Harvest Bible Chapel-Woodhull

The Book of John
The Supremacy of Christ
John 1:1-5

1.  Jesus is the revealer of God v.1-2
Revelation 19:11-13, Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”
2.  Jesus is God yet distinct v.1
3.  Jesus is creator and sustainer of everything v.3
Colossians 1:15-16, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
1 Corinthians 8:6, “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 
 
Hebrews 1:1-2, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
2 Peter 3:5, “The heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God.”
Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God.”
Hebrews 1:3, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
4.  Jesus is the source of life and light v.4

Facing Trials Patiently
James 5:7-12
Sunday, 1/2/22

How to face trials patiently…
1.  Set my heart on the fact that Jesus is coming back v.7-8
2 Peter 3:3-4, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:8-9, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness.”
2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2.  Control my emotions so my words won’t be hurtful v.9,12
3.  Shift my attention from myself to the lives of God’s servants v.10-11
Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
4.  Remind myself about the sovereignty and character of God v.11

Prayer: a powerful tool

James 5:13-18

Pastor Dusty Foster

1-9-22

• Prayer is a powerful tool because it helps us:
  • V13-14 align with the will of God
    • Acts 16:25 ' About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, '
    • Titus 1:5-9 “…appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. '
• Prayer is a powerful tool because it helps us:
  • V15-16a realize that our sin can be the cause of our suffering
  • 1 John 1:9 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. '
• Prayer is a powerful tool because it helps us:
  • V16b-18 trust God for the miraculous

• Matt 26:39 'And going a little farther he fell on his face and ayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” '

Smart Money James 5:1-6 Sunday, 12/26/21

Smart money requires that I...

1. View money with an eternal perspective not just a temporal one v.1-3 2. View money to be a blessing and not just to gather more and spend it on myself v.3-7
Matthew 6:19, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Look Who’s Coming to Christmas
The King
Isaiah 9:1-7

1.  When the king comes, darkness is eliminated v.1-2
2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”
2.  When the king comes, sadness is eliminated v.3
Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
3.  When the king comes, oppression is eliminated v.4
Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 
4.  When the king comes, hatred is eliminated v.5
Isaiah 2:4, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
5.  When the king comes, human rule and government is eliminated v.6-7

Look Who’s Coming to Christmas
The failures, the far-fetched, and the forgotten
Matthew 1;1-16
Sunday, 12/5/21

 

1.  God’s grace is greater than my failure

1 Timothy 1:15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
2.  God’s plans are greater than my being far-fetched
3.  God’s love is greater than my being forgotten
Psalm 139:17-18 says: “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

Smart Planning
James 4:13-17
Sunday, 11/28/21

 

1.  Smart planning recognizes the uncertainties of life, holds plans loosely, and seeks God’s will v.13-14,15
2.  Smart planning recognizes the brevity of life and lives with eternity in view v.14
Psalm 39:4-6, “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you.  Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!  Surely a man goes about as a shadow!”
3.  Smart planning recognizes the boastfulness of life and knows God is in control v.16-17

Key points...

1.  Adjust my position so I’m in the proper place before God v.7-8
2.  Affirm the seriousness of having divided loyalties v.8-10
3.  Abstain from passing judgment about other people v.11-12