Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Freedom" in this Sunday celebration with "Freedom Worth Protecting".
Freedom PT5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 29, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Freedom Worth Protecting
Psalm 116:16 “O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains.”
Romans 8:2 “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
We were created for freedom. Our freedom in Christ is a target of satan. Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day—we honor those who have given their lives for our freedom in this country. Just as that freedom must be guarded and protected, the freedom Christ died to give us must also be protected. The Word of God gives us some keys to staying free now that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1 “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free…”)
Keys to staying free:
Revelation 12:11 (God’s Word Translation) “They won the victory over him (satan) because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life so much that they refused to give it up.”
* The Blood of the Lamb--Settle the Lordship issue. Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”
* The Word of their testimony: (the Word in their testimony (Worral Translation)) John 8:32 “you will know the truth and the truth will make you free”
* Didn’t love their life: Romans 6:22 “But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.”
- Fasting—living a fasted lifestyle—making sure your habits are healthy and nothing controls you but God—
- Giving—living generously—a lifestyle whose source is God not self. Larry Burkett giving away over 2 million before starting his ministry
- Prayer—living dependent—from saying grace to praying over business deals—reminding yourself you need God involved in every aspect of your life
It is important to note that, like the old hymn says, The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power. The breakdown in the loss of freedom, in being overcome by our enemy satan, is never in the Blood of the Lamb—it is in our testimony and how we love our lives.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
05/25/11 - Wednesday Night - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches in this Wednesday evening service.
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
05/22/11 - Freedom Series PT4 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Freedom" in this Sunday celebration with "Staying Free".
Freedom PT4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 22, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Galatians 2:4
Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, (false brothers) really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. False ‘brothers’—people who claim a relation or kinship to you. Just as you have a divine flow, there is a demonic flow—those who share a delight in darkness with you. “We go way back. Old buddies, friends forever.” Reminders of the old way—in this case it is dead religion. Could be our old world ways before Jesus.
Luke 8:26-39
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
There are 2 men in Matthew’s account of this story. Mark and Luke both tell the story about 1 man. Why? Mark and Luke don’t exclude the other man, they just focus on 1. The one who does the most talking, has the most demons, and ends up making the biggest difference with his newfound freedom.
Why the pigs? What’s the significance?
* Demons didn’t want to go to hell. They thought it was judgement day since the Messiah was there.
* Demons need something living to inhabit.
* Demons are assigned to an area. (familiar spirits)
* Pigs were smart enough to know they didn’t want a life controlled by devils.
* A pagan, Gentile culture (pork) that celebrated ungodliness and the occult/superstition. These practices centered around fertility and fruitfulness. Practices that were supposed to influence their crops and herds, making them more productive—economic influence. The destruction of the pigs, several thousand, represented a severe blow to the economy. Jesus’ point: dancing with the devil does not produce fruitfulness, in fact it will destroy it.
How did he end up this way?
* Living among the dead—an outcast and feared among the living. The Church must be a place that welcomes anyone—a place where this man could find help. The Church must also be a place that challenges any lifestyle that is less than God’s best. The difference in accept and approve.
* Probably once surrounded by ‘false brothers’ cheering him on. (like the group cheering on shots at a bar). He probably was once considered a ‘fun guy’ to be around, the life of the party. Then he went too far,
* Once surrounded by voices cheering him on from his ‘band of brothers’, now surrounded by the voices of darkness—voices that hate him and just want to use him
* He has become a sideshow
* Begging for help but help is not to be found
* Still drawn to righteousness—
- Did Jesus come across the lake for this purpose? Was the storm an attempt to turn Him back?
* Finds real freedom and never wants to lose it.
* Jesus doesn’t want him to lose it either. So He tells him how to keep it. Go back to your family, you town, your region, and tell everybody what God has done for you.
- Stay free by shouting it from the rooftops
- Stay free by leading those you love
- Stay free by being a man as defined by God and not by those around you or the culture
* He didn’t just change his city—he changed an entire region! (Mark 5:20—he went throughout the 10 city region (Decapolis) sharing his story. He changed this region’s attitude toward Jesus—note Mark 7:31-37—Jesus returns to this area, heals a deaf mute man and the region begins to celebrate His ministry. Later Paul goes to Damascus, find believers there and starts churches. One man, being God’s man, changed the atmosphere of an entire region. Salvation is a 2 step dance: God saves me because He loves me. God saves me to make His name famous.
Jesus’ 4 keys to staying free:
* Fasting—living a fasted lifestyle—making sure your habits are healthy and nothing controls you but God
* Giving—living generously—a lifestyle dependent on God. Larry Burkett and giving away over 2 million before starting his ministry
* Prayer—living dependent—from saying grace to praying over business deals—reminding yourself you need God involved in every aspect of your life
* Shout it from the rooftops
Freedom PT4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 22, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Galatians 2:4
Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, (false brothers) really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. False ‘brothers’—people who claim a relation or kinship to you. Just as you have a divine flow, there is a demonic flow—those who share a delight in darkness with you. “We go way back. Old buddies, friends forever.” Reminders of the old way—in this case it is dead religion. Could be our old world ways before Jesus.
Luke 8:26-39
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
There are 2 men in Matthew’s account of this story. Mark and Luke both tell the story about 1 man. Why? Mark and Luke don’t exclude the other man, they just focus on 1. The one who does the most talking, has the most demons, and ends up making the biggest difference with his newfound freedom.
Why the pigs? What’s the significance?
* Demons didn’t want to go to hell. They thought it was judgement day since the Messiah was there.
* Demons need something living to inhabit.
* Demons are assigned to an area. (familiar spirits)
* Pigs were smart enough to know they didn’t want a life controlled by devils.
* A pagan, Gentile culture (pork) that celebrated ungodliness and the occult/superstition. These practices centered around fertility and fruitfulness. Practices that were supposed to influence their crops and herds, making them more productive—economic influence. The destruction of the pigs, several thousand, represented a severe blow to the economy. Jesus’ point: dancing with the devil does not produce fruitfulness, in fact it will destroy it.
How did he end up this way?
* Living among the dead—an outcast and feared among the living. The Church must be a place that welcomes anyone—a place where this man could find help. The Church must also be a place that challenges any lifestyle that is less than God’s best. The difference in accept and approve.
* Probably once surrounded by ‘false brothers’ cheering him on. (like the group cheering on shots at a bar). He probably was once considered a ‘fun guy’ to be around, the life of the party. Then he went too far,
* Once surrounded by voices cheering him on from his ‘band of brothers’, now surrounded by the voices of darkness—voices that hate him and just want to use him
* He has become a sideshow
* Begging for help but help is not to be found
* Still drawn to righteousness—
- Did Jesus come across the lake for this purpose? Was the storm an attempt to turn Him back?
* Finds real freedom and never wants to lose it.
* Jesus doesn’t want him to lose it either. So He tells him how to keep it. Go back to your family, you town, your region, and tell everybody what God has done for you.
- Stay free by shouting it from the rooftops
- Stay free by leading those you love
- Stay free by being a man as defined by God and not by those around you or the culture
* He didn’t just change his city—he changed an entire region! (Mark 5:20—he went throughout the 10 city region (Decapolis) sharing his story. He changed this region’s attitude toward Jesus—note Mark 7:31-37—Jesus returns to this area, heals a deaf mute man and the region begins to celebrate His ministry. Later Paul goes to Damascus, find believers there and starts churches. One man, being God’s man, changed the atmosphere of an entire region. Salvation is a 2 step dance: God saves me because He loves me. God saves me to make His name famous.
Jesus’ 4 keys to staying free:
* Fasting—living a fasted lifestyle—making sure your habits are healthy and nothing controls you but God
* Giving—living generously—a lifestyle dependent on God. Larry Burkett and giving away over 2 million before starting his ministry
* Prayer—living dependent—from saying grace to praying over business deals—reminding yourself you need God involved in every aspect of your life
* Shout it from the rooftops
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
05/18/11 - Super Servers - Mike Barker
Mike Barker teaches on living life as a "Super Server" in this Wednesday celebration.
Super Server
Mike Barker
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Super Server
Turn to Philippians chapter 1.
When I say Super Server, it might bring some Super Hero’s to your mind.
Who are some of your favorite Superhero’s?
Most of the Superhero’s had extraordinary powers that enabled them to do heroic acts.
The one that stands out to me is Superman. He came from another planet, the planet Krypton, and was raised by a couple from Kansas. He did what was right and just. He protected the innocent from evil and brought criminals to justice.
One thing that I never could quite understand is why he kept his identity secret. He lived by day as the mild mannered Clark Kent, and would quickly change into his Superman outfit in the local phone booth.
Superman is just a character in comic books. He was created for entertainment.
There is a real book that describes a man that did some super things. A man that was not of this world and he left his world for ours. The man knew that there was injustice to be dealt with. He knew that there were people who were being held captive and had to be protected from evil. He knew that the only way that he could save their lives was to give his. The one thing about that man is nothing could defeat him. Not even Death, Hell and the Grave!
That man, a real Super Man, was Jesus Christ
The Awesome thing about Jesus is that he equips us and allows us to be super like him, because we are not from this world either. Once we receive Jesus into our heart and make him our lord, we become super servers for Jesus, and heaven is our destination.
Jesus knew that we need some help while we are here on this earth, because our flesh is weak. So Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and to give us the strength to conquer the things of this world.
Jesus is a Super Man. Unlike Superman, Jesus doesn’t have an alter ego. Jesus was himself where ever he went. He wants us to be the same way. He wants us to be ourselves everywhere we go. We should let the light of Jesus shine to everyone we come in contact with. He lives inside of us. We are his representatives. He makes us super.
On the outside, the character Superman seemed to be invincible. Nothing could hurt him, except Kryptonite. The kryptonite would drain Superman of his energy and he couldn’t continue to fight when he was around it. But when the Kryptonite was put in a special box, that shielded its power and he regained his strength.
Since our flesh is from this world, we have weaknesses. Just like Superman, we have our own types of kryptonite. We have situations and circumstances that can make us weak and keep us from being everything that God intended for us to be.
What is your Kryptonite? Is it:
- Fear
- Shame
- Guilt
- Addictions
- Rejection
These are some things that keep us from being the best that we can be for Jesus.
They can try to keep us from serving where we are in life. Jesus doesn’t expect you to have your life in perfect order to serve him. If we had to, nobody here would ever be able to serve. Jesus wants us to depend on him for strength and to look to him for guidance through the Holy Spirit.
Don’t be afraid to serve him because we haven’t finished our journey to being like Jesus. That journey never ends while we are still on this earth.
Serve him where you are, no matter what the circumstances or situation. Let Jesus shine through you.
There is a man in the New Testament that knew about serving Jesus in the place where you are at. He was a super server. Because of his diligent serving nations were changed through Jesus.
That man was Paul. Paul was a strong man because he found his strength through Jesus. He had a Mack truck experience with God that changed his life. You know when you get hit by a Mack truck you will never be the same.
In Philippians, Paul is in Rome while under house arrest, writing to the church in Philippi.
Philippians 1:12-14 (NLT) 12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
Paul faced dark circumstances as a prisoner in Rome. The dark circumstances stared Paul right in the face. No circumstances could ever be any more severe, no matter what they were.
Paul was waiting to appear before the Supreme Court of Rome. He was facing a trial
before Nero, who was the Roman Emperor, and Paul was innocent. He had done nothing to cause his arrest and imprisonment, but there he was.
Paul had to wait for the arrival of his Jewish prosecutors, with their trumped-up and malicious charges.
He was imprisoned for over two years, and with all prisoners, the days wore on ever so slowly, hour by hour and day after day.
Can you imagine the pressures that hung over a Paul's head, while awaiting trial? It was a trial that would determine whether he lived or died. That is what hung over Paul's head.
Paul didn’t let that slow him down! He was a super server!
Paul didn’t:
- grumble and complain
- question God and wonder why
- whine and murmur
- fall to pieces
- curse God nor give up his faith
Just imagine! Paul was bound to a Roman guard every day and night for over two years. What do you suppose Paul talked about with the guards?
Paul spread the gospel through the Praetorian Guard, the elite of the Roman army.
These soldiers were the Imperial Guard of Rome, men who had been hand-picked
to protect the emperor and to carry out the major armed functions of the state.
There were sixteen thousand of them, most of whom were stationed in Rome at
any given time. It was these soldiers who guarded and were chained to the wrist of Paul day and night for two years, young men who were the elite of Roman youth . How many Paul led to the Lord is unknown.
Note: Paul shared the message of Jesus so much that the gospel spread throughout:
- The whole Praetorian Guard.
- The palace of the emperor.
- And other places.
Because of Paul’s stand for Jesus and the gospel he preached, he became the conversation throughout Rome. He was the conversation among all the social circles including the upper strata, the very palace of the emperor himself.
The lesson for us is this: we must never let circumstances get us down. Never let them defeat our testimony and witness for Jesus.
Paul used his situation to spread the gospel. Paul did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome, or Nero. He saw himself as a Super Server for Jesus Christ.
He did not see himself as a victim; he saw himself as a conqueror for Jesus Christ.
That is how we need to be church! We are more than conquerors with Jesus.
But how do we do that?
Don’t let a situation define you, you define the situation.
Remember that you are a chosen child of the King! You are his masterpiece!
Philippians 1:27-28 (NLT) 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
When the Situations and circumstances (Kryptonite) of life come to you. Remember, we may get knocked down but we’re not knocked out. We have the power to stand back up and defeat them through the power of Jesus.
If you find yourself being knocked down by the things of this world. Remember that Jesus clothes us in a crimson cape, his crimson cape. It is crimson because of the blood that he shed for us on Calvary. And because of what he did, we are Super servers!
His blood is so powerful that it still defeats death, hell and the grave.
Jesus gives us the tools to stay strong like:
- S.O.A.P
- Prayer
- Godly connections (Iron sharpens Iron)
Are we super servers?....... Yes we are!
Super Server
Mike Barker
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Super Server
Turn to Philippians chapter 1.
When I say Super Server, it might bring some Super Hero’s to your mind.
Who are some of your favorite Superhero’s?
Most of the Superhero’s had extraordinary powers that enabled them to do heroic acts.
The one that stands out to me is Superman. He came from another planet, the planet Krypton, and was raised by a couple from Kansas. He did what was right and just. He protected the innocent from evil and brought criminals to justice.
One thing that I never could quite understand is why he kept his identity secret. He lived by day as the mild mannered Clark Kent, and would quickly change into his Superman outfit in the local phone booth.
Superman is just a character in comic books. He was created for entertainment.
There is a real book that describes a man that did some super things. A man that was not of this world and he left his world for ours. The man knew that there was injustice to be dealt with. He knew that there were people who were being held captive and had to be protected from evil. He knew that the only way that he could save their lives was to give his. The one thing about that man is nothing could defeat him. Not even Death, Hell and the Grave!
That man, a real Super Man, was Jesus Christ
The Awesome thing about Jesus is that he equips us and allows us to be super like him, because we are not from this world either. Once we receive Jesus into our heart and make him our lord, we become super servers for Jesus, and heaven is our destination.
Jesus knew that we need some help while we are here on this earth, because our flesh is weak. So Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and to give us the strength to conquer the things of this world.
Jesus is a Super Man. Unlike Superman, Jesus doesn’t have an alter ego. Jesus was himself where ever he went. He wants us to be the same way. He wants us to be ourselves everywhere we go. We should let the light of Jesus shine to everyone we come in contact with. He lives inside of us. We are his representatives. He makes us super.
On the outside, the character Superman seemed to be invincible. Nothing could hurt him, except Kryptonite. The kryptonite would drain Superman of his energy and he couldn’t continue to fight when he was around it. But when the Kryptonite was put in a special box, that shielded its power and he regained his strength.
Since our flesh is from this world, we have weaknesses. Just like Superman, we have our own types of kryptonite. We have situations and circumstances that can make us weak and keep us from being everything that God intended for us to be.
What is your Kryptonite? Is it:
- Fear
- Shame
- Guilt
- Addictions
- Rejection
These are some things that keep us from being the best that we can be for Jesus.
They can try to keep us from serving where we are in life. Jesus doesn’t expect you to have your life in perfect order to serve him. If we had to, nobody here would ever be able to serve. Jesus wants us to depend on him for strength and to look to him for guidance through the Holy Spirit.
Don’t be afraid to serve him because we haven’t finished our journey to being like Jesus. That journey never ends while we are still on this earth.
Serve him where you are, no matter what the circumstances or situation. Let Jesus shine through you.
There is a man in the New Testament that knew about serving Jesus in the place where you are at. He was a super server. Because of his diligent serving nations were changed through Jesus.
That man was Paul. Paul was a strong man because he found his strength through Jesus. He had a Mack truck experience with God that changed his life. You know when you get hit by a Mack truck you will never be the same.
In Philippians, Paul is in Rome while under house arrest, writing to the church in Philippi.
Philippians 1:12-14 (NLT) 12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
Paul faced dark circumstances as a prisoner in Rome. The dark circumstances stared Paul right in the face. No circumstances could ever be any more severe, no matter what they were.
Paul was waiting to appear before the Supreme Court of Rome. He was facing a trial
before Nero, who was the Roman Emperor, and Paul was innocent. He had done nothing to cause his arrest and imprisonment, but there he was.
Paul had to wait for the arrival of his Jewish prosecutors, with their trumped-up and malicious charges.
He was imprisoned for over two years, and with all prisoners, the days wore on ever so slowly, hour by hour and day after day.
Can you imagine the pressures that hung over a Paul's head, while awaiting trial? It was a trial that would determine whether he lived or died. That is what hung over Paul's head.
Paul didn’t let that slow him down! He was a super server!
Paul didn’t:
- grumble and complain
- question God and wonder why
- whine and murmur
- fall to pieces
- curse God nor give up his faith
Just imagine! Paul was bound to a Roman guard every day and night for over two years. What do you suppose Paul talked about with the guards?
Paul spread the gospel through the Praetorian Guard, the elite of the Roman army.
These soldiers were the Imperial Guard of Rome, men who had been hand-picked
to protect the emperor and to carry out the major armed functions of the state.
There were sixteen thousand of them, most of whom were stationed in Rome at
any given time. It was these soldiers who guarded and were chained to the wrist of Paul day and night for two years, young men who were the elite of Roman youth . How many Paul led to the Lord is unknown.
Note: Paul shared the message of Jesus so much that the gospel spread throughout:
- The whole Praetorian Guard.
- The palace of the emperor.
- And other places.
Because of Paul’s stand for Jesus and the gospel he preached, he became the conversation throughout Rome. He was the conversation among all the social circles including the upper strata, the very palace of the emperor himself.
The lesson for us is this: we must never let circumstances get us down. Never let them defeat our testimony and witness for Jesus.
Paul used his situation to spread the gospel. Paul did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome, or Nero. He saw himself as a Super Server for Jesus Christ.
He did not see himself as a victim; he saw himself as a conqueror for Jesus Christ.
That is how we need to be church! We are more than conquerors with Jesus.
But how do we do that?
Don’t let a situation define you, you define the situation.
Remember that you are a chosen child of the King! You are his masterpiece!
Philippians 1:27-28 (NLT) 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
When the Situations and circumstances (Kryptonite) of life come to you. Remember, we may get knocked down but we’re not knocked out. We have the power to stand back up and defeat them through the power of Jesus.
If you find yourself being knocked down by the things of this world. Remember that Jesus clothes us in a crimson cape, his crimson cape. It is crimson because of the blood that he shed for us on Calvary. And because of what he did, we are Super servers!
His blood is so powerful that it still defeats death, hell and the grave.
Jesus gives us the tools to stay strong like:
- S.O.A.P
- Prayer
- Godly connections (Iron sharpens Iron)
Are we super servers?....... Yes we are!
Monday, May 16, 2011
05/15/11 - Freedom Series PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Freedom" in this Sunday celebration with "Dancing with the Star".
Freedom PT3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 15, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (AMP: He will rejoice [dance] over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them])
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Dancing with the Star
There are several instructors who want to teach us to dance—our culture, our enemy, our past. Make sure you are dancing with the Holy Spirit. He is the only one whose dance sets you free. He is the only one whose instructions are always for your good. The other instructors may make you feel free sometimes, but they do not have the power to sustain that freedom. In fact, at the end of the day you will find their dance was a trap not freedom.
A Tale of 2 Dances:
John 14:3-11 Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.”
- Sin seeks ways to “salve” or treat the sin—numb the pain, dull our conscience. The result is more sin, the things we do to fill the void actually increase the pain, leading to a life filled with regret. I’m sorry I danced at all.
- Notice none of the companions in this dance, the friends and guests surrounding them, stopped the dance. They just stood by and watched destruction unfold, then went home and either talked about how horrible it was or laughed about what fools Herod, Herodias and his daughter made of themselves.
2 Samuel 6: 14-23 “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him…Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes. When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
- Dancing to celebrate the Lord is filled with innocence. Those around were blessed, even physical blessings (when David fed the entire nation), by the dance. Everyone left this party rejoicing. The joy remained since it was the presence of the Lord they were celebrating. No need to manufacture another reason to celebrate (It’s the weekend. It’s Cinco de Mayo. It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Bin Laden is dead.) The reason for celebration—the goodness and presence of God—lives among them fulltime.
- The freedom dance doesn’t really care what people think about it. The dance is for an audience of One. I’ll become even more undignified than this—I will worship, I will talk about the goodness of the Lord, I will appear foolish in your sight, I will go overboard for Jesus no matter how ‘uncool’ anybody thinks it is.
- Just a few days before David was overcome with grief and guilt—because of His mistake someone had died and it seemed the presence of God would never fill his city. Isn’t it too early for him to be dancing? Shouldn’t he be grieving longer? Or could it be that grieving in the presence and power of God looks different. Could it be that guilt and regret are really healed in God’s presence? Is there really freedom found simply by living in the presence of a Holy God?
- Notice the result of despising (making small) the dance of freedom—a barren life
So What?
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is Lord there is freedom.”
- Settle the “Lordship Issue”—Who is directing your dance? (culture, career, control, comparison, competition)
- Admit the need to be free—What is present in your life that you could not do without for one week?
- Embrace the Holy Spirit and His work in you (story of the little girl’s impromptu dance)
- Practice trusting God—Jesus taught His disciples to pray for “today’s bread”—depending on God instead of self. He called worry “the way of the Gentiles” (NLT—“dominates the thoughts of unbelievers) (Matthew 6:32)—those with no understanding of a relationship with God.
Freedom PT3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 15, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (AMP: He will rejoice [dance] over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them])
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Dancing with the Star
There are several instructors who want to teach us to dance—our culture, our enemy, our past. Make sure you are dancing with the Holy Spirit. He is the only one whose dance sets you free. He is the only one whose instructions are always for your good. The other instructors may make you feel free sometimes, but they do not have the power to sustain that freedom. In fact, at the end of the day you will find their dance was a trap not freedom.
A Tale of 2 Dances:
John 14:3-11 Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.”
- Sin seeks ways to “salve” or treat the sin—numb the pain, dull our conscience. The result is more sin, the things we do to fill the void actually increase the pain, leading to a life filled with regret. I’m sorry I danced at all.
- Notice none of the companions in this dance, the friends and guests surrounding them, stopped the dance. They just stood by and watched destruction unfold, then went home and either talked about how horrible it was or laughed about what fools Herod, Herodias and his daughter made of themselves.
2 Samuel 6: 14-23 “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him…Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes. When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
- Dancing to celebrate the Lord is filled with innocence. Those around were blessed, even physical blessings (when David fed the entire nation), by the dance. Everyone left this party rejoicing. The joy remained since it was the presence of the Lord they were celebrating. No need to manufacture another reason to celebrate (It’s the weekend. It’s Cinco de Mayo. It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Bin Laden is dead.) The reason for celebration—the goodness and presence of God—lives among them fulltime.
- The freedom dance doesn’t really care what people think about it. The dance is for an audience of One. I’ll become even more undignified than this—I will worship, I will talk about the goodness of the Lord, I will appear foolish in your sight, I will go overboard for Jesus no matter how ‘uncool’ anybody thinks it is.
- Just a few days before David was overcome with grief and guilt—because of His mistake someone had died and it seemed the presence of God would never fill his city. Isn’t it too early for him to be dancing? Shouldn’t he be grieving longer? Or could it be that grieving in the presence and power of God looks different. Could it be that guilt and regret are really healed in God’s presence? Is there really freedom found simply by living in the presence of a Holy God?
- Notice the result of despising (making small) the dance of freedom—a barren life
So What?
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is Lord there is freedom.”
- Settle the “Lordship Issue”—Who is directing your dance? (culture, career, control, comparison, competition)
- Admit the need to be free—What is present in your life that you could not do without for one week?
- Embrace the Holy Spirit and His work in you (story of the little girl’s impromptu dance)
- Practice trusting God—Jesus taught His disciples to pray for “today’s bread”—depending on God instead of self. He called worry “the way of the Gentiles” (NLT—“dominates the thoughts of unbelievers) (Matthew 6:32)—those with no understanding of a relationship with God.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
05/11/11 - Wednesday Night - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches in this Wednesday evening service.
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
05/08/11 - Freedom Series PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Freedom" in this Sunday service.
Freedom PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 8, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Freedom PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, May 8, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
05/04/11 - Wednesday Night - Chuck Rozell
Chuck Rozell teaches in this Wednesday evening service.
Chuck Rozell
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Chuck Rozell
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
05/01/11 - Freedom Series PT1 - Tony Sherrill
Tony Sherrill begins the series "Freedom" in this Sunday service.
Freedom PT1
Tony Sherrill
Sunday, May 1, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
Freedom PT1
Tony Sherrill
Sunday, May 1, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE
Genesis 1:26-28 dominion = supreme authority to rule
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all[a] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Psalm 8:4-8 vs 6 – you have made him to have dominion over creation
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,[a]
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,[a]
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
Romans 8:21-22 all creation waits
; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Joshua 24:15
But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Song: As for Me
Vs 1 – building my own kingdom
Seeking worthless idols
Idol = setting your affections on worldly things to the point you have a twisted image of right & wrong, life & death
What we should do:
Colossians 3:2
#1 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
I John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
#2 – Hate what God hates
Proverbs 6:16-19
Arrogance, lying, innocent people being hurt, harmful schemes, evil practices, telling lies about others that stir up dissension among people
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Character is in part formed by what we hate.
#3 – Live the resurrected life
Ephesians 3:20
We are not to live a crucified life; we are to live a resurrected life. I am alive with Christ.
II Peter 1:4
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
I am forgiven
I am His workmanship
There is no condemnation
I am in right standing with God
I can do all things through Christ
I am more than a conqueror
I am blessed with all spiritual blessings
I am delivered from the power of darkness
I am a son of God
By Jesus’ stripes I’m healed
04/27/11 - Wednesday Night - Chuck Rozell
Chuck Rozell teaches in this Wednesday evening service.
Chuck Rozell
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Chuck Rozell
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Monday, May 9, 2011
04/24/11 - King Size Life - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "King Size Life" in this Sunday service.
King Size Life
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 24, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
King Size Life
1 Timothy 6:19 “By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
Ephesians 5:14 “Therefore He says: “ Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Big Idea: Are we living the rich and satisfying life Jesus paid the price for us to have or are we living below our potential? Even if our life is sweet, is it Big Life, King Size Life, or is it the miniature, sample size?
Jesus came to fix our broken lives. Do we recognize true life? Have we settled for less? Does the life we live look like the one He died to give us? He rose from the dead—have we? Let’s arise with Jesus this Easter to a higher level of life. We might even think our life is the best it can be, that it’s pretty good and couldn’t get any better. Or maybe we have grown accustomed to life below God’s standards and, without even realizing it, we have accepted lower standards. Have we bought into the old saying, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Maybe it is broken and we just don’t see it. Or maybe we know it’s broken but have quit expecting anything better. Either way, Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, is all about God invading our lives to show us again what life could and should be. It’s all about God upsizing our lives to King Size.
Jesus’ keys to King Size Life:
Mark 12 (the 1st story Jesus tells) A story about a loving landowner who has to go away so he sets all the people on his land up to have a great life. Instead, through a series of bad choices, the people end up destroyed. In this foundational story, Jesus gives us some keys to living the Blessed Life.
- Vs. 1: The Landowner sets everyone up to win, providing everything they need to succeed. Note he also provided a watch tower—indicating that great life must be guarded, King Size life is the target of thieves (John 10:10)
- Vs. 2-9: “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’” Don’t take ownership, be a steward. Treat everything, every part of life, as if it belongs to the Lord, because it does. Taking ownership turns us into greedy hoarders who begin to believe there is not enough so we have to become selfish to protect our interests. Being a steward keeps us living generously, recklessly loving others and being loved.
- Vs. 10-17: (religious leaders seek to trap Jesus) “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.” Always understand King Size Life is ours solely because of Jesus, not because of our performance—our ability to keep the rules. It’s not about keeping a bunch of rules and regulations so we can be ‘good enough’ to have the King Size life—it is about having a relationship with the King, the giver of King Size life. Can’t have King Size life without a King Size King—the King of Kings!
- Vs. 18-24: “Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” We need to know the King Size promises given in God’s Word. We need to make them ours, not just see them as some vague sacred writings that are impersonal and untouchable. The Bible is a love letter written to each of us by the King. Believing God can King Size your life begins with knowing His Word for yourself. The more it becomes part of you, the more you know and see the King’s power at work in your life.
- Vs. 25-27 “So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.” Don’t buy into the lie that God is distant, detached or untouchable. Those living King Size life know He is with them, that He is actively involved in their lives and are listening for His whispers in their ears. God’s not dead, and He is not sitting idly by just hoping things work out for us. He is as close as you want Him to be. We each have as much of Jesus in our lives as we want. Living King Size life means we can’t get enough of Him and invite Him into every aspect of our life. No matter if your life is great or if your life stinks, no matter if you have wasted your life and know it, or think you have done well and take responsibility for it, no matter if you are living for God every day, the story of Easter—the very real historical facts of those events 2000 years ago—are proof God wants us to have the King Size life Jesus died to give us. Don’t settle for the trial size, the miniature version of life. Get the King Size version—enough life for you and enough life to share with others.
Check out Jamye’s story of trading up, upsizing her life to King Size.
Decision Point:
This is not a hoax, not some religious junk—Jesus is not a way, a truth, a life—He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. He came to give that life to us, not some counterfeit version of life—real life, rich and satisfying life.
Peter: Crucified upside down. Andrew crucified. James beheaded. John exiled. Matthew speared to death. Nathanel beaten and crucified. Philip crucified. Thomas speared to death. Simon crucified. James stoned to death. Thaddeus stoned to death.
No hoax—facts. History. Men who knew Jesus was THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. Men who would not settle for anything less. Men who told us in the words they left us that King Size life is available to everyone through Jesus Christ and it is the only life worth living for because it is the only life worth dying for.
Mark 11:22 Message “Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.”
King Size Life
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 24, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
King Size Life
1 Timothy 6:19 “By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
Ephesians 5:14 “Therefore He says: “ Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Big Idea: Are we living the rich and satisfying life Jesus paid the price for us to have or are we living below our potential? Even if our life is sweet, is it Big Life, King Size Life, or is it the miniature, sample size?
Jesus came to fix our broken lives. Do we recognize true life? Have we settled for less? Does the life we live look like the one He died to give us? He rose from the dead—have we? Let’s arise with Jesus this Easter to a higher level of life. We might even think our life is the best it can be, that it’s pretty good and couldn’t get any better. Or maybe we have grown accustomed to life below God’s standards and, without even realizing it, we have accepted lower standards. Have we bought into the old saying, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Maybe it is broken and we just don’t see it. Or maybe we know it’s broken but have quit expecting anything better. Either way, Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, is all about God invading our lives to show us again what life could and should be. It’s all about God upsizing our lives to King Size.
Jesus’ keys to King Size Life:
Mark 12 (the 1st story Jesus tells) A story about a loving landowner who has to go away so he sets all the people on his land up to have a great life. Instead, through a series of bad choices, the people end up destroyed. In this foundational story, Jesus gives us some keys to living the Blessed Life.
- Vs. 1: The Landowner sets everyone up to win, providing everything they need to succeed. Note he also provided a watch tower—indicating that great life must be guarded, King Size life is the target of thieves (John 10:10)
- Vs. 2-9: “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’” Don’t take ownership, be a steward. Treat everything, every part of life, as if it belongs to the Lord, because it does. Taking ownership turns us into greedy hoarders who begin to believe there is not enough so we have to become selfish to protect our interests. Being a steward keeps us living generously, recklessly loving others and being loved.
- Vs. 10-17: (religious leaders seek to trap Jesus) “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.” Always understand King Size Life is ours solely because of Jesus, not because of our performance—our ability to keep the rules. It’s not about keeping a bunch of rules and regulations so we can be ‘good enough’ to have the King Size life—it is about having a relationship with the King, the giver of King Size life. Can’t have King Size life without a King Size King—the King of Kings!
- Vs. 18-24: “Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” We need to know the King Size promises given in God’s Word. We need to make them ours, not just see them as some vague sacred writings that are impersonal and untouchable. The Bible is a love letter written to each of us by the King. Believing God can King Size your life begins with knowing His Word for yourself. The more it becomes part of you, the more you know and see the King’s power at work in your life.
- Vs. 25-27 “So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.” Don’t buy into the lie that God is distant, detached or untouchable. Those living King Size life know He is with them, that He is actively involved in their lives and are listening for His whispers in their ears. God’s not dead, and He is not sitting idly by just hoping things work out for us. He is as close as you want Him to be. We each have as much of Jesus in our lives as we want. Living King Size life means we can’t get enough of Him and invite Him into every aspect of our life. No matter if your life is great or if your life stinks, no matter if you have wasted your life and know it, or think you have done well and take responsibility for it, no matter if you are living for God every day, the story of Easter—the very real historical facts of those events 2000 years ago—are proof God wants us to have the King Size life Jesus died to give us. Don’t settle for the trial size, the miniature version of life. Get the King Size version—enough life for you and enough life to share with others.
Check out Jamye’s story of trading up, upsizing her life to King Size.
Decision Point:
This is not a hoax, not some religious junk—Jesus is not a way, a truth, a life—He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. He came to give that life to us, not some counterfeit version of life—real life, rich and satisfying life.
Peter: Crucified upside down. Andrew crucified. James beheaded. John exiled. Matthew speared to death. Nathanel beaten and crucified. Philip crucified. Thomas speared to death. Simon crucified. James stoned to death. Thaddeus stoned to death.
No hoax—facts. History. Men who knew Jesus was THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. Men who would not settle for anything less. Men who told us in the words they left us that King Size life is available to everyone through Jesus Christ and it is the only life worth living for because it is the only life worth dying for.
Mark 11:22 Message “Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.”
04/20/11 - Core Fitness 2 - Impotence - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues series 2 of "Core Fitness", addressing "speed bumps and overcoming obstacles" with Part 7, "Impotence" in this Wednesday evening service.
Core Fitness 2 PT7
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Core Fitness 2 PT7
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
04/17/11 - The Chain of Grace - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "The Chain of Grace" in this Sunday service.
The Chain of Grace
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 17, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Chain of Grace (Marie Sims coming across the street to invite us to church)
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
Genesis 11:27-32 “ 27 This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. 28 But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. 31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.”
12 tribes, 12 disciples—the circle of 12—sociologists believe if you find 12 people functioning healthily in relationships, then those 12 people are connected to anyone in the world within 6 degrees of separation. A ‘friend of a friend’. That’s all it takes to reach the world—12 people without relationship wounds. But enter relational dysfunction into the equation and the number required becomes much larger since our “circle of influence”, our chain of grace, has been shortened by the dysfunction.
The Chain of Grace:
- Blessed to be a blessing (Abraham—which would have been Terah’s blessing) Is our chain of grace just there for us? Are we focusing all our grace on us and our needs (grace takers) or do we become others-focused and give grace away (grace givers). I am waiting “til I get my act together to be a grace-giver”. See the example of Paul—yesterday I was hunting Christians down and today and I am lifting them up. Paul called himself the chief of all sinners, yet he considered himself equal to any apostle. It wasn’t his life credentials that qualified him, it was his grace credentials! 1 Timothy 1:15-19 Message “Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.”
- What’s the weak link in our chain of grace? Where is the breakdown when the whole world needs grace? Our relational wounds, like Terah’s, shrink our chain, our circle of influence. We define who is safe and limit our chain to those. Studies show that most Christians become ineffective in spreading the Gospel after about 1 ½ years because they have invited everyone they know to church. A short chain—instead of continually adding links to our chain, we have a ‘weak link’ that keeps our chain shortened. We extend the chain, move outside our comfort zone, live dangerously and it looks like our chain is lengthened. Then a trigger event hits our relational dysfunction, our relational wound, and our chain snaps, leaving those we were designed and assigned to reach (Ephesians 2:10) without the grace we have to give. We can’t get them “out of the ditch” because of the weak link in our chain. Sometimes it is a stranger, sometimes an acquaintance, sometimes a family member, sometimes our own children, sometimes our spouses.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
The blood of Christ will turn your weak link into your link to the world you are called to change. Jesus will take the thing satan has used to keep you from seeing your destiny, the weakness he has exploited to shrink your chain-the weak link you would rather not talk about—and turn it into a “bragging place”—look what the Lord has done. If He would do it for me, I know He will do it for you! Only the blood, trusting in His power, will do that. No psychological fix, no hocus-pocus, just a simple act of faith—believing in the power of His blood for you personally—not just to wash away sin, but to remove the side-effects of it. Our Chain of Grace, those people who need us or will need us, depends on His power.
The Chain of Grace
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 17, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Sermon Notes:
The Chain of Grace (Marie Sims coming across the street to invite us to church)
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
Genesis 11:27-32 “ 27 This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. 28 But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. 31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.”
12 tribes, 12 disciples—the circle of 12—sociologists believe if you find 12 people functioning healthily in relationships, then those 12 people are connected to anyone in the world within 6 degrees of separation. A ‘friend of a friend’. That’s all it takes to reach the world—12 people without relationship wounds. But enter relational dysfunction into the equation and the number required becomes much larger since our “circle of influence”, our chain of grace, has been shortened by the dysfunction.
The Chain of Grace:
- Blessed to be a blessing (Abraham—which would have been Terah’s blessing) Is our chain of grace just there for us? Are we focusing all our grace on us and our needs (grace takers) or do we become others-focused and give grace away (grace givers). I am waiting “til I get my act together to be a grace-giver”. See the example of Paul—yesterday I was hunting Christians down and today and I am lifting them up. Paul called himself the chief of all sinners, yet he considered himself equal to any apostle. It wasn’t his life credentials that qualified him, it was his grace credentials! 1 Timothy 1:15-19 Message “Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.”
- What’s the weak link in our chain of grace? Where is the breakdown when the whole world needs grace? Our relational wounds, like Terah’s, shrink our chain, our circle of influence. We define who is safe and limit our chain to those. Studies show that most Christians become ineffective in spreading the Gospel after about 1 ½ years because they have invited everyone they know to church. A short chain—instead of continually adding links to our chain, we have a ‘weak link’ that keeps our chain shortened. We extend the chain, move outside our comfort zone, live dangerously and it looks like our chain is lengthened. Then a trigger event hits our relational dysfunction, our relational wound, and our chain snaps, leaving those we were designed and assigned to reach (Ephesians 2:10) without the grace we have to give. We can’t get them “out of the ditch” because of the weak link in our chain. Sometimes it is a stranger, sometimes an acquaintance, sometimes a family member, sometimes our own children, sometimes our spouses.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
The blood of Christ will turn your weak link into your link to the world you are called to change. Jesus will take the thing satan has used to keep you from seeing your destiny, the weakness he has exploited to shrink your chain-the weak link you would rather not talk about—and turn it into a “bragging place”—look what the Lord has done. If He would do it for me, I know He will do it for you! Only the blood, trusting in His power, will do that. No psychological fix, no hocus-pocus, just a simple act of faith—believing in the power of His blood for you personally—not just to wash away sin, but to remove the side-effects of it. Our Chain of Grace, those people who need us or will need us, depends on His power.
04/13/11 - Core Fitness 2 - Insecurity - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues series 2 of "Core Fitness", addressing "speed bumps and overcoming obstacles" with Part 6, "Insecurity" in this Wednesday evening service.
Core Fitness 2 PT6
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
Core Fitness 2 PT6
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
www.mylifegatechurch.com
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