23 Jan 2011 ncc sermon notes by Geraldine Tan-Wee

[Editor: I thought it would be great to host a copy of Geraldine's notes of the 23 Jan 2011 on this blog as well]

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TESTIMONY TIME

 

Bubbles Donahoe- “I am 45 and accepted Jesus when I was 8.” Most preachers taught things not from bible. So she left church. Hubby lost his job. Moved. Couldn’t sleep so turned on tv. 4.30am. Saw PP ontelly. Wakes up at 430am everyday to pray. Hubby lost job again but less troubled. Told Landlord they had to move. Landlord offered to help. He lowered rent fifty bucks each week until rent down by 150. Knew God was in charge. Hubby started reading Unmerited Favour. Landed a job he never thought he would get due to lack of experience etc.

 

Another lady from SG set free from Depression and meds.

 

SERMON BEGINS HERE

 

Whatever this church accomplishes, we share in its harvest. EVery church is asked to do a specific thing from the LORD and if we do it, praise God.

 

Today sharing abt righteousness by faith in a diff angle. Two kinda of believers who are righteous by faith. U cannot be a believer wo being righteous by faith. But sharing on a blvr who is victorious and one who isn’t experiencing it.

 

Rom4:1-4

 

Abraham found something we all need to find. Revelation- faith righteousness. Righteous by faith not works (performance, charitable deeds).

 

God sees our motives and He sees us righteous through Christ. How did Ab blv God? Blv the Son of God became the sacrifice and bore our sins and infirmities. God today esteems us because of Jesus’s finished work.

 

If we work for something, not acct for as grace but as debt.

 

The blessings of Abraham is amazing and we have it. God made him righteous and made him very rich. God is not against money. It is the love of money that is evil. Love God and love people but use money. Money is a good slave and a bad boss.

 

Within this righteousness in grace by faith, there are two types of blvr. Defeated and Victorious. See Gal3- we are on favored ground. Abraham’s wife blessed with youth of the eagles. Abraham was very healthy. Lives a fruitful and full life. All that is ours. However when god brought Ab out, he brought LOT with him and Lot got into lots of trouble.

 

2 Peter 2:6-8

Not just historical acc but for us to learn. God called Lot righteous. See v7 and 8. Lot called righteous three times. Righteous by faith. BUT Lot tormented his righteous soul because was witnessing sin all around him.

 

How can u be righteous and not be blessed?

 

Abraham not righteous by conduct. Lied to Pharoah about his wife. He was bailed out by God, taken out and didn’t remain in Egypt. We do fall but we don’t live in it.

 

Lot remained in Sodom and Gomorrah. Flesh satisfied but spirit is vexed.

 

Gen13:1-7

Whenever leave Egypt- go up. Verse 3- where he had been at the beginning. Every time he falls, and is delivered, goes back to the place where he pitched his tent at the beginning. Called on God. U dun see Lot calling on God.

 

Heart for God is impt. Look at Jacob and Esau. Jacob’s doing is wrong but heart is for God. Miracle that we are here to hear about Jesus.

 

Abraham has heart for God. Lot didn’t. Materialistic and money minded altho’ also righteous by faith. Abraham was generous and shared his wealth with Lot. Lot was blessed by association. Abraham was blessed directly.

 

Abraham has a heart for the testimony of God. Are u like that? Not just “I don’t care how I conduct my business, after all I am already righteous by faith.”

 

Lot went by natural eyes. Saw Sodom n Gom as being nice. Go by discernment is key. Don’t rush. Don’t be hasty of spirit because exhorts foolishness. Just coz look nice doesn’t mean nice. Might be rotten. If scratchy feeling inside, hold off.

 

Gen 13:10-14

 

Lot pitched his tent twd Sodom. Are we pitching our family twd Sodom or Canaan? Do u know what ur children are watching and surfing? Are u aware of the materials coming into the home?

 

Abraham didn’t have to be delivered because didn’t go into S&G.

 

Put computer in the living room. Trust ur child but not his/ her flesh. Never give way to the flesh.

 

When it comes to sexual Immorality – RUN. Not stand there and fight. Like Joseph, run. Dun stand there and Change ur mind.

 

Kids need boundaries. Need us to be parents. Not just friends. Our role is to correct and discipline- shows them we care.

 

Put ur finger in the fire and don’t tell me it doesn’t burn u?

 

Ab had a righteous soul and not vexed because he lived in the mountains of fresh air of faith, not hanging about in the lowlands of S&G. Low life- morally speaking. High cost. Ab dwelled in land of promise.

 

Some parent pulled kid out of the youth ministry so they can spend more time studying. Find other times for them to study.

 

When they are teens, ur word about the Word isn’t enough. They need to hear the Word from leaders with friends.

 

Lot went by natural eyes. Limited portion.

 

See v10- Abraham went by spiritual vision. Trusting god as his portion- everything is his. walking and possessing promises by his spirit.

 

Lot and the ppl of S&G captured by 4 kings that conquered S&G. All became servants of the kings.

 

When Abraham heard Lot was held captive, armed 314 men against the 4 Kings and god gave him the victory. Ab didn’t have the “u mess up ur bed u go tidy it up urself” sort of attitude.

 

Do u lie and cheat to get ur way or do u trust God to get ur things done?

 

Lot’s attitude- god delivered me. Good. Now I can go back to sin. Went back to S&G. Sat on board of members.

 

Gen 18:1-2

 

One of the three men was Jesus. Preincarnate.

 

Jesus always brings a gift with Him. For Abraham, this time it was Isaac.

 

A man living in adultery isn’t enjoying himself. It is sad. People with clear conscience their eyes sparkle.

 

When Ps was serving NS in the Navy and was in Taiwan. His colleagues would be talking about girls waiting for them. They would drink and he would be drinking orange juice. Lol. He would excuse himself and go back to his room on the ship on his night out. People would laugh and call him crazy for not enjoying himself. On the way back to SG, one by one came to ask him why pee will hurt, why pee got blood. Ps ne’er had to worry out such things. High cost of low life. Lol. It is worth it to breathe that fresh air of communion with Jesus. Conduct ur affairs with integrity and honesty. When u do right, u never have to worry about being caught.

 

Scripture never refers to God as God of Lot but as the God of Abraham.

 

Who was Abraham calling righteous? Lot. Even if believers fall u have to call them righteous.

 

Gen 19- Lord didn’t go personally to Lot. Place exceedingly wicked. Sent two angels.

 

Lot- was likely placed on the board because the king was hoping that they will have good r/s with blessed Abraham.

 

We go straight for the blessing- bypassing the 4D, Toto, Casinos, curry favoring etc.

 

U better start somewhere with ur kid. Start talking about THE LORD with ur kid’s and spouse. So when u want to share revelation with them, they Will take u seriously. Lot’s sons in law thought he was joking. Why angels there to talk to Lot? God is kind. Trouble of his own making but delivered him.

 

Gen 19:16 – Lot lingered. The LORD being MERCIFUL to him… If He needs to drag u, He will drag u from danger.

 

V17- mountains : that is where Abraham is. The high place of moral elevation. Where he had been all this time.

 

Lot actually asked could he not go mountains and go Zoar instead. Later ultimately ended up at the mountain because saw the judgment that fell on S&G.

 

The angels couldn’t bring the judgment until Lot left.

 

Lot lost his wife because he wasn’t where he should have been.

 

Shortest sermon Jesus preached – remember Lot’s wife.

 

Humans have a tendency to look back. Don’t forget how rotten it was.

 

V27- note where Abraham was. In a place of safety and communion with God.

 

When rapture happens we will be looking down at the judgment but will be safe.

 

Rather be the person praying and getting others out of trouble, not the person always prayed and petitioned for.

 

Lot even lost the morality of his daughters- grew up in S & G so their mentality similar to the standards there.

 

Moabites and Ammonites- came forth through incest. Lot loss the moral excellence of his daughters.

 

Some people expect the church to do everything. Parents need to be the voice or authority at home. Set the stops and boundaries so our kid’s won’t be tempted.

 

Gen 12:4- LOT went with Abraham. Abraham went because the LORD said so. Lot was riding on his uncle’s faith. Didn’t have his own faith or conviction.

 

Our kids should ride on our faith whenever are still very young but there comes a time when they are older, they need to receive their own personal revelations from God.

 

Trust is one thing. Flesh is another. Listen to godly counsel and be the King and Priest of ur house. Better to offend ur child now than to I’ve in and end up with ur kid hating u. Ur firm “NO” will help them enjoy the blessings earlier.

 

Gen 14:16-23

 

Melchizedek – Preincarnate manifestation of Jesus. jesus said to be priest of order of Melchizedek.

 

Melchizedek came with the bread and the wine in the midst of trial to strengthen Abraham VS the King of S&G. Reminded Abraham he didn’t need S&G wealth. God most high is the possessor of Heaven and Earth. What is this gift of wicked men in comparison?

 

Communion not offered to everyone but for Abrahamic kind of faith. Tithing not for everyone but those with Abrahamic kind of faith- my 10% is nothing in comparison to all God has as the possessor of heaven and earth. Melchi appeared with communion and Abraham tithed. Ab tithed because he had revelation. Lot didn’t.

 

Why Abraham could let Lot choose first？Knew god would bless him wherever he went. See Gen 14:22 to 23. Abraham knew he would be very rich and he didn’t want people to say Ppl made him rich. Wanted all the glory to go to God.

 

Believe God is good because u have experienced and seen it. Not because others have said it.

 

Make sure ur compass always points to Jesus and make Him the foundation u lean on.

 

Abraham went by faith. Lot went by sight. Root of unbelief in God’s goodness= trouble. Devil’s way is to plant root of doubt about God’s goodness.

 

Trust God’s way. Be like Abraham righteous by faith and heart of God. May we all be believers like that. Year of His goodness. Let us be like David-ps 23:9

 

Follow= “Radesh” in Hebrew. Hunt down, pursue. His goodness and mercy will hunt u down. U Cannot hide from His goodness.

 

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