Please turn to Acts 2 Think of something you're dealing with right now. A situation. A relationship. Something ur believing for, a win. You need a win. Something you need God to move on. Hold that in your mind or jot it down. The purpose of this teaching is to learn how we can win together. And we are going to start here in the book of Acts to see a great example of believers in the first-century Church Acts 2:42-47: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. They helped each other live the Word. They took care of each other. They grew stronger as a household. And look at what it produced: wonders and signs happened, and the Lord added to the church daily. A pattern was set for us believers today. On the day of Pentecost, about 3,000 people were added to the church. That’s a lot of people. They could have all just gone back to living their lives as before. But they did more than that. From house to house, they continued together in the Word, in fellowship, in breaking of bread (they eat meals together), and in prayers. This is a great example of how we can win together. What does this look like for us today? What can we do to win together? Keep and abundance of God’s Word in our hearts by having a mindset in Psalms 119:16 Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statues: I will not forget thy word. We delight in God’s word and learn it and that will give us what we need to overcome any situation and we’ll have the word to give to others to help them. Keeping an abundance of God’s Word in our heart is how we win together. We can teach and help each other live the word Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another... Amp: Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. As we live the word together like the believers in Acts, we teach and admonish (or help) one another. Teaching and helping each other live the Word is how we win together. We can comfort and edify each other 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. We comfort, edify ( build up) one another. Recently, I got some bad news. I came home devastated and crying. It was my family, believers around me, who spoke the Word to me about that situation. They encouraged me with the Word (I was so upset I couldn’t even think the word. They had to speak the word to me and help me and encourage me and help me get back on track). I listened to the word they gave me, I changed my mind, we believed together and I got the victory. I saw the deliverance. Comforting and edifying one another is how we win together. We believe together and rejoice together 1 Corinthians 12:26: And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. You can see this on our fridge. “The fridge of believing”. Some people put their need (believing for) on the fridge. We all believe together with that person, and we can see the victory come to pass (happen) on the freezer side. That’s how we win together. Together as believers, we can put our hearts into developing this unity so we can win together. Believing and rejoicing is how we win together. We help each other live the Word by reaching out to each other. We spend time and hang out together; we are willing to learn from each other; we believe the Word about and with each other. Two people in our fellowship were taking about some challenges they were having (anxiety and fear of the future). Another believer was listening closely. Later that day the believer who was listening texted each person a podcast about their specific situation. The one person who received the podcast told me it changed her life. You see God put us in the household so we can win together. 1 Corinthians 12:18: But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. God set us in this household, on purpose as it hath pleased Him. That's how we win together. This is God’s design. We are not an island doing life alone. This week, I encourage you 1. if you have a situation where you need God’s help - know that there is strength and victory in the household of believers. Fellowships are small so people get their needs met. We endeavor to live like the believers in Acts: continue in the Word together, spend time together, have meals together and pray together. So that we can win together. 2. Reach out to each other and listen for open doors to share the word that you know that would bless someone and/or believe and pray with someone for their victory. We are a team placed together by God to win together. "God bless you. You are the best."

The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) and David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) Today we're looking at two people who believed in God… in two completely different situations, in two completely different ways — and what we want to do is… read about those two ways of believing in God. And they're both legit. Please turn to Mathew 8. Here’s the two scenarios. We've got a Roman centurion who believes quietly, from a distance. Then we've got a teenage shepherd who believes and runs headfirst toward a giant. Both ways of believing… get the same result, which is: God backs up what you believe for. If I believe in something, the Word, God's Word, which is his will, it says that He will do what he promises in his word. It's a contractual obligation he has written down for us to read. We believe. He delivers. We receive. In the next several minutes, I want you to see that believing action doesn't have to be… in just one standard way. Part One: Only Speaking the Word Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him. Jesus is in Capernaum — that's a fishing town up on the Sea of Galilee, and it's basically become his home base during his ministry. Now, into that scene walks a centurion. A centurion was a Roman army officer — he commands a hundred soldiers. Centurians were the backbone of the Roman military — battle-tested, respected, they were used to being obeyed… the instant they gave an order. Here's what makes this moment interesting. This centurion isn't Jewish. He's a Gentile, and on top of that, he's part of the very empire occupying Israel at the time. Jewish teachers, rabbis like Jesus, usually wouldn't even go inside a Gentile's house. So there's real social distancing policy going on here, real tension, before either of them says a single word. And yet this Roman officer… comes himself, personally, and humbles himself in front of a Jewish teacher. That's the scene. Verse 6 And saying, Lord (which just means “sir”. This is before Romans 10:9-10), my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. This is a real need… with details. His servant — someone under his care, not even family… is in serious pain. Verse 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Jesus says “yes” immediately. Verse 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Here's where this whole story turns. Jesus offers to come in person (“I will come and heal him. (v7)”), and the centurion says — no. Don't. This soldier knows that Jesus doesn’t have to be physically close to his servant, standing right next to him in the same room, for the healing to happen. Distance wasn't a factor. He's saying, don't even bother coming near, your word alone covers the distance. "Speak the word only." (v8). Verse 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. He is explaining his understanding of how things work. He lives inside a chain of command — he says jump, everyone jumps. If that's true of him, he assumes it must be true for Jesus. Verse 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed him, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. This is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus says he’s "marvelled" at someone's believing. This guy is not one of his disciples. He’s not a follower. Not an elder. Not a rabbi. This centurion is just a man… who understood one thing clearly. Verse 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Here’s instant healing. No physical presence of Jesus… or a healer… was required. Just the word, and the word believed. Believed by the centurion, in his own way, “as thou hast believed.” What Believing Action Actually Looks Like Believing isn't just something that happens quietly in our heads — it shows up in steps. The centurion took two steps: (1) he went (Matthew 8:5: “there came unto him a centurion”). And (2) he made a specific request (Matthew 8:8: “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed”). Both (action and the request) came out of something… already in his mind… before he ever opened his mouth. And that was.. believing. Romans 10:17 So then faith (believing) cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Believing comes from hearing the Word. You hear the word - spoken to you or taught to you, or shared with you. And you decide to believe it. There's a real, practical thing to this, and it's not complicated. We can feed our minds with spiritual truths. We can get nourished on the Word regularly, with a teachable heart (1 Timothy 4:16; James 1:21). There’s two ways to eat: by your stomach and by your mind. Make sure it is really good food you’re eating. Keep your thoughts arranged according to the Word, in alignment and harmony with the spiritual truths in the word, NOT according to the world or whatever's happening around you (Matthew 9:22; John 16:33). Fear not (Joshua 1:9; Mark 5:36; Romans 8:15). Pray with confidence. And expecting an answer. Not just hope for one. Believing equals receiving. It’s a universal law. (Mark 11:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 John 5:14-15). Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. "Supplication" there just means a specific petition, a real ask — not a vague, general hope, but an actual, real request. 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Put those two verses together and you've got the key - the key… to life: (1) let your request be made known — and then (2) have the confidence that it is already yours - know that we have the petitions that we desired. It’s the same thing the centurion did — one specific request, fully expected to be answered. Part Two: He Ran Toward the Challenge Now let's look quickly at a completely different method of believing. Turn to 1 Samuel 17. David's a young shepherd, just delivering food to his brothers at a battle, when he hears Goliath mocking the armies of God. Everyone else in Israel's army has been listening to this Goliath taunt them for forty days, and they’re scared frozen. David isn't. He's mad, and he volunteers to go fight. 1 Samuel 17:33-34, 36-37 (33) And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. (34) And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: (36) Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear... (37) David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. Look at what David actually does here before the fight even starts. He refers back to two times God already delivered him — the lion, the bear — and this builds his confidence. Remembering what God has already done for you… is fuel… for believing… believing God… for what's in front of you right now. 1 Samuel 17:45, 48-50 (45) Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (48) And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (49) And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead... (50) So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. David didn't wait for Goliath to close the distance. He ran toward him. No hesitation, not giving doubt… any chance to catch up with him. That's believing action, full speed, in public, with everyone watching. Two Different Shapes, One Source The centurion believed quietly, privately, from a distance, with a single sentence — "speak the word only." David believed loudly, physically, running straight at the danger with a sling in his hand. Two completely different ways of believing. Which one is wrong? Neither. Both got the same result: God backing them up and delivering exactly what they believed for. The lesson is: Don't measure your own believing (nor the fruit or the manifestation of your believing) against anyone else's. 1 Corinthians 12:11 "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as she will." Some of us are wired like the centurion — quiet, reasoned, confident without needing to make a scene. Some of us are wired like David — you need to move, to act, to run at the thing. Neither one is more spiritual than the other. Neither one is more advanced than the other. Frequency, fluency, and boldness was not a requirement by Jesus to receive the impact of God’s power. For us today, the evidences of the holy spirit in the spirit-filled believer in the senses world are according to each person’s believing... our believing, makes possible the reality of our receiving into manifestation. What both of them share (the centurion and the shepherd boy) was confidence… confident believing… that showed up as… action… right when it mattered most. We do your part, taking believing action on the Word you know, and then we rely on God to do His part. You do your best. Then God does the rest. Do the Word This week, pick one specific thing you're believing God for. Settle it in your mind, state it plainly and confidently, and let it be done according to how you believe. Whatever way you believe — do it. Then let God do the rest. You're the best.

Imagine this scenario. I’m driving to fellowship. Wade Ave. Someone, out of nowhere, cuts in front of me... I swerve, and I smash into a telephone pole. Nobody's hurt, but my truck is totaled. Many people (not everyone)... might do one of two things. Either they get totally upset at the other driver and walk into fellowship pissed off... OR they think, "Why would God do this to me?" Neither one is the right decision. In that situation, the best thing to do is to understand what's actually happening. In life, there’s good stuff. And there's bad stuff. Good things happen... and we barely take notice. Bad things happen and we freak out and blame people. The difference… between knowing the good vs. bad… is spiritual knowledge. We, as born-again believers, should know what's actually going on in life situations. What's good and why. What's bad and what’s behind it. That's what I'd like to talk about in the next few minutes. Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5. Give Thanks for the Good We ought to give thanks to God for the good in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Be thankful "in everything." And that's God's will for us. In everything. Now watch how thankfulness (in everything) connects to peace. Turn to Philippians 4. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "Careful" there just means anxious. Don't be anxious about anything... but in everything... prayer and supplication (real asking with a need) plus thanksgiving. Pray - talk to God. And peace will guard our hearts and minds. So, we have: in everything, prayer, thankfulness, hearts and minds, and peace. Paul connects these same dots, again, in Colossians. Turn to Colossians 3. Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. We can let peace rule in our hearts and minds. Let the Word live in us richly. And whatever we say or do, in everything, we give thanks. We can notice the good stuff in life… that God has given us, and be thankful. Know Who's Doing the Bad Now, life isn't just… good stuff to be thankful for. Jesus told us, a long time ago, exactly what to expect in life. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus says, "Life has challenges." Tribulation. Telephone poles. We were told way ahead of time — problems ARE a part of life in this world. BUT… it's NOT a sign… something's wrong with you or God doesn’t love you. So, what is it then? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus is saying here… there's a thief. And it wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Who's he talking about? God? No — that's what religion teaches. What does the Word say? If God does all good things AND bad things, then what's a Devil to do? The Word says: Jesus came to give life, more abundant life. The Devil, Satan, our adversary, is a thief. Roaming around. Trying to steal from you. Kill what’s living. Destroy everything good. Two totally different things. God. Devil. Good. Bad. Giver. Thief. Light. Darkness. Steelers. Ravens. Turn to Romans 8. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. This verse does NOT say God causes everything - good and bad. Read the verse. It says God works everything together for good. God didn't put bad stuff in my life. He's the one… putting everything back together… working for good in my life. That’s what it says. If I’m driving to fellowship, and someone cuts me off, and forces me into the ditch... Thank God nobody got hurt. Acknowledge — that wasn't God. That was the enemy throwing static at me, trying to rattle me. ONCE I KNOW… who's actually behind the bad stuff, things get really clear. I got taught how to actually read the Bible for what it says. And I learned something that changed everything for me. And here it is: Bad stuff is NOT from God. God is the Source of good. God does not use hardships or difficulties to tempt, test, or try me. When I understood what the Word actually said, I realized — God is always good. He's the Source of all good, and His intent… toward us… is always good. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he [God] any man. The verse says: God can't be tempted with evil, and He tempts no man. Read it again. Does God tempt people sometimes to build character? Nope. Let no man say that he’s tempted by God. That’s what the Word says. How subtle… how cunning… the adversary is… when he can get people… to actually be thankful for… and assign blame to… God… for terrible things that happen in their lives! What a trick from the adversary! 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. God is light, and God is good always. There’s no darkness in God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. There are challenges in life. There shall be tribulations. God knows that. The verse says… my situation isn't new to God (“it’s is common to man”). And he is faithful… to not only… limit or cap the problem (to what I am able to handle), but he’ll also provide a way out. I will not suffer. Example, I run my truck in a ditch, I can handle this, and I know a way out, this is a common thing, I’m not suffering, God is faithful and with me in every situation. I can do all things. I have no fear. I have power, love, and a sound mind. In everything, what I say and do, prayer, thankfulness, guard my heart and mind, I am able, there’s a solution, I will not suffer, God is faithful, I believe, I can do all things. That’s what runs… through our minds. Not Ignorant of His Devices So, I think we’ve established that God is NOT the source of the bad. But that doesn’t mean… we ignore the bad, or pretend it's not real. We're supposed to know what's actually going on. Turn to 2 Corinthians 2. 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. We’re not ignorant of Satan’s devices. His ways or his doings. Paul's saying — we know how he operates… so we don’t get taken advantage of. We know what's going on. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. A roaring lion. Walking about. That's what we're actually dealing with. And the power of death itself belongs to him. Hebrews 2:14 (KJV): Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. What To Do In Tribulation So the real question is NOT, “Why did this happen?" It is "what can I do about it?" And the answer starts… in our minds. Romans 16:19-20 I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil; and the God of peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly. Be wise about the good. Be harmless (simple, untangled) about evil. And the God of peace will crush your adversary under your feet. Right now. That's what the verse says. Know the good, know the bad, and know who ultimately wins. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. God’s good, acceptable, perfect will… What is it exactly? Go back to 1 Thessalonians 5. Paul already told us, plain as day. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks in everything. Also, we should study the Word. So that we can learn how to think. And live. Galatians 5:16, 22-23 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. That's fruit. It's what happens… naturally… when you're walking by the spirit, right in the middle of whatever you're going through. Fruit. And walking in the spirit means… using everything God's already given you. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. Word of knowledge and word of wisdom: You can see a situation… in the way God sees it. Discerning of spirits: You can know what you're really dealing with. Tongues, interpretation, and prophecy: You talk to God, and pray, build yourself spiritually, and speak beyond your own understanding. Faith, healing, and miracles: You impact the world powerfully in real moments. That verse is not just a list of information to remember. Those are your tools, in your tool box… for your life. And every born-again believer with holy spirit within has the ability to operate all of them - all 9 manifestations. So when tribulation shows up, you know who you are, what you’ve got, and how to use it. Summary In summary, believers should know what's actually going on. We give thanks for the good, because we know exactly where it came from. We know who's behind the bad. God does NOT tempt, test, or try anyone — that's not His nature, and it's not what the Word says. And when tribulation shows up, we already know what to do. We renew our mind to the Word. We have a life led by the spirit. And everything God's given us, we’re ready to use it. You’re the best. God bless you.

Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12:1. We're going to learn about spiritual stuff, spiritual things, spiritual matters. And I’m sure we’ve all experienced some kind of spiritual stuff in our lives. Signs, miracles and wonders. Maybe we knew something incredible and special was happening in a certain situation in life, but we didn’t know why or what to call it. Like… I believe miracles do happen. But some people may think that it’s really just coincidence, or good instincts, or good luck. Some people think that some incredible ideas… just come out of nowhere. But God can show us things that we can’t figure out on our own. Like a little flashlight, God can shine on something going on in my life. God can also show me a tiny peek of something that's going to happen. These moments where miraculous and wondrous things happen… they take place for a reason… and it’s all explained… in a letter, written a couple thousand years ago, and we’re going to read part of that letter… right now. We’re in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Let’s start with verse 1. 1 Cor 12:1 - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. "Gifts" is italicized in your Bible, which means the translators added it — it's not in the original Greek. So you can actually scratch that word out. What's really there is just the word "spiritual". But it’s the Greek word pneuma-tikos, which means spiritual matters. “Now concerning spiritual matters, brothers and sisters…” Paul is going to teach us about… everything that comes from spirit. And he’s saying, "I want you to know this." Don’t be uninformed. Because we can only go… as far as we've been taught. And I was taught… this stuff… in 1 Cor 12, a while back. I learned that spiritual things, spiritual matters, are real and available. Ya see… knowing that something exists, knowing who I am and what I have are important, BUT what’s really interesting is… what I can do with it. Knowing gets me past verse 1. But experiencing spiritual matters, that takes one more step. Verse 2: Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. People in Corinth who Paul is writing to… were led toward things like statues made of wood and stone. So, whatever we learn, or not learn, about life, shapes how we live. You only go… as far as you know. Verse 3: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Back then, some of the Corinthians were thinking that speaking in tongues might actually be cursing Jesus. BUT… speaking by the spirit — of God, from God — isn't going to curse… the very thing it's confirming. Paul says in the 2nd half of verse 3 that nobody can say "Jesus is Lord" except by holy spirit. That connects to Romans 10:9-10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. If you've ever confessed that and meant it, that's the moment you were born again. And that’s a.. spiritual matter… that is real and actually happens. Verses 4-6: (4) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. There's a Greek word that shows up three times in these three verses — diai-resis — means distributions, or distinctive varieties, or different types. Same word, three different categories of gifts. Verse 4: “there are diversities of gifts.” There are different types of GIFTS of God. These here are VERTICAL gifts. From God to a person. Vertically. Like the gift of holy spirit, which includes eternal life and the ability to operate all nine manifestations. And there are gifts. From God. Also to the church body. These are the ministries listed in Ephesians 4 for building and maintaining the body of Christ: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Verse 5: And there are differences of administrations. These are GIFTS given HORIZONTALLY. Ministries whose service benefits others. This is the horizontal direction — how we serve each other. Like Alicia taught recently about Jesus serving the people around him. Verse 6: There are diversities of operations. These are the effects produced, the workings. This is God doing the energizing. The operations. And every single verse… ends the same way. Same Spirit. Same Lord. Same God. There’s one giver. Many different expressions. But it is the same God… who works all of the gifts… in all of us believers. So the main point so far is that… there’s a variety of what God gives, what God makes available, and what God energizes. But there’s one giver. And he gives what he is - holy spirit. Verse 7: But (now, at this verse, we shift from gifts to… manifestations) the manifestation of the Spirit (or the evidence or result of the gift of holy spirit that’s operated within the born again believer) is given to every man to profit withal. Notice the word "manifestation" is singular, not plural. It's one gift — holy spirit — with nine different manifestations. "Given to every man" in verse 7 says that… no one is specially favored by God above another — every born-again believer gets this gift, without exception. Cool stuff, right? We learned about the vertical gifts of God, from God to us. Now we’re learning about… holy spirit with the nine manifestations. The word says to “Prove all things.” God actually invites us to test all of this manifestation stuff. Test it. And see if it works. So, I’m building a software company. There have been moments where I don’t know what heck I’m doing. So, what do I do? I make decisions based on what verse 7 says. And it works. Verse 7 says the manifestation of the Spirit (or the evidence of the gift of holy spirit) is given to me to profit from it. To benefit from it. So, real good ideas… that hit me… at the right moment. Profit. Real answers that show up… just at the right time. Profit. And I get to test whether or not the manifestation of holy spirit works or not. And it does. Let’s see what those nine manifestations are. Verses 8 through 10. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. Nine manifestations, listed together in one place — the only spot in the Word where that happens. So when something spiritual… happens to you, it's not random — it could be a particular manifestation… doing exactly what it's built to do. I want to walk through a few examples, because I think some of you are sitting here right now going, "wait... what?” Have you ever had a friend who told you that everything was fine, and something in you just knew it wasn't? That feeling that "something's off.” That's not intuition. That can be (verse 10) discerning of spirits, doing its job. Ever been stuck on something — a problem, a decision, a paper due in six hours — and an idea just comes to you… that you know… you didn't come up with… on your own? That's word of wisdom or word of knowledge. Ever sit with a friend who was… just falling apart, and you said something — something you didn't even plan to say — but it actually changed them, actually helped them believe something in their heart? That could be faith working. That's the holy spirit… inside you… being evidenced toward (or serving) somebody else. Most people walk through moments like that and just shrug it off — good instincts, lucky timing, coincidence, just being a good friend. And maybe it partly was. But I think for a lot of us, it was also this stuff - spiritual matters. In Acts 3, Peter spoke to a guy who is crippled, and he said, “I don’t have any money to give you, but in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk.” And so, revelation, healing, and a miracle was… manifested… right there, and the man was healed. It is the manifestation of the spirit, given to every person, doing its own particular job. And maybe at those moments, we don’t identify it as such. Well, that’s ignorance that Paul was talking about in verse 1. But now, we’re no longer… uninformed. Right? Verse 11 (last verse): But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally (idios) as he will. That word "severally" is the Greek word idios — meaning "one's own." God distributes to every believer his or her own — personal, individual, tailored. And then in the verse, it says "as he will." God already gave it. It's up to us — as a real choice — to actually operate it. Every spirit-filled believer has the capacity to operate all nine of these manifestations. But that doesn't mean everyone operates all nine equally, or even as much… or as often… as everyone else. Alicia is great at believing… that's just where her believing might be the strongest… right now. That’s just fine. Sometimes… it's simply that you haven't learned enough yet… to do a particular manifestation. That’s fine too. That's just you, growing into and living the Word. The capacity is there in every one of us. What varies is how much we… lean into it, and test it out, in real life situations. Think of a Ferrari. The holy spirit is like a high-performance luxury car. If you want to to keep that thing parked… in neutral. It’s okay - no condemnation. But… if you want to put it in first gear… then try 2nd gear… then 3rd… and on and on. You can profit (yourself and others) by putting that thing in gear… into operation. The manifestation of the spirit is given… to every person… for profit. Given now, for right now, and given… ultimately for everything down the road in your life… too. All nine manifestations of holy spirit… in a believer… are produced and energized… by the one Spirit… and distributed to every believer… their very own. And the effects produced… are as the person wills. This is a believer’s prerogative. As she will. Think of holy spirit like a phone — God gives every believer the same type of phone, and there are 9 apps on it, and all nine apps come pre-installed, fully unlocked, no extra cost. But apps don't open themselves. You have to be the one to tap them. God did the installing. You do the tapping. God doesn't want us ignorant of spiritual matters. God wants us to know who we are, what we have, and what we can do with it. Profit your own life, and serve the people around you. So this week, go take a ride in your Ferrari.

Please turn to John 13 John 13 is the record of the Last Supper. The last supper Jesus had with his disciples before he’s arrested. John 13:4 -5 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Jesus got up from supper and reached for a towel. This towel was a piece of cloth worn by servants, and he tied it to his waist. Tying it to his waist showed the lowliness of the action he was about to do. He poured water into a basin, and then God’s only begotten Son started to wash his disciples' feet. After he finished, he sat down and in, verse 12 he says “Know ye what I have done to you?” and then The Lord Jesus Christ goes on here in this chapter with one of his greatest teachings on serving. John 13:13-16 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. In the East the lowliest bond servant was responsible for washing the feet of his master’s family and of guests when they arrived at the house. When Jesus did this humble task, he set an example of love, service, and humility for his disciples to follow. This act of service showed his disciples the love of God that they were to have in their lives. Jesus was teaching his disciples a principle. The principle was: in your heart, be like a bond servant. A bond servant was trusted and dedicated. He could have gone free, but he stayed, because he loved his master. That's the heart Jesus was teaching here. Same for us when we serve each other. Not because we have to. Because we're bound by love. Jesus Christ didn’t just tell his disciples to serve, he showed the heart of loving service. Jesus Christ was teaching them that they should be willing to do the lowliest task in order to bless each other. Later in this chapter, Jesus gives his followers a new commandment. John 13:34,35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jesus showed them how to serve one another with love and humility by washing their feet. Here, Jesus Christ was encouraging his disciples to love one another in their service with the same spiritual love that he had loved them. What does this look like for us today? In the Grace Administration that we live in today, we are also encouraged to serve one another in love. The church epistles Romans - Theselonians are written to us. The rest of the bible is for our learning. So we learned from the record about Jesus in John (that’s for our learning) Then we see it here in Galatians - written to us, and we know this is something God wants us to do. Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Here we read that by love we serve one another. Galatians 6:9,10:And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. This is how we serve one another in love. As we have opportunity, we do good unto all men, especially those who are in the household (that’s believers). There is no limit when it comes to applying these verses in our walk. One way to serve one another in love is to believe together. Ephesians 2:19 says the household is a family. In our fellowship, if you have a need, we put it on the fridge and pray until that victory comes to pass, and then we move it over to the victory side of the freezer. How many opportunities are there in a day to do good unto all men, especially to like-minded believers in fellowship? Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. "Look" in verse 4 is skopeō (skop-EH-oh). It is where we get the word scope. Telescope. Microscope. It does not mean glance. It means to fix your eye on something, to aim your attention, to watch for it on purpose. For Benjamin and me, we are always looking for ways to bless and serve each other in love. We can’t out give each other. This goes for our family and the household too. What can I do to help? What would bless him/her? How can I give? It's an attitude, a heart of loving service. We look for opportunities to do good—to freely serve one another out of love. Amp Bible: Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Not only our own interests, but also the interests of others. (We look after ourselves -yes, we don’t neglect ourselves. But also we look at others) As we live this way, it will spill over into other areas of our life. Work, friends, family, school, roommates. People will see the love of God in our loving service. What does this look like? We can speak kind words that build people up; smile at someone; we can give of our talents and abilities; or do the lowliest of tasks; we can help and support each other. One person in our fellowship was talking about his computer being broken. Another guy heard the conversation and said I can help you with that. What do you have to give and bless? It’s a joy to look for opportunities to do good unto others. Jesus Christ was the epitome of serving in love, and he taught his disciples how to serve in love. Today, we are the ones to extend loving service to people around us. In all our dealings with people, we can manifest the love of God in any situation by looking for opportunities to serve and give. We all have something to offer and contribute. So this week I encourage you to reach out in loving service and love someone with the love of God. God bless you, you are the best.

A while back, we studied Romans 8:37, where we are more than conquerors. Super conquerors. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Today’s question is: How does that power to be a conqueror actually work in normal life? How do we make our lives better with power? How do we actually apply what we know about spirit and power… and make things better? That's a fair question. And we’re going to answer it right now. Please turn to Ephesians 1. Because here's what Alicia and I have noticed. A lot of people believe spiritual power is real. But they’re just not sure what to do about it. So today we're going to look at five different Greek words in our King James Bible that translate into “power.” Five words: Dunamis. Energeia (en-erg'-i-ah). Kratos. Energeo (en-erg-eh'-o), and Exousia. But they don’t mean the same thing. They are five distinct links in one chain. Five things to do… one after another. And when we see the process of how to put spiritual power into action, we can stop waiting around for something to happen in our lives. Let's start with Ephesians 1:15. (15) Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. That's a mouthful. But look what's written in those last three verses of Ephesians 1:19, 20, and 21, Paul uses five words in sequence, linked together like a chain. "exceeding greatness of power" in v19 — that's dunamis, inherent miraculous power, potential power to perform miracles, Strong's G1411. "according to the working" in v19 — that's energeia (en-erg'-i-ah). Noun. It’s the active operation of superhuman powerful energy, G1753. "his mighty power" in v19 — "mighty" there is ischys (is-khoos'), G2479, great forcefulness. And "power" is a different word, kratos (krat'-os), G2479, strength. So that’s forceful strength or a great manifested force with an impact. "which he wrought in Christ" in v20 — "wrought" is energeo (en-erg-eh'-o), G1754, the verb form of energeia (en-erg'-i-ah), it’s to energize, to actively effectively operate our powerful energy. “principality and power” in v21 – “power” is exousia, G1849. Authority. The authority or right to use power. Authoritative power. Paul is not being repetitive here in Ephesians 1:19-21. He's describing a sequence (dunamis, energeia (en-erg'-i-ah), kratos, energeo (en-erg-eh'-o), exousia). And notice who it's for. To us-ward who believe (v19). Not to us… someday. To us-ward. Present tense. That's you and me. Now. I spent years in residential construction. And every house has an electric service panel. That gray metal box in the garage or the basement with all the breakers in it. The utility runs a line to a house, and that panel is live. It is sitting there… with two hundred amps of live capacity behind it, every second of every day, whether someone’s turning on the lights or not. So, let’s keep that electrical panel as an example in our minds. And dunamis is our first word. Dunamis is the inherent potential power. Ability. Capacity. It's where we get our English word "dynamic" and "dynamite.” Dunamis is the ability behind the electric panel. When we were born again, God gave us the gift of holy spirit. And it included that ability. Real spiritual ability. Potential power. Dunamis. Let’s look at Romans 15:13: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. "the power" — dunamis again, Strong's G1411. It’s that capacity that we abound by. And we live with joy and peace. In believing. Way back in Acts 1, power was promised to us. Jesus himself told his apostles in Acts 1:8 that they would receive power — dunamis — after the holy spirit came upon them. And then Pentecost came. And then Paul… writes to born-again believers, like us, and tells us what power means for our lives today. The Book of Acts shows us that power arrived. Romans through Thesallonians… tell us that power is available, as potential power, sitting there, waiting to be applied to our lives… right now. Dunamis is potential power. Which brings us to word #2: “working” in Eph 1:19. “According to the working of his mighty power.” That's energeia (en-erg'-i-ah). Noun. It’s the active operation of superhuman energy, G1753. That’s electric current moving through a wire. Potential power (volts) moving. And the verb form, energeo, (en-erg-eh'-o) means to energize, to effectively operate. So, in life, we can take action… to energize the working… the potential power… inside us… and get things moving and operating. How? Turn to Colossians 1:29. It says, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Paul labors. Paul strives. He fights like an athlete in a competition in life. That's his doing. And then in "according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." The word “working" is that noun, energeia (en-erg'-i-ah). "Worketh" is the verb, energeo (en-erg-eh'-o). "Mightily" is that word dunamis again. So just like Paul, we can act (labor and strive)... and God works… God energizes in us mightily. Not: God energizes, and then Paul feels like acting. We are to act, and God energizes. That order is the difference between a life of power and a life of waiting for power to come about. Paul acts... God energizes. Stop waiting to feel ready. God gave the capacity (dunamis). But I have free will… to act. If I act, God energizes. Which brings us to the third word: kratos. Power with an impact. Kratos, G2904, is manifested strength. Force that leaves a mark. Power you can see… and point to. Like fruit on an apple tree. So, we have potential power, we labor and strive, and God works and energizes inside us. To have an impact. Turn to Ephesians 6:10. It says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power (kratos) of his might (ischys, is-khoos').” "The power of his might" — that's kratos and ischys (is-khoos'), together. And look at the verse, we are to "be strong.” That’s written to us. Be strong, labor, strive, compete, take action. God energizes. Turn to Colossians 1:10-11. It says: (10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. (11) Strengthened with all might (dunamis), according to his glorious power (kratos), unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. And look what we receive when we walk and increase our knowledge of God. We are strengthened with patience, longsuffering, and joyfulness. That’s fruit of the spirit right there. And Galatians 5:22 and 23, says that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. People around us may never know the words dunamis or kratos. But they will absolutely notice the joyfulness in our hearts. And the gentleness in our words. And how peaceful and patient we are in times of trouble. They notice we're quick to learn from our own mistakes (meekness) and quick to forgive others for theirs (longsuffering). That combination is rare. Most folks do the opposite: hard on everybody else, easy on themselves. Or hard on themselves and hard on everybody else. But when you know you're already justified and sanctified by what Jesus Christ did, you don't have to defend yourself… you don’t have to suffer… when you make a mistake. You just learn and move on. And you can hand that same loving grace… right over to the next person, because it wasn't yours to begin with — you got it free. That's kratos in real life. So here's another good question. If patience and joy and gentleness are the fruit — how do I make it? How do I get more of it? Do I just try harder… to be patient… to get more patience? No. And here's why. I've never seen an apple tree… strain to make an apple. It doesn't grunt and work hard at making fruit. The apple is what shows up when the tree is alive and connected. If I sit here and try to make myself be patient, all I'm doing is grunting. That's not fruit. That’s fake. I have never once seen electricity. No one has. Nobody's seen a volt. What you see is the light on in the kitchen. Fruit is the light coming on. It's the evidence that something is actively working effectually. Turn to Philemon (Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon). Philemon verses 4-6 says, “(4) I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, (5) Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; (6) That the communication of thy faith (your believing) may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Effectual. That word “effectual” is energēs (en-er-gace'). Same root word with energeia (en-erg'-i-ah) noun and verb energeo (en-erg-eh'-o). May become “effectual”. Effectual is “power, energy.” Paul writes that our believing, “thy faith,” becomes power… energized by… what? acknowledging every good thing which is in you. Acknowledging what God already put there. Dunamis. Potential power. And the switch. To turn on the power. And make more fruit? We take action, as we already saw in Colossians 1:29. Paul labors, Paul strives, and competes, and God works in him (and us) mightily. And back in Colossians 1:10 which we already read. It says, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” The fruit shows up in the work. Not on the couch. Fruitful in every good work. I get patient in a situation that requires patience and doing a patient thing by… thankfully acknowledging… every good thing… that is… God in Christ in me. Cool, right? Back to Eph 1:21. Our last verse. It says in verse 21, “Far above all principality, and power… “power” in v21 – “power” is exousia, G1849. We have the authority or right to use power. Above all principality, and power, and might. So, am I allowed to use this spiritual miraculous power? Yes. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:8: “For though… I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.” So, "our authority" — that’s exousia. Has been given to us. It was NOT earned. I didn’t have to work for this gift of power to apply to my life. Some people believe that… they’re somewhere on a path of reincarnations, each working towards becoming a complete being with the ability to connect with God. Nope. You’re complete already. And you have authority. Given to you. To build you up. Strengthened with all might. And there’s no reason to be ashamed of that. Think about the electric panel again. You have the right to turn on any breaker in your electrical panel at any time, because you have the potential power and authority to use this glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. And that's who we are. The Word calls us children of God — and we have rights as sons and daughters of God. We are heirs, with a legal standing. Somebody might say, "Well, I don't feel like I have the ability or authority." Feelings come and go. The fact is… born again believers have been given a gift. The spirit of wisdom and knowledge, so that the eyes of our understanding are enlightened. So that we may know what is the calling (God’s called us), and what are the riches… in us. And so that we know what is the exceeding greatness of that power… to us-ward… who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought (energized) in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power. In summary: Dunamis, inherent miraculous power, potential power to perform miracles, that God gave us when we got born again. Our electrical panel is live. Energeia (en-erg'-i-ah). God energizing that potential ability once we get moving. Kratos. The impact we have. Power that shows up where people can see it. Fruit. Exousia. Our God-given right to use spiritual power to have an impact in our lives. Pick one thing this week. Maybe it’s a conversation with someone. Maybe it’s some task at home or at work. Pick one thing. Remember, the power is on. The ability, dunamis. And the right, exousia. Then take action. Go, do. Don’t wait to feel energized. We labor and strive. And compete. And God works in us mightily. Then, afterward, check the results. Look for the fruit. Were you more peaceful? More patient? Were you joyful? Look for the fruit in your life. God bless. You’re the best.

Have you ever gone through a change in your life that made you start living differently afterward? When I finished high school and went away to college, I had to live differently. When I started a new job after college, I had to live differently. When I got married. When I had children. Each of these changed how I lived, and it took work to live in each new situation. Maybe you’ve gone through one of these… And whether you meant to or not, you started living differently, because your situation changed. There is an even bigger change than going away to college or starting a new job. It's the change God makes in us, on the inside, when we become His son or daughter. And in light of everything God has done for us, how should we live differently? Three things to consider: Why do believers live differently? Putting off the old and putting on the new. What all of this looks like in real life. Why do we live differently? Now that we belong to God, why bother changing how we live at all? Why not just keep walking the way we always did? Why do believers live differently? Gratitude Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, "vocation" means your calling. God is appealing to us; He’s inviting us to live in a way that matches who He called us to be. We live differently because of everything God already did for us. Ephesians chapters 1-3 says that God saved us, loved us, made us His own, and living differently is how we say thank you and show that Christ is in us. Living differently a response to what God has done for us. Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: "the faithful in Christ Jesus." It doesn’t say "the perfect in Christ Jesus." God calls us faithful. Faithful means we keep showing up and keep at it. It’s not a one-and-done thing. Living differently is every day, one day at a time. Ephesians 2: 4 and 5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us... hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) "quickened" means made alive. The reason we live differently is because of God’s mercy. His great love. His grace. Not our performance or our works. So why do we live differently? gratitude. Something already happened to us. God changed us on the inside because He loved us. Now our walk gets to catch up to who we already are. Putting off the old and putting on the new Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, "walk" In Greek it's peripateō, per-ee-pat-EH-oh. It means to walk around, and all through the Bible it stands for how we live our daily life. Our walk. Where we go, how we carry ourselves, what we do when nobody's watching. Verse 17 says the unbeliever walks in the "vanity" of his mind. Vanity means emptiness. Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: In verse 18, it says their understanding is darkened, and their heart is hardened. Hardened means a callus. Something rubbed so hard for so long that it stops being able to feel. That's what a life without God does to a heart over time. It stops feeling. Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. The word "conversation" means our behavior, our whole way of living. We put off our old man behavior. For example, I grew up in a family that did two things. 1. Yell and 2. Hold a grudge. That is my old man behavior. "Put on." The Greek is endyō, en-DOO-oh. It means to clothe yourself, to array yourself in a garment. It’s the idea of sinking down into clothing. After a workout, when you're sweaty and worn out, you take off those gross clothes, you shower, and you sink into something fresh and clean. And it feels so good. That's the picture. We take off the old-man clothes, that old worn-out way of living, and we sink into brand new clothing God made for us, made in righteousness and true holiness. Verse 23: "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." The new-man clothing is a renewed mind. Now, Everything we are going to read next comes from a mind that's been made new. The amplified version says, “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. We are constantly renewing our minds to this way of living. How do we live differently - what does this look like in our life? Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. We put away lying and speak truth. Ephesians 4:26 and 27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Amp: When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. God says be angry. But this is being angry at what's wrong, at sin and injustice, without sinning in the process. And the practical wisdom here is don't let the sun go down upon your anger/your wrath. Deal with it as fast as you can. Don't let it sit overnight and turn into resentment. Handling things quickly gives the devil no space to work (vs 27). That phrase "give place" means give him an opening. The amplified bible says: Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Verse 28 is about work. If someone stole, stop, and start working instead. But look at why. "that he may have to give to him that needeth." We don't just work to get. We work so we've got enough to give. I love that Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. The Amplified Bible says, Let no corrupt communication ever come out of your mouth "Corrupt" is sapros, sap-ROS. It means rotten, bad, worthless, the same word you'd use for spoiled fruit. So don't let rotten words come out of you. Instead speak what edifies, what builds people up. There are only two things our words can do, build up or tear down. And once a word is out, we can't put it back. It’s either going to bless somebody or hurt them. So we choose our words carefully. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. "Grieve not the holy Spirit of God." "Grieve" is lypeō, loo-PEH-oh, to cause sorrow, to distress. After all God has done for us, we don’t want to cause Him sorrow. Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: We clear out the old stuff. Put away all of it. Look at that word "all." According to God's Word here, there is never a good reason to stay bitter. No matter what somebody does to us, deal with it accordingly and then God says set it go. Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. "Kind" is chrēstos, KHRAY-stos, good and gentle, actively kind even when the other person hasn't earned it. "Tenderhearted" is eusplanchnos, yoo-SPLANGKH-nos, compassionate, soft toward people. And "forgiving" is charizomai, khar-ID-zom-ahee, and it comes from the word grace. So forgiving here isn't gritting your teeth. It's giving someone grace, the same grace God gave us. Forgive. We forgive even as God, for Christ's sake, forgave us. We forgive because God forgave us. A problem with a roommate, a group chat blowup, the friend who ghosted you- from what we just learned here, we handle any conflict quickly in the best way we know how and then forgive and move on. We take the high road. In conclusion: when we were born again, God changed us on the inside because He loved us. And living differently is how we say thank you and live for Him. Every day we choose to live for God. Take off the old clothes, the lying, the bitterness, the rotten words. And sink into the new ones God made for us: kindness, a tender heart, and grace that forgives. It takes work, daily effort, and a renewed mind. But we’re not doing it to earn anything. We’re doing it because of who we already are. God's kid. God calls us faithful, not perfect. So we keep at it. If we mess up, there’s no condemnation (if we need to apologize - we do - I have more times than I can count). We stay faithful and keep moving. So this week I encourage you to choose one of the new things we went over and practice it. Put on the new mind and enjoy living differently as God's children. God bless you. You are the best!

There are five things we can do to walk with power in our lives. This is power to be more than conquerors in any situation. Think about something you need help with in your life, a situation you’re dealing with, something coming up, a relationship (friends/family), questions you have about life or God, emotions, anxieties, pressures, needs - anything. Here are 5 things we can do to walk with power so we can get a solution to any situation: Pray Read the Word Fellowhship Give Witness When we’re faithful to do these five, we will walk with power and will overcome any situation. Read and Study the Word I Timothy 4:13: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. To “give attendance” is to devote thought and effort to. What should we be devoted to and spend time doing? Reading God’s Word! We can know God’s will for us when we spend time reading His Word. Being in the Word faithfully, every day, is something we can work at until it becomes a part of who we are. It’s God’s will for us to read His Word and to study it too. II Timothy 2:15:Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “Study” in this verse means “to expend a diligent effort, remembering the brevity of time.” In other words, God is exhorting us to make an earnest, diligent, and faithful effort - utilizing our time wisely. This is how we read and study God’s Word. It requires building faithfulness and making an earnest effort. Pray The next thing we can do to walk with power and overcome any situation in life is to pray 1 Corinthians 14:15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. We can pray with the spirit by speaking in tongues. Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. That’s perfect prayer to God. Speaking in tongues is your holy spirit making intercession for us to God (Holy Spirit). “Pray with the understanding” is talking to God, your heavenly father. For example, you could pray, "God, thank you for a great day at work/school. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Fellowship with Like-Minded Believers Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. The great thing about fellowshiping with other believers is that Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17) When we hang out with other believers, we share victories with each other, and that builds our believing. We also pray for each other and help each other understand the Word. I’ve learned so much about the Word, where to find things, and what things mean just from hanging out with other believers. Giving and Receiving When we give, God gives back. In Luke 6:38, Jesus said: Give, and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Picture a cup filled so full that it spills over the sides and runs down your arm. That's what God does when you give. Giving is not just money. You can give your time. You can give someone a meal, you can give away extra clothes, or books that you don't need anymore. You can give a kind word, a smile, or a verse to someone who needs it. Witness and Undershepherd When you are walking with power, your life will shine. Philippians 2:15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. What will this “shine as lights” look like exactly? Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Your life will be a witness to others and shine as lights, and people will ask, "How are you so loving, joyful, kind, patient, gentle, and good?" You can tell them what God has done in your life and help them learn about God (that’s undersheparding someone - helping them along in the Word until they can stand and believe and help someone else). I encourage you to build these 5 basics (pray, read the Word, fellowship, give, and witness) into your life and prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God according to Romans 12:2. These five basics are actions we take that build faithfulness and prepare us to walk powerfully to overcome any of life’s situations! God bless you. You are the best!

If you got a bible, let’s turn to Ephesians 5. I used to build houses. And there's a rule you learn real quick: measure twice, cut once. Ever hear that one? Here’s the thing about building a house or building. A wall that's off by just a quarter inch at the bottom of the foundation... is off by a whole lot more by the time you reach the roof. Small error at the bottom. Big at the top. A little bit wrong, early... becomes a lot wrong, later. Nate knows this. He builds commercial buildings. So, the general rule is: “Measure twice, cut once.” That's not just for building stuff. That rule can be applied to life (measure twice, WALK once). And this is something we learn from reading the Word. Ephesians is a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to believers just like you and me - a couple thousand years ago – showing us how to actually live out this new life we've got (as born again believers in Christ). And Paul, in the beginning part of Ephesians Chapter 5, he’s basically saying things like: we can imitate God like a kid imitates a parent... we walk in love the way Christ loved us... and we can leave the junk behind — the gossip, the greed, the garbage talk — because that's just not who we are anymore. We used to be in the dark, but now we are light, so we now get to… walk like it. And right after all that, the first 14 verses in chapter 5, he says in verse 15… Ephesians 5:15, he writes: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Let’s take a closer look at this verse (Eph 5:15) and a few other verses. And we’re going to learn three things. What does “walking circumspectly" mean? What do we use to measure our walk? What’s our tool to measure. Why does walking in this way NOT feel like pressure, stead, it feels like power for living an abundant life. Okay, so… #1 What does it mean to walk circumspectly? Ephesians 5:15: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Let’s break down that word “circumspectly.” Circum means around. Like circumference. Spect means to look. Like a spectator. So circumspectly means to look around carefully, all the way around. Like a builder checking her work from every angle. But the Greek version of that word is even better. I use blueletterbible.com to study. And the word circumspectly is akribōs… pronounced ak-ree-boce'. And akribōs means “exactly, accurately, precisely, diligently.” That's a builder's word - ak-ree-boce'. It's measuring to the line. It's "level, plumb, and square." "Close enough" doesn’t cut it. It's about following a measured line exactly. Like when you get a circular saw and you cut some plywood sheathing along a measured line as best and as close and as straight as you can. You want to measure as accurately, correctly, and cut as close to the exact line as possible. So God isn't just saying "be careful out there." He's saying walk as good as you can, as accurately as you can. When you walk out in the world, put your foot down… right there… where it’s supposed to go. Build your ways, build your life, like you are carefully building a house. Measure twice... walk once. That’s what it means to walk circumspectly. Eph 5:15. #2 What do we use to measure our walk? We use the Word. I can’t be accurate in building… without some type of measured standard. If I’m building something, I can't be accurate to… nothing. I need a line. I need a blueprint. A standard. So God doesn't leave us just guessing. He doesn’t just say in Ephesians 5:15, “Hey, Ben. Walk circumspectly, walk carefully. Bye!” God doesn’t leave us hanging. Look at the next two verses in Ephesians 5. Verses 16-17: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." And verse 17: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." There it is. "Understanding what the will of the Lord is." That's what we measure by — that’s the tool we can use… the will of God... and the will of God is the Word of God (Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:17, Psalm 119:105), and it’s all right here… in our hands. Alicia and I were walking all over Italy... on an ancient pilgrim path called the Via Francigena. People have walked this way toward Rome for hundreds of years. And we walked a small part of it — from Tuscany, down into Rome — one step at a time. Now here's the thing. I don't know any of these roads. The paths are unmarked. They are rough, through fields, through forests, along creeks, most are old and narrow, and they twist in every direction, and the signs... Well, they're not always in English. SO… we can’t just eyeball our way through Italy. If I just put my head down and guessed... I'd end up lost. So what do I do? I use a tool. I pull out Google Maps. And I follow it. Turn when it says turn. Straight when it says straight. When I’m in a place I've never been before... I walk like I know what I’m doing… because I’m using a standard, that’s the tool we use, something that guides me along the best path for me. I don’t lean into my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). That's akribōs. That's walking circumspectly. And I have free will. And I miss turns... all the time. If I go the wrong way down a beautiful little Tuscan street… the map thingy never yells at me. It doesn’t make me feel bad - there’s no condemnation (Romans 8:1). It just says, as calm as anything... "recalculating." And from right where I'm standing, lost or not, it gives me the very next… right step. For me, personally, that's what the Word does for me in my life. When I take a wrong turn, and man, I’ve taken some bad turns in my life — God provides the next path forward (Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 4:18, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 23:3, Isaiah 30:21, Romans 8:28, Romans 15:4, Romans 12:2, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Look at Eph 5:16. That phrase "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." That means… buying it up. Making the most of it. Redeem the time. This walk I'm on, this time I have, is a once-in-a-lifetime thing... and I want to get the most out of it… by staying on course… the best I can. So when verse 16 says "the days are evil"... "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Don't let that scare you. It just means… there's stuff out there trying to send us down the wrong street. We learned this in the foundational class recently, and the intermediate class, right? Distractions. Confusion. Fear. Pressure. Doubt. Worry. Anxiety. Those are the adversary's… little detours. And our answer to all of it is? Walk carefully. Stay close to the line. Walk diligently. Use the Word as a Google Map guide tool. That same word — akribōs — gets translated "diligently" in other spots in the Word. And diligent just means careful and steady... doing the right thing because you care about getting it right. So we don't just start strong and then drift off somewhere... we stay on it. Steady. Careful… and steady. On purpose. All the way. Now... I love wandering around town. Some of my favorite times in Florence right now is when I put the phone in my pocket and we just... walk around. Nothing's to do really. No plane to catch. No place we have to be. But… the moment I've actually got to be somewhere or do something… that's when I walk circumspectly. Okay, so far: 1 - What does “walking circumspectly" mean? Got that. 2 - What do we use to measure our walk? The Word. #3 Walking this way is wisdom, not pressure. Go back to verse in Ephesians 5:15. It says "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Wise (sophos) means you have some skills to form the best plans and use the best tools you got. It’s like a master plumber who knows what she’s doing. A fool just runs around in the dark with his eyes shut... and hopes he gets to where he wants to go. No plans. No plans… is no good. I am building software right now. And we have a standard by which we build this software. This isn’t stressful. It’s freedom. We don’t stress over every little line of code. We don’t guess whether it is correct or not. We plan and build according to a standard, and that’s… peaceful. When you’re a son or daughter of God, you know who you are, what you have, and what you can do with it. That’s wisdom. That’s walking wise. That’s not pressure. That’s freedom. Summary: So what have we seen today? "walk circumspectly" means... walk exact. Walk accurate. We measure using the blueprint God gave us. God’s word is his will. This isn't a burden. It's wisdom. It's how we redeem the time and get the most… out of this abundant life... staying on the line, away of the unwanted detours. Measure twice... walk once. One more thing. I want you to see who's been doing the building this whole time. Turn back a couple pages to Ephesians 2, verse 10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." His workmanship. That's you. You're not a rough draft. You're not a wall that's out of alignment. You are God's own masterpiece of art — he already measured you exactly, you’re built… on purpose, and put together by the best Builder there is. Not a quarter of an inch off. But perfectly, exact, and complete. And that verse, Eph 2:10, you’re his workmanship, comes right after Paul says we're saved by grace, not by works. So don't read in verse 10 the phrase "unto good works" and think this something you've got to earn. It's the opposite. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” The verse says you’re “created in Christ Jesus” (you're already saved). Created “unto good works” (the good works are just the path God laid out ahead of time). The path “which God hath before ordained… [so] that we should walk in them” (and enjoy walking in them). He already mapped the route. And we’re already walking it. You already walking (like Alicia taught on Sunday), you already walk worthy, you walk in love, and you walk in light. So, now, this is you walking circumspectly (Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:15) So I encourage you to pick one thing in your life that’s coming up. Maybe it’s a decision you have to make, or something you have to plan for. Then measure by asking, "What does the Word say about this situation?" And then put your foot down… right there. Measure twice. Walk once. God bless you. You're the best.

Here are four ways we can walk with power: Walk worthy Walk in love Walk as children of light Walk circumspectly Please turn to Ephesians 4:1 When we were born again, according to Romans 10:9-10, God gave us holy spirit. We are fully equipped on the inside, but how do we take action and walk with power? When I was young, I went to different churches and was brought up in different religions. I was born again (saved), but no one taught me how to take action and walk with power. I was born again, and I just hoped all was good and hoped I’d make it through the day. But God tells us that we can walk with power, and here are four ways we can do this. In the book of Ephesians, chapters 4 and 5, God tells us exactly how to walk. He gives us four actions we can take. They are: 1. Walk Worthy Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. The Greek word for "worthy" in Ephesians 4:1 is axiōs (pronounced ax-ee-oce). It means "having the corresponding weight" or "bringing up the other beam of the scales." It is like a balancing scale so that our outside actions weigh exactly the same as our inside calling! What is our calling? We are sons and daughters of God! So, what does it mean to walk worthy? Think about a prince or a princess. If you know you are a child of the King, you do not walk around looking at the ground, right? You stand up tall. You act like who you are. Walking worthy means your daily actions match your spiritual reality. When we wake up in the morning, remind ourselves, "I am God's child," and then step out with that renewed mindset. 2. Walk in Love Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. The Greek word for love here is “agape”. Agape is not a feeling. It is an action. It is a verb. Agape = the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation or God’s kind of love, expressed through our actions. What does walking in love look like in real life? I Corinthians 13:4-8 Charity (agape) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Here, we see that love is patient, kind, and forgiving. An example would be maybe someone cuts you off in traffic, or a family member speaks harshly. Walking in love doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt, but it does mean choosing patience, kindness, and forgiveness instead of revenge. Not because we feel warm and fuzzy about the situation, but because we are choosing to do the Word. More 1 Corinthians 13 below 3. Walk as Children of Light Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. Before we knew God's Word, we were in the dark. A flashlight in a dark room does not help you if you never turn it on. Walking as children of light means flipping the switch! How do we do that? By taking action. We operate the nine manifestations of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7–10). When we speak in tongues, pray, speak the word, believing… we are shining that light. Light instantly chases away the darkness, but we have to turn the switch - that’s taking action. 4. Walk Circumspectly Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Circumspectly in Greek is akribōs, and it means to walk exactly, accurately, diligently. We pay attention to where we are stepping. Think about crossing a creek by stepping on wet stones. You do not just run across with your eyes closed, hoping you do not fall in. You look down, you find the solid rock, and you put your foot exactly where it needs to go. God’s Word is that solid rock that we step on so we don’t slip and fall. We do not have to guess how to live. We read the Word, we see what it says, and we step exactly where it tells us to step. The Word of God pertains to all of life and godliness, so anything and everything is in the Word. From finances to relationships, from school to work, doubt, fear, confusion… the answers are in the Word. We keep our focus on the Word and Its answers to life, so we do not fall into the adversary’s traps. Conclusion This week, I encourage you to choose one of these actions to walk powerfully. 1. Walking worthy by remembering who you are as God’s kid. 2. Walk in love by doing what the Word says in relation to 1 Corinthians 13, where love is kind and patient. 3. Walk as children of light by operating the spirit God gave you. 4. And walk circumspectly by stepping exactly where the Word tells you to go. God bless you. You are the best! Here’s more on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 – Word List on “Charity” (Agapē) Charity (agapē) – Self-giving, covenant love that seeks the true good of others, not based on feelings but on choice and action. “Suffereth long” (makrothymei) – Is long-tempered; patiently endures provocation and wrong without quickly becoming angry or retaliating. “Is kind” (chrēsteuetai) – Shows active, useful goodness; is gentle, considerate, and practically helpful. “Envieth not” (ou zēloi) – Does not resent others’ gifts, blessings, or honor; refuses jealous comparison. “Vaunteth not itself” (ou perpereuetai) – Does not brag or show off; avoids self-promotion and attention-seeking. “Is not puffed up” (ou physioutai) – Is not inflated with pride; does not carry an attitude of superiority. “Doth not behave itself unseemly” (ouk aschēmonei) – Does not act rudely or disgracefully; respects proper, honorable conduct. “Seeketh not her own” (ou zētei ta heautēs) – Does not insist on its own way; is not driven by self-interest. “Is not easily provoked” (ou paroxynetai) – Is not touchy or quick-tempered; does not flare up at every slight. “Thinketh no evil” (ou logizetai to kakon) – Does not keep a record of wrongs; refuses to keep a mental ledger of offenses. “Rejoiceth not in iniquity” (ou chairei epi tē adikia) – Does not delight in sin, injustice, or harm done to others. “Rejoiceth in the truth” (synchairei tē alētheia) – Celebrates when truth, righteousness, and integrity prevail. “Beareth all things” (panta stegē) – Covers and protects; is willing to endure difficulties and shield others when appropriate. “Believeth all things” (panta pisteuei) – Chooses a posture of trust rather than suspicion, as far as truth allows. “Hopeth all things” (panta elpizei) – Holds confident expectation in God’s work and future grace; does not give up on God’s redemptive possibilities. “Endureth all things” (panta hypomenei) – Remains steadfast under pressure; stays faithful instead of running away when it is costly. “Charity never faileth” (agapē oudepote piptei) – This love does not collapse or become obsolete; it endures because it reflects God’s own unchanging character.

Somebody asked me a good question recently: “Why do we go to fellowship?” That's a fair question. I can read the Word at home. I can listen to a teaching right on my phone. I can pray on my own couch. So why go to fellowship once or twice a week? Let's turn to the Word and get an answer. Please turn to Romans. Tonight, we’ll be going to Romans, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Acts, Philippians, Corinthians, and Hebrews. We’re going to jump around a bit. In the next several minutes, here's what we’re going to learn. We’re going to see, straight from the Word (letters written to believers attending fellowship), why going to fellowship matters. Not because we have to. Nobody's taking attendance. But because fellowship just might be... just might be... the one place in my whole week... where I can walk in... in one way... and walk out... much better. We’re going to learn from the Word, that in fellowship: we have mutual believing with and for each other, we edify by trying to saying a good word to each other, and that even though we’re all members, we’re not all the same. In fellowship: it’s like we’re building a house, people can believe with you and get your needs met, and we encourage one another to love and do good things. We’re in Romans. Paul wrote Romans. Written a couple thousand years ago, about fellowship, and it’s written for us to apply to our lives… today. In Romans, chapter 1, Paul tells the believers why he's so eager to hang out with them. Romans 1:11-12: (11) For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end... ye may be established; (12) That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith (pistis, Strong's G4102, meaning believing) both of you and me. Paul here says that he looks forward... to come together… so they can be established. Built solid. But then in verse 12... he says it's mutual. Mutual fath, mutual believing. He also gets comforted. Apostle Paul gets built up… in his fellowship… by the very people… he came… to build up. That's the heart of what he's saying. It goes both ways. No one in fellowship is too strong to be built up a little more... and no one in fellowship is too new to help others. If you go to the gym... to be built up... and get strong... physically... it's the same as going somewhere to get built up and strong... spiritually. And Paul is saying that the really muscular dudes in the gym... they can get even stronger. And the new folks at the gym, even they… can help others get built up. In fellowship, (#1) we have mutual believing with and for each other. Now let's go to 1 Thessalonians. That’s Acts, we’re in Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians. Chapter 5, verse 11. Paul explains it more here… in plain language… in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. In fellowship, (#2) we edify one another. And what does that “edifying” in fellowship look like? Let's turn to the Word for that answer. It’s in Ephesians 4. Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians. Turn to Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication (words) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. That which is good... to the use of edifying. That’s words. Words... that we speak… that build. Words that minister grace... to the ones listening. In contrast, in the world, out there, there are a lot of words… that can tear you down. People get criticized and beat up in comments and texts... at work and school and online. BUT THEN... they come through that front door... the door to a believer's house and living room... and IN THERE, that world is different. In fellowship, we have decided ahead of time, we all agree... that what comes out of our mouths... in fellowship... is going to edify… build. That's rare. You can't get that just anywhere. And you sure can't get it scrolling... alone... on the couch. In our fellowship, we all try to say a good word to each other - to edify - and try to make sure... that each of us... comes out... better than we walked in. That’s doing the Word. Spoken words, from a familiar face, into your ears, that you can apply to your life, so you can live a more abundant life. Maybe if you go to fellowship… in a certain way, you can leave a little more peaceful, a little stronger, a little more sure of who you are in Christ. Now our fellowship is all over the map. We have people in their twenties, folks over a half a century old. Some married, unmarried, retired, working, students, etc. There's the lifelong believers and people who just walked in for the first time. How's this gathering (this fellowship of total strangers) supposed to work for everyone? The answer is in Romans 12. So, it’s Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and we’re in Ephesians. Let’s read Romans 12:4-5. (4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one, members one of another. Members one of another. A believer in their twenties and a believer in their sixties aren't a mismatch... they're members one of another. The younger brings something the older needs, and the older brings something the younger needs. That's the intended design of a fellowship. And we all don't have to be best friends with everybody in the room. We're not handing out friendship bracelets at the door. You're not required to show up an hour early or stay an hour late to chat. If that's your thing, wonderful. But if you're more of an introvert, and you slip in, get the Word, get built up, and head home to chew on it... that's fellowship too. In fellowship, (#3) we are all members, and we’re not all the same. So where did this household fellowship idea come from? Let’s go to Acts, chapter 2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. Now Acts is the history of the early church getting started — but watch what they did way back then. Acts 2, verse 42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The doctrine (the Word)... and fellowship. Doctrine and fellowship… right next to each other. And eating and praying. And verse 46 tells us where: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” From house to house. The first-century church met in their homes. Living rooms. Around kitchen tables. Just... like... we do… today. We're not doing something new. We’re not doing something The Way International requires us to do. We're doing the oldest thing… in the book. In fellowship, (#4) we meet in our homes. Now, the word “edify.” When Paul says "edify one another" in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, it’s the Greek is oikodomeo (oy-kod-om-eh'-o, Strong's G3618). That word… is built from two parts: oikos, which means a house... and a root word that means to build. Edify literally means… to build a house. Cool, right? I've spent a good part of my life building houses. When we edify one another, the Word is saying we're building a house. We're the contactors, the builders, and we're also the building. A house… when it gets built… the boards are joined or added… one board to another — fitted, fastened, framed up together. Alone, a wood stud board is just a stick. But joined together, boards can make up the entire structure. Alone on the couch, we're as a good board. Joined together… in fellowship... we're like a house. In fellowship, (#5) we’re building a house. And the house is us. Please turn to Phillipeans, chapter 4. So, we're a household. And a household... it takes care of its own. We try to meet each other's needs. And in Philippians 4:19, it says that God shall supply all of our needs. Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Back up a few verses, and Paul is talking about how the believers in Philippi had met his need, over and over, when no one else would. Look at Phl 4:15: Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Paul says no church gave to support him — except the Philippians. Phl 4:16: For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Phl 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Phl 4:18: But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Their latest gift arrived (carried by a man named Epaphroditus), and now Paul says he's full. His need was met by those people. Phl 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This spiritual truth is spoken to people who had just met the Paul’s needs. God supplies the need... and he can supply it through people, maybe… just maybe through the people in your fellowship. The Philippians were God's "supply" to Paul. Paul turns around and tells them God will be their supply. That's the loop. In fellowship, (#6) meeting needs… can run in both directions through the church body. And one of the ways we help each other out? Prayer. Here's something we do in fellowship… that I just can't do alone in my living room chair. In fellowship, we can pray WITH each other — and if I've got a need, I can say it right out loud. It’s completely optional. Nobody's calling on anyone who doesn’t want to pray in fellowship. But if you want… you can pray out loud, or pray quietly, or speak in tongues to yourself, or just listen — it’s all good… in our fellowship. Praying is good and powerful, so never stop. But if I wanted to, I could lay out my needs… with other believers... and the second I do, something changes. I'm not believing… by myself… anymore. I got other believers… believing right along with me. And that's not just a nice feeling you can get in fellowship. Paul? He counted on it. Because in fellowship, (#7) people can believe with you. Please turn to 2 Corinthians 1. That’s Acts, Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and we’re in Philippians. 2 Corinthians 1:11: Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. Paul is telling the Corinthians that their praying together for him played a real part in his rescue from a deadly trouble — so that the deliverance God granted through the prayers of many believers would have many people giving Him thanks. Paul leaned on a whole roomful of believers praying for him. And in Romans 15:30, he comes right out and asks for it directly. I’ll just read it to you. You don’t have to turn there. Romans 15:30, Paul writes, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Strive together. Pray to God. For me. That’s cool stuff. I’ll wrap up with one more verse — and this one is in Hebrews. Let’s turn to Hebrews, chapter 10. We’re in 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews. Hebrews 10:24-25: (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another... So, it says to consider one another. In fellowship, (#8) we encourage one another to love and do good things. And don't under-value or mistaken our meetings together. That's really… my entire teaching… in those two verses – Hebrews 10:24-25. Application So, here’s how we can APPLY what we’ve learned to our lives. When I come to fellowship, I try to be ready… to say just one good word to someone… who might really need it. Not a big sermon – just a sentence. Like, "Good to see you." Or, "That blessed me." Or, "I’ll believe with you about that.” By doing that, I get to add one board into that house we’re building in fellowship. And ALSO, I get to come to fellowship ready… ready to RECEIVE… a good word from someone, a promise or blessing from God, or to get my needs met. I can come to fellowship… for someone build me up. And here's another one. Write down your need — on a Post-it. Your need... or somebody else's. And put it where you can see it and believe for it, like a note on your fridge. Put your believing note on the Gromicko’s refrigerator wall. Go ahead. That’s where we can see it. By doing something like that, your need stops being yours alone. The second it's on the fridge, the whole house is believing with you… for it to come to pass. Summary So tonight, we learned a lot. Why go to fellowship? Well, in fellowship: we have mutual believing with and for each other, we edify by trying to say a good word to each other, and we are all members, but we’re not all the same. In fellowship: it’s like we’re building a house, people can believe with you and get your needs met, and we encourage one another to love and do good things. So, I encourage you to keep going to fellowship. Bring a friend. Come as you are. Stay as long or as little as you like. But come... and you'll walk out better than you walked in. And that’s what I wanted to share. You’re the best. God Bless. I’ll put this teaching on RaleighFellowship.com in a couple of days. Love ya. Miss you all.

I have seen a lot of videos of rockets taking off and landing recently. Have you? I was wondering about rockets and how they fly. So, do you know how a rocket actually flies? You may think that a rocket pushes against the ground… when it lifts off, or that… those flames shooting out the bottom are pushing against the air. Sounds right, doesn't it? You've got that big flame, it hits the air, the air pushes back, and up she goes. Well, that's not it at all. And here's how we know it's not. A rocket flies just fine — actually flies better — way up in outer space where there is no air. No air. It’s a vacuum. Nothing out there to push against. So if a rocket isn't pushing… against the air, and it isn't pushing against the ground… what in the world is a rocket pushing up against in order to go up? The answer is what I’d like to share with you. Please turn to Ephesians 3. I want to show you three things about how a rocket really works — and every single one of them is going to land us right in the middle of God’s Word, and on the spiritual truths that Paul wrote for you and me a couple thousand years ago. The power is on the inside You rise by letting go A greater law breaks the pull ONE — THE POWER IS ON THE INSIDE So back to the question. What pushes up a rocket? It actually pushes against itself. A rocket carries its fuel inside it, ignites it, burns it, and throws that burned-up gas out its bottom at tremendous speed. And Sir Isaac Newton told us back in 1687 — every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The rocket throws mass down and out the bottom (mass is just what is being shot out of the rocket). And the rocket gets pushed in the opposite way, up and forward. The rocket is not going up… by pushing down against the air. It's not pushing away from the ground. The rocket throws down burnt fuel, and gets pushed up in the equal and opposite direction. And the rocket carries its own power source… inside the bottom fuel tank. And the rocket carries that tank… the whole way up, while it’s shooting out the burnt fuel. That's why a rocket works… in the vacuum of outer space. The force was not coming from the air or the ground. The released power… comes from… inside the rocket. Now write that down, because that is exactly — what the Word says about you and me. Look at Ephesians 3:20. Paul wrote — Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. “According to the power that worketh” — where? In us. On the inside. Not the power out there… in the world… in our particular circumstances. Not the power that somebody else gave you. But… the power that worketh in us. God didn't store our power… way off in the distance… and then go tell us to find it, or chase it, or reach for it. The day I got born again, God put power in my fuel tank. It's already inside… my rocket ship. So when life feels like a vacuum — when it feels empty out there… in the world… when there's nothing in your life situation to push against — a rocket flies its best flight… in that empty space. Because the power was never coming from… outside. It’s power… that worketh… in you. Okay, so that topic #1: the power is on the inside. Topic #2, you rise by letting go. TWO — YOU RISE BY LETTING GO Here's the second thing about rockets. Turn to Philippians 3. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. The big rockets don't fly up in one piece. They're built in sections called stages, stacked one on top of the other. And the bottom stage — the great big one — burns up all its fuel in just a couple of minutes… getting things off the ground. And then, once it's empty… they let it go. It drops away and falls off. Well — they used to just let it go and drop into the ocean and be lost forever. Now, SpaceX changed all that. They now catch that big rocket booster stage, and reuse it. But why do they let the booster go in the first place… and fall away from the rocket? Because the moment that stage runs dry (burning out all of its fuel from the bottom), it stops being useful. It just becomes dead weight. It did its job. But now it's nothing but a heavy empty can. And if the rocket holds onto it, all that dead weight drags down the whole thing. So… to keep climbing, the rocket has to release what it has already spent. It lets go of what's behind… so it can reach for… what's ahead. Listen to how Paul said the very same thing. Philippians 3:13-14 — (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Forgetting those things which are behind. Reaching forth to what's ahead. Pressing toward the high calling — and "high calling" is the language of going up. That's Paul describing a rocket launch. Some of the dead weight… that we're hauling around in our lives… already did its job. The old guilt. The previous failures. The old friend. The way things used to be. That rocket fuel stage… burned out a long time ago. It’s empty now. And as long as we keep it connected to us… we can't lift off like we should. Dead weight is a drag. The Word tells us in Hebrews 12:1 to "lay aside every weight." Lay it aside. Drop the spent stage. We can’t climb and press… to where we're going… while we're still hauling… what God already told us… to let fall away. The cool thing about that bottom booster of a rocket is that… we used to drop those big empty cans in the ocean and lose them forever. But not anymore. We now fly that giant booster — taller than a twenty-story building — all the way back down to the very tower it launched from. And a great big pair of mechanical arms (chop sticks) reaches out and catches it… right out of the air. Then they restore it. And they send it back up to fly again. The stage doesn't get thrown out like garbage. The same hands that sent it up… reach out and catch it before it crashes… restore it… and give it purpose all over again. When we let old weights… fall away, God doesn't let us crash and burn. He catches what falls. Nothing about us gets written off as waste. God upholds all of our steps (Psalm 37:23–24). God restores what was lost (Joel 2:25). All things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Jesus turned away no one (John 6:37). Redemption and forgiveness is through Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Rocket redemption — the spent thing… is caught, then restored, and sent up to fly again. I think that’s pretty cool. Okay, so, topic #1: the power is on the inside. Topic #2, you rise by letting go. Topic #3, a greater law breaks the pull. THREE — A GREATER LAW BREAKS THE PULL Now the third thing, and this is my favorite. It's called escape velocity. Turn to Romans 8. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans. The whole time a rocket is climbing, there's something fighting against it. Gravity. The earth is pulling down on that rocket every second, never quitting, trying to bring it back to the ground. Gravity is a law. So, how does anything ever leave Earth? You have to reach a certain speed. And for Earth, it's about twenty-five thousand miles an hour — and once you're going that fast, you break free of the gravitational pull. That speed has a name: it’s “escape velocity.” But here’s the point for us in our fellowship. The rocket never breaks the law of gravity. Gravity is still acting on the rocket… the whole way up. What happens is a greater force — the thrust, the lift, which is the power in that rocket engine… that overcomes the pull of gravity. You don't break the law of gravity. You overcome it with something stronger. (Romans 12:21, 1 John 5:4, Romans 8:37). Now, let’s look at what Paul wrote in Romans 8:2: — For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Two laws. There's a law of sin and death — and that one is just like gravity. It pulls you down. It never takes a day off. It tries to drag you back to the ground every time. (1 Peter 5:8, Romans 6:23, John 8:32, John 8:36, 2 Corinthians 3:17). But Paul says there's a higher law now for born-again believers: the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. And that’s a greater law. And it has set us free… by overcoming the world… with something greater. The gift of holy spirit, that’s “Christ in you.” That’s the super power thrust… that breaks away from the hold of sin and death. In Christ, you have reached… escape velocity. Because greater is He in you (1 John 4:4), and Christ overcame the world (John 16:33). A greater law breaks the pull of the world. SUMMARY So, here’s what we’ve learned. We learned 3 things about a rocket, and 3 things about us. One — the power isn't out there; it's on the inside. "The power that worketh in us” (Eph 3:20). It works even when things around you might feel empty. Two — you rise by letting go. Drop the spent stage. Forget what's behind, reach for what's ahead, lay aside every weight. Three — a greater law breaks the downward pull. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. You've already hit escape velocity. Okay, 1: power is on the inside. 2: rise by letting go. 3: a greater law breaks the pull. Turn to Ephesians 3:20. A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT I encourage you to think about rockets. You are not a rocket… still sitting on the launchpad, waiting and hoping the engines will turn on someday. The day you believed, God filled your fuel tank and hit the engines. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the very same power that worketh in you, right now, on the inside (Ephesians 1:19–20). You are not waiting for liftoff. You are already climbing. So if today, the weight of the world around you… feels strong, don't worry, doubt, or fear — the rocket power in you is stronger (Philippians 4:6, Mark 11:23, 2 Timothy 1:7). The power inside always was, and always will be, greater than the pull from the outside (1 John 4:4). GREEK WORD STUDY Let me show you one word before we close. In Ephesians 3:20, that word "power" — "the power that worketh in us" — in the Greek is the word dunamis (Strong's number G1411). It means inherent power, strength, ability within — the power to actually get things done. Our English words for dynamics and dynamite come from that Greek word dunamis. “Dynamics” is the branch of physics that studies force and motion, the science of how things (like rockets) move. And "dynamite" — you know what that is. So when Paul says there is… dunamis power working in you, he's not talking about a little candle. He's talking about… the kind of explosive power that moves things. Boom! DO THE WORD The next time we face something, and our first thought might be, "I don't have what it takes," STOP, and say a verse, like Eph 3:20, and remember “the rocket power that worketh in you." Let’s remember… to let go of the spent dead weight in our lives. Pick one thing we’re still hauling around… that already burned out, and let it fall away. Let’s trust the greater law. When the pressures of the world come around (John 16:33), remember Romans 8:2 and lean into the higher law: the law of the Spirit of life that sets us free. Each one of us can walk out of here tonight knowing the truth: (a) the power is already on the inside, (b) the weight is already cleared away, and (c) in Christ, we have already reached escape velocity. Amen?