RLC Grand Prairie

Dare to Trust Him
(Faith vs Fear - Num. 13 & 14)

Hebrew 11:1

Man’s perspective (natural) => FEAR
God’s perspective (spiritual) => FAITH

FEAR -
- Exaggerates my Problems (13:27,28, 31, 32)

- Underestimate our own abilities (13:33)

- Discourages me Easily (14:1)

- Causes me to Complain (14:2)

- Give up and Blame God (13:3-4)

FAITH -
- Shrinks my Problems

- Opens the door for a Miracle

- Moves God to Act on my behalf

- Unlocks the Promises of God

- Power to Persevere in Tough times

Gethsemane to the Easter Monday

(Lessons from Easter Weekend)

 

1. The PAIN 

(Matthew 26:36-46)

 

2. The CONFUSION

(Matthew 26:31)

 

3. The JOY

(John 16:16ff)

HE IS ALIVE

(What meant then; What it means now)

 

BACK THEN: It meant...

1. He Spoke the Truth

2. He had the Authority

3. He Delivers on his Promise 

 

NOW: It means…

1. Forgiveness

2. Strength

3. Hope

The Darkest Day in History

(Luke 23:32-46)

 

The Confusion at the cross…

 

1. The Confused Soldiers

- The darkness brought them into the Light

2. The Confused Crowd

- The Darkness brought them chaos and conviction

3. The Confused Disciples

- The Darkness brought them disappointed

When I Met Jesus… 

(The Woman who Washed Jesus’ Feet)

Luke 7:36-50

 

When I met Jesus…

 

1. He ACCEPTED me (no condemnation)

 

2. He DEFENDED me 

 

3. He FORGAVE me

 

4. He SAVED me

 

5. He Gave me PEACE

 

Evidence of a transformed life

 

- The Genuineness of her Conviction (The tears)

 

- The Depth of her Gratitude (Washing/Wiping his feet)

 

- The Sincerity of her Devotion (kissing his feet)

 

- The Extravagance of her Love (expensive perfume)

When I Met Jesus… 

(The Woman at the Well - John 4)

 

1. He REACHED out to me…

- Jesus was deliberate

- Jesus broke the barriers 

 

2. I was confronted with the TRUTH

- Who i was/am 

- Who He was/is

(There was no condemnation)

 

3. He made me and offer i couldn’t refuse

- living water

 

4. He radically changed my life

- Eternal focus

- Freedom from guilt/shame

- Fear replaced by boldness

When I met Jesus… 

(The Tax Collector’s Story - Luke 19:1-10)

 

I. FOUR things the world looks at:

 

- Outward  Appearances (How do I look)

 

- Wealth (How much I have)

 

- Achievements (How much I have accomplished)

 

- Approval (How much people like me)

 

II. When I Met Jesus…

- He NOTICED me

 

- He KNEW my name

 

- He WANTED me

 

- He RESTORED me 

 

- He CHANGED me (Worship)

Evangelist John Paul Yalimanchili's sermon "The Eagle's Anointing".

 

1 Corinthians 13

Verse 1 love is more important than spiritual gifts
Verse 2 love is more important than knowledge
Education is not the answer, love is the answer 
Verse 2 love is more important than faith
Verse 3 love is more important/VALUABLE than 
Do we really give with a heart of love?
Love is more than valuable than any sacrifice 
Your sacrifice is useless, if you don't have love
Love is the beginning everything
Verse 4 is not in a hurry but is ready when the opportunity arises 
Love is kindness in action
Love is not jealous
Real love is not in competition with others
Love does not boast 
Love is not proud
I am who I am because Jesus chose me to be an object of his love. 
Verse 5 does not pull others down. 
Love is not self seeking
Love is never directed inwards, it is focused outward
Love is not easily provoked
How many prodigals have we kept out of the church because of our anger and self righteousness?
Keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not settle the score
Love is not entertained by evil
Verse 6 love always protects
Trusts is not suspicious or cynical
Love sees the potential in people
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres, endures all things
When we love people we don't give up on them
Verse 8 love never fails
Love never fails because it is rooted in the character of God, and God never changes 
To be more like Chist is to grow in love

Powerful and Effective Prayer

(James 5:13-20)

 

Intro: 

- There is tremendous POWER in prayer

- It is our greatest PRIVILEGE 

- it is our greatest RESPONSIBILITY

(Also probably our greatest FAILURE).

 

1. WHEN to PRAY

When I am hurting: 

- emotionally

- physically

- spiritually

 

2. HOW to pray EFFECTIVELY

- We must ask

- Have the right motives

- Have a real relationship 

- We ask in FAITH