Overcoming Weariness

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

Become Weary: To lose your sense of pleasure.

1. Sometimes because the battle is taking so long we get discouraged.
1. Become Weary
1. To lose your sense of pleasure.
2. Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.
3. Reluctant to see or experience any more of; tired of.
4. Calling for a great amount of energy or endurance; tiring and tedious.
2. If the enemy can't take you out all at once he’ll try to wear you down.
1. Battle fatigue.
1. Combat stress reaction, a military term for an acute reaction to the stress of battle commonly involving fatigue, slowed reaction time, indecision, and other symptoms.
2. Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV
1. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
1. You're doing the right thing but right things aren't happening.
2. Isaiah 27:5
1. Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me."
3. David
1. kept taking care of his father's sheep with a good attitude even though he was anointed to be king.
2. Saul tried to kill him.
3. Samuel 30:6-7
1. David and his men burst out in loud wails—wept and wept until they were exhausted with weeping. David's two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken prisoner along with the rest. And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him. David strengthened himself with trust in his God . He ordered Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the Ephod so I can consult God." Abiathar brought it to David.
1. When you give in to weariness you lose your strength.
2. Weariness will always come but don't give into it.
2. You can talk yourself into strength or you can talk yourself into weakness. You may feel tired but don't say it outloud.
4. Your strength is renewed when you're living with expectancy. Nothing that's happened to me has interrupted God's plan.
1. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
1. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
5. What God promises, he will bring to pass.
6. God wants to make you an example for others.
1. Brain Cancer
1. Had Surgery and Changed his diet, but the doctors still gave him only 6 months to live.
1. it has been 3 years.
2. The doctor asked him to go to support group to encourage others.
2. Things may look permanent but it's not.
7. Take Care of Your Temple
1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
1. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
8. Sometimes when we're weary it's not a spiritual problem, it's a physical problem.
1. 1 Kings 18-19: Elijah called fire down from heaven, had seen people resurrected, and got threatened by one person ran away into the desert then wished to die.
2. An angel appeared AFTER he had taken a nap and told him to eat something!
3. We are spiritual, physical, and emotional and we need to take care of each part. Living balanced is the key.
1. Don't have your life cut short because you didn't take care of yourself.
1. Sabbath required. There was a COMMANDMENT to rest.
1. Exodus 20:8
1. ”Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
2. Psalm 23:2-3
1. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
9. Proverbs 3:6
1. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
Proverbs 3:6

Sticks and Stones

Nick @ Lakewood Church

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

Matthew 7:1-5 NLT

1. Giving People the Benefit of the Doubt
1. Nick was meeting the family of his now-wife. Though he had never met Summer’s family, he observed her dad and JUDGED that he was a “serious no-nonsense type of guy. Consequently, he made sure to head there 30 minutes early to meet Summer's parents and was pulled over by cops: His insurance and Driver's License EXPIRED. He was nervous thinking that Summer’s family would see him as irresponsible and unworthy of their daughter. However, his now father-in-law came to his defense giving Nick the benefit of the doubt. Nick’s car had to be towed but he learned that Summer’s dad was gracious and fun.
2. Take Aways
1. His judgement was wrong.
2. He received grace that he wasn’t willing to give.
2. God is constantly rewriting stories.
1. John 8:1-11
1. Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”11 “No one, Master.”“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
2. Let's not judge a person's story based off of one chapter.
1. We're all on a journey. We’re all in process.
2. One of the biggest temptations is to apply the truth of God to others before we apply it to ourselves.
3. Don’t wait to give grace.
1. Matthew 7:3-4: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eyewhen you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[b] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
1. You will naturally be limited in your scope of someone else's life so approach people with an immense amount of grace.
1. Don’t wait to give grace
1. Flying with kids.
1. Nick used to be very frustrated on airplanes with kids. He’d complain and judge the person, thinking “How hard can it be to control a 2-year-old on an airplane for 5 hours.
2. Nick Had Kids
1. Now he sees unforeseen struggles that arise
2. He applauds struggling parents on flights
4. Jesus is always working behind the scenes.
1. Proverbs 25:7-8
1. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
5. God Blesses people who cover
1. Genesis 9:18-29
1. The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.) From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth. After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: "May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives." Then Noah said, "May the Lord , the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant! May God expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant." Noah lived another 350 years after the great flood. He lived 950 years, and then he died.
1. We all have weak moments.
2. Fight the trend and blaze a trail.
3. Your kids can feel your act of honor and grace for years to come. You can set a new trend in your family and your culture.
2. Whataburger
1. Homeless guy walks in and is immediately judged until someone decided to buy him food and pray for him.
1. It's easy to spot a problem be a solution.
3. Pastor Tony
1. Prostitutes in Diner
1. A pastor decided to throw a prostitute a birthday party and she said that was the first birthday party she’d ever had.
1. Bury judgement and throw birthday parties.
4. Care more about the sin than the sinner.
1. John 8:1-11: Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "No one, Master." "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
1. Pharisees cared more about the sin than the sinner. Jesus always cares about people first. Your future is not dictated by the past.
6. John 8:9-11: Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”11 “No one, Master.”“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
1. Grace defends publicly so truth can correct privately.

1. You build credibility and relationship through grace.
2. Truth corrects privately
3. Throwing stones has never changed anyone's heart.
4. Blocking stones will revolutionize a heart.
7. It's easy to miss someone's story when you're focused on one blemish.
1. God is doing so much more in someone's life.
2. You don't know how the blemish got there.
8. ***Cindy's Pruning Story (will add later)
9. ***Dr. Paul's Mission Report (may add later)

I Rest My Case

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 KJV

Propitiation:(from Latin propitiāre, "to appease;" from propitius, "gracious")[1] is the act of appeasing or making well-disposed a deity, thus incurring divine favor or avoiding divine retribution.

Advocate: a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. (To one's aid)

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:30 KJV

Stopped by police.
- A warning
- A ticket
The law reminds you of your broken places.
The enemy wants to cause you to pay repeatedly.

There's an enemy who's trying to stop you when you're on the way to your final destination.
Get caught in  vulnerable moment.
Judges appreciate truth and humility.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Revelation 12:10 NIV
There's is an enemy keeping a case file on you.

The enemy wants to hold you hostage to your failures.

People hold yog hostage to the worse version of yourself. But who you used to be is not who you're going to be.

The enemy is going to have technical difficulties when he tries to put your mistskes on display.

Blood is an external change agent and an internal work.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
1 Peter 1:6 NIV

The Power of the Blood

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

1. Without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sin.
1. Day of Atonement
1. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies on this day and offer sacrifices for everyone’s sins every year.
1. Holy of Holies
1. The inner chamber of the sanctuary in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, separated by a veil from the outer chamber. It was reserved for the presence of God.
2. Happened every year until Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice.
2. Jesus' blood did away with the temporary system.
1. John 1:29 NIV 
1. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
2. Hebrews 9:12 NIV
1. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
1. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 
3. The sacrifice won’t do any good if you don’t accept it.
1. Isaiah 44:22 NIV
1. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." 
2. Don't live life looking through the rear view mirror.
2. Quit remembering what God has already forgotten.
1. God is for me,  the enemy is against me and I get to cast the deciding vote.
4. When you accept the blood it can be a number of things in your life.
1. The blood can cause death (literal and figurative) to pass over you
1. Exodus 12:10-13
1. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord 's Passover.  "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord . The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 
2. The blood can become your attorney and speak out for you in injustice.
1. Genesis 4:10 NIV
1. The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 
3. The blood can stop negative seeds from taking root in your life. 
1. Genesis 4:11-12 NIV
1. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." 
2. Things that should be able to grow in me can't because the blood is there.

The Day of Atonement

(Leviticus 23:27-28), also known as Yom Kippur, was the most solemn holy day of all the Israelite feasts and festivals, occurring once a year on the tenth day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. On that day, the high priest was to perform elaborate rituals to atone for the sins of the people. Described inLeviticus 16:1-34, the atonement ritual began with Aaron, or subsequent high priests of Israel, coming into the holy of holies. The solemnity of the day was underscored by God telling Moses to warn Aaron not to come into the Most Holy Place whenever he felt like it, only on this special day once a year, lest he die (v. 2).Before entering the tabernacle, Aaron was to bathe and put on special garments (v. 4), then sacrifice a bull for a sin offering for himself and his family (v. 6, 11). The blood of the bull was to be sprinkled on the ark of the covenant. Then Aaron was to bring two goats, one to be sacrificed "because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been" (v. 16), and its blood was sprinkled on the ark of the covenant. The other goat was used as a scapegoat. Aaron placed his hands on its head, confessed over it the rebellion and wickedness of the Israelites, and sent the goat out with an appointed man who released it into the wilderness (v. 21). The goat carried on itself all the sins of the people, which were forgiven for another year (v. 30).

Victoria Osteen at Lakewood Church

1. God speaks of us as what we already are; as a finished product.
1. Romans 8 (More than a Conqueror)
1. Anything that comes my way had already been defeated.
2. We're already called a champion.
2. Boxer worked with a world renowned trainer who believed in one of his boxers so much that he’d predict WHEN the boxer would win as  opposed to if the boxer would win
1. It wasn't a question of whether he would win but when.
2. Champions aren't born, they are made.
3. When God looks at me,  he knows who I am.

Transition Weekend

It’s the beginning of spring and the beginning of a new era as Pastor Robert Emmit of Community Bible Church has handed the ranks to Pastor Ed Newton, officially naming him Lead Pastor. Pastor Robert will still serve with Community Bible Church as Pastor Emeritus. Robert and Ed spoke to the congregation about what all this means!

Transition Weekend

tran·si·tion

tranˈziSH(ə)n,tranˈsiSH(ə)n/

noun

noun: transition; plural noun: transitions

1 1.
the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another."students in transition from one program to another"

2 synonyms:

3 change, passage, move, transformation, conversion, metamorphosis

1. A transition requires one to pass the baton successfully.
1. 4 × 400m Relay
1. The 4 × 400 metres relay or long relay is an athletics track event in which teams consist of four runners who each complete 400 metres or one lap.
2. Relay race runners typically carry a relay baton which they must transfer between teammates. Runners have a 20 m box (usually marked with blue lines) in which to transfer the baton…
1. This prevents confusion and collisions during transfer.
2. The 1st runner doesn't leave after his lap, he stays in the stadium and cheers his teammates on.
3. The first guy has to let go.
4. The next guy has to take hold.
2. Successful Transitions in the Bible
1. John to Jesus
1. Matthew 3:13-17 MSG
1. Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you !" But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life." 
3. Jesus to the Disciples
1. Matthew 28:18-20 MSG
1. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." 
4. Elijah to Elisha
1. Summary
1. This is one of the best examples of intentional mentoring.
2. It tells us much about both the role of the protégé and the mentor.
3. In his first encounter with Elijah, Elisha is willing to let go of his occupation, his family, and the life he had built thus far in order to follow after a man offering his mentorship.
4. Elisha went everywhere with Elijah even when Elijah told him that he didn’t have to.
5. Elisha was patient during the transition
2. 2 Kings 2:15
1. The guild of prophets from Jericho saw the whole thing from where they were standing. They said, "The spirit of Elijah lives in Elisha!" They welcomed and honored him. 
3. Key Points
1. These two men were not alike.
1. Organizational Profit vs. People Profit
2. Don't compare people.
5. Legacy
1. Robert is trusting Ed with his Legacy
6. Pastor Emeritus
1. Depending upon the particular church, the title may have some duties such as serving in an advisory role to the leadership group or to the current pastor.
1. There are no biblically set guidelines other than those of the by-laws of the organization or church conferring the honor. 
2. 1 Timothy 5:17
1. “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching”
7.  Ed’s Tribute to Pastor Robert
1. Righteous
2. Obedient
3. Bold
4. Endurance
5. Reputation
6. Teacher
8.  Paul's Transition
1. Pastor Ed mentioned this scripture and I though it was interesting since he was a “Traveling Evangelist” and now he has a home base
1. Romans 15:20-22
1. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written:“Those who were not told about him will see,    and those who have not heard will understand.” This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,  I plan to do so…

Peaceful on Purpose

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• God never said that we wouldn't have storms, he promised peace in the midst of the storm.
• You have to protect your peace.
• You weren't created to be worried. Your mind needs a break
• 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
• Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
• Psalms 23:1-2 KJV
• The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
• Worry is a thief.
• Peace helps you to have the right perspective.
• Take the worry off of the thrown. Use the energy you use to worry to thank God. Let worry be a reminder to praise God.
• Guard your mind.
• Your life will follow your thoughts.
• I'm not designed to carry a heavy load.
• Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 
• Matthew 6:27 KJV
• Worrying doesn't add an inch to your life.
• Speed hump story with the worry tree.
• Pastor Joel and his neighbors lobbied to have a speed bump installed on their street but Pastor Joel got worried that the speed bump warning sign would be installed in front of his house. So he measured to the spot where speed bumps signs were usually installed and planted a tree. When the sign was finally installed, it was installed on the other side of the street no where near his house.
• Matthew 6:34 AMP
• So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. 
• God has given me grace for today.
• What-ifs will depress you.
• Armed with strength for every battle.
• Don't waste today worried about tomorrow.
• For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 
• Hebrews 4:3 KJV
• Enter into God's rest.
• "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. 
• Matthew 10:16 MSG
• Sheep count on the shepherd to guide and protect them.
• Be at rest.
• Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 
• Acts 12:5-7 KJV
• Worry weakens the immune system.
• Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us." 
• Acts 9:13-14 MSG
• Saul had already been changed on the road to Damascus.
• God has already solved many problems that I'm worried about.
• Have you ever felt like your hands were tied thinking that something out of your control needs to change.  The good thing is that God had all control! God asked me to walk by faith not by sight. Don't limit your options by what you see.
• The Children of Israel limited Gods power in their lives. 
• Psalm 78
• Joshua's and Caleb's reports (Numbers 25-34):
• But Caleb tried to quiet the (people's negative report) as they stood before Moses. "Let's go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!"
• Get your eyes off of yourself and focus on the limitless God.
• Joshua 1:7
• Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.