Abundant Life GP

The Call to Pray for our Nation

media@abundantlifegp.com (Pastor Everette Pafford) — Sun, 1 Jul 2018 21:12:00 -0700

The Call to Pray for our Nation

July 1, 2018

2 Chron 7:13-15

13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place NIV

Last week we started a new series on the Parables this week we are going to hit the pause button on the series. As we approach Independence Day I want you to consider with me now dependent up God we are as a nation and how desperately we need to call on him today.

The founding fathers and framers of this nation understood this…

3 years later after the declaration of Independence while attempting to write establish the constitution the delegates reach and impasse and many where threating to leave the meeting. After remaining silent and listen Benjamin Franklin rose and the following are some of the words he spoke that day:

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments be Human Wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of the City be requested to officiate in that service.

Now let’s consider our text this morning if this nation (or any other) is to survive and thrive it will be because the Lord builds the house and his hand rests upon it. We like Israel of Solomon’s day need to following God’s direction and Call on Him.

Notice First that God says for a nation to be turned around…

I. My people who are called by my name (2 Chron. 7:14) if my people, who are called by my name

Notice the person and the qualifications of the persons, it is….

a. Not political parties, or the media or entertainment industries

We are mistaken when we think that the answer for the critical problems – the insurmountable issues of peoples and nation faces have their solutions apart from God!

The answer for America is neither democratic or republican, it is neither Fox, NBC, CBS, or ABC News – It will only be found in the Good News of this book – God’s Word.

Isa 31:1,3

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord. 3 But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit.

· Trusting in and relying on men instead of God is idolatrous to God

· Someone said, economists trust market and economic forces, militarialists trust their weapons and machines of war, and the leader of Jerusalem trusted in the might of Egypt.

How much better to have the heart of the Psalmist in Psalm 20:7: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

It is absurd to think the people who are not transformed by the power of the Spirit and God’s grace will call on Him so it follows that…

b. We the people – The Church – whose called by his name

It’s high time for God’s people, the Church to recognize their high and holy calling. God says…

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. NIV

What is it that the Priests did? The Priest’s offered the sacrifices and made intercession for the people! So, it is clear that we the people – It is US who God is waiting to hear from.

"If My people" -- the Church; we can't wait for the political establishment or educational leaders or the entertainment industry to lead the effort. We, who are believers in Jesus Christ, must take responsibility to change the society in which we live into one that honors God and is, therefore, worthy of His blessing. Once the "who" is established the "what" becomes the focus (Tony Perkins)

The text says then for a nation to be turned around…

II. My people must Humble themselves (2 Chron. 7:14) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves

a. Hebrew- ‘kana’ means to bow the knee

The great preacher Dr. Harry Ironside was once convicted about his lack of humility. A friend recommended as a remedy, that he march through the streets of Chicago wearing a sandwich board, shouting the scripture verses on the board for all to hear. Dr. Ironside agreed to this venture and when he returned to his study and removed the board, he said "I’ll bet there’s not another man in town who would do that. (Daniel, Decoder of Dreams, Donald Campbell, p. 22.)

“None are as empty as those who are full of themselves.” - Benjamin Whichcote

So, what is humility, and what makes humble people different? Humility is the absence of self in all we think, do or say.

When someone appears before a king they bow the knee is an outward sign that some is in the presence of someone greater who holds great power.

When I visited Israel in the early 70’s one of the places we visited was the Bethlehem and the cave thought to be the site of the Saviors birth. As with many places in the Holy Land a church has been built over the cave. What’s fascinating is the entrance to this Church has a door that people must pass through single file and is so low that one must stoop to enter. This was to prevent medieval raiders from riding their horses into the church to disrupt the service. The door is called, "The Humility Gate." In reminds us that the way into God’s presence is only through the Humility Gate.

The truth of this is seen when God’s people humble themselves…

b. Before God and Men

Do you remember the story Jesus told in Luke 19:9-14 of the Pharisee and the tax collector? (He told it because people had become confident in their own righteousness.)

All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, too few of us have a routine practice of rigorous self-honesty examination. (Prayer & Fasting !!!)

We must Weekly, even daily, review of our hearts and behaviors, coupled with confession to God, is an essential practice of humility.

The third what of the text for a nation to be turned around is for…

III. My People Must Seek My Face (2 Chron. 7:14) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

a. In Relationship

Have you ever considered the difference in seeking God’s face and his hand?

One seeks God for what he can do and the other seeks God for who he is! Clearly here in our text God is speaking of seeking him for who he is, that is a relationship with him and for what he can do for me.

I’m reminded of Peter’s revelation of Simon the Sorcerers heart in Acts chapter 8. The scripture reveals that Simon was following Jesus and seeking God’s hand and not his face. He was only interested in power and not a true relationship. with

Acts 8:18-23 (NLT)

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"

20 But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin."

b. In Intercession – Remember we just minutes ago we were reminded that we have a calling as priesthood of believers to be intercessors

Ever heard of the Cane Ridge Revival? This was 1801. The United States was barely 25 years old, and Kentucky had just joined the Union less than 10 years earlier. The new nation was quickly growing as more and more people continued to venture West. The days of Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening had already begun to fade as the U.S. expanded. Once again the moral foundations America once knew were slowly eroding. Churches were few and far in this vast land. As people moved farther and farther away from their churches, they began to forsake the Lord. This was the wild frontier, where the only rule of law was a gun or a rope. It was a time when wickedness abounded and very few people professed real faith. It was a spiritually dark time for America.

Yet in dark times, the light of the gospel shines brightest. The fire that fell in Cane Ridge sparked a movement. Revival spread across the American frontier like wild fire driven by a stiff wind through the dry brush. In the years following, there was an exponential explosion of church planting. Similar camp meetings were organized in several states. Though none ever matched the attendance of the original meeting at Cane Ridge, the effect was undeniable. America was once again awakened!

I'm certain there are many who wonder if it is possible for God to move again in such a powerful way. They have concluded that America is too far gone to experience another great awakening. Cane Ridge shows otherwise. This revival that took place 215 years ago offers us great hope today. Look back at what God did and let it bring you to the revelation that He can and will do it again! https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/from-the-frontlines/58270-why-the-cane-ridge-revival-holds-prophetic-hope-for-america-s-third-great-awakening

Play Video An Independence Day Prayer for America

Finally, the text reveals for a nation to be turned around...

IV. My People Must Turn from Wicked Ways (2 Chron. 7:14) 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

a. Recognize the sinfulness of sin

· Not our neighbors but ours

· No excuses – but a woe is me – Isa. A spade is a spade – quit calling it by a different name!

b. Realize the entanglements of sin

· It inhibits – it constrains – holds captive

Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Soil

media@abundantlifegp.com (Pastor Everette Pafford) — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 20:56:00 -0700

The Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Soil

June 24, 2018

Introduction:

This morning we begin a new series on the parables of Jesus. As many of you know the text that we asked everyone to join us in memorizing is “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35 (ESV)

I want to point your attention to the fact that just prior to verse 35, verse 34 says, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Why? According to the text we are memorizing together its to reveal hidden truth! So for the next several weeks we are going to study these parables. Let’s get started his morning by reading for the sake of time some select verses from Matthew 13.

Text:

Matt 13:1-9, 18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."

18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." NIV

Let’ first observe the parts and pieces of the parable:

There is the farmer of the sower, there is the seed, there are birds that came devouring the seed and then there is the different types or kinds of soil.

Notice the sower and seed is constant, that is they never change. It is only the soil conditions, where the seed fell that is different.

In this parable Jesus is primarily focusing the conditions of the heart. This morning my prayer is that each of us will ask and answer what is the condition of my heart? Where am I in this parable? What type of soil represents my spiritual development and journey with Jesus? Soo let’s examine the text with this in mind.

The first type of soil or heart condition that Jesus refers to is the soil…

I. Along the Path – A Heart that is Harden (Matthew 13:18-19) "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

The parable reveals that this heart…

a. Lacks understanding – v.19 (does not understand it…)

Is it because the seed is dead? Is it because the seed has no power? No! Why then? It is because of the conditions of the soil or the heart. The seed, the truth, the word of God cannot penetrate it clearly because of the hardness of the soil.

Where are numerous reasons why the soil of our hearts hardened.

Among the chief reasons a heart will harden is the refusal to respond to God’s direction and/or correction. (I’m thinking of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. There are 15 occasions in Exodus, the Scriptures mention Pharaoh’s heart being hardened. This is the only explanation to Pharaoh’s persistence in resisting God.

Prov 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy. NIV

When our hearts are hard the seed, the Word…

b. Lacks infiltration v.19 (the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.)

In the parable Jesus told the birds came and snatched away, devoured the seed sown because it didn’t infiltrate the soil and it was exposed to the birds before it could take root.

This is why it is so important to ask what God is saying to me in the daily study of His Word. In doing so I give room for the penetration of the seed of the word so the enemy cant snatches it away!

The next type of soil or heart condition that Jesus refers to is the soil…

II. Along the Rocky Places – A Heart that is Root Bound (Matthew 13:20-21) The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

Here the seed, the Word is received, it is embraced and at first it looks very promising. Jesus describes the conditions of this heart that it

a. Quickly Springs Up v.21 and at once receives it with joy

Quick starts do not always equate to good finishes. Have you ever discovered that when you jump into something quickly without considering the cost you can quickly become disheartened?

Limestone is very prevalent in Israel and there are numerous places that the depth of the soil is very shallow with the bedrock just inches below the soil. This is more than likely the conditions that Jesus was referring to. It these conditions the soil warms quickly, and the seed can quickly germinate. But quick germinations don’t necessarily equate to lasting and sustainable growth.

Jesus clearly states that because they have no root as quickly as the seed sprouts there is the…

b. Quickly Falls Away v.21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

I want to suggest here the conditions of this kind of heart or soil is such that they are following Jesus for the wrong reasons. As long as they are happy tiand life is smooth sail and everything is good they are all in. But as soon as the pressure is on they bail.

Make no mistake trouble and persecution are a part of our development. The book of Acts reminds us "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," Acts 14:22 NIV

You cannot and will not develop deep roots to withstand trouble and persecution on a Sunday morning only commitment – to dig deep your commitment must be daily.

The third type of soil or heart condition that Jesus refers to is the soil…

III. Among the Thorns – A Heart that is Choked (Matthew 13:22) The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

a. Believes v.22

b. Bears no Fruit v.22

The final type of soil or heart condition that Jesus refers to is the soil…

I. The Soil that is Good – A Heart of Good Ground (Matthew 13:23) But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

a. Hears and Understands v23

b. Harvests much Fruit v. 23

Father's Day - The Christian Father’s Focus

media@abundantlifegp.com (Pastor Everette Pafford) — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:36:00 -0700

Father’s Day Service

The Christian Father’s Focus

June 17, 2018

1 Thess 2:11-12

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. NIV

I know I have said this to you numerous times but its so important that we hear and understand just like there are no prefect families there are no perfect earthly father’s.

Recently came across a survey that was given to fathers where they anonymously answered some questions about how being a dad changed them.

· 90% said that becoming a father made them want to be a better person & role model for their kids

· 75% felt a weight of responsibility now that they had before

· 75% said they were less judgmental of other dads

· 42% said they had a constant concern about their children’s safety

When asked about which of 3 challenges most concerned them, they chose:

1. Steering kids clear of alcohol & drugs (38%)

2. Protecting kids from Sex & Violence in media (28%)

3. Supporting a family in a bad economy (28%)

Given all the responsibilities and concerns wouldn’t it be great if there was a build – a -dad app? Well take a look at this!!!

Play Build a Dad Video

Dads, we can be easily overwhelmed with the responsibilities and concerns of fatherhood but our text this morning give us 3 simple directions of being a great Christian dad. The Bible tells us…

The Christian father focuses on…

I. Encouraging His Children (I Thess. 2:12) each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging

a. Equally – (Gen. 37:3-4)

Dad our children need and crave our encouragement! They have a powerful hungry within them that desires it!

Don’t neglect or abuse this power tool and position that God has placed in your hands. But be cautious that you encourage them equally…

Jacob created dysfunction in His family because of his obvious favoritism to Joseph.

Gen 37:3-4

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented a robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. NIV

Did you ever notice how that this became the source of years of heart break for him personally? The Christian father doesn’t show favoritism of one child over another.

b. Verbally and/or Physically (I Thess. 5:11) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV

It’s important to know your children’s ‘love language.’

receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion), and physical touch.

In southern Africa, The Bebemba tribe has a fascinating procedure for combating feelings of rejection. Each person in the tribe who acts irresponsibly or unjustly is taken alone to the center of the village. Everyone in the village stops work and gathers in a large circle around the accused. In turn, each person in the tribe--regardless of age--speaks to the individual, recounting aloud the good things he has done in his lifetime. All the positive incidents in the person’s life, plus his good attributes, strengths, and kindnesses, are recalled with accurate detail. Not one word about his irresponsible or antisocial behavior is shared.

The ceremony, which sometimes lasts for several days, isn’t complete until every positive expression has been given by those assembled. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the person is welcomed back into the tribe. Can you imagine the flood of feelings during the tribe’s welcome? Can you imagine the extent of acceptance he realizes? Can you imagine how you would feel if a group of people affirmed you in this way?

Then the text tells us that the Christian father focuses on…

II. Comforting His Children (I Thess. 2:12) each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 comforting

The idea of “comfort” implies at least two parties: one who gives the comfort and one who receives it. It also implies a need. We see this in the story of the prodigal son and the older brother…

a. Comfort Equally (Lu. 16:28-32)

Luke 15:31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

Don’t we tend to think of this as the mother’s role? And yet the Bible at least here shows us the Father, Dads have a part to play in comforting their children. After the younger prodigal came home the elder needed reassurance and comfort.

The Christian Father comforts equally but he should also appropriately

b. Comfort Appropriately (2 Cor. 7:6-7) But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him.

Writer Max Lucado tells about a dad named Lee Lelp. Lee is a retired firefighter, a New York City firefighter. He gave 26 years to the city. But on September 11, 2001, he gave much more. He gave his son. Jonathan Lelp was a fireman as well. When the Twin Towers fell, he was there.

Firefighters are a loyal clan. When one perishes in the line of duty, the body is left where it is until a firefighter who knows the person can come and quite literally pick it up. Lee made the discovery of his son’s body his personal mission. He dug daily with dozens of others at the sixteen-acre graveyard. On Tuesday, December 11, three months after the disaster, his son was found. And appropriately Lee was there to carry him out.

Finally, the texts reveals that Christian Fathers should focus on…

III. Urging His Children (I Thess. 2:12) each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 urging…

The text says urging … to live lives worthy of God. (another word for teaching) so the Christian Father urges or teaches his children…

a. To Be Self-controlled (Titus 2:11-12)

Paul was instructing his ‘spiritual’ son Titus in this passage and says …

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age NIV

Did you ever think about how fathers play different that mothers with their children?

Fathers tickle more, they wrestle, and they throw their children in the air (while mother says . . . "Not so high!"). Fathers chase their children, sometimes as playful, scary "monsters."

Fathering expert John Snarey explains that children who roughhouse with their fathers learn that biting, kicking and other forms of physical violence are not acceptable.³ They learn self-control by being told when "enough is enough" and when to settle down. Girls and boys both learn a healthy balance between timidity and aggression.

b. Practice Godly Character (Titus 2:12) upright and godly lives in this present age NIV

Play Video “They’ll Never Stop Looking to You” from sermoncentral

Conclusion:

Dad God created you with a high and noble purpose to leave a legacy. To do this you don’t have to be perfect! (Good thing because we can’t!)

Ernest Hemingway wrote a short story called "The Capital of the World." Hemingway told the story of a father and his teenage son. The son had sinned against his father and in his shame he ran away from home. The father searched all over Spain for him, but still he could not find the boy. Finally, in the city of Madrid, in a last desperate attempt to find his son, the father placed an ad in the daily newspaper. The ad read: "PACO MEET AT HOTEL MONTANA NOON TUESDAY ALL IS FORGIVEN PAPA."

The father prayed that maybe the boy would see the ad and maybe - just maybe - he would come to the Hotel Montana.

And on Tuesday at noon, the father in Ernest Hemingway's story arrived at the Hotel Montana and he could not believe his eyes. A squadron of police officers had been called out to keep order among the eight hundred young boys named "Paco" who had come to meet their father in front of the Hotel Montana. Eight hundred boys named Paco read the ad in the newspaper and hoped it was for them. Eight hundred "Pacos" came to receive the forgiveness they so desperately needed.

Two Groups of People the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to pray for in closing:

1. Those who were hurt by their fathers

2. Every Dad to – Encourage – Comfort and Urge (teach) their children – leaving a Godly Legacy

Your name probably isn’t Paco but God gave you and invitation today to meet him here are his house. It’s not accident you’re here today. He sent you and invitation to His house today and the Holy Spirit drew you here whether you recognized it or not – this is a God moment for you