Cornerstone Life Church

Sorry about the link

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:36:57 PDT

If you're a subscriber, sorry about the link that went out. It was not from me. Evidently I got hacked the other day and they got into my blogger account too. I'm not selling pills, trust me :-)

Power of Our Words 2

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:46:13 PDT

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10-03-10, SAM, CLC

Power of our words 2

The spoken word (Rhema) is our only offensive weapon, we must use it!

Ephesians 6:17-19 (New American Standard Bible)
17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Hebrews 3:1 (New American Standard Bible)
1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;

Hebrews 12:2 (New King James Version)
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher (some translations say perfecter) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 7:25 (New American Standard Bible)
25Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

1 John 2:1 says He’s our advocate

Romans 8:34 (New American Standard Bible)
34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

He’s the advocate, the devil is the accuser, our testimony is what Jesus has to work with.

Mark 5:25-34 (New American Standard Bible)
25A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years,
26and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse--
27after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.
28For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well."
29Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?"
31And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"
32And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.
33But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

Joshua 1

Ps 1

Numbers 13:30 (King James Version)
30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Power of Our Words

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:14:10 PDT

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9-26-10, SAM, CLC

Power of our words

Our words are our faith indicators. If we’re acting in faith, it will show up in our words, not just at church, but what we say to our spouse at home. What we say to ourselves. What we say to God even, are we just complaining about the situation. If our words are wrong, then we need to change the source. We do this by consuming the word, by supplementing in the area that we are struggling in. By meditating on God’s Word.

Psalm 17:3 (New Living Translation)
3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
I am determined not to sin in what I say.

Psalm 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence."

Psalm 34:13Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.

James 3:5-12

Psalm 119:11 (New International Version)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Ps 119:9-16 context

Romans 12:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Mark 5:25-34 (New American Standard Bible)
25A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years,
26and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse--
27after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.
28For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well."
29Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?"
31And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"
32And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.
33But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

Joshua 1

Ps 1

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Fall Faith Seminar 2010 Session 3

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:32:42 PDT

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Our annual Fall Faith Seminar this year taught by Dr. Scott Forrest.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Fall Faith Seminar 2010 Session 2

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:39:10 PDT

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Our annual Fall Faith Seminar this year taught by Dr. Scott Forrest.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Fall Faith Seminar 2010 Session 1

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:26:47 PDT

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Our annual Fall Faith Seminar this year taught by Dr. Scott Forrest.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Draw near to God 4

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:32:55 PDT

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8-29-10, SAM, CLC

Draw near to God 4

Drawing near to God, brings us up to His level, changes our perspective, puts things in their proper place.

Isaiah 40:31 (Amplified Bible)
31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

John 1:14, Jesus was the Word made Flesh. We draw near to God through His Word. He leads us primarily through His Word. We become accustomed to His Voice by spending time in the Word.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Draw near to God 3

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:16:21 PDT

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8-22-10, SAM, CLC

Draw Near to God 3

Review, we draw near to God by:

1. Realizing that through Jesus, we have the ability to stand before God as though sin had never even existed.

2. Come sincerely, not just going through the motions. In order to do this, we must come with confidence, boldly.

3. We draw near to God through obedience to His Word

1 Samuel 15:22 (New American Standard Bible)
22Samuel said,
"Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.

John 14:15, 15:10 Obeying God’s commands allows us to remain in Him.

Romans 12:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

4. We draw near to God through the teaching of the Word.

Drawing near to God, repenting of OUR way, purposing to be changed into HIS image, doing things His way. This happens by spending time with Him.

Mark 3:14, Jesus chose the disciples first that they should be with Him.
14And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

We spend time with God, through His Word, through the teaching of the Word. It’s interesting that after 3 years of spending every day with Jesus, the disciples still didn’t understand His purpose, what He was doing.

Luke 24:14-49

When He met the disciples on the road to Emmaus, He didn’t tell them to pray, to worship, or anything else to understand. He taught them from the Scriptures. As He taught, revelation came to them, the Holy Spirit got involved so they could understand. Now that they understood, they could walk with Him, His way, His purpose. They could be closer to Him. Just the fact that they were close to Him did not mean that they understood what He was about. They had to be taught. We have to be taught. Just spending time in His Presence, worshiping etc., does not change us. He has ordained that we should be changed by the Word, by revelation of the Word.

After the Road to Emmaus, when He appeared them while they were hiding together, it’s interesting that He didn’t just show them His Body and say “Believe it or not!” He went on again to explain, through the scriptures, about what had happened. Faith is not a blind thing. It comes from hearing, and understanding the Word of God.

5. We draw near to God by being an active part of His Body. By lovingly, getting along with the Body

John 14-15

James 4

Hebrews 10

Jesus said that the way people would know that we are His disciples is by the love that we have for one another.

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

1 John 3:14, 16 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Draw near to God 2

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:05:47 PDT

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8-15-10, SAM, CLC

Draw near to God 2

Description:
Drawing near to God means different things to different people, but we want to look at what the Bible says about the subject. If we are going to draw near to Him, we need to know how to. It is not as mysterious as it sounds, just do what the Word says to do.

We draw near to God by:

1. Realizing that through Jesus, we have the ability to stand before God as though sin had never even existed.

Corinthians 5:21 (New American Standard Bible)
21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 John 1:9 (New American Standard Bible)
9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Come sincerely, not just going through the motions. In order to do this, we must come with confidence, boldly. We are not confident in ourselves, in our worthiness in and of ourselves, but confident in His sacrifice, in what His blood accomplished. Confident in His ability to cleanse us of all our sins.

Hebrews 10:19-24 (New American Standard Bible)
19Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word]
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Heb 10:19 NKJV
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 4:14-16 (New King James Version)
Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 (New American Standard Bible)
16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If we have sinned, according to Ephesians 5:26, we can be cleansed by the Word. If we’ve sinned, we need to spend time in the Word, allowing the Word to wash over us, transforming us through the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)

3. We draw near to God through obedience to His Word

1 Samuel 15:22 (New American Standard Bible)
22Samuel said,
"Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.

John 14:15, 15:10 Obeying God’s commands allows us to remain in Him.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Draw near to God 1

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:44:42 PDT

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8-8-10, SAM, CLC

Draw near to God

Drawing near to God means different things to different people, but we want to look at what the Bible says about the subject. If we are going to draw near to Him, we need to know how to. It is not as mysterious as it sounds, just do what the Word says to do.

James 4:8 (New American Standard Bible)
8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Heb 10 (21-23)

Gal 5

Romans 8

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Plan to Prosper 3

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:52:52 PDT

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7-25-10, SAM, CLC

Plan to Prosper 3

There is a grace to prosper, just like there is a grace to be saved. Just like we don't get saved automatically, we don't prosper automatically. There are actions we must take to be saved, and there are actions we must take to prosper, to partake of God's plan to prosper us, just like God's plan to save us. There is a grace, there is also mercy if we mess up, He will forgive us, set us back on the right path, and help us out of the jam we have gotten ourselves into.

This verse is the cornerstone for Biblical Prosperity. This is the goal, if we can’t do what this verse says, then we have room to grow.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified Bible)
8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

Ephesians 2:8 (New American Standard Bible)
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

We are saved by Grace, we know that salvation grace is available to every man, but not every man receives it. We know from Romans 10, that every man must hear about salvation, must then believe in Jesus, and is not saved until they confess with their mouth. These are the steps to receive anything by Faith from God. (Which is the only way we can receive anything from Him)

Romans 10:8-17

James 2 tells us that faith without works (corresponding actions) is dead, or useless. If we believe that it is God’s will to prosper us, then we must make our words and our actions line up with that belief if we are to experience that grace. Just like the mercy of God comes at a price (we must show mercy to others) so this grace comes at a price. We must obey God’s Word in our finances, we must walk in love.

Malachi 1:6-14 is where God tells them to try and pay their taxes with their “Life support lamb”, their useless sacrifices, like they were bringing to Him. We are supposed to honor Him with our best. If people treated the government like they treat God most times, they would be in jail.

Malachi 3 – bring the tithes into the storehouse. If we’re not tithing, we’re robbing from God. If we rob from someone and give to someone in need, are we not still robbing? We would still be a thief, punishable by law. We can’t expect God’s blessings when we’re robbing from Him.

There are laws in place, that we can not overcome in and of ourselves. That we can not overcome even with our faith. You can’t believe yourself to be a bird and fly off your roof, even so, in the same way, you can’t wreck your finances and expect all your debts to be wiped out overnight, in and of yourself. Just like we have learned to overcome gravity with lift, we can overcome our mistakes with Grace. But only through God’s way of doing things. He is gracious and will help us out of situations, but it will be in His way, not our own.

We can come out of any mess we’ve gotten in, the 1st step is a decision, to admit if we’ve done wrong, and gotten ourselves into it. Then a repentance from those things, a declaration to do things God’s way from here on out. Then we must line up our actions with that declaration. Begin tithing to the storehouse if we’ve not, plan on giving special offerings when God leads us to. If we need to learn more about the natural side, get some books on finances, take a course. If we just need to discipline ourselves and our spending, get to it! It may be that we just need to do something else, put our hands to something that God can bless. Nothing will change about our situation until we change. We can do it!! Phil 4:13. Just like salvation awaits any man that will believe, confess, then act, so prosperity awaits any child of God that will believe, confess, then act on it.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Plan to Prosper 2

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:11:48 PDT

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7-18-10, SAM, CLC

Plan to Prosper 2

He said He would meet our wants as well as our needs!

Judges 18:10 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where [there is] no want of any thing that [is] in the earth.

Judges 19:19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man [which is] with thy servants: [there is] no want of any thing.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalms 34:9-10 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Review

1st step to prospering is establishing the FACT that it is God's will for you prosper, 3 John 2. We prosper by faith, faith can't operate without the knowledge of the will of God.

We must also understand that God gives us the POWER to get wealth (the blessing) but He does not just give us the wealth. Even in rare cases where someone comes in and gives someone a large amount of money, etc, that person had to make the decision to do that, God did not force them. And, God did not rain that money down from heaven.

God plans for us to prosper!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The bad plans come from the other place!

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible)
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Ps 23 – He’s the Good Sheppard!!

Next is tithing, obeying the Word. Tithes were for the work of the local congregation, the local church.

16 Different Kinds Of Offerings:
Burnt
Lev 1:3-17; Psa 66:15

Sin
Lev 4:3-35; 6:25; 10:17

Trespass
Lev 5:16-19; 6:6; 7:1

Peace
Lev 3:1-17; 7:11

Heave
Exd 29:27,28; 7:14; Num 15:19

Wave
Exd 29:26; Lev 7:30

Meat
Lev 2:1-16; Num 15:4

Drink
Gen 35:14; Exd 29:40; Num 15:5

Thank
Lev 7:12; 22:29; Psa 50:14

Free-will
Lev 23:38; Deu 16:10; 23:23

Incense
Exd 30:8; Mal 1:11; Luk 1:9

First-fruits
Exd 22:29; Deu 18:4

Tithe
Lev 27:30; Num 18:21; Deu 14:22

Gifts
Exd 35:22; Num 7:2-88

Jealousy
Num 5:15

Personal, for redemption
Exd 30:13,15

Malachi 3
Malachi was written after the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem. Some changes had been made, but the people were in sin. One of the things he was sent to reprove them about was their lack of tithes. It makes the case that tithing is of the heart. “If you’re not tithing, you’re just going through the motions.”

Nehemiah 13:10-13
10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. 11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.

Matthew 6:21 (New International Version)
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Hebrews 7:5-9
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified Bible)
8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

It’s His plan to bless us, for us to be a blessing to the world, we just have to get with the plan! It’s ours, we must possess it!!

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Plan to Prosper 1

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:17:09 PDT

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7-11-10, SAM, CLC

God’s Financial Plan

Deut 8:9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

Malachi 3:10-11 10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes," says the LORD of hosts.

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, [and] running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

This verse is the cornerstone for Biblical Prosperity. This is the goal, if we can’t do what this verse says, then we have room to grow.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified Bible)
8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1st step to prospering is establishing the FACT that it is God's will for you prosper, 3 John 2. We prosper by faith, faith can't operate without the knowledge of the will of God.

3 John 1:2 (Amplified Bible)
2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The plan of God for us to prosper is to bless what we put our hand to, He gives us the power to get wealth, He doesn’t give us the wealth!

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New American Standard Bible)
18"But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Next is tithing, obeying the Word. Tithes were for the work of the local congregation, the local church.

Numbers 18:21-24
21 “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 22 Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. 23 But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 24 For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’”

Malachi 3
Malachi was written after the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem. Some changes had been made, but the people were in sin. One of the things he was sent to reprove them about was their lack of tithes. It makes the case that tithing is of the heart. “If you’re not tithing, you’re just going through the motions.”

Nehemiah 13:10-13
10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. 11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.

Matthew 6:21 (New International Version)
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Hebrews 7:5-9
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Lifestyle of Victory Conclusion Challenge and Prayer

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:12:14 PDT

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6-13-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Victory – Conclusion, challenge, and prayer

2 Corinthians 2:14 (New American Standard Bible)
14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
Elements to the Lifestyle of Victory

1. Know when it’s time to push, pull, or pull away. Don’t get them confused, that’s when dreams die, and sometimes the carriers die as well.
2. Spend time in the Word daily
a. Daily meditation
b. Daily study
c. Daily reading
d. Daily receieving preaching / teaching – books, cd’s , podcasts, tv, etc. (even tapes)
3. (From Mom) Don’t ever quit – do whatever it takes to keep going
a. Quitting is the only way we lose this fight
4. Walk in love – cultivate a lifestyle of it
a. Loving God
b. Loving our fellow brother in the Lord
c. Loving those in the world
5. Maintain an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit
a. Praying in tongues
b. Listen to Him, He’s the one that will lead us to victory
6. Resting – making sure we’re allowing ourself some time to unwind
a. God commands it
b. We were built with that in mind
c. Many have worked themselves to death
d. Don’t feel guilty when resting – unless you never work
7. Mercy –
a. Realize that without it from God, we’re toast
b. Realize that there is a price to His mercy, it’s that we show mercy ourselves to those around us.
8. Do it!

If we want the victory, we’ve got to do the things necessary to obtain / position ourselves to walk in it. Sitting back, doing nothing but complaining, will not help us at all.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Lifestyle of Mercy Lifestyle of Victory

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:33:12 PDT

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6-6-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Mercy Lifestyle of Victory

Lifestyle of Mercy and grace? Knowing that God is a merciful God, He will rescue us if we get in trouble. Flip side of that is that for us to experience that mercy, we have to have mercy with others as well. He’s longsuffering with us, we need to be longsuffering with others. Without the mercy of God, we have no victory, in fact, without the mercy of God, we are all toast. That mercy comes with a price though, the price is that we also show mercy to our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:1-10 esp v 3, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” in context, this is talking about the Goodness of God and His Word. Don’t forget how Good He is.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15"But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm.

Matt 18:23-35 if we forgive, we’ll be forgiven, if we don’t forgive, we won’t be either

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Lifestyle of Rest Lifestyle of Victory

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:11:59 PDT

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5-30-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Rest Lifestyle of Victory

Rest - noun
1. Cessation of work, exertion, or activity.
2. Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity.
3. Sleep or quiet relaxation.
4. The repose of death: eternal rest.
5. Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance.
6. Mental or emotional tranquillity.
7. Termination or absence of motion.

Rest Quotes

Rick Warren
When you work, God rests, but when you rest, God works. Resting isn’t laziness, but trusting. Let God be God! Heb.4:10

Vladimir Savchuk
Bible calls those who don't work - LAZY but those who don't rest – DISOBEDIENT

Tony Cooke
When you get out in ministry, get a hobby!

Exodus 23:12
12"Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

Exodus 34:21 (New American Standard Bible)
21"You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.

Ex 20:1-17, Rest is in the 10 commandments. In fact, God elaborates on that one more than the others. All the others are only 1 verse, that one is 4 verses! He knew there would be workaholics!

Rest is just as necessary to our bodies as food, activity, and sleep is. Sleep is not necessarily rest. It is the most often overlooked, underdone part though. God didn’t have to command us “Thou shalt eat 3 meals a day…plus snacks” or “Thou shalt sleep, 8 hours a night” we have to do those things or our bodies will shut down immediately. Not resting will show up over time, kill us slowly, and keep us from enjoying the life that we’re living.

Helps us to work better and harder the other 6 days.
My example of when God dealt with me about this. Everyone thinks their case is special, but we’re not that special ☺
Don’t expect to believe God for your “mortal body to be quickened” if you’re not taking the opportunities to rest your body like you should. (Rom 8:11)
Rest is an action, a place of faith, a mindset as well. We rest in the fact that it will be alright. It’s not just bodily inactivity, though that is involved.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

There is work in the yoke, but it is easier and you will get rest. The devil gives no rest! Our own way gives no rest.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Lifestyle of the Holy Spirit Lifestyle of Victory

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:56:22 PDT

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5-23-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Victory Series

Lifestyle of the Holy Spirit Lifestyle of Victory

If we want to walk in Victory, we're going to have to walk in a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is a gift for us, sent by God. Jesus Himself said us having the Holy Spirit was better for us than even being with Him on the Earth (John 16:7)

Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Acts 1 & 2, they were to wait until He came. He came at just the right time, 50 days after Passover. Jews celebrate Shavout as the time of the giving of the Torah, the 1st 5 books of the Bible, the law. Next big event on Shavout is the giving of the Spirit.

He’s here to empower us, to lead us into the victory. He strengthens us, builds us up, if we maintain a relationship with Him.
“He came to give us more than a feeling, He came to give us the Victory”

1. Strength
Greek word parakletos (par-ak'-lay-tos) also referred to as “Paraclete”
a. “'the one who falls down beside us,' that is to say, an individual who upon finding a person collapsed along the road, kneels down beside the victim, cares for his needs, and carries him to safety”
b. Ralph M. Riggs says in his book The Spirit Himself: “…Comforter, means more than one who comforts. He is one who walks alongside or is a companion. As Paraclete, the Holy Spirit is one who is ready to provide strength, courage, wisdom, and grace in any form. He supplies all that a loving, capable companion would be asked to supply to satisfy every longing and need of the human heart.”

2. Comfort – like an encouraging coach – called alongside to help – Like Coach Nub helping me.

If we want strength, we need to do what He said for us to do. If we don’t do those things, we really don’t want the strength they provide.

Tongues – edify, build us up – primary way we maintain a relationship with Him – we pray out mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself,… (AMP)
Romans 8:26 (New American Standard Bible)
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Jude 1:20 (New American Standard Bible)
20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Praying in the Spirit is like putting on special glasses to see things God’s way, like in the Treasure movie with Nicolas Cage. Some seeing Xrays, me seeing that most of life is vanity.

Leads us into victory
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

Things He does

Empowers us
Strength
Comfort – like an encouraging coach – called alongside to help
Teach all things
Lead into all truth
Bring all things to our remembrance
Guide us into all truth
Lead us – into victory

“Holy Spirit is the teacher, Bible is the curriculum, life is the test.”

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Lifestyle of Love Lifestyle of Victory

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:31:39 PDT

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5-16-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Victory, part 3

Lifestyle of Love Lifestyle of Victory

John 14 – Jesus said that we were to love one another, and that if we kept this commandment, then He and the Father would reveal themselves to us and dwell within us.

John 13:34-35 (New American Standard Bible)
“34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

1 Cor 12 – the Body, the Gifts, yet a more excellent way (last verse)

1 Corinthians 12:31 (New American Standard Bible)
“31But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.”

1 Cor 13 – Love defined, described, summed up… the greatest. W/out love, we’re nothing.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (Amplified Bible)
“1EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]…”

Galatians 6:10 (New American Standard Bible)
“10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

No one wants us to win as much as mom

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:30:22 PDT

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5-9-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Victory Part 3, Mother’s day

No one wants us to win as much as mom!

Proverbs 31

What I learned most from my mom is:
1. Don’t quit
2. Do whatever it takes to keep going

Phil 4:13 can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Spending Time in the Word Daily

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:12:46 PDT

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4-25-10, SAM, CLC

Lifestyle of Victory Part 1

Spending time in the Word Daily!

Focus will be on daily disciplines that will allow help us obtain victory in our lives, to walk in a “lifestyle of victory”

Just like during the healing meetings, we saw that if we are violating natural principles with our bodies, our faith will not work for healing, so the same thing goes for our victory in all areas. We will take a look at daily and weekly habits we need to have if we’re going to keep the victory.

Jesus has the keys to the kingdom – Holy Spirit reveals what He has – He’ll give us the keys to success – in the Word and with the Spirit

The promises of God are conditional, not on our race, sex, country of origin, etc, but on our believing and acting. For instance, there is a promise of salvation for every single lost person on the planet, but if they do not qualify for that, by Making Jesus their Lord and Savior, they will go to hell. It’s not enough to HAVE a promise, we must qualify for it, we must engage it, work it in our lives. Remember when John the Baptist told the Pharisees that being sons of Abraham wasn’t enough, the promise wasn’t enough, they were supposed to act like it.

Ex Isaiah 26:3 (New King James Version)
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
To receive that promise of perfect peace, we have to keep our mind stayed on Him, if we’re not doing that, we can’t claim to stay in perfect peace.

Spending time in the Word!

7 things our daily meditating on the Word will do for us
1. It will allow us to stay in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)
2. It will show us what to do when we encounter resistance (Josh 1)
3. It will give us courage (Josh 1)
a. By remembering the Promise
b. By knowing what to do
4. It will help us to grow (Ps 1)
5. It will help us to prosper! (Josh 1, Ps 1)
6. It will give us strength to live, even more than natural food will (Matt 4:4)
7. It will allow us to not be led astray by “new doctrines” or “old lies” ☺ (Eph 4:3-16 {going to church too})

Applying ourselves to the Word daily

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Introduction to the Lifestyle of Victory Series

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:27:01 PDT

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4-25-10, SAM, CLC

Introduction to the Lifestyle of Victory Series

This message is an introduction to the upcoming “Lifestyle of Victory” series that we will be getting more into starting next week. We talked some in this message about times to “Push, pull, or pull away”. What we will start getting into next week will help us to see how to have the strength to push when we need to.

Focus will be on daily disciplines that will allow help us obtain victory in our lives, to walk in a “lifestyle of victory”

Just like during the healing meetings, we saw that if we are violating natural principles with our bodies, our faith will not work for healing, so the same thing goes for our victory in all areas. We will take a look at daily and weekly habits we need to have if we’re going to keep the victory.

I. The promises of God are conditional, not on our race, sex, country of origin, etc, but on our believing and acting. For instance, there is a promise of salvation for every single lost person on the planet, but if they do not qualify for that, by Making Jesus their Lord and Savior, they will go to hell. It’s not enough to HAVE a promise, we must qualify for it, we must engage it, work it in our lives. Remember when John the Baptist told the Pharisees that being sons of Abraham wasn’t enough, the promise wasn’t enough, they were supposed to act like it.

II. Pushing / stretching
“There is a time to push, a time to pull, and a time to pull away”. Sometimes as a fisherman, you go for days with no activity, then you will go days with nothing but activity. Same goes for sales, retail, many endeavors.

Idea is as a woman in labor, there are times during the pregnancy that she has to rest. But even then, it’s a lot of work carrying that baby around. For the child to be born, she will have to go through the hardest thing in her life, that delivery. Even during the delivery, there are times when the Dr tells her to pull back, just get through the pain and wait, because it’s not time to push. Those contractions are not easy. Sometimes people want to quit, but you can’t yet. When it’s time to push, they HARDEST part of the whole experience is upon you, you can’t quit until it’s done.
Many people quit or pull back during this stage of their growth or life and are walking around just full of dreams, callings, desires, etc. They pulled back, or gave up when it was time to push, when it was the hardest. No wonder they’re so grumpy, imagine a woman carrying around a child 14 years after it was supposed to be born ☺

If you are EVER going to do anything for God, you will have to be stretched. It’s an ongoing process. Get used to it!

III. Jesus has the keys to the kingdom – HS reveals what He has – He’ll give us the keys to success – in the Word and with the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is here to help us, to show us when it’s time to push, pull, or pull away. We need to be led by Him, not by our feelings, circumstances, or even other people.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Heal the Sick

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:40:09 PDT

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Healing meeting 4-18-10, Session 2

Heal the Sick!

God desires that people who are sick and in pain would be healed, but He is no longer walking the Earth to heal them. It is up to us to continue on His work, we are to be His hands on the Earth today. We need to FIND OUR VOICE, where WE can reach into people's lives.

We have dominion over sickness. Jesus never asked God to heal anyone. The apostles never asked God to heal anyone. Even when they raised people from the dead, they didn’t ask God to do anything. They did it! They made the connection to the Power that was already there for the one that had the need.

John 14: 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Sending out – they were to heal the sick, not ask God to. We proclaim release to the captives, not ask God to set them free.

Matt 9:35-38, 10:1-10
8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Luke 9, records the sending out of the 12,

Luke 10:1-9 The sending out of the 70 others, not the original 12, not the “big three”, neither of these groups were born again, filled with the Spirit, had only spent 1-2 years with Jesus.
Luke 10:17-23, the results of their trip

Mark 16:17-20

The problem is, many of us get the victory in our lives, and then we just sit down. We should get involved telling others about what God has done in our lives, and what HE wants to do in their lives as well, IF they will let him.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Healing - Sometimes all at once sometimes over time

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:26:25 PDT

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Healing is clearly provided for, that is not what we are going to talk about tonight, but the different ways of receiving.

Different ways of receiving
1. All at once, like getting it all from the bank at 1 time
2. Gradual - kind of like taking out the $ at the credit union, limited each day
When this happens, what do you do? Keep going back!!
Wells of salvation - draw it out!

Isaiah 12
A Hymn of Praise
1 And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’ ”
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”

Leprosy
healed instantly
Mark 1:40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
As they went
Luke 17: 12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;13 and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.17 Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine--where are they?18 “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

Hungry for the Holy Spirit

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:33:54 PDT

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5-31-09, Cornerstone Life Church, Foley, AL.
Pentecost Sunday

The Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to fill believers is a perfect example of the fact that we have to hunger and thirst for the things of God if we are going to experience them. The disciples gathered every day for at least 30 days to pray and wait for the Holy Spirit. They were doing what Jesus told them to do. If we are going to receive all that God has for us, we are going to have to be hungry enough to do what the Bible says to do.

Matthew 5:6
6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. NASB

6Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! AMP

John 14-16 Jesus told them the Holy Spirit was coming, but in Acts He told them they were to wait for Him. The end of Jesus ministry on the earth was full of His instructions concerning the Holy Spirit.

Jesus earthly ministry was limited to speaking to those who were near him, the Holy Spirit has some of the same limitations. We must draw near and listen to him in order to receive what He has for us.

Jesus was very specific in his instructions to the disciples. They were to wait, not go any where until they had received the Holy Spirit. They couldn’t just go fishing, bowling, or wherever they wanted to go. He told them to wait there. They were to wait together. They basically had church every day for 30 days. Imagine coming to church 30 days in a row and nothing happens the first 29 days. Do you think you would keep coming back after the first week? Second week? Third week?

Acts 1:4-8, 13-14
4Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;
5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
13When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:1-4
1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

If we want to hear the Holy Spirit's voice, we will have to listen, take time. The Holy Spirit is limited to speaking to people that will listen to Him, just like Jesus was when He walked the earth. Ex of Paul & Barnabas being set apart by the Spirit during a special time of ministry.

Acts 13:1-3
1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

If you want the plan of God for your life, you’re going to have to be hungry enough for it to spend time worshipping God and laying aside other things in our life, fasting. Creating an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can move, like the Apostle Paul did here. The Holy Spirit already knew the plan, but he didn’t speak until Paul and the others sought after God.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.

What are you hungry for

pastor@cornerstonelifechurch.org — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:38:45 PDT

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What are you hungry for?

Have you ever had a craving for something, and no matter how much other stuff you eat, if it’s not what you were craving, you will not be satisfied until you get what you were craving. Jesus said that we were supposed to hunger and thirst, or crave, after the things of God. A natural hunger will motivate you to do something. If we are truly hungering and thirsting for the things of God, we are willing to do something about it.

Matthew 5:6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. New American Standard Bible

6Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! Amplified Translation

The basic meaning of righteousness is "right standing with God". It also has to do with God's way of doing things. The "God way", or the "right way". God has a way of living laid out in his Word. We have to "hunger and thirst" for that way, if we are to be satisfied. God's way should be the top priority in our life.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Hunger spurns us to action.

What are you willing to do to satisfy your hunger for more of God?

If we are not being satisfied with the things of God, we may need to do more partaking of the things of God. Ie. Praying, studying the Word, going to church, listening to preaching, telling someone about Jesus. We do not earn our salvation by these things, but the kingdom of God, in some ways, is like anything else: you get out of it what you put in it. If you want more of God, you’re going to have to give more of yourself.

If we are not being satisfied with the things of God, we may need to do something different. What used to satisfy, may no longer do it. It’s good to change things up sometimes, alter out routine.

There will always be more of God for us to enjoy. He always has more that He wants to give us, to do for us.

Even in the natural, if we feed our body healthy things, we will begin to crave healthy things instead of junk all the time. If we will begin to spend more time with God, we will begin to crave more of God.

Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.