Letting Go Of Distractions

December 8, 2019  / / /  Travel Light  / / /  Week 2: "Letting Go Of Distractions".
In a crowded, busy holiday season, it's common for people to feel weighed down. Sometimes we carry weight that God never intended that we carry. His solution is simple: Let go of the baggage and travel light.
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Title: "Letting Go Of Distractions"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: Travel Light

I. Have A MARY Christmas

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:40 (NIV)

But Martha was distracted (περισπάω) by all the preparations that had to be made.

perispao (περισπάω) Literally, "to be drawn around" something, hence "to be drawn away, distracted." It means to be overoccupied by the thing you are drawn around.

REFLECT
Often the most difficult choices aren't between good and bad but between good and best. 

When you aren't feeling attraction toward God, a good question to ask yourself is, "What good thing have I made central while neglecting the best thing?"

II. The devil doesn't need to DESTROY you if he can DISTRACT you.

Principles For Intimate Relationships

o  Attraction is strengthened by attentiveness. 
o  Distraction is inattentiveness.
o  Distraction weakens attraction.

Proverbs 4:5 (NIV)

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV) 

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

We take only a passing Godward glance then like a minnow we dart away into the shadows.

We are so distracted we don't even notice our inattentiveness...but God notices.

III. Choose what is BETTER

Luke 10:42 (NIV)

"…Mary has chosen what is better…"

1. Focus on the important.

In a distracted, outraged, shallow culture, people hunger for something rare: the focused, "whole", and caring person.  When people meet someone like that they are drawn to that person.  They are regarded as a rare, kind, and caring person who lives at a deeper level than the surface.

Suggestions:

·      Listen to Jesus.
·      Make Jesus your center.
·      Listen attentively to His text messages.
·      When you are close and quiet you will also hear Him whisper.
·      Then let going deep get simple. Do what he says.

God, You are worthy of our praise and our undivided attention. Help us to focus our eyes on You.  Holy Spirit, show us where we are distracted and give us Your power to let go of anything that's holding us back.  Jesus, may we be centered on, and compelled by Your love. Amen!

Letting Go Of Stuff

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
December 1, 2019 / / / Travel Light / / / Week 1: "Letting Go Of Stuff".
Are you accumulating on Earth what you cannot keep? Or are you investing in Heaven what you cannot lose?
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Title: "Letting Go Of Stuff"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: Travel Light

I. It’s better to have LESS of what doesn’t matter and MORE of what does.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)  
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Luke 12:15 (NIV)
… “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

II. One HANDFUL Living

Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)  
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

A. THROW OUT

Matthew 19:21-22 (NIV) 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)  
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

B. BUY LESS

Psalm 119:37 (NIV) 
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

C.  LIVE
     GIVE
     LOVE
     LAUGH 
     .....more!

REFLECT
Are you accumulating on Earth what you cannot keep? Or are you investing in Heaven what you cannot lose?

Dear God, 
You are more than enough. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Jesus. Holy Spirit, we need Your strength to let go of all the distracting junk we have added to our lives.  Show us and help us with our next step toward a “one-handful” life that is full of Your presence and peace.  Amen!

Love Kindness

Week 2-"Love Kindness".
If people are going to know that Jesus is for them, they need to know that we are for them.
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Title: "Love Kindness"
Speaker: Mike Mahon
Series: FOR The Verde Valley

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

John 4:3-26
he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

I. Kindness is... Having a FIRM center and SOFT edges.

John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

II. Kindness is...Being RECEIVABLE.

Matthew 10:40
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

John 4:19
The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

III. Kindness is...Loving people who are FAR FROM GOD

John 4:4
And he had to pass through Samaria.

John 4:9
The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Hebrews 13:11-13
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

FOR: What Are We Here For?

If people are going to know that Jesus is for them, they need to know that we are for them.
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Title: "What Are We Here For?"
Speaker: Matt Shires
Series: For The Verde Valley

As a church, we exist to:
Help people take steps from wherever they are, to where God wants them to be.

I. Three basics…

Matthew 22:35-39
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

II. If people are going to know that JESUS is FOR them, they need to know that WE are FOR them.

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

III. Our POSTURE needs to shift.

1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

We must learn the art of being able to:

1. Have integrity in our convictions.
2. Genuinely love, listen to, and serve those who do not share our convictions.
3. Consistently do both at the same time.

"We draw people to Christ, not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."
-Madeleine L'Engle

Eternity With God

October 20, 2019 / / / One Minute Ofter You Die / / / Week 3-"Eternity With God".
How does anyone approach questions about ETERNITY? How can we know what happens one minute after you die? Is there life after death? Is Heaven a real place? Where do we get any information? Is it all just wishful thinking? What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.
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Title: "Eternity With God"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: One Minute After You Die

1 Corinthians 2:9
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

John 14:1-2, 6 (NLT)
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. {2} There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? … {6} Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

John 16:28
Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father."

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."

I. FAQs
A. Will we RECOGNIZE each other?

1 Corinthians 13:12-13
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

· We will recognize and know one another and LOVE, and be LOVED.

Luke 16:9 (NLT)
Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

· The people we BROUGHT to Jesus will welcome us!

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.

B. What will we DO?

· There's going to be NEW HEAVENS and a NEW EARTH...

2 Peter 3:13
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness.

· Experienced in new BODIES!

1 Corinthians 15:54
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory.

C. Can I be SURE I'm GOING there?

John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

1 John 5:13
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

II. Make heaven your HOME NOW

Philippians 3:19-20
They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Dear God,
Thank You for sending Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life. Lord Jesus, You became an open doorway to Heaven for me. Thank You for preparing a place in heaven for me. I come to you as my open doorway to receive more of your blessings from your kingdom of heaven. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Please restore me and renew me in your Spirit today. Amen!

Eternity Without God

How does anyone approach questions about ETERNITY? How can we know what happens one minute after you die? Is there life after death? Is Heaven a real place? Where do we get any information? Is it all just wishful thinking? What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.
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Title: "Eternity Without God"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: One Minute After You Die

QUESTION:
Why do you think there are a growing number of people who believe in Heaven that do not believe in Hell?

Challenge Question:

How can a supposedly Holy and loving God send anyone to the horrors of Hell forever? That seems mean and evil, not holy or loving.

REFLECT

What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.

I. LESSONS from the other side

Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

LESSONS…
· He was fully conscious and aware.
· His eternal destiny was irrevocably fixed.
· He knew God's judgment was completely just.
· He pleaded for someone to help his brothers repent.
· He experienced eternal regret.

II. But how can a LOVING God send people to HELL?

REFLECT
God does not choose HELL for people;
they freely choose it for themselves.

After you die, you are not asked by guest services at the gates, "Would you like the smoking or non-smoking section of eternity?" but rather what becomes clear is that you already chose your gate, way of life, and destiny.

Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

III. But why Is It FOREVER?

1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

REFLECT

Light and darkness do not mix. Light displaces darkness. It is Hell's will to take people away from God. It is Heaven's will to draw people to God. Darkness does not accept light nor light accept darkness.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

Why Forever?
When eternal souls become fixed in their darkness,
there is no light to bring about repentance.

IV. The Lord is NOTWANTING anyone to PERISH

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8-9
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.

V. "OMAYD" God cannot reverse your Self-Chosen Destiny

REFLECT
God didn't create choice and then force us to choose Him.
That would remove the reality of choice.
God didn't create choice and take away its consequences.
That would remove the validity of choice.
God didn't create choice and then fail to show us the outcomes.
That would remove the transparency of choice.

REFLECT
When the only remedy for human sin is rejected and all appeals of a loving, seeking God for the reconciliation of rebellious sinners are refused, there is no other course of action that God himself can pursue but to leave the sinner to his self-chosen destiny.

--Tyndale Bible Dictionary on "Hell"

Dear God,
We believe You are good. Thank You for giving us choice. Thank You for giving us Jesus. Thank You for access to You and Your love and grace forever. Inspire us to love everyone we can with Your practical grace and truth that promises eternal life. Amen!

One Minute Ofter You Die

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
October 6, 2019  / / /  One Minute Ofter You Die  / / /  Week 1-"Threshold Of Eternity".
How does anyone approach questions about ETERNITY?  How can we know what happens one minute after you die?  Is there life after death?  Is Heaven a real place?  Where do we get any information?  Is it all just wishful thinking? What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.
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Title: "Threshold Of Eternity"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: One Minute After You Die

I. At the Threshold of Eternity…

John 5:24
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Matthew 16:26-27
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

REFLECT

What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.

John 11:21-26
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

A. ONLY our physical bodies DIE

2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

B. Our SOULS are eternal and leave our BODIES

2 Corinthians 5:2-9
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

C. Everyone faces JUDGMENT

Hebrews 9:27
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

II. There are two JUDGMENTS

A. Judged to be IN or OUT

Revelation 20:11-12
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

B. Judged for REWARDS ( or NOT )

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

REFLECT

Here is the danger even for believers:  The longer we live, the deeper our roots can sink into the soil of this world, clinging to the temporary instead of to the eternal; clinging to the comfortable, what we see, valuing what people think more than what God thinks.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Dear God, 
Thank You that this life is not the end.  Thank You for making a way for us, through Jesus, to spend an eternal life with You.  Holy Spirit, reveal to us when our perspective off track.  We want to do Your will here while we’re on earth. Teach us how to live with eternity in mind.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reframing

September 15, 2019 / / / Mastermind / / / Week 3-Reframing
Too often we become prisoners to thoughts telling us to worry, or telling us that we aren't good enough, or that we can't ever change our behavior. Join us in MASTERMIND, a series designed to shine a light on the dark strongholds that hold us down. Through the healing power of Christ and practical focused thinking practices we can renew our minds and be transformed for the better forever.
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Title: "Reframing"
Speaker: Doug Freeman
Series: MASTERMIND

"Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts."

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

"The life you have is a reflection of the thoughts you have. Most of life's battles are won or lost in the mind."

Reframing - Creating a different way of looking at a situation, person or relationship by changing its meaning. You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you frame it.

Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

I. Thank God For What Didn't Happen

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

II. Practice Pre-Framing

"Our thoughts or 'frames' shape what we experience."

Romans 8:5
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

Romans 12:2
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

COLOSSIANS 3:2
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

III. Look For God's Goodness

ROMANS 8:28
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

"Don't interpret God through your circumstances, but instead interpret your circumstances through the goodness of God"

Dear God,
Thank you for protecting us, for guiding us, and for drawing us closer to you, especially when we can't see it. You are so good to us and are worthy of all of our worship, affection and time that we could give you. Holy Spirit, empower and lead us as we reframe our thinking to embrace and live out a life seeing your goodness and faithfulness at work.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Training Your Mind

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
September 8, 2019 / / / Mastermind / / / Week 2-Training Your Mind.

Too often we become prisoners to thoughts telling us to worry, or telling us that we aren't good enough, or that we can't ever change our behavior. Join us in MASTERMIND, a series designed to shine a light on the dark strongholds that hold us down. Through the healing power of Christ and practical focused thinking practices we can renew our minds and be transformed for the better forever.
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Title: "Training Your MInd"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: MASTERMIND

Review: Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.

Review: God's Word and science agree: 1) We can train our minds. 2) We can deconstruct harmful thought patterns and replace them.

I. THINK about what you THINK about

A. Use God's FILTER

Philippians 4:8 (NLT2)
…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Whatever you are streaming in your thought life will become your life movie.

B. STORE the right stuff

Luke 6:45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Psalm 119:11 (NIV2011)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:15-16 (NIV)

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

meditation: to engage in mental exercise;
to focus one's thoughts on God's truth.

NOT the practice of "emptying" one's mind
to achieve an altered state of consciousness.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

C. DEMOLISH the wrong stuff

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

diabolos ( διάβολος ), "accuser" is used 34 times as a title of Satan, the Devil (the English word is derived from the Greek).

The Devil's lie: Your identity comes from what you have done.
God's truth: Your identity comes from what God has done for you.

The Devil's lie: Your identity comes from what people say about you.
God's truth: Your identity comes from what God says about you.

The Devil's lie: Your behavior tells you what to believe about yourself.
God's truth: Your belief about yourself determines your behavior.

II. REWIRE your brain and body

A. WRITE the wrong thought—confess the lie

B. REWRITE it to make it the right thought—affirm the truth

C. AUDIBLE your faith affirmations

Making your faith thoughts audible is part of the training practice built into the Hebrew word for "meditation".

Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

D. PRACTICE new behavior projects

Dear God,
We need Your help. It's not easy changing the way we think, and we can't do it without Your power. Holy Spirit, give us the strength to speak God's Word to the lies and negative thinking in our brains. Jesus, thank You for Your grace that heals and restores us as we seek You.
In Your name, amen!

Mastermind: Winning The War In Your Mind

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
September 1, 2019 / / / Mastermind / / / Week 1-Winning the War in Your Mind.
Too often we become prisoners to thoughts telling us to worry, or telling us that we aren't good enough, or that we can't ever change our behavior. Join us in MASTERMIND, a series designed to shine a light on the dark strongholds that hold us down. Through the healing power of Christ and practical focused thinking practices we can renew our minds and be transformed for the better forever.
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Title: "Winning The War In Your Mind"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: MASTERMIND

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

John 8:31-32 (NIV2011)

…Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I. Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.

Luke 6:45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. …

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. …

II. Do A THOUGHT AUDIT

Worried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Peaceful
Negative 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Positive
Self-Centered 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 God-Centered

A. Identify the number one stronghold that is holding you back.

B. Name the truth that demolishes that stronghold.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Heavenly Father, You are so good and trustworthy. Thank You for giving us the power of Your Word and the Holy Spirit living in us to combat the negative thoughts we face. Please give us the strength to create new paths in our brains that lead straight to You. In Jesus' name, Amen!

IMPORTANT OVER URGENT

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
August 25, 2019  / / /  I Choose  / / /  Week 4-IMPORTANT OVER URGENT.
We are shaped by many factors: our genetics, experiences, relationships, perceptions, and beliefs, to name a few, but our CHOICES matter far more than we realize.
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Title: "IMPORTANT OVER URGENT"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: I Choose

Reflect:

No matter what, time gets filled with something. 
What fills your time shapes your life.

QUESTION:

What important matters are you neglecting?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE IMPORTANT OVER THE URGENT

1.        Maintain Margin

Mark 1:45 (NIV)

  … Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Mark 3:20
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.

Mark 4:35-39
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

REFLECT:

We have an enemy who will do all he can to keep you so exhausted and distracted you fail to do anything really important!

Mark 1:29-34
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

2.  Choose a TIME and PLACE daily appointment with GOD.

Mark 1:36-37
Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

3.  PRIORITIZE:  Ask God to help you.

Mark 1:38
Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

4.  Do FIRST What Matters MOST.

5.  Be PROACTIVE

6.  SCHEDULE the Important Stuff
•Use your calendar
    •Create artificial deadlines

Reflect:

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule,
but to schedule your priorities

John 17:4
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Dear Jesus,
You lived a short life here on earth yet accomplished the most important work of all. Thank You for valuing people so much.  Thank you for valuing me.  I want to live more like you.  I want to think more long-term and people-first.  Help me to refocus on what matters most.  Amen.

Discipline Over Regret

Verde Valley Christian Church
Aug 18 – 20, 2019

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Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
August 18, 2019 / / / I Choose / / / Week 3-Discipline Over Regret.
We are shaped by many factors: our genetics, experiences, relationships, perceptions, and beliefs, to name a few, but our CHOICES matter far more than we realize.
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Title: "Discipline Over Regret"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: I Choose

About This Series:
We are shaped by many factors: our genetics, experiences, relationships, perceptions, and beliefs, to name a few. But our CHOICES matter far more than we realize.

I. Discipline chooses what you want MOST over what you want NOW.

Romans 7:15, 18-19, 24-25 (NLT)

I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate... I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway... Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 OBSERVATIONS:

1. We tend to choose the easy route, and yet the easy route won't stay easy.
2. The reason we need a savior is that we cannot fix our own sin nature.
3. Jesus releases us from the trap of always choosing what we want now instead of what we want most.

REFLECT

Is what you want most also what God wants for you?
Are you trusting Jesus to help you?

II. Discipline chooses TRAINING where TRYING doesn't work.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

REFLECT

Disciples are disciplined. It's the same root word.
Disciples of Jesus practice the disciplines of Jesus.
It's like saying, "Followers follow."

Philippians 2:12-13
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

REFLECT

You need training to receive and experience what you want most.

Lord Jesus,
We need your saving work inside of us. You promised to give us what we need inside as we train in the disciplines you showed us. Thank you for giving us new desires and the power to do what pleases you, as we train with you. Amen.

Surrender Over Control

We are shaped by many factors: our genetics, experiences, relationships, perceptions, and beliefs, to name a few, but our CHOICES matter far more than we realize.
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Title: "Surrender Over Control"
Speaker: Matt Shires
Series: I Choose

James 4:1-17
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

I. Are you controlling because of PRIDE?

Pride says, "I need to be in control because I know better."

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

II. Are you controlling because of FEAR?

Fear says, "I need to be in control because I know my needs better."

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

A follower says, "I can let go of control because you know better."

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

III. Three questions to ask:
1. Where am I holding too tightly?
2. Is this for me to control?
3. Is this God's plan or my plan?

Dear God,
I want to see more clearly how I am controlling my life in ways that aren't mine to control. Help me see how I can trust you more. Help me to do whatever you want me to do. Help me to go wherever you want me to go. Help me to be whoever you want me to be. I want to surrender to you.
Amen

What Would Jesus Undo-Week 1: "Indifference"

Verde Valley Christian Church
May 26 – 28, 2019

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Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
May 26, 2019 / / / What Would Jesus Undo-Week 1: "Indifference".
If Jesus walked into our church today, what would he be pleased by? What would he want to change? If Jesus observed your life today, what would he be pleased by? What would he want to change? During this series, we will be challenged to consider the ways in which we live out our faith, and what things Jesus would want us to change.
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Title: "Indifference"
Speaker: Doug Freeman
Series: What Would Jesus Undo?

Revelation 3:15-16
"I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

By far the most dangerous foe we have to fight is apathy - indifference from whatever cause, not from a lack of knowledge, but from carelessness, from absorption in other pursuits, from a contempt bred of self-satisfaction.

William Osler

Two Causes Of Spiritual Indifference:

1. Self-SUFFICIENCY

Revelation 3:17
You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

Two Causes Of Spiritual Indifference:

1. Self-SUFFICIENCY

2. DISTRACTIONS Of This World

Mark 4:19
but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men

Luke 6:26
What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men
Be obsessed with eternity

Mark 8:36 (NLT)

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men
Be obsessed with eternity
Fear God and live a life of obedience

John 14:15 (NLT)

"If you love me, obey my commandments."

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men
Be obsessed with eternity
Fear God and live a life of obedience
Share your faith

Luke 12:8 (NLT)

"I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels."

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men
Be obsessed with eternity
Fear God and live a life of obedience
Share your faith
Seek Him Daily

Luke 9:23 (NLT)

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

Steps To Avoiding Spiritual Indifference:

Live for God-not to please men
Be obsessed with eternity
Fear God and live a life of obedience
Share your faith
Seek Him daily
Be different than the world

Matthew 5:14
"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

Revelation 3:19-20
I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Thank you Heavenly Father for pursuing me in relationship. I know, Lord, that I can allow self-sufficiency and the distractions of this world to make me a lukewarm follower. Help me, Lord, to undo those things in my life that make me indifferent, and give me the strength to wake up every day in full reliance on you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Bad Advice: How To Commit Adultery

Bad Advice-Week 1: "How To Commit Adultery"
In this series we take a critical look at some of the "bad advice" to which we often fall prey, and contrast it to the godly advice we all need to take.
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Matthew 5:27
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'

65% of husbands and 55% of wives will commit adultery.

Journal of Psychology and Christianity

Why is it that so many people who never thought they would ever commit adultery, do commit adultery?

BAD ADVICE: Just take 3 easy steps…

1. NEGLECT your marriage.

· Don't give them your best.
· Give them your worst.
· Stop talking.
· Stop dating or working at romance.

2. Enjoy your marriage.

· Don't give them your best.
· Give them your worst.
· Stop talking.
· Stop dating or working at romance.

3. Enjoy COMMON interests and form an interests and form an EMOTIONAL bond with someone else.

· Go by their desk, or otherwise make sure your paths cross.
· Flirt a little.
· Catch their eye. Dress provocatively.
· Text after work.
· Whatever you do, hide this from your spouse.

Spiritually minded? Say this:
"I'll be praying for you."
"I really care for you…"
"I've got you on my heart…"

3. Make EXCUSES and and RATIONALIZE your actions.

"She wasn't meeting my needs."
"If he would pay some attention to me."
"If I didn't have to put up with all his _________ all the time…"
Make excuses. Blame your spouse.
This will make you feel better every time.

Then tell yourself,
"Well I'm not happy and God wants me happy no matter what."
"My highest and best calling is that I would be happy."
"I am not really going to go through with it."
"I would never actually commit adultery".
"What we are doing is harmless."
"I'm just being playful."

After a close call … tell yourself…
"Maybe this other relationship was meant to be!
"Maybe this is what God really wants for me!

GODLY ADVICE: Do whatever it takes to…

1. Radically reduce the RISKS

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

A powerful question:
If your spouse could see a video feed of you all day long, would your spouse be blessed by what they saw, or hurt by what they saw?

· Keep a growing relationship with Christ.
· Keep a growing relationship with your spouse.
· Never talk bad about your spouse.
· Surround yourself with strong marriages.
· Avoid all inappropriate media, places, and situations.
· Never be alone with the wrong people.

2. Invest passionately in your
If your spouse could see a video feed of you all day long, would your spouse be blessed by what they saw, or hurt by what they saw?

· Keep a growing relationship with Christ.
· Keep a growing relationship with your spouse.
· Never talk bad about your spouse.
· Surround yourself with strong marriages.
· Avoid all inappropriate media, places, and situations.
· Never be alone with the wrong people.

2. Invest passionately in your MARRIAGE

Proverbs 5:19-20 (NIV)
… satisfysatisfy you always, may you ever be you always, may you ever be intoxicatedintoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man's wife?

I am not a "mistaker" in need of a life-coach, I am a sinner in need of a savior.

If we aim everything to OUR satisfaction, we say crushing things like "You are not meeting my needs".

With a savior, our upside down "love" is turned right side up and thinks instead, "How can I serve you and meet your needs."

3. Visualize the potential DESTRUCTION

· What percentage of people actually marry the forbidden lover? 3%
· What percentage of those marriages end in divorce? 75%
· What are the odds of a lasting marriage with that lover? .075%

Getting caught in secret sin is horrible! There is only one thing worse. NOT getting caught.

Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Dear God,
You desire trust, love, joy, peace, and security through faithfulness. I desire this too. Lord Jesus, I need you. Will You show me where I can add strength, protection, and beauty to my (future) marriage? Holy Spirit, I invite Your power and purity into my life and into all of my relationships. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Ressurection

Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
April 21, 2019 / / / Epicenter-Week 2: "Ressurection".
In this two part series, we untangle the question of the meaning of life, by looking at the very epicenter of our faith, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
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Title: "Resurrection"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: Epicenter

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Mark 16:1
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

John 20:2 (NIV)
…"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

I. Does it sound like NONSENSE to you?

Luke 24:12
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

II. What adequately explains the CHAIN REACTION?

Luke 24:48
You are witnesses of these things.

If you think the resurrection is hard to explain, the immediate chain reaction is even harder explain without solid evidence for the resurrection as its epicenter!

Nuclear bombs are weapons of mass destruction. They harness the forces that hold the nucleus of an atom together by using the energy released when the particles of the nucleus (neutrons and protons) are either split or merged [fission or fusion].
From a British website dedicated to nuclear disarmament

A. The resurrection was an epicenter flashpoint that set off a powerful chain reaction that continues to this day. It follows the pattern of both fusion and fission by "merging" with Christ then "splitting" resurrection life from person to person.

1 Corinthians 15:7
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

A. FAITH didn't cause it.

B. DOCUMENTS didn't cause it.

C. JESUS caused it.

Acts 17:6 (ESV)
"…These men who have turned the world upside downhave come here also…"

III. BET on it today!

"Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists."
Blaise Pascal (mathematician, physicist, inventor, follower of Jesus)

"God, I know I've let a lot of death into my life. I've messed up. I need Your grace. I need Your forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for me. Thank You for raising Him back to life. I'm ready to put an end to all the death in me and start living for You. In Jesus' name, amen."

Epicenter: Crucifixion

Verde Valley Christian Church

Apr 14 – 16, 2019

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Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church

April 14, 2019  / / /   Epicenter-Week 1: "Crucifixion".

In this two part series, we untangle the question of the meaning of life, by looking at the very epicenter of our faith, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

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Title: "Crucifixion"

Speaker: Jim Hammond

Series: Epicenter

"Drugs and alcohol are not my problem. Reality is my problem. Drugs and alcohol are my solution. They fill up the hole inside of me."

—Russell Brand

"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer."

—Jim Carrey

"Is there any meaning in my life that the inevitable death awaiting me does not destroy?"

—Leo Tolstoy

How can his gruesome death be called "Good"?

I.      Don't be SURPRISED by darkness; Jesus  by darkness; Jesus PREDICTED it.

John 13:21

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me."

John 13:27

As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly."

John 13:30

As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We follow an invincible leader who was able to overcome the largest gathering of spiritual darkness imaginable!

II.      Don't DENY darkness; You too are  darkness; You too are BARABBAS.

Matthew 27:15

Now it was the governor's custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.

Matthew 27:17

So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?"

III.      Don't be DEFEATED by darkness; let Jesus  by darkness; let Jesus ABSORB it.

Why did Jesus die?

Matthew 27:21-22

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

Matthew 27:25

All the people answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!"

Why did Jesus die?

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Dear Lord Jesus, 

I am blown away that you loved ME and gave yourself for ME. I know there is darkness in me. I keep messing up my life. Thank you for absorbing my sin, releasing me, and giving me life. By your life and victory help me to live right with you. Amen.

Break Bread

Verde Valley Christian Church Apr 7, 2019
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Love Like Jesus, Week 3: "Break Bread"
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Focus: If we want to live like Jesus, we need to love like Jesus.

Luke 7:33-35
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children."

Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 SMV (Sad Modern Version) (A cultural "re-write" for effect) The Christians were devoted to themselves and occasionally got to church when they had time. No one was filled with awe because there were no signs and wonders performed by the believers. Very few of the believers were together and they had almost nothing in common because they had no real time with each other. If they sold something, they used the money to buy something better for themselves. They ate on the run, kept to themselves and were too rushed to enjoy one another or give praise to God. They claimed to love God, but they didn't really love each other and they felt very empty and alone. As a result, most people disliked them and very few people were ever saved.

SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS

I. Your PRESENCE matters

Hebrews 10:25
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Practice being in God's presence;
then practice bringing God's presence into the present with others.

II. How MEETING TOGETHER moves us

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

III. A caring community is CONTAGIOUS

Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Dear Jesus,
We get so busy and forget the power of community. Please reignite in us our passion for coming together in worship and in life. Holy Spirit, empower us to not just go to church, but to be the Church, together, and spur each other toward love and good deeds. Amen.