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Find Joy Even When You’ve Messed Up (Joy to the World)

Find Joy Even When You’ve Messed Up: Philippians 3:1-16: December 22

Remember to Rejoice 

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

“Finally” but he’s not nearly done!
“rejoice in the Lord” – you can’t get joy Amazon or Costco 
We forget to access the Lords joy (19X in 104 verses)
Mindset Reset – the power of reminding

Religion Kills Rejoicing

Philippians 3:2-6:Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Dogs (they called others) 2. Evil doers (not righteous) 3. Mutilators
Dogs – wild, filthy, loud, dangerous, only domesticated animal eat human corpse
Galatians 5:15 “bite and devour”
Paul was the most devoutly religious (their version of Jesus) 

o   Benjamin – only son born  in promised  land, most faithful tribe

o   Hebrew of Hebrews  – both parents Hebrew, knew Aramaic and Hebrew (OT)

Paul was cheerless and dangerous – terrorizing terrorist
A religious spirit turns anything into a religious zeal (politics, sports, work, cause)
Act like God – I make a list & judge you

Jesus is Joy to the World

Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

“garbage” “dung” “sewer trash” “filth” “worthless trash” “dog dung” “refuse” “pile of waste” “turds”
Religion is a steaming pile in the yard
Good words for good things, bad words for bad things (e.g. choice/murder)
God does not often use strong language, but does use it carefully & forcefully
Lost – status, reputation, friends, family, safety, money, health

Righteousness

God is righteous
Created us righteous
Sinned = unrighteous
We desire to be righteous
Not a religious issue. A human issue.
Under every social/political/moral cause

Option #1 – Works Righteousness (Religious & Secular)

= All for short of God’s standard – perfection

= All we had in the profit column, moved to the loss column

Option #2 – Gift Righteousness by faith in Jesus works

My Works                                                     God’s Grace

It’s all about me                                            It’s all about Jesus

What I do                                                       What God does

I make myself better                                                God makes me new

I cannot be wrong or fail                             I can be wrong and fail

Weak people need grace                           All people need grace

Independent spirit                                        Dependent spirit

Our tribe is superior                                     Only Jesus is superior

I’m never sure I’m good enough                I’m sure Jesus is good enough

Ends in cheerless pride or despair                       Ends in cheerful joy

There’s Far More Joy in Your Future than in Your Past

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Get past any perfectionism (not perfect growing after 30 yrs w/Jesus)
If you cannot fix it then flush it. 
You know you have healed when you can talk about the past & have moved on.
To move forward, you need to leave some people and things behind.
Don’t look back (Lot’s wife, sprinter, horse w/cart will run til dead) 
The best is yet to come so believe by faith until you see by sight.
Only God can create joy that is genuine, healthy, and unending.
God has joy in your present and future that is bigger than your past mess ups

Thank you for your generosity in helping us bless pastors’ families in Mexico!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I just wanted to share a recap video from the trip to Hermosillo, Mexico my family and I, as well as some of the pastors and staff from The Trinity Church, took last week to bless pastors and their families.

Because of your generosity, as well as the generosity of the church family at The Trinity Church, we were able to bless pastors’ families with a special Christmas dinner and help clean up a park in their area.

We gave away copies of Spirit-Filled Jesus and Win Your War in Spanish as well as hundreds of toys to pastors’ kids and additional kids in local churches.

In 2020, I will be re-releasing the Doctrine book one chapter at a time each month, with additional resources, including an accompanying e-book translated into Spanish.

With your help, we can bless people like our brothers and sisters in Christ in Mexico and show them the grace and love of Jesus.

It’s All About Jesus,
Pastor Mark Driscoll

Find Joy Even When You Feel Overwhelmed (Joy to the World)

Find Joy Even When You Feel Overwhelmed: Philippians 2:12-2:30 December 15th
Overwhelmed @ holidays
American Psychology Association
68% increased fatigue during the holidays
61% increased stress
Travel – expenses – work– events – family – entertaining – shopping – weight
Perspective – Paul in prison, away from church family, no family

Reasons to Rejoice
2:17-18 I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

3 Reasons to Rejoice
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1. God is for you
2:12 “beloved”; 2:13“his good pleasure”; 2:15 “children of God”
this is more of a blessed invitation than a burdensome command
2. God lives in you
2:13 “God…works in you, both to will and to work”
OT Regeneration = new heart (Jer. 24:7; Ezek. 36:26-27)
NT Regeneration = new birth (Eph. 2:1; 2:5; Col. 2:13; John 3 Jesus & Nicodemus)
New You. Not perfect, but new & in a perfecting process.
New Mind
New Heart
New Will
New Power
New Life
3. God partners with you
“obeyed”; “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
Pastor is gone, their relationship with God is their responsibility
Debate – what is God responsible for, what are we responsible for?
Justification (FOR) – Regeneration (IN) – Sanctification (THROUGH)

8 More Reasons to Rejoice
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
You can stop “grumbling” & “disputing”
You can start being “blameless and innocent”
You can stop being part of “a crooked and twisted generation”
You can start being the “children of God without blemish” and “shine as lights
You can stop living in ways that are “in vain”
You can start living in a way that you can be “proud” of in a godly way
You can stop cheerlessness
You can start cheerfulness

Faithfulness is the Path to Joyfulness
Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20) – beaten, drug out of city, left for dead, returned to preach
Timothy joined on second visit (Acts 16:1-4)
Father – son (Paul no son, Timothy no father)
Timothy was the guy you could fully depend on = faithful
Translocal Apostolic leadership
Church = Father and family

Enjoyable People Should be Honored
Philippians 2:25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Sent with support ($) to serve
Not all money guys are like Judas
800-mile journey, 6 weeks of travel, sick for maybe 3 months
Risked life for Paul
Brother not father (Church is a family)
There are some really wonderful folks
Like a soldier returning home (Vietnam)
Honoring those on and off the platform (honor/ humble dance)
Hayford’s

Honor and Fun in the Father’s House
Isaiah 65:17-19 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
Most people wrongly view God (believer vs unbeliever)
God the Father’s default mood is happiness (“blessed” NT translated happy but in reference to God 1 Tim. 1:11, 6:15).
God’s happiness is constant, God’s anger/sorrow is not (our behavior not His center)
God the Father’s home culture is honor/happiness
We don’t have choose between God and happiness
We don’t have to make ourselves happy, we can share in God’s happiness
God wants the culture of His Kingdom Family in our church family and families
Church family is supposed to be a culture of honor and joy lead by father
Families in the church should follow this culture of honor and joy lead by a father
Fathers – you can set a culture of honor and fun (family flourish, friends come)

Pastor Mark Driscoll New Years Greeting

It’s a happy new year indeed – because your support helps share God’s uncompromised Word with thousands of people and introduce many to Jesus for the first time. Watch as Pastor Mark shares his gratitude and wishes for the new year.

Pastor Mark Driscoll Christmas Greeting

He came!

There’s nothing quaint about Christmas. Jesus broke through enemy lines for us. Check out Pastor Mark’s video about the daring rescue mission we call Christmas.

Find Joy Even When You are Suffering (Joy to the World)

Find Joy Even When You are Suffering: Philippians 1:15–30 December 8
Biggest person? JC; Biggest holiday? XMAS
When JC born a mystery. Early church & Saturnalia
We do know JC was born of his mother Mary.
Bible uses the analogy of birth & birth pains in referenced to suffering leading to joy
Paul is in a season of suffering
Imprisoned, away friends, no family, future uncertain, critics mocking & positioning
Suffering: 1). Physical 2). Spiritual 3). Mental 4). Emotional 5). Financial 6). Legal
No clue how long this will last, or what the outcome will be (no finish line to run to)
= Suffering 1). Waste it or 2) Invest it 18X NT joy & suffering/sorrow spoken of together

There’s Joy in Speaking About Christ
Philippians 1:15–18 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
1. Good Message, Good Motive – “from good will”; “out of love”; “in truth”
Fill the hole Paul left
Churches & ministries should complete one another, not compete w/one another
2. Good Message, Bad Motive – “envy…rivalry” “selfish ambition”; “to afflict me”; “in pretense”
Then: not anti-Christ but anti-Paul (Fundamentalism 2nd degree separation”; Liberalism)
Now: +/- platforms – attack Bible teachers, click bait, libel/slander = fear, marketshare
3. Bad Message, Good Motive – 4:2 “I entreat Euodia & I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord”
Misguided folks who have been poorly taught & need some help
4. Bad Message, Bad Motive – 3:2 “dogs” “evildoers” 3:18 “enemies of the cross of Christ”
Good news is not best shared through negative ministry
Message are best dealt with publicly; messengers are best dealt with privately
40+ churches gave to & prayed for us, valley pastors welcomed & prayed over us

There’s Joy in Living or Dying with Christ
Philippians 1:18-26 Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Paul is uncertain if he will live or die, or which he prefers
Live + – suffer as an example, preach Christ, see & serve others =Better YOU
Die + – “deliverance” = vindication in eternity, suffering over, see Christ, rest = Better ME
0-30 – ambitious/chasing; 40-50 busy; 50+ you can start to see your finish line
= No matter what you need: a. “rejoice” b. “prayers” c. “the help of the Spirit of JC”
Husband married 20+ years, last year best, “walked her home”

What Happens to A Christian After Death?
Philippians 1:21-23 to live is Christ, and to die is gain…My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Body – goes to ground; Soul – goes to God
Philippians 3:20-21 our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Body & soul reunited & raised perfect
Grandpa George & miscarried child
= Kingdom – joyful family reunion party (Bible teaching in fun environment; XMAS Eve)

There’s Joy in Living with Christ
Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
2 Kingdoms in conflict & you are in the fight
God works through faith & relationship
Satan works through fear & isolation
Christianity is about 1). Suffering as a Kingdom Citizen 2). Salvation arriving Home
You are saved by suffering in past, through suffering in present, from suffering in future

There’s Rejoicing in Even Suffering or Dying
1:18 “I rejoice”
1:19 “Yes, and I will rejoice”
1:25 I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith
Roughly 19X in Philippians “joy/rejoice”
11 Causes of Cheerless Christians
God is not a happy God – God is Jesus all emotions – 60X
God cares about your holiness, not your happiness (both)
Joy is not an emotion or a feeling but a mindset (both)
It is selfish to seek happiness -can be, can also be selfish to not have joy
Joy and happiness are very different things – 100X same verse, 2700 verses – joy, rejoice, gladness, feasting, happiness, delight, feasting, celebration, cheer
To choose joy when life is hard is disingenuous faking it. -sorrow & rejoicing; joy & cross
Joy is not for all personality types
Cheerfulness is childish – 400X day kids laugh, 15X day adults “come to me as child”
We should enjoy the Giver, not the gift. – both/and – XN joy is doubled
Joy comes after this life, not in this life. (both/and; Jesus @ parties)
Joy is impossible in this fallen, broken, hurting, anxious, stressed world. (Heaven down)

7 Reasons for Christians to be Cheerful
God is happy (Trinity)
God made us for happiness which is why everyone is searching for it (Eden = delight)
The pursuit of happiness can lead to God. (man testimony “tried to feel good & now do”)
The message of Christianity is “good news” to share with others
God’s Kingdom is a happy one. (no more tears or mourning)
Option #1 – God & happiness forever
Option #2 – No God & no happiness forever = they go together forever
A cheerless Christian is a bad advertisement for the good news of Jesus Christ
God has joy big enough for you to enjoy your life
Lk 2:10-11 “the angel said…”I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Lk 10:21; Gal 5:22

Find Joy Even When You are Lonely (Joy to the World)

December 1 Find Joy Even When You are Lonely: Acts 16; Philippians 1:1-14
U.S. Dec of Ind- all men are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Joy to the World?
88% of people feel stressed during the holidays
56% of people bite their lip with family during the holidays
Top 3 topics avoided with family – politics, personal matters, religion.
The average couple has seven arguments during the holidays
Top 5 holiday arguments – where to go, money, family, cleaning up, cooking
85% of people overeat during the holidays
42% of people unbutton their pants after a holiday meal
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/the-holiday-stress-out-88-percent-of-americans-study-claims
Lk 2:10-11 “the angel said…“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Philippians is God’s Guide to Joy
The church
First church in Europe (Acts 16)
No Bible – 10 men for synagogue
Planted by Paul 10-12 years prior after walking 9 miles
Started with women’s prayer meeting, Lydia, & possessed girls
Does not say “apostle”; Perhaps the best church in the NT (“sin” omitted)
The book
4 chapters 104 verses – read 15 minutes
“joy” theme 19X; & Jesus 61X
1:4 my prayer with joy
1:18 Christ is proclaimed…in that I rejoice.
1:25 joy in the faith,
2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind…the same love
2:17-18 I am glad and rejoice with you all… be glad and rejoice with me
2:28-29 rejoice at seeing him again…receive him in the Lord with all joy
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.
4:1 brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
Our problems are big – illegally arrested, imprisoned Rome, awaiting trial
God’s joy is bigger
Servants and Saints
Philippians 1:1-5 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
#1. Who is God?
Jesus Christ – 7x first 11 verses, 61/104 verses
#2. Who are you? – Paul did not start as servant or saint
Servant – focused on others, requires humility (vs pride)
We serve Jesus because He served us (Isaiah 40-66)
Matt 20:25-28 “…whoever would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Pals: “Paul & Timothy”, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” =serve together
Prayer: “my prayer with joy” = focus on God & others is good for you
Partnership: “your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” = $
Saint
First Catholic saints honored martyrs
1. Be a Catholic 2. Die 3. A local devotion grows up around your memory 4. Your life is investigated
5. Your local bishop sends your case to the Vatican 6. Pray for a miracle 7. The Vatican investigates the miraculous cure 8. The Vatican declares you, “Blessed” 9. Pray for another miracle 10. You’re a saint!
Can be venerated – holiday, patron saint schools & churches
Over 300X Bible refers to “sinners”
Only 3X does Bible “possibly refer to XN as “sinners”
0X “sin” in Philippians
Over 200X Bible XN saints/holy/righteous
1. Sin may describe some of your activity, but does not define your entire identity in Christ.
2. You will sin some of the time, but you are a saint all of the time in Christ.
3. Sin is some of what you do, but not the totality of who you are in Christ.
4. There is a big difference between having sin and being sin.
5. Because you have a new identity as saint you can have a new victory over sin in Christ.
6. As a sinner, you have a dark past. As a saint you have a bright future.
1 Bible step – Jesus “grace and peace”

God is Faithful for You, in You, and Through You
Philippians 1:6-11 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
1. God is faithful for you – Jesus finished His work for you, & began the work in you
2. God is faithful in you – Holy Spirit brings more love, knowledge of God, life discernment
3. God is faithful through you – “your love may about more and more” – best church gets better
Your pastor: “I hold you in my heart”, “I yearn for you…w/the affection of JC” -TONE FITS
Find Joy Even When You are Lonely
Philippians 1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic = 15 cigarettes day
· Paul – Roughly decade of ministry, walked avg 20 mi day, hated, beaten, single, future??
There is big difference between isolation and solitude
You may not get new circumstances, but you can get a new mindset (11X Php. “mind”)
Behind enemy lines, 9000 soldiers, one always chained to him
You need a purpose bigger than ur pain/problem – “gospel” more % verses any NT book
Appreciate Jesus suffering for me? Become more like Jesus through suffering? Ministry?
CLOSE
Taught Php 2007? Dark hard season. Taught joy, did not much experience it.
Sat down prep this series, God revealed a spirit of darkness had been over me
I knew about Jesus & forgiveness more than HS & joy
Joy came – contentment, appreciation, hope, thankfulness
“I give people joy so that they can enjoy the people and things I also give them”
Lk 10:21 [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit; Gal 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…
Php 1:19 through your prayers & the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance
1. Your joy is your responsibility 2). Cheerlessness is a bad advertisement

Jesus Heals Father Wounds

Jesus’ Lived from the Father’s Identity 

Luke 3:22 a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.

Worked FROM not for identity
Tested – Luke 4:3,9 “If you are the Son of God”

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

Jesus Reflected the Father’s Heart

John 14:9 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

Worship is to mirror/image
How can I reflect God (love, justice, generosity)?

Jesus Did the Father’s Work

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Me as boy construction w/dad

Gideon Scotland Story –

My transition & God Father – 

Bottom Line: You are Headed to Heaven with God or Hell with Satan (Win Your War)

Bottom Line: You are Headed to Heaven with God or Hell with Satan (ch 21)
2 Realms form 1 reality
War in heaven – divine beings won
War in Eden – human beings lost
War at cross – Jesus won His war
You need to pick a side in the fight
Jesus Christ a Lion and Lamb
Revelation 5:5-6 “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered…” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Lion: Tough
“King of the Jungle”
Eat whatever – buffalo, wild hogs, elephants
Live in “prides” or packs mainly females & children – not other grown males
Jesus was a Lion with haughty religious hypocrites
Tender: Lamb
Run from danger & stick together as a large flock
Very social animals
Eat grass – vegetarians
Jesus was a Lamb with hurting and humble people
Tough Lion, Tender Lamb
Jesus is a Lion for His Family, and a Lamb with His family
Lion – Jesus ruling over hell
Lamb – Jesus ruling over heaven

The wrath of God
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
WRATH – all justice no grace, no mercy, no exception
Holiness – #1 Attribute vs Demons & Sinners
OT – 20 words nearly 600X
Passive wrath – Rom 1:18, 24, 26 God’s wrath revealed…God handed over
Active wrath – Rom 2:5 …you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
= Either you get wrath, or Jesus gets wrath for you
Hell
Matthew 25:41 the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Revelation 14:10-11 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night
#1 person in Scripture to teach on judgment and hell is Jesus Christ
13% teaching; majority parables
Jesus Gehenna garbage dump 11X (fire, weeping, wailing, gnashing teeth)
Hell is…
Revelation 20:12-15 I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Throne
center of history & rules 2 Worlds
200?X Bible, 45 of 61 NT in Revelation 17 of 22, chapter 4 highest concentration
Warrior, Priest, King
Hell is cruel? = freely chosen (only XN don’t get want)
Hell is intolerant? = more tolerant than good people going
Hell is unloving? = 1. loves His people 2. love requires protection
Hell is exclusive? = 1. Their hell 2. Our hell

The war to end all wars
Revelation 19:11-16 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. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Kingdom of Heaven
Revelation 21:1-5 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 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.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
2 realms, 1 reality – come together
Revelation – Western (past or future), Western (ware or worship)
War: earthly scenes of churches and nations at (Rev 2, 3, 6, 10, 12-13, 16-19).
Worship: heavenly scenes of King/Kingdom (Rev 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 19, 21-22)
Worship is War & connects the 2 realms

Prepare for your promotion
1 Corinthians 2:9 “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
Revelation 3:21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne
Revelation 5:10 you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels?
Every day you make decisions to invite heaven down or pull hell up into your life
Offering 2. Baptism

Win Your War Small Group Discussion Questions

Win Your War Small Group Discussion Questions

Learn to Discern Between what God Creates and Satan Counterfeits (Win Your War)

Learn to Discern Between what God Creates and Satan Counterfeits

God Creates, Satan Counterfeits

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 [NLT] the work of Satan…counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception

“false”

God Creates             Satan Counterfeits

angels/demons    obedience/ rebellion     truth/lies     Spirit-filled/demon-possessed

cleansing/ defilement      humility/pride    forgiveness/bitterness

worship/idolatry        contentment/coveting   peace/fear   unity/ division

shepherds/wolves    God-esteem/self-esteem    covenant with God/inner vow with self

Spirit/flesh     freedom/slavery    revival/riot    life/death   church/ world     kingdom/hell

You Need Discernment

1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist…Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world…We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Message – John 8 Pharisees said Jesus was the demonic counterfeit
Messenger – Spirit of God in them?

Subverting Satan’s Battle Plan

Demonic process In heaven, Eden, OT, Jesus ministry, church
Defeat pride with humility

Ezekiel 28:2 [ESV?] “Thus says the Lord God…your heart is proud and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods”

I know what’s best and should have more power
Defeat rebellion with honor

1 Samuel 15:23 [NLT] Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

Because I’m right and they are wrong, it’s time to force my change
Defeat division with unity 

Romans 16:17-20 watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ…I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

I am recruiting people to join my side – troop buildup
Defeat mob mentality with loving family

John 13:16-17 Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot….Satan entered into him.

John 18:2-3 Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Now that I’ve got my army assembled, it’s time to war
Defeat war by choosing peace

Revelation 12:7-9 [ESV] Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

= Church battles are part of the Big War 

Satan Sends Counterfeits into the Church

Happened in heaven, OT, Jesus ministry, early church, today

False Apostles – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 2:2-5
False Prophets – Ezekiel 13:8-9; Matthew 7:15
False Teachers – 2 Peter 2:1-9
False Doctrines – 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Galatians 1:8, 3:1
(Legalism/Galatia and Liberalism/Corinth)

5. False Brothers – 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4
6. False Elders – Acts 20:17-38

= causes church hurt, most likely are leaders

1). Wise – Spirit = win/win

2). Foolish – Flesh = win/lose

3). Evil – Demonic = lose/lose

Healing from Church Hurt

Hurt
Decision pull hell up or invite heaven down
Bitterness is defeated by forgiveness
Lies are cast out by the truth
Inner vow is broken by covenant with God
Fight or flight is replaced by faith
Fight – declare war
Flight – isolation (vs solitude) 

The Lord rebuke you spirit of…

Heal from Wounds In the Past and Fears for the Future (Win Your War)

Heal from Wounds In the Past and Fears for the Future (ch 16-17)
Past – Father Wound; Future – Fear
The biggest variable in life apart from God is who your Father was/is

5 Kinds of Fathers
Malachi 4:5-6 (NKJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
1. Tragic dad
2. Terrible dad (broken, selfish)
3. Tough dad (push, performance, punish)
4. Tender dad
5. Terrific dad

The Father Wound
Ephesians 4:27,31,32 (NIV) do not give the devil a foothold. Get rid of all bitterness…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 6:4,11-12 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord….take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Kinds Fathers
1). Physical (genealogies)
2). Spiritual Paul (1 Cor. 4:15 Tim/Titus/Ones) John “my little children”
= Father Wound – Unforgiven/Unresolved/Unhealed hurt from physical or spiritual father
View of Heavenly Father Often Projection or Rejection of earthly father
Atheism – I have no Father.
Agnosticism – I may or may not have a Father, but I’ve never met Him, don’t care to
Deism – I have a Father but He lives far away and we don’t have a relationship.
Reformed theology – I have Father who is distant, controlling, and not very relational
Arminian theology – I have Father who is passive and lets me make my own decisions
Liberal/Progressive – I have Father who acts more like an enabling older sibling.
Feminist theology – I don’t need Father as men are dangerous, worship God as Mother

God the Father
John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said…“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Father Forgotten
OT
Lots about fathers (patriarchal)
Little about God Father – roughly 15X, national not personal
JESUS
· #1 name for God – 65X Matt-Luke; 100X John = 165X
· Abba – no indication this word used before Jesus of God
· John 14:9 “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”
· Colossians 1:15 “the image of the invisible God”

God as Master vs God as Father
Lk 3:22 a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.
Romans 8:14-17 all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
A master uses a slave A father blesses a son
You serve them They serve you
Beats you down Builds you up
No inheritance Full inheritance
Motivate you by fear Motivate you by love

8 Reasons Most Fear is a Fraud
Genesis 3:10 (ESV) I was afraid
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Most fearful people think they are loving – a lie.
Fear – anxiety – or even phobia – “you are not safe” – reveals who/what we love/hate
Something triggers our fear = stronghold
Fear is the counterfeit to discernment.
Fear makes us selfish. (self-consumed)
Fear makes us ineffective. (paralyzed, stuck, inactive)
Fear causes us to lose touch with reality. (fears layer & driven by emotions)
Fear causes us to seek to be God. (knowing & controlling)
Fear robs us. Jesus – thief “steal and kill & destroy” (sleep, health, adventure)
Fear makes us double-minded and unstable – James 1:5-8; step forward & back
Fear turns us into false prophets
You create an environment of fear or love (e.g. parenting – same issue love vs fear)

Bring Your Fears To Your Father
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Focus one eye on each track – “rejoice” “thanksgiving” (naïve vs scared)
Make your will your rudder – “reasonableness” emotions sail, fear hurricane, will rudder
Replace panic with prayer – “do not be anxious about anything” prayer and supplication”
· Release valve/Lightning rod/Verbally process privately
Tell the Father what you want – “your requests” know what you don’t want vs do want
· He wants to hear you; tightrope vs highway
Enjoy God’s peace and presence – “guard” 150’X? “fear not, I’m with you”
Haiti & our Rambo
1). What you fear may not happen
2). Your fear may be more harmful to you than what you fear
3). Even if what you fear happens, you might be fine
Jesus Gethsemane – fear, anxiety, prayer, “if”, “your will be done”
Jesus endured all of our worst fears
Even if you get buried God can raise you up, I said “we’re good” Grace said “we’re better”