Sunday, March 27, 2011
03/27/11 - What is in Your Hand - Pastor Tony Ashmore
A Story to Tell
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 27, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
A Story to Tell (Turn to Exodus 1st and mark it, then start with Joel)
Joel 1:2-3 “Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before? Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children.”
Exodus 4:1-5 “But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the Lord told him, “Reach out and grab its tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand. “Perform this sign,” the Lord told him. “Then they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.”
“What’s that in your hand?” You Have a Story to Tell: You already have what you need to change the world—to achieve your destiny. It’s in your hand. Each of us are on a journey, running a race. Each of us has a story. A new perspective on Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” We all need Jesus, whether our story is one of rescue from disaster and ruin, or a story of a lifetime of faithfulness—none of our stories are complete with Him. And none of our stories are finished—His is writing them in us every day if we will allow it. Philippians 2:12-13 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” That’s why every day is an opportunity for a Great Adventure with God. And if where I am is not better than where I started, the story is not finished. (Job 8:7)
Your Story Must Become His Story to Make History Our story must turn from us to Him. It must become His Story. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 HCSB “When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Example of a psychological “high” when re-telling old drug stories. Story focuses on the Rescuer more than the rescued. (John the Baptist—He increases, I decrease.)
4 Components to Your Story: GATE
- Gift: Romans 12 motivational gifts—all are servant gifts—serving others makes a place for you. “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve.” Moses had a leadership gift—used it to serve Jesse by shepherding. Romans 12:5 “We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
- Ability: profession, trade, educational—all position you to tell your story. Moses was a shepherd with a staff. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
- Talent: hobbies, your “art”: an innate interest that brings you satisfaction and allows you to express yourself. Matthew 25:14-30—given to you to invest and grow for the good of the King and the Kingdom. Moses seemed to have a flair for the dramatic: this is where his temper got in the way. God used that talent to get people’s attention. The temper had to be ‘laid down’ because it compromised Kingdom effectiveness.
- Experience: the things that happen to us in our journey—both good and bad. These give us “connection points” with others so we can make the name of Jesus famous. Moses had a connection point with the Israelites, but it was ineffective until it pointed people to God instead of to Moses. The difference—humility. Numbers 12:3 Message “Now the man Moses was a quietly humble man, more so than anyone living on Earth.”
Learn to Tell it Well and Doors Will Open
2 Corinthians 2:12 “When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.”
Ephesians 6:19 “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Clarity, simplicity, and boldness.
Shelly Barker’s story. God brought her to a place of telling her story about recovery from infidelity so it magnified the victory instead of the pain. Now, He opens doors for it to be effective.
Response: Prayer Teams are in place.
1. Time to get Jesus in your story.
2. Time to make Jesus the central figure in my story.
3. Time to learn how to tell my story to others so God can open the doors.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
03/23//11 - Core Fitness 2 - Ignorance - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Core Fitness 2 PT3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, March 20, 2011
03/20/11 - Treasured Child of the King - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Treasured Child of the King
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 20, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Treasured Child of the King
Matthew 13:44-46 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
Song of Solomon 4:9-10 “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. Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.”
* Treat yourself like you belong to the King
- Accepted by Him. Ephesians 1:5 “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
- Accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
- Rights and privileges of a King’s kid. Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
* Treat others like they belong to the King
Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
- Owe respect
- Brothers and sisters
- The world is watching
* Be as focused on the King’s ‘lost kids’ as He is
Luke 15:4-7 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
- Example of losing Jeff in Wickes Store
- Jesus: “No longer servants because you know the Father’s heart.” (John 15:15)
I am valuable because of the price paid for me. I wasn’t worth so much that He had to come and get me. I am worth so much because He came and got me. He attached value to me. He imparted value to me. 1 Corinthians 7:23 “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.”
Now I love (impart value to others) because He first loved me. 1 John 4:19 “We love each other because he loved us first.”
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
03/16/11 - Core Fitness 2 - Immaturity - Mike Barker
Core Fitness 2 PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, March 13, 2011
03/13/11 - Vision Sunday - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Vision Sunday - 3 R's of Potential
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The 3 R’s of Potential
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” The mission, the character traits, the life Jesus meant for us to live fits us perfectly. There is no feeling out of place, unequipped, awkward, overwhelmed. That life is full of potential.
Mark 4:26-29 “Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through (Emerge) then the heads of wheat are formed (Form), and finally the grain ripens (Mature). And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come. (Harvest)” Every person is a seed—full of potential to be realized. The ground is what produces the potential. The church should be fertile, rich ground where a seed can exceed its potential.
Each of us is created with a specific potential (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.”) that is only recognized, released and raised in relationship with others. By doing life together in the Body of Christ, we find the life Jesus intended us to have and we change the world. Our destiny is to make a difference, no blend in—to be world changers by helping others recognize, release and raise their potential. The Church is the fertile ground God has prepared for that task. (Peter is an example of the 3 R’s)
• Potential recognized = emerge
• Potential released = form
• Potential raised = mature (the 1st 2 R’s may happen outside, but only the church can raise potential)
• Result = Harvest-in our own lives and in the Kingdom of God
Luke 9:28-33a “About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here!...” The place where Jesus’ glory is revealed is a wonderful place to be. The church is the revelation of His glory.
(2 Corinthians 8:23b: “…they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.”)
Matthew 16:18 “…I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.”
Acts 20:28 “…God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood…”
1 Corinthians 1:2 “I am writing to God’s church…to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus…”
Ephesians 1:22-23 “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”
Ephesians 3:10 “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”
1 Timothy 3:15 “…This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
What’s stopping you from connecting fully to the vision? It is stopping your full potential.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
03/09/11 - Core Fitness 2 - Impatience - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Core Fitness 2 PT1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, March 6, 2011
03/06/11 - Power of a Whisper PT5 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
The Power of a Whisper - Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 06, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
(Turn to and mark Philippians 2. Then turn to Isaiah 58:6-11)
You may have noticed during these past three weeks that much of the discussion has been all about us!
* How do we open our ears so that we can hear more clearly and more consistently from God?
* How do we invite his input into the situations we are facing so that we know which way to go?
* How do we hear his whispers so that our lives are better?
These are worthwhile questions to answer because they represent one level of listening that all of us should strive to cultivate, which is to learn to listen for the still, small voice of God each and every day. Is there a deeper level of listening that is available to us in this life, a level of listening that centers not so much on the cries of our hearts, but on the cries of the heart of God.
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Mark 1:17 “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
1. Whispers that rock the world: Key Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-11
a. Big Idea: When we learn to hear God’s voice and obey his whispers, we impact not just our lives, but the world at large. What world-rocking whisper is God ready to place in your ears?
Living Wide Open-- Philippians 2:5-7 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Are you grasping or living with an open hand?
* “On Mission” Lifestyle (school, work, home, church)—Jeremiah 15:19 “This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”
* Kingdom Influence—Psalm 112:9 “They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”
- Consistency—Hebrews 13:7 Message “…There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.”
* Treasure Hunters—Matthew 6:20-21 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” So many quit pursuing destiny because of a perceived “lack of success”—think about the successful gold prospector panning for gold—how much sludge, mud, rocks and junk does he go through to find a few specks of gold? But what is his focus? If he focuses on the sludge he will become discouraged and quit, go pursue another endeavor. But the ones who succeed are the ones who are focused on the faint glimmer of gold, spotting it in the midst of the all the other stuff. The treasure is lives transformed. That treasure is all around you. Find it. Raise somebody’s potential. Most of us can think of times in our lives when somebody reached out, gave us a hand and raised our potential.
* Remember, God’s not asking ‘How’, He is whispering ‘Who’. Isaiah 6:8
Live Wide Open with God this week—wide open ears to hear His whispers, wide open hands to share generously, wide open hearts to feel and see what God is feeling and seeing. Matthew 10:39 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
Psalm 116:15 “What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people…In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah!”
03/02/11 - Core Fitness PT7 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Core Fitness PT7
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
A Life-Giving Church for People Just Like You!
Whether you are full of questions or ready to jump right in, there is a place for you at LifeGate Church at Mirror Lake. Our church is a place where you can build relationships with others, experience God in worship, be empowered by practical, life-giving teaching from God's Word, and have fun doing it.
Together, we are living the Winner's Life as we learn to love, serve, reach, grow and connect. So whether you're a spiritual seeker starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian looking to sink your faith roots even deeper, you'll feel at home at LifeGate Church at Mirror Lake.
If you believe Jesus really meant it when He said, "I came so people can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of," (John 10:10 Message Translation) then join us this weekend at one of our Jesus Celebrations. Until then, browse our website (a link is on the right of this page) where you'll find lots of helpful info and feel free to download one of our service messages or subscribe to our weekly podcast where you will receive the fresh, life-giving Word of God.
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