The Necessity of Betrayal

Sermon Theme

As believers, we may all go through times/circumstances where we have been betrayed. These betrayals can cause us to run towards or away from Jesus. Our dependence needs to be on God’s spirit alone.

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Scriptures

1 Corinthians 11:18

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Discuss & Reflect

·         Think about a time when you felt betrayed. Did you run toward Jesus or did you try to appease the flesh?

·         Having heard Pastor Richard’s message, how will you respond when betrayal comes your way?

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Prayer Point

Prayer Point

During this week of Thanksgiving we pray grace extends to more people which increases Thanksgiving

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may

increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV

Next Steps

All Liberty Church partners and attendees are invited to take their next step. What is your next step? Is it water baptism, joining Growth Path, joining the Impact team or joining a LIFE group?

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The Power of Perseverance

Sermon Theme

Perseverance is a biblical character trait that is developed over time. Perseverance begins to develop when you choose to hang with God when the going gets tough because you trust that He is working on your behalf. As you read the Bible you will discover that you cannot get through life as a victorious Christian without the requirement to persevere. Any victorious follower of Jesus will be schooled by the Holy Spirit in perseverance. It’s a qualifier for usefulness in the kingdom of God. Perseverance is a continued effort to do something and to become something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

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Scriptures

Luke 18:1-8, Romans 5:1-5, James 1:2-4, Romans 15:4

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Discuss & Reflect

·         What ways has the enemy tried to cause you to quit?

·         What area of perseverance do you need to currently develop? (prayer, character development as a          follower of Christ, hope and faith for your future, obedience to be more like Jesus)

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Prayer Point

Pray for good health and prosperity

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering

3 John 1:2 TPT

Next Steps

All Liberty Church partners and attendees are invited to take their next step. What is your next step? Is it water baptism, joining Growth Path, joining the Impact team or joining a LIFE group?

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Prepared for the Promise

Sermon Theme

While many times we prepare/plan for the worst, such as when the world was slated to tend in 1999, God has told us that he doesn’t have plans for bad, but plans for good. He has plans for all of us, a promise from God. We must ask ourselves what we are preparing for. Our nature is not to do something unless we can see a tangible result, but the results are determined by our preparation. Our spiritual, mental and physical health is important to the plans that God has for you. We must be prepared like David was when he was preparing for his promise.

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Scriptures

2 Timothy 2:20-24; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Samuel 16

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Discuss & Reflect

·      What are some things you are doing to prepare yourself for what God has promised you?

·      What is your motivation behind your preparation? Are you doing it for man or for God?

·      How can you identify what type of preparation works best for you? (For example; does worshipping corporately help you, reading a preset bible plan on the bible app, following discussion guides like this?)

·     David had some great things in his inventory. What are some things that you need to add and take away from your inventory?

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Prayer Point

Pray for a joyful heart that would bring healing to those that need it

A joyful heart is good medicine

Proverbs 17:22 ESV  

Next Steps

All Liberty Church partners and attendees are invited to take their next step. What is your next step? Is it water baptism, joining Growth Path, joining the Impact team or joining a LIFE group?

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Praying From Victory, Pt.6: Praying the Promise

Sermon Theme

Our discussion continues about effectual prayer. Because we are one with Christ, we are in a place of authority and rule over the enemy. It is time to rise up and live and function from our position in Christ. God is looking for believing believers! In addition, our testimonies of miracles are tied to God’s Mission and purpose.

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Scriptures

Ephesians 1; Colossians 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:9; Psalm 24:7-10

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Discuss & Reflect

·      How does God word translate into power in our lives?

·      Is my provision tied to my purpose and destiny?

·      If so, is there any benefit to being in God’s will and purpose for my life?

·      What if I am not living in God’s will for my life?

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Praying From Victory, Pt.5

Sermon Theme

We come to God because we are clothed with Jesus’s righteousness. The righteousness is what enables us to come boldly to His throne. Through grace and the gift of righteousness we get to reign in this life. His mercy and grace to help when we need it most is at His throne. We are invited to live in this place where we are seated in heavenly places. Our perspective is shaped by where we are seated (Get God’s perspective).

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Scriptures

Isaiah 43; Hebrews 4; Colossians 3:1-3; John 3:12-13

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Discuss & Reflect

·         How does God want us to live down here in the first heaven?

·         If Jesus already did everything I need to fulfill my purpose how do I access his provision?

·         How should I pray knowing I can access what is in the 3rd heavens?

·         Pastor Richard previously described how we should ask for God’s strategy first, then fight with prophetic decrees and proclamations. Has this changed the way you pray?

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Praying From Victory, Pt. 4

Sermon Theme

When you get Born Again you are raised up into the heavens and seated with Christ far above ALL PRINCIPALITIES POWERS AND MIGHT or Rulers of this present darkness and the spiritual wickedness in Heavenly places. The third heaven is the place where God resides and rules. Christ’s resurrection revolutionized how we live our lives “down here”. We are one with Christ now, and we ought to live from our co-ascension in Christ. It is about access. Let us open the doors of revelation and walk out our purpose and destiny.

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Scriptures

Revelation 3:8, 20; Revelation 4:1; Ephesians 2:6-10

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Discuss & Reflect

·         How does God want us to pray regarding our problems?

·         Describe the three doors and how they relate to you?

·         If Jesus already did everything I need to fulfill my purpose how do I access his provision?

·         Pastor Richard previously described how we should ask for God’s strategy first, then fight with prophetic decrees and proclamations. Has this changed the way you pray?

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Praying From Victory

Sermon Theme

It is imperative that we play from a place of victory, not for victory. Praying from the 3rd heaven (beginning explanation last week, continuing this week) is praying from a place of victory. The three heavens are not physical locations, but places in the spiritual dimension. We also need to make sure that our perception of warfare is not OT based. This next season we are invited in a special way to go beyond what we believe is impossible and TO MAKE THE WORLD WHOLE.  

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Scriptures

Ephesians 1; Ephesians 6; Hebrews 4

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Discuss & Reflect

• Describe the three heavens and how they relate to you.

• Describe what it means to pray from a place of Victory.

• If the devil is already defeated, what is spiritual warfare about?

• Pastor Richard described how we should ask for God’s strategy first, then fight with prophetic decrees and proclamations. How will this new information change the way you pray?

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Effectual Prayer, Pt. 2

Sermon Theme

Our discussion continues about effectual prayer. Effectual, fervent prayer can look like the prayer of faith. We must know the authority we have as we partner with God to advance His kingdom. Praying effectually is not begging, it is proclaiming what God has told us and standing with Him to see it come to pass.

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Scriptures

James 5:14-17; Matthew 16; Ephesians 3:8-12

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Discuss & Reflect

•   Prayer is about discovering what God wants to do and then standing between heaven and earth being the conduit for it to be done. What are some “its” in your life that you are believing God for?

• God speaks to us in different ways. What ways do you personally tune in to God’s voice?

• Why is there more power in our prayers corporately?

• Discuss what it means to pray from a place of victory.

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Effectual Prayer

Sermon Theme

Effectual (white hot) prayer is the prayer that works. The book of James gives us instructions on how to watch what we say and the importance of effectual prayer. James points us to Elijah’s example of effectual prayer.

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Scriptures

James 5:13-18; 1 Kings 18:41-45

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Discuss & Reflect

• The book of James gives instruction on how to act when faced with trials, how to speak when in trials and how we should confess the sin of offense. In what ways has James 5:16 been used out of context to justify confessing sins to each other?

• In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prayed for rain and initially there was no sign of results. Reflect on times in your life that you have prayed and saw no results. Did you quit praying, or did you do as Elijah did and continue in prayer?

• Why do we need to pray?

• How is God speaking to you about what would it mean for you to pray effectually?

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The King's Table

Sermon Theme

Mephibosheth was five years old when he lost his father, grandfather, and became crippled for life all on the same day. Orphaned in Lo-debar, King David found and rescued Mephibosheth from an impoverished life to his reserved seat at King David’s table. Even as King David is a shadow and type of our King Jesus, we are being sought out after to accept the invitation of a lifetime to feast at the Lord’s table.

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Scriptures

2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:1-12, 13

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Discussion

1. What themes in Mephibosheth’s life are part of your own? Are you identifying with your condition more than the identity you were given by God? Caught in a vortex of defeat, what debilitating orphan mentality, including self-hating thoughts and actions, have kept you in the hand of the enemy? What about those desolate places of no or low expectation in your life?

2. Affirmatively, accepting your reserved seat at the Lord’s table is not a one-time event. How are you feasting off of the intentional kindness of God in your life? How are you partaking of the richness and fullness of God? What scriptures, songs, and dance has the Lord given for your deliverance? Can you taste and see the goodness of God, in every aspect of your life?

3. Where and how is the Lord showing you His process of restoration? Is there a place in Him where your former life is no longer a place of shame and guilt; but, a launching pad of victory?

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Prayer

Father, thank you for this message. Your intentional pursuit and kindness toward us is overwhelming. More and more we find You in every good thing in our lives. Partaking of the fullness of your mercy and grace has so much to do with our encounters with You. Increase our encounters with You every day. Thank you that for making yourself known to us and everyone around us. You are truly glorious! Thank you for the feast that you have prepared for us to make us strong against the enemy of our mind. In Jesus, name. Amen

There's No Place Like Home

Sermon Theme

We often focus on the son who was lost in the parable in Luke 15. However if we change our perspective we will discover that Jesus was telling this story to teach about the Father’s heart towards the groups of people who were listening, the sinners and the religious people (Pharisees and Scribes). Each of us can be found in one of these categories. We can all learn about the Father’s heart. Our message to the world is that Home is where the Father is, and Jesus is the way back home.

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Scriptures

Luke 15:11-31

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Discussion

1. Which son have you been? Do you consistently wonder what the Father thinks about your past mistakes, overcome with shame, or do you pride yourself on your performance? His heart for either is for us to experience His embrace.

2. Have you experienced the grace of His embrace? What would it look like if you lived every moment in his embrace?

3. Like the robe given to the son in verse 22, we were given a robe. The robe of Christ’s righteousness. We no longer carry the stench of our sin. Have you accepted His approval? Have you really opened your heart to Him?

4. If you wonder How to experience His love, take some time to ask Him. Every one of us has different experiences, and He knows what has made you close your heart. Ask Him how to open it to Him. He’s a safe Father.

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Prayer

Father, we thank you that you are a safe Father and that like the father in this parable, you have accepted us as we have run back to you. Help us to live every day in your embrace as we realize that nothing matters more than your arms. As we continually experience your loving embrace we pray that we will come to the place where no one’s opinion of us matters more than what you have said about us.

The Power of Mother's Prayer

Sermon Theme

There is no other job that is as demanding and important as that of a mother. Mothers are the most influential people in the world. Mothers shape the lives of each person throughout their life time through their love, correction and mostly their prayers for their children. The prayers of godly mothers have eternal impact. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, God shows honor to mothers as demonstrated in the godly influence shown to Moses and to Timothy through the encouragement, teaching and prayers of their mothers and in the case of Timothy also with his grandmother. A godly mother who prays can have impact on her children even in the midst of a culture that is ungodly or in marriages in which there may be unbelievers. We can honor our mothers through various expressions of our love to them – through words, through touch and through our patience with them as they age. The mother’s prayers are often the thing that helps us through life’s difficulties and sustains us as we grow in our relationship with Christ

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Scriptures

2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Hebrews 11:23-29; Ephesians 6:2-3

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Discussion

1. Why was it essential for both Moses and Timothy to have the influence of a spiritual mother in growing up in a family and culture in which other influences could have shaped their lives?

2. For those who did not have the influence of a godly and praying mother in their lives, what are some of the ways in which the church family can help to provide this influence and support?

3. Are there ways in which you feel that you can provide greater honor and expression of love and appreciation to your mother in helping you to grow in your own walk with God?

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Prayer

Father, we thank God for the godly influence of mothers in our lives. We thank you for our mothers’ prayers and faithfulness to you and to all their children. We ask that we provide the honor, love and appreciation to them each day and that we in turn would lift them up in prayer, so their needs would be met and that they will experience the richness of your love to them.

Living in the Father's Love

Sermon Theme

Living in the ongoing experience of the Father’s Love brings transformation to our lives. We’re no longer trying to be like Jesus. We experience more of Him expressing His love through us. His love makes us loving. Disarmingly, we learn our own strategies to protect ourselves are unnecessary because we trust in His Love for us. Naturally, we become an expression of His love on the earth. Through Him and in Him, His love dispels darkness. Wonderfully, His love is the solution to every offensive situation, abuse, tragedy, and crisis. His love is so magnificent. He loves his enemies, betrayers, and sinners. Increase your awareness of the flow of His love through you. His love will captivate you!

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Scriptures

John 3:16; Galatians 5, 1 John 4:12-19

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Discussion

1. Saturate yourselves in the Love of God. Read out loud those scriptures that melt your fears away.

2. What happens to you and the atmosphere around you when you say Jesus’ name out loud and, or call out an attribute of His character? Together, begin to call on His Name and attributes.

3. Talk about what Holy Spirit shows you about His Love for you.

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Prayer

Father you have flooded our lives with Your Love with the perfect demonstration of Your love, Jesus. The life of your only begotten Son permeates and flows through us that You may have expression on this earth. By the power of Holy Spirit, hover over us that we may see, feel, and taste Your Love every moment of our day. Grow us up, Lord, change our hearts to beat like yours. Heal, deliver, and save us every day that we may be more like You and know eternal life, that's You Jesus. Demonstrate Your life of love in us. In Jesus Name, oh Savior and King.

Living Hope

Sermon Theme

Our Risen Savior willingly laid His life down for us. Darkness and earthquakes fell upon the earth for three hours. At that time, Jesus was cut off from the presence of God. He, who knew no sin became sin. He took our iniquity, sickness, disease and every sin was nailed to the cross. Instead of defeat, Jesus was resurrected out of hell death and the grave. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the grave will lift you up from despair and give you a hope and a future.

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Scriptures

Revelation 1:18; Matthew 26:47-53; Isaiah 37:36; John 19:11; Matthew 27:45-51; Amos 8:9; 1Corinthians 5:20-21; Isaiah 53; John 20:1-8; 11-14; John 11:25-26; Matthew 27:51-53; 1Corinthians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 3:2-3; Romans 15:13; Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:10-11)

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Discussion

1. What were those things in your life that were dead that have come alive because of the great “I AM” that lives inside of you?

2. How has your awareness of Christ in you brought a hunger for holiness, pure thoughts and deeds?

3. What supernatural ways has Jesus made Himself known to you through your fellowship with Holy Spirit?

4. In what ways have your desires melted into the desires of our Most High God because of the Love that Jesus poured out on the cross?

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Prayer

Thank you Jesus. You are our Living Hope. By the power of Holy Spirit, resurrect our lives in Your Love. Go before us that we may walk, obedient to Holy Spirit’s transforming power. Bring the revelation of the eternal life that you have prepared for us here - to know You. Lord, we embrace Your love, purpose, and desires for our lives in Jesus Name, Amen.

Starting Over

Sermon Theme

Peter was radically transformed by the power of the resurrection. Peter rejected the possibility that he could betray Jesus. Nonetheless, Jesus prophesied Peter would deny following Him three times. Witnessing Jesus being mocked and brutally beaten beyond recognition, Peter wept bitterly in remorse. Meeting Peter and the other disciples at the same place on the water where their ministry began together, the power of the resurrected savior transformed Peter into one of the greatest leaders in the early church. The tender moment of restoration comes in the relational exchange and affirmation of love for Christ. Jesus shows us the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable.

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Scriptures

Titus 1:16; Matthew 26:58; John 21:3-9; John 21:15-20; Matt 16:24; John 20:4

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Discussion

1. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you how you may have denied being a follower of Jesus. Ask Holy Spirit to restore and transform you.

2. Talk about those areas where you may be following Jesus at a distance by your words or works. How do you draw closer to Jesus?

3. Share how you’ve been empowered to overcome your own failures. Talk about the power of the resurrection.

4. Describe how Sunday’s message set you free relationally with Jesus and demonstratively in your life.

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Prayer

Thank you Jesus. Your passionate love for us on the cross is our poignant reality. You willingly laid your life down for us. Taking all of our failures to the cross and being raised from the dead our failures no longer hold us down. It’s all about You Jesus. The curse of sin is destroyed by your blood. Your tender mercies are new every morning just as they were with Peter. By your blood, every human frailty that hinders us is nailed to the cross. Resurrect us in boldness for You! Resurrect us in love for those who are lost without you. In Jesus Mighty Name! Amen.

Money's Worth # 5 - The Principle of First

Sermon Theme

The principle that the first fruits of our lives is holy and belongs to God is illustrated from Genesis to Revelations. The first 10% of your income is the tithe that is holy to God. It’s the redemptive portion that sets into motion the blessings of God. The tithe is called first fruits because we are putting God first in our lives. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to the Lord.

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Scriptures

Exodus 13:1-2; Malachi 3:8-12;Leviticus 27:30; Joshua 6:24; Deuteronomy 26:13-14; Matthew 5:17-21; Exodus 13:1-13; Proverbs 3:9-10.

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Discussion

1. Explain what tithing the first 10% of your income does to your heart.

2. What does an open heaven look like in your life, knowing that everything belongs to the Lord?

3. How can you keep the tithe from being a legalistic ritual?

4. Have you ever given with regret? Discuss your process of bringing thoughts and emotions in line with God’s Word.

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Prayer

Holy Spirit thank you for revealing every area in our lives that we can take the principle of first fruits as a holy place of worship to you. Take us to new dimensions of your holiness and splendor that we may experience the fullness of your joy, faithfulness, and everlasting love toward us. Glory and honor are yours Almighty Father, in Jesus name. Amen

Money's Worth #4 - Understanding Supernatural Debt Cancellation

Read the Scriptures and share around the circle the revelations God has given and how they are adjusting your life. As you answer the questions and describe your process, be as practical and down-to-earth as possible. Discuss the insights you are gaining and how you are applying them in your life; describe what is working and what remains a challenge.

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scriptures

Luke 4:18-22; Leviticus 25:9-10; 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 6:1-7; Matthew 17:24-27; James 2:17; Matthew 9:29; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:14

• Recapping from our lesson last week, debt enslaves us. Quite often, debt comes from a lifestyle of overspending. To get out of debt we must: 1) Stop borrowing; 2) Develop a budget; 3) Work out a plan to pay back creditors; 4) Learn to trust God; 5) Exercise self-discipline as a lifestyle. In essence, curb the impulse to buy and stay within your budget.

• The sixth element to financial freedom is supernatural debt cancellation. God’s provision for our lives goes beyond the wisdom He gives us to be free. God’s character exemplified and personified in Jesus. He was anointed to proclaim the year of Jubilee. He is our Jubilee. Mortgaged land returns to its owner Debts are forgiven. And slaves of those debts are set free, supernaturally.

• We are accountable for complying with the terms and conditions of all our obligations, including taxes. There is no passivity in faith. Supernatural provision occurs even in your simple compliance with your obligations because He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Watch God provide wisdom for every area of our life to multiply provision for your home. Work to be a blessing to others and God’s faithfulness will manifest in His supernatural provision. Trust Him. Delight in Him.

• Believing God for our finances includes doing what we’re required to do, knowing that God will do what only He can do. Give God whatever little you may have and the principle of multiplication will kick-in for God to do the rest. Sow seed and ask God to multiply the seed sown. Look to God to bring change, according to your level of faith. Faith is the bridge that connects the physical realm to the spiritual realm. The resources of the Kingdom of God are stored in the spiritual realm and reserved for specifically for you.

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Discussion

1. Are there areas in your finances that you have to apply your natural resources and abilities and expect God to intervene supernaturally to meet your needs?

2. Relate a time(s) in your life when you had to rely on God to move supernaturally to provide for you and your family. What did you have to do first to watch God move?

Money's Worth #1

Read the Scriptures and questions out loud and discuss what God has revealed to you. Talk about how this may apply to you. Give examples of what God has done specifically in your life. As you share, let the Holy Spirit renew your mind and transform you to a new way of living.

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Scriptures

Haggai 2:8; Matthew 6:24, 25-26, 28, 32-34 and 5:45; lTim. 6:6-10, 25-34; Genesis 8:22; Mark 11:12-25; Romans 1:19-20

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• Money is the currency of the world's system. It is how buying and selling works in the world we live. Most cultures in the world have a currency that enables them to make an exchange for goods and services. Money is a tool and the good and evil that comes from money is dependent on the heart of the one who uses it and the purpose one uses it for.

• As believers, we need to understand the value of money and use it according to God's standard. Otherwise, we will fail to see money's true biblical worth. Jesus taught a lot regarding money's worth and the benefits that we will reap when we use money for His Kingdom. In 16 of the 38 parables, Jesus teaches us how to handle money and possessions. This is not because Jesus needed other people's money because the truth is He already owns it all!

• Jesus said you cannot serve God and money. According to the scripture, God knows that you need food and shelter. He provides these necessities to both the just and the unjust. Notice He says that the gentiles seek after these things not the believer.

• As a church, we have taken the principle of sowing and reaping as the only source of God's provision. Yet, the Lord shows us that He is able to supply the believer far beyond the law of sowing and reaping, if we have faith to believe. Now that does not mean we get away from the law of sowing and reaping because this law governs the earth. Jesus is teaching us that a higher law is available for the believer.

• Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath. The law of the Sabbath applied to every Jew; but, Jesus brought higher laws. Specifically, His Lordship brings Kingdom reign. He is Lord of the Sabbath and also Lord of the harvest. He could demand a harvest at any time and it had to happen. Jesus is introducing us to the rule and reign of His Kingdom.

• Jesus commands us to seek first the Kingdom of God above everything else. The moment the Kingdom of God becomes first place in our heart, then God Himself provides His supernatural provision. When we take care of the Kingdom God, He will take care of us above and beyond. This is the reason why this type of believing and thinking is higher than the law of seed, time, and harvest.

Discussion

1) What really stood out to you from Sunday's message? What did God reveal to you?

2) How can we take what God says about provision and put it into our daily practice in life?