The Open Door Church 337

Message:  According to God's power, He has given us ALL things that pertain to life and Godliness. If THESE things abide in you, they make make you neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ. Peter tried really hard to be that guy, but he was the guy who cut a man in anger, rebuked Jesus, and denied him thrice. What does your life in Christ look like? Sin can be perplexing in it...

Message:  Paul addresses the Galatians with an aggressive letter to point the people back to Christ. The Galatians are adding requirements to salvation. Paul compares the people to the Israelites and Moses from captivity, rescue, provisions and the wilderness. Paul points to God's faithfulness, the purpose of the Law and Christ in their lives. Christ has freed us from sin and the Law, paying...

Message: The Jews could not obtain righteousness through the Law or works, so Paul speaks of a mystery revealed to them by God. The mystery is Christ in us our hope for future glory. Man fails, with Christ in us we cannot. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would enter to empower people for service, then leave. In the New Testament, believers hadn't received the Holy Spirit yet, Jesus sends the...

Message: God delights in giving us His kingdom's authority, riches, might, life and liberty to those who believe.  There's not a condition with God, it is gifted, unlike the world which creates lists. What has God gifted to you? Gifts speaks of the thoughts of the giver. God gives with no restraint and cheerfully, the kingdom. It shows how much God loves and values us each day. He never wants...

Message: Because of God's love, He gave us a gift, when we accept the gift, He is with us. God desired to be with those He created, but saw man's depravity. Flesh corrupted it's way on the earth, wanting kings to rule them, rejecting God. It divided them leading them into destruction and captivity. Man became wise in his own eyes; God became silent. They were in darkness for 400 years without God,...

Message: Why would God send a gift for us or what is God trying to do for us? In our process of gift giving we ask ourselves questions about the best gift for a person, like, "What are they missing?", "How should it be wrapped?" and "What will be their reaction?". Everything else about gift giving will now hinge on timing and location! The thoughts of gift giving by the Lord exceeds the thoughts o...

Message: We don't really own our homes, unless the note has been paid. We need to allow Jesus to take ownership of our house, so  there is no fear of what can be taken or controlled. Jesus is being questioned about driving out demons and the people are wanting a sign. Jesus discerns the people's hearts are hardened and evil, pointing to many previous signs as He recalls the story of Jonah to...

Message: Todah is Hebrew for "Thanks". In the early days. singers and songs were offered in thanksgiving to God. Breaking down the word Todah into it's meaning results in the phrase, "the true doorway into the presence of God". It's thanksgiving that leads into intimacy with God. It is an act of worship and adoration, an offering of praise for the goodness and sacrifice of God. Giving thanks, some...

Message: There was a need for God to send a light into the darkness for hope and peace. Has prayer seemed rigid and repetitious? Are you forgetting to take time to have heart to heart time with Father God? God wants to have heart to heart talks with you, be one mind with you. Jesus is asked by the disciples, teach us to pray, perceiving there was a proper way. Jesus is characterized as being alone...

Message: Have you ever felt like you did something because you had to do it? Obligations get heavy, leaving you with the feeling of "nothing left to give". Mary and Martha give context to a loving God. Those who have a love for God, have a love for others and give generously. Martha works as Mary sits and listens to Jesus. Martha wants Jesus to rebuke her for not working, but commends her instead....

Message: Jesus is engaging individuals, a lawyer wants to test His knowledge on scripture and the Law.  Lawyers were scribes, specialist n the religious law, interpreters and teachers of the Law of Moses (Pentateuch), questioners of difficult and subtle details. They were considered to be wise and prudent, highly esteemed, so much so, people stood to ask questions. The scholars of the time de...

Message: Ever been waiting for something with your name on it, such as, making the cut, getting tickets, receiving money? In Samaria, the Jews and Samarians were in a natural battle stemming from hate and rejection. Jesus was there to show love for everyone in their battle. The disciples returned with accomplishments from ministry, Jesus reminded them of His part in crippling Satan, defeating His...

Message: We've all suffered through something and asked why! We've heard "No Pain, No Gain"! Scriptures remind us "it rains on the just and unjust" when there's no "rhyme to the reason".  Jesus predicts His death and shocks the disciples who have a preconceived idea of His purpose. It's bothering to see Him walk towards the time unconceivable by man, but planned by God. Jesus came to serve an...

Message: Jesus had done many works; performing miracles and ministering to all. Now, we see him beginning his transition plan; calling his disciples to him and sending them to proclaim the gospel. It’s important to be one who’s sent and not one who just goes in our own will, abilities, or timing. That being said, all of humanity is called by God. In a believer's life, we are called to serve God an...

Message: Jesus travels with Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, with the intent to heal his dying daughter. The key point "Fear Not, Only Believe" is intended to give you a place of rest, a sense of calmness, and be an anchor for your soul. This main point breaks down into three subsections; 1. Trouble Not; defining the circumstantial remark made by a member of Jairus' household in response to the...

Message: We have trials and struggles, seemingly endless, sometimes making joy take a little longer than expected. Hold on!! Trust in a loving God who can heal, save, deliver and set free. A woman with a long term illness touched Jesus's garment out of desperation. Risking condemnation for an act forbidden by religious authorities, Jesus commended her for her faith healing. Often we do not risk be...

Message: In the parable of the sower, there are people who have a heart, their spiritual ears, which will be able to receive the Word of God. Jesus is addressing those in need of a Savior and heart for the kingdom of God. The parable has truth to be heard by the spiritual deaf, who become curious to understand the story and become drawn to God's Word. Israel is given as an example of God's decisio...

Message: Ever had challenge or difficulty with authority? And, maybe think authority abused it's power? We must understand there is an element of responsibility and accountability when given authority! A centurion officer who has had to achieve position by mostly physical means up to now has submitted to the authority of Jesus as a believer. Transformation from a soldier to a softened heart of gre...

Message: Jesus is speaking directly to the disciples, showing fulfillment in all they were doing. It will take God and they will need Jesus to be blessed in the poverty they will endure to share the gospel. He told the the disciples, they and others would seek out of hunger. Hunger is a strong motivation, producing energy and decisive action. It is a blessing to desire righteousness over the fleet...

Message: How did Jesus get to the point of following when His own hometown rejected Him? In the process of doing what God asked Him to do; He fulfilled His ministry as the Light, blessing people with the Word of God, healing, signs and wonders. The called "the chosen" followed Him, starting with His 12 disciples. In particular Matthew "Levi" left his past, rose and began to follow Jesus. It was co...

Message: When should you do something? There is a timing for everything in life and God has the plan in His space of time, grace, redemption and deliverance to get us to hear. Hearts have to be prepared to listen, the Israelites waited 400 years for the Word brought by John the Baptist. Even Jesus had prerequisites to understand man's timing, sorrows, afflictions and temptations. He is the fulfill...

Message: Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be worked over by a tool called Satan. Christ is fulfilling the failures of the people of Israel and Adam. The Holy Spirit is pleased to affirm Christ's identity as the Son of God. Satan's deception worked with Adam and God allows him to approach Jesus to question the clarity of scripture again. Jesus wields the sword, described in Ep...

Message: Expectation is to believe something will happen. In Luke the people were expectant because John had prepared their hearts for repentance at the coming of the Lord. He is causing them to notice and wonder the religious leaders power, calling them out about misleading the people. He proposed to point out the authority of Christ is mightier than all things, even death. Therefore, leaning on...

Message: Luke is sharing with one and many through Theophilus. He shows the prophets who exclaim of knowing good to expose evil, just as out of eternity Jesus will come for all the earth. It will be an unfathomable joyous event, the redemption of man from the law into the family of God. Though unnecessary, but customary, Jesus was included in the obedience of the law required by God's redeemed (ch...

Message : Zacharias is muted and deafened by the angel Gabriel for disbelief in the birth of a son, John, during  his old age. Mary is pregnant with Jesus and visits Zacharias' wife Elizabeth who is 6 months pregnant. In the womb, John leaps at the presence of Life in Mary. Zacharias can possibly see the joy of the women and the rejoicing. At John's birth, divine work is unveiled in the agree...