this down or even a little needle notes on your section your Bible great place to write that is a couple things right? The first time is this Jesus has power is at work in you Jesus is power. Is it working and flipping Paul writes the Christian Christian Filipina says for God is working and where is got where he says for God is working in you giving you the desires and the powers to do what does he say? What pleases him?
You know, what? Would I first became a Christian? I thought this whole Christian Life was was about me right make my life easy. Take away all my problems. You know, I thought I was going to retire Kickback on the beach somewhere right now and we all thought you just retire and kick back. It's it's all good, right? It sounds spin. You see God's power is not to make my life. Easy. God's power was to work in me. The scripture says to change me to make me from being selfish self-centered into someone who is Christlike with love compassion with peace and patience and gentleness and self-control a boy. That sounds like the fruits of the spirit. Doesn't it?
You see God's power is real but so often we want to be selfish. We want to be self-centered. It's all about me. It's all about what I wants it. It's all about God show me your power so that I can get what I want in life.
what's our church motto to love God and to but let's let's try that again to love God and to love others
that's hard to do. That's hard to do because we want to be selfish and we want to be self-centered.
Emma God's power Works through us and he changes us and he makes us into someone who's christ-like with love compassion peace patience and gentleness and self-control. He has changed us and sometimes we don't know what to do with that.
You see God's power is real. We just don't see it. God's power is working in us. Maybe for you. You don't see God's power. You think everyone else gets the brakes right? Maybe someone that works gets gets the promotion you get past up maybe today you think that God has put you on a shelf and forgotten about you and nothing seems to be happening. You think where is God's power in my life? And you don't let me tell you God's power is Real. Jesus power is working in you to change you to allow you to become more like him to become more like Christ. Jesus power is working in you. Jesus is power if you're taking notes, right this second thing down. Is working for you? is working for you and Isaiah chapter 40 the Bible says and this is Isaiah Prophet a great man of God and he writes that got the guy says this he gives strength to the weary. Any increases the power of the weak, even youths grow tired and weary even the best of the best grow tired and weary. It goes on to say young man. They stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord. Is with me those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the week. The best of the best have you ever watched the marathon at the Olympics anybody ever want to watch the two hours and you know, 4 minutes and 15 seconds a few of you Runners and David like to watch that what happens at the end of the marathon then collapse. They're so fatigued. They're so worn out. They're so tired. They run this Marathon. They run this great race. They are the best athletes in the world. They have the best strength in the world. They they aren't they are the best of the best yet. They grow tired and weary. Even Jesus grew tired and weary. Even Jesus had to Retreats even Jesus had to go and get strength. And when you're tired and weary went when you when you are the weakest. That's when Jesus says that God says I'm here to fill you up. I will renew their strength. Maybe this hits home for you today. You're weary. You're fried. You're worn out and took everything you had just to get to church today to get all those kids in the car. And you get it at yourself. You've got problems. You're weary and worn out. It's coming towards the end of your man. You're just like the good news is God gives strength and power to the weary. Who are my favorite Heroes of the faith is Paul the Apostle who wrote the majority the New Testament and Paul had a weakness take it away. Not once not twice. But three times. He's knocking on God's door EST taken away taken away and God responds to him and 2nd Corinthians chapter 12 in this is God speaking sister Paul. This is my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness in Empower advised he says his and so now I am glad to boast about my weakness. So that that the power of Christ can work through me Nepal goes on to say something very interesting since it's that's why I take pleasure in my weakness and it insults hardships persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ.
Which of the last sentence that Paul wrote he says for when I am weak I am strong. For when I am weak I am strong.
Paul Paul the Apostle You know the guy that that we look up to. It Go like he was the greatest man of biblical time is like Jesus and them
He had problems.
And he wasn't afraid to admit. It's
For when I am weak. I am strong. I don't know if you're at that point today, but no matter where you are. God loves you God cares about you. And God has a plan for you. You see Christ power is Real. Jesus power is working in you to change you to make you more like like him to use his powers working for you when you're awake. You can be strong and 5/3 principles scriptures this right down if you have a chance Jesus power is at work through me. A favorite scripture going up was was Acts 1:8 it says but you will receive what does it say, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be was to say you will be my Witnesses telling people about me everywhere in Jerusalem throughout Judea Samaria and to all the ends of the day are there we go, all the ends of the Earth. We're going to share the good news of Jesus Christ. If you are a Christ follower get this are you ready for this? Cuz this will scare some of you. Okay, this will scare you okay because you don't want to be like me to scare you if you are a Christ follower. Guess what you're a minister.
Wow.
But that sink in for a moment's. But let that sink into two to what we have to do. If you're a Christ follower, you're a mess or whether you're a stay-at-home mom or a teacher or whether you have your own business or you're a farmer your employee or your your whatever you are. Maybe you're just you're just a student whatever that is. Whatever you do, if your a follower of Christ, you are a minister and Jesus power is available to work through you if you'll just step out in faith and have a go of its. This is power works for you. People ask me all the time. Will how do you grow the church? How do you grow the church? That's very simple guys? Okay, I mean there are models out there like you would not believe how are you Google church growth and a million things will pop up but it's very simple the church grows through you. through you Who you invite? When was the last time you invited somebody to come and sit next to you, but doesn't go to this church.
When was it?
People at church always ask our leaders and it means the pastor will Jeff.
How are you going to go to church?
How does it happen? Does it take place this is power Works through you I have you up to yesterday talk to her to a couple and it was great. We were talking about different things and I could tell they were trying to figure out Church things and different things and if they they were just trying to figure it out and I was just kind of like hey, you know, we have a candlelight service because you know, everybody wants to go to candlelight service on Christmas Eve.
Feel like we will be there. What an opportunity just to just to put the foot the door?
You know, I mean it Christmas is about Christ. So you don't necessarily have to invite him. To this type of service, but I would encourage you to invite him to the candlelight service. 6 Christmas Eve right here pack this place. I'm glad chairs. practice place
Cuz it happens from you. I can invite to I'm blue in the face, but I'm the minister the church I supposed to do that, right? I say yes guy.
That's what he's supposed to do. But when your good friend comes up to you and says, you know I care about you so much that I don't want to see you go to hell. Can I change the story doesn't it? Cuz you all have no lost people you all know people that are hurting you all know people that need to have Christ power in our life. Jesus power is real just Powers working in it and us to make us more like Christ his powers working for free for us when we are weak. That's what we become strong to Jesus power and use his power is working through us. If you haven't figured out today, we're talking about Jesus's power. Okay? Haven't got that yet. In 1st Corinthians chapter 2 Paul is right, and he says this my message and my preaching are not the with wise and persuasive words, and that's my heart today. Don't be impressed by my message. Do we read on what was the demonstration of the spirits? One of the spirits power your faith your faith won't rest on man's Wisdom put on God's. I got the power. There is no reason why I should be saying before you today none except for the power of Jesus Christ. CCI stand here. Not not not today. Anyone special. I'm just an ordinary guy. I have just just your ordinary bald baby face guy. You people are saying I was looking old. So I shaved and then I go you look younger now. But yeah, I'm going to keep shaving this, you know, so, you know, when you get accused of being Laura's dad your wife's dad like six times in a month you decide to shave because then it may be you look like her husband as opposed to her dad. So yeah, I know exactly
nowhere special just an ordinary guy. And guess what? Guess what? I'm just ordinary guy who loves Jesus and today that maybe you actually this you you're just an ordinary person just like me maybe a lot more hair than me, but something extraordinary happens when Jesus power comes in and works for you. Jesus 2000 years ago chose twelve Ordinary People fishermen Tax Collectors Mad Men. They had they had nothing going for them in the world's ice. They weren't Pharisees. They weren't Sadducees. They weren't Elders. They weren't deacons. They weren't pastors of churches. They were just normal everyday Ordinary People. They were not spiritual leaders and he took those twelve ordinary men and people and when the power of Jesus work through them, they did extraordinary things and change the world.
Church were just a bunch of Ordinary People. Don't be offended by me telling you that. Cuz we are we're just a bunch of ordinary people, but we know an extraordinary God I was talking to a friend of mine. And with this story was kind of a friend of mine in the last couple weeks past my Town Tennessee and we were talking about different things. We were taught about God's power and some different things and I was about to some ideas with the sermons of different things off and he said yeah, I forgot to tell you what happened to me. I mean what happened? You're the sit in my office just your ordinary day, you know typical day pass to his office reading books doing whatever I was doing. You know, what all those things. He said this lady came in she just Ballin. She's been to the doctor lately didn't go to his church. Just knew that he would be there. And so she just walked in and she just sits down his office and she just bawling you see she just got in the horrible prognosis from the doctor had to see word in it. She's going to have surgery. She had nowhere to go who to turn to anything like that. She said I talk to her and different things like that. And he said he said usually I would just stay behind my desk and I would just pray for somebody specially somebody of the opposite sex and it different things. I would not you know across those barriers. Any any Century said I want to play with you and he said but if it's okay I want to come and I want to get on my knees and I want to I want to just put my hand on you and you can just pray for you and she said absolutely and so he said I just started the price and I couldn't even tell you right now what I prayed second size prayed I prayed and I prayed and I prayed so I couldn't tell you what I said. He said we got done praying sheet. She was still crying and and she left the church in and she he just said I just began to pray some more than that. She would have hope and and find Jesus in her life and all those things. fast for the week She came back to her off to his office just smile on her face. So Pastor, I'm going to be at church Sunday. That's great news. Why what? Why did you decide to come to church that is so fat that snooze. You said y'all went back to the doctor today for my pre-surgery. They didn't understand the cancer is gone.
gone
Ordinary People Ordinary People, that's all we are so you are but when you allow the power of Jesus to work through you extraordinary things can change the world.
There are lost people in the world and we as a church. Just want to sit here and do nothing.
You want to talk about it you want to say there's lots of people in the world. We want to say that we know that we need to reach lost people in the world. But back to my question. When did you ask somebody lost a church recently?
When did you?
Don't wait. Don't wait.
Look at what God did through 12 people. Imagine what he can do through 230 people. So we had between the two services today. Imagine what he can do through 230 people.
Legit, just if a hundred of you. We going bite somebody for next week.
moving out of chairs
just have a hundred of you did.
How much more can we do at the Community Christian Church as we are Ordinary People yet? We are allowed Jesus power to work in us to change us to make us more like him.
When we don't allow Jesus power to work for us to heal us and bring signs and wonders and miracles. We've lost it. We've lost it but when we allow Jesus power to work through us to heal us and bring signs and wonders and miracles and we will let Jesus power work through US extraordinary things can happen.
Are you ready for Extraordinary things to happen? Do you want to see extraordinary things happen? I sure hope so. Pray with me. Father we thank you for today.
We thank you for your word. we thank you for what a teacher assistant what it says to us.
But would you ask that you'll be with those that we've mentioned this morning? We mentioned this morning. Our prayer request will be asking you will touch them in special ways that you will heal them. We asked for for miraculous. Things to happen for them and their lives but I asked that we will be at church of just ordinary people that will do extraordinary things that we will reach people for you. the real touch people's lives for you brass, you'll be with us in the last few minutes as we come and go to Jesus name. I pray amen.