Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 4, "The Practice of His Presence: So Close I Can Feel Your Breath When You Whisper", in this Sunday service.
The Power of a Whisper - Part 4
The Practice of His Presence: So Close I Can Feel Your Breath When You Whisper
LifeGate Church - Mirror Lake
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 9:30am to 1:00pm EST
http://bible.us/e/6Ut
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Hosea 6:2
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Hosea 6:2 (NLT)
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In just a short time he will restore us,
so that we may live in his presence.
John 20:22
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John 20:22 (NLT)
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Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Learning from someone who heard the whispers of God clearly.
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Isaiah, the old testament prophet, started off his life struggling to hear and understand God. But he learned to practice His presence so well that he predicted the coming of Jesus the Messiah in amazing detail 400 years before Jesus was born. Everything Isaiah said would happen, happened. The mathematical odds of one person being that accurate are 1 in 100 billion, billion, billion. He also predicted the overthrow of the Babylonian empire by a Persian named Cyrus and he said this Cyrus would decide to let the Jewish exiles in his territory go free without any payment of ransom (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1; and 45:13). Isaiah made this prophecy 150 years before Cyrus was born, 180 years before Cyrus performed any of these feats (and he did, eventually, perform them all), and 80 years before the Jews were taken into exile. The turning point in Isaiah’s life, and in his ability to clearly hear the whispers of God, is described in Isaiah 6.
Isaiah 6
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Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT)
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It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
1. Our kings must die…
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God will not share His throne. As long as we have other things, people, ourselves as King, our vision of God will be blurred and distorted. We will define God by the image of those kings. “I want a God who matches my desires instead of a God who gives me what I should desire.” Psalm 37:4—My misinterpretation—God will give me the desires I want. I asked for a Harley Davidson. I got it and almost killed me and Sheryll. That was my desire. The verse means if I find my pleasure, my delight, in God, then my heart will desire what His heart desires.
- Isaiah hearing God started with seeing Him—getting rid of the religious images, our presuppositions, our misconceptions, taking off our colored glasses and seeing Him for who He really is
- Paul: something like scales fell off his eyes
- Jesus: If you have seen me you have seen God.
2. Immerse yourself in a worship lifestyle
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Isaiah still has not heard God. He is hearing others worship God. Hearing God clearly is a result of being immersed in a lifestyle of worship.
- Surrounding yourself with worship, and with people who are worshippers. Being saturated in the worship of God.
- Moving from comfortable worship defined by me and my personality to worship that shakes me, and the foundations I have established. Worship that challenges me and makes me vulnerable. (Amanda’s example of being uncomfortable with the emotion she saw when she first came to LifeGate)
3. Humility
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Isaiah’s journey to hearing God clearly now takes him to a place of humility—recognizing we are nothing without God. Understanding our hopelessness without His hope. If we are able to take credit for anything good in our lives, if we see anything about us that is worthy of praise, then we have not seen God. The more clearly we see God, the more clearly we will hear God. And when we have seen God, no one can stand in His presence. His holiness, His beauty, His power and majesty, His grace, peace and love, are overwhelming. In comparison to truly seeing Him we, like Paul, will say everything we have gained in this life through our own efforts will look like a pile of dung.
- Humility opens the door for Heaven to touch earth. Until this point Isaiah’s experience has been seeing Heaven, but there has been no interaction. Now, as a response to humility, he enters into participation with Heaven. Heaven touches him. Heaven is no longer something he sees as far off and to be longed for. Heaven is touching him right in the midst of his sin! Heaven is actively participating in his life as a response to his humility. Jacob saw a ladder with angels ascending and descending. (Genesis 28:12) Jesus told Nathanel that the greater things he would see are a constant interaction between Heaven and Earth—a conversation, a relationship. (John 1:51)
4. See yourself as God sees you
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Before Isaiah can hear God clearly, he must see himself as God sees him. “…Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven…”
- What does God say about you? Get in the Word and find out.
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He sees us as forgiven, spotless & blameless because of Christ.
5. Get close enough to overhear, then obey
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Isaiah, a prophet who must hear clearly from God so he can tell others who are not hearing as clearly, begins his life of hearing God speak directly to him by overhearing God. God is not speaking to Isaiah. He is having a conversation—the Triune God is speaking—and Isaiah is close enough to overhear Heaven’s conversation. He responds in obedience to Heaven’s desires and a life of clearly hearing the whispers of God has begun!
Excuses: Why I can't hear the whispers
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Practicing His Presence: What if you practiced God’s presence with the discipline and passion that you practice other pursuits in your life?
- God would not want to be around me…(sin consciousness, guilt, condemnation)
1 Chronicles 28:9
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1 Chronicles 28:9 (NLT)
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“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Deuteronomy 4:29
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Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)
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But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.
Jeremiah 29:13
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Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
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If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Matthew 11:28-29
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Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)
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Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Luke 13:34
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Luke 13:34 (NLT)
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“OJerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.
Psalm 51:17
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Psalm 51:17 (NLT)
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The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, OGod.
James 4:8
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James 4:8 (NLT)
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Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Leviticus 26:44
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Leviticus 26:44 (MSG)
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But in spite of their behavior, while they are among their enemies I won’t reject or abhor or destroy them completely. I won’t break my covenant with them: I am God, their God.
Song of Solomon 4:9
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Song of Solomon 4:9 (NLT)
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You have captured my heart,
my treasure, my bride.
You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,
with a single jewel of your necklace.
Excuses: Why I can't hear the whispers (continued)
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- I can’t hear God.
Zechariah 7:11 "Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing" Start with an act of obedience
What is something you know God wants you to do? You don’t need a whisper for that. All of us have areas in our lives, things we need to do or stop doing, attitudes that need adjusting, changes we need to make. That’s proof you are hearing God. Get your fingers out of your ears by making a step toward obedience. Anita Logan’s story of just telling God she wanted to hear and obey His whispers about helping others—over the next 3 days she had 3 unique and obvious encounters with people who God sent across her path.
1 Samuel 15:22
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1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
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What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Psalm 40:6
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Psalm 40:6 (NLT)
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You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen (NKJV-My ears you have opened), I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come…”
He wants you, not all your efforts and religious duty. He wants a relationship with you.
Psalm 46:10
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Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
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Be still, and know that I am God!...
Get alone with God
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Set a time and a place where you will meet with Him. A rocking chair, a place in the woods, a favorite chair, a deer stand, on or behind a lawnmower, Tony D’s on the way to the ballpark.
Bring your Bible and your journal.
Get still before Him. Set aside other things and give Him time to talk to you. Practice quieting your mind and surroundings. Meditate on the Word.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
02/24/11 - Forgiveness - Jay Mann
Jay Mann teaches on "Forgiveness" in this Wednesday evening service.
Forgiveness
Jay Mann
Wednesday, February 24, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Forgiveness
Jay Mann
Wednesday, February 24, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, February 20, 2011
02/20/11 - Power of a Whisper PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 3, "Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction", in this Sunday service.
The Power of a Whisper PT3: Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 20, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction
Key Scriptures:
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Isaiah 30:21 “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”
Big Idea: God speaks to his followers not just at life’s major crossroads, but also during daily routines. What would your daily life look like if each step was directed by God?
1. God speaks through whispers of action.
2. God speaks through whispers of admonition.
3. God speaks through whispers of assurance.
God speaks through whispers of action
• Acts 10: God whispers to Cornelius and Peter—specific directions that change the world
• Charlie Rome: “Go back and check your garbage”.
• Tony Deblasis: “Change your morning routine and I’ll teach you how to handle the things life brings your way.”
• SAK: Hurt mom and 7 year old son at McDonald’s. Older couple at Zaxby’s.
• We were created to do good works, and one of the primary ways God helps us accomplish them is by imparting whispers of action [Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”]
God speaks through whispers of admonition
• Psalm 48:14 “For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.”
• Getting away to ‘spend time with God’ after being mean to my wife, stuck in middle of nowhere.
• Eric’s story: God whispered through someone else’s story and kept him from trouble.
• God will not stop refining us until transformation’s work is complete
God speaks through whispers of assurance
• Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.”
• Video: Kathy Karr’s story
• The losses we face in this life do not change who God is. Sometimes all we need to hear is a whisper from Him that we are going to make it.
Positioning Yourself to Hear the Whispers:
• John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
• John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
- Be teachable: “I need to hear from you today Father.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
- You must have put the Word in for Him to ‘remind’ you. (Psalm 119:103 “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.”)
- It’s a relationship—it is either growing or shrinking every day—it never stands still. James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
The Power of a Whisper PT3: Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 20, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Step-by-Step: Whispers for Daily Direction
Key Scriptures:
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Isaiah 30:21 “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”
Big Idea: God speaks to his followers not just at life’s major crossroads, but also during daily routines. What would your daily life look like if each step was directed by God?
1. God speaks through whispers of action.
2. God speaks through whispers of admonition.
3. God speaks through whispers of assurance.
God speaks through whispers of action
• Acts 10: God whispers to Cornelius and Peter—specific directions that change the world
• Charlie Rome: “Go back and check your garbage”.
• Tony Deblasis: “Change your morning routine and I’ll teach you how to handle the things life brings your way.”
• SAK: Hurt mom and 7 year old son at McDonald’s. Older couple at Zaxby’s.
• We were created to do good works, and one of the primary ways God helps us accomplish them is by imparting whispers of action [Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”]
God speaks through whispers of admonition
• Psalm 48:14 “For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.”
• Getting away to ‘spend time with God’ after being mean to my wife, stuck in middle of nowhere.
• Eric’s story: God whispered through someone else’s story and kept him from trouble.
• God will not stop refining us until transformation’s work is complete
God speaks through whispers of assurance
• Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.”
• Video: Kathy Karr’s story
• The losses we face in this life do not change who God is. Sometimes all we need to hear is a whisper from Him that we are going to make it.
Positioning Yourself to Hear the Whispers:
• John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
• John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
- Be teachable: “I need to hear from you today Father.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
- You must have put the Word in for Him to ‘remind’ you. (Psalm 119:103 “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.”)
- It’s a relationship—it is either growing or shrinking every day—it never stands still. James 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
02/16/11 - Core Fitness PT6 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Core Fitness" with Part 6 in this Wednesday evening service.
Core Fitness PT6
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Core Fitness PT6
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
02/13/11 - Power of a Whisper PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "The Power of a Whisper" with part 2, "1st Name Basis", in this Sunday service.
The Power of a Whisper PT2: 1st Name Basis
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Big idea is moving to a first name relationship with God from "the big guy upstairs" concept.
1 Kings19:11-13 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
John 10:3-5, 27 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice…27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
A fruitful, productive life is the result of hearing the whispers:
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Like Joseph, we start off clumsily, not knowing for sure if we are even hearing God, and move to a clearer and more definitive recognition of His whispers. Along the way, He is working to "overcome" our mishandling and misinterpretation of the whispers and the result is our purpose and destiny.
Our own stories reflect the whispers, and the consequences of not hearing His whispers:
• Away to college, leaving behind the divine connection with Sheryll
• Go to work at Withers for less pay
• Offered 3 great jobs in one day—chose the one most would not have chosen, God whispered through my father-in-law
• Message on using your gift—teaching—compelled us into children’s ministry
• Marietta or Monticello—both of us hear the whisper in different places
• Contract for Korea—no Dana, no Michael, no Melissa
• Youth ministry—Covington restaurant
• “You like this” whisper on the platform leading worship
• “move” in prayer while in shopping center
• “Never complain about what you are willing to accept”, “Find a place where you are celebrated, not tolerated”
• 3 locations: Vinings, Acworth, Villa Rica
• Listening to a CD together on I-20: “Find a friend”—Billy Hornsby
• Billy Hornsby on a napkin at dinner in North Atlanta: Build now
How do you know the whisper is from God? :
1. Confirmed by scripture (Psalm 89:34 NCV “I will not break my agreement nor change what I have said.”)
2. Confirmed by trusted godly people (Amos 3:7 “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”)
3. Confirmed by an inner witness (Holy Spirit within you) (Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”)
A 1st name basis with God changes everything:
Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel and Saul to Paul
Direct relationship between clearly hearing God's whispers and knowing Him on a 1st name basis.
The Power of a Whisper PT2: 1st Name Basis
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Big idea is moving to a first name relationship with God from "the big guy upstairs" concept.
1 Kings19:11-13 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
John 10:3-5, 27 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice…27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
A fruitful, productive life is the result of hearing the whispers:
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Like Joseph, we start off clumsily, not knowing for sure if we are even hearing God, and move to a clearer and more definitive recognition of His whispers. Along the way, He is working to "overcome" our mishandling and misinterpretation of the whispers and the result is our purpose and destiny.
Our own stories reflect the whispers, and the consequences of not hearing His whispers:
• Away to college, leaving behind the divine connection with Sheryll
• Go to work at Withers for less pay
• Offered 3 great jobs in one day—chose the one most would not have chosen, God whispered through my father-in-law
• Message on using your gift—teaching—compelled us into children’s ministry
• Marietta or Monticello—both of us hear the whisper in different places
• Contract for Korea—no Dana, no Michael, no Melissa
• Youth ministry—Covington restaurant
• “You like this” whisper on the platform leading worship
• “move” in prayer while in shopping center
• “Never complain about what you are willing to accept”, “Find a place where you are celebrated, not tolerated”
• 3 locations: Vinings, Acworth, Villa Rica
• Listening to a CD together on I-20: “Find a friend”—Billy Hornsby
• Billy Hornsby on a napkin at dinner in North Atlanta: Build now
How do you know the whisper is from God? :
1. Confirmed by scripture (Psalm 89:34 NCV “I will not break my agreement nor change what I have said.”)
2. Confirmed by trusted godly people (Amos 3:7 “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”)
3. Confirmed by an inner witness (Holy Spirit within you) (Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”)
A 1st name basis with God changes everything:
Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel and Saul to Paul
Direct relationship between clearly hearing God's whispers and knowing Him on a 1st name basis.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
02/09/11 - Core Fitness PT5 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Core Fitness" with Part 5, "Back to the Basics: The Birth of the Church" in this Wednesday evening service.
Core Fitness PT5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Core Fitness PT5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
02/06/11 - Power of a Whisper PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "The Power of a Whisper" with part 1, "Gossip", in this Sunday service.
The Power of a Whisper PT1: Gossip
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 6, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
1 Kings 19: 11-13 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Psalm 36:1 “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.”
Luke 12:2-3 “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
Luke 12:2-3 (Message) “You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.”
Gossip: 4 step discipline process for all other sin. 2 step process for gossip. (Titus)
Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Your mouth can be your worst enemy, and the worst enemy of others. Or it can be your strongest ally. Does it edify, encourage, enlighten?
Those things you whisper, will be shouted from the rooftops… (Megaphone—it will be shouted—you choose who does the shouting) What are you whispering? Where do those whispers originate? Prince of Peace or the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)?
Types of gossip and the anecdote:
• The tale-bearer. If I don’t know it firsthand, I don’t know it. If I know it, I will bring it to those involved with the goal of healing and restoration. God’s goal, which should be ours, is salvaging the person, not pushing them under.
• The listener. (Proverbs 17:4) My ears are not garbage cans. I will not allow others to dump garbage in my ears. I will not thirst for garbage, I will thirst for Godliness.
• The “prayer warrior”-they are not doing spiritual warfare on behalf of the Kingdom of Light—they are using the guise of prayer to spread rumors. More prayer, less talk.
• The self-appointed “guardian of the sheep” (Jesus compared them to hirelings who don’t care about the sheep, they care about themselves). They bring down leaders, pointing out every flaw and mistake. They are always on the lookout for opportunities to correct and find fault. Be proactive—head them off at the pass—“I love ________, don’t you. I am constantly praying for them because I know the enemy would like nothing better than taking them out. I feel it our responsibility to guard them—like the scriptures say, “Do things that bring them joy, for they watch over my soul.” Example of me and Sheryll serving our pastors—even when they blew it, love covers a multitude of wrongs. No one knew it, we covered them. If and when it came to the point where we could no longer do that, after being open with them about it, we left without running them down and kept our mouths shut. (Differences in opinion about the way things are handled are different than moral failure. Moral failure that puts others in danger must be exposed.)
• The questioner. Jezebel spirit. “What did you think about…” “Did you hear today’s message…” Tone, body language, inflection, the question, all looking for, setting up a negative response. Again, proactive or flat out confrontation.
The 2 most effective anecdotes for the gossip spirit:
1. Innocence: Colossians 3:12-13; James 3:17-18 protecting a child-like attitude and heart. Thinking the best of others. No one has to earn the right for you to think the best of them. It is your gift to give. It is called respect. Respect is not earned, it is given, in fact it is owed. (James 3:9-10) Trust is earned. I will give you respect. I will think the best of you. Instead of an upside-down scale that starts you at the bottom and makes you work your way to the top, I will have the attitude of Jesus: He puts me at the top, calling me blameless and without reproach. He thinks the best of me.
2. Confrontation: Proverbs 10:10 “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” “We don’t do that here.” Darkness has a trick of making you feel guilty if you expose it. What if their marriage fails, they sink into despair, etc? If I have handled the confrontation with grace, speaking the truth in love, with the goal of restoration for all involved, then the results will reveal the heart of the one being confronted. The consequences are the consequences of sin, not the results of the sin being made known. Live your life as if there are no secrets.
The Result of Making Sure you and your Church are a Safe Place…
James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Are we a place where that can happen? Are we safe enough to hear it? Are we ready to share it? If you share it, it may be shared with others. Are you ready for that kind of healing?
The Power of a Whisper PT1: Gossip
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, February 6, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
1 Kings 19: 11-13 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Psalm 36:1 “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all.”
Luke 12:2-3 “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
Luke 12:2-3 (Message) “You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.”
Gossip: 4 step discipline process for all other sin. 2 step process for gossip. (Titus)
Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Your mouth can be your worst enemy, and the worst enemy of others. Or it can be your strongest ally. Does it edify, encourage, enlighten?
Those things you whisper, will be shouted from the rooftops… (Megaphone—it will be shouted—you choose who does the shouting) What are you whispering? Where do those whispers originate? Prince of Peace or the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)?
Types of gossip and the anecdote:
• The tale-bearer. If I don’t know it firsthand, I don’t know it. If I know it, I will bring it to those involved with the goal of healing and restoration. God’s goal, which should be ours, is salvaging the person, not pushing them under.
• The listener. (Proverbs 17:4) My ears are not garbage cans. I will not allow others to dump garbage in my ears. I will not thirst for garbage, I will thirst for Godliness.
• The “prayer warrior”-they are not doing spiritual warfare on behalf of the Kingdom of Light—they are using the guise of prayer to spread rumors. More prayer, less talk.
• The self-appointed “guardian of the sheep” (Jesus compared them to hirelings who don’t care about the sheep, they care about themselves). They bring down leaders, pointing out every flaw and mistake. They are always on the lookout for opportunities to correct and find fault. Be proactive—head them off at the pass—“I love ________, don’t you. I am constantly praying for them because I know the enemy would like nothing better than taking them out. I feel it our responsibility to guard them—like the scriptures say, “Do things that bring them joy, for they watch over my soul.” Example of me and Sheryll serving our pastors—even when they blew it, love covers a multitude of wrongs. No one knew it, we covered them. If and when it came to the point where we could no longer do that, after being open with them about it, we left without running them down and kept our mouths shut. (Differences in opinion about the way things are handled are different than moral failure. Moral failure that puts others in danger must be exposed.)
• The questioner. Jezebel spirit. “What did you think about…” “Did you hear today’s message…” Tone, body language, inflection, the question, all looking for, setting up a negative response. Again, proactive or flat out confrontation.
The 2 most effective anecdotes for the gossip spirit:
1. Innocence: Colossians 3:12-13; James 3:17-18 protecting a child-like attitude and heart. Thinking the best of others. No one has to earn the right for you to think the best of them. It is your gift to give. It is called respect. Respect is not earned, it is given, in fact it is owed. (James 3:9-10) Trust is earned. I will give you respect. I will think the best of you. Instead of an upside-down scale that starts you at the bottom and makes you work your way to the top, I will have the attitude of Jesus: He puts me at the top, calling me blameless and without reproach. He thinks the best of me.
2. Confrontation: Proverbs 10:10 “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” “We don’t do that here.” Darkness has a trick of making you feel guilty if you expose it. What if their marriage fails, they sink into despair, etc? If I have handled the confrontation with grace, speaking the truth in love, with the goal of restoration for all involved, then the results will reveal the heart of the one being confronted. The consequences are the consequences of sin, not the results of the sin being made known. Live your life as if there are no secrets.
The Result of Making Sure you and your Church are a Safe Place…
James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Are we a place where that can happen? Are we safe enough to hear it? Are we ready to share it? If you share it, it may be shared with others. Are you ready for that kind of healing?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
02/02/11 - Core Fitness PT4 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Core Fitness" in this Wednesday evening service.
Core Fitness PT4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Core Fitness PT4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
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