That girl is poison – from a song in the 80s

One relationship in your life can ruin you.  Twitter ? of the night:  has the enemy poisoned your perspective?

Judges 16:18-19

Serving will change the culture of your church.

Poisons:
1. Comfort – falling in love with your comfort will drain the passion out of your life
Matthew 11:28-30

What you do in private flows into what you do in public.

Beware of relationships/habit/churches that put you to sleep.

Church should be uncomfortable.

Don’t ever get so cool that the fire of God leaves your life.

2. Finality-  even when you think It’s over, it ain’t over.

But Judges 16:22
You were created to be a dreamer.

It’s Resurrection Day; Get Up

1. No one’s in the woods anymore (if you responded at all to Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s message)
2.  The effects of the woods are still with you

1 kings 3:16-27
Ecclesiastes 9:2-7
Luke 24:1-5
John 5:6-

A lot of his message came from his personal testimony about all that God has done in his life.  His book is on amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/REGGIE-Cant-Change-Your-Future/dp/0849946263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310835881&sr=8-1

2 Samuel 18
Stay out of the woods.

The men were slain not because their weapons failed, but because they were in the wrong environment.

You don’t have to try sin to know that it’s bitter.

1 Jon 2:15
Romans 12:2

If people don’t know your a Christian, you’re probably not one. 

Soldiers don’t belong in the woods, they belong on the battlefield.

If you don’t want to lose the battle, stay out of the woods. 

The woods could be wrong relationships, porn, drugs, etc.

If Jesus Christ is your savior, there are some places you don’t belong. 

Satan will show you his penthouse, but he won’t show you the pigpen.  Sin destroys every time. 

The woods disorient you.

The next time you say she’s hot, remember that hell is hot.

Even though they knew how to get out of the woods, once they got there couldn’t escape.

What is your Y?  Destiny
You’ll never c-all your Destiny until you figure out your call.

I wish some of you who go back to school would bring your BACK back to school.

Johab didn’t kill Absolom instantly.  He probably had some fun with him first. 

As long as the enemy has control of your head, he won’t care about your heart.

There is another tree called Calvary.

Partial Fulfillment
Hebrews 11:12
2 Kings 4:8-37

Elisha attempt to heal her son:
The staff
Prayed
Lays on the boy
Lays his hands on the boy
Lays on the boy again

Son is healed after 5 attempts & 7 sneezes. 

What if the promise is only partially fulfilled?

Have you ever received a promise?

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Nothing hurts like a promise from God unfulfilled.  Even worse is a partially fulfilled promise.

Hebrews 11:13 we live believing and we die in faith.

If you have unfulfilled/partially fulfilled

Don’t stop embracing what is far off, because of your current circumstances.

Many times, God fulfills His promises to you in the next generation. 

God is the initiator, we are the responders.  The onus of the promise lies with God.

The Shunnamite woman laid the promise on the man of God’s bed.

All of the Bible points us to Jesus.  The promises of God are more about the Promisor than the promises.

Sneezes expel irritant from the lungs.  Jesus came to expel sin from our life.

2 Corinthians 1:20  All promises are yes and amen.

Jack Hartford – Jesus is both the promisor and the fulfilment of the promise.

God’s message to you is pick up the Son.

Time mag cover:  generation changing he world.

Acts 13:36 Daniel 11:32
Don’t settle for safe.  Knowing God will allow you to do great exploits. 

Hebrews 12:2  we’re part of a divine relay race.
The church struggles with the exchange.  God is saying, “who is going to take the baton?”  We are dropping the baton. 

Position, consecrated
Hebrews 12:1 Every time you make the right choices, the cloud of witnesses is cheering for you.  Some of us need to drop weights, good things that are not God.  Most of us build our lives on what other people say about us.  Some of us constantly hear the recording that says that we aren’t good enough.  Turn that message off.  Sometimes, we sugar coat sin. The milder you make the label, the more potent the sin. 

Where are all those who have stopped with the first boyfriend, spouse, job, etc.?  Don’t drop the baton of faith.  It’s not too late for anyone who has dropped the baton.  Have the strength to go back and pick up the baton. Don’t DQ!

Everything changes when you recognize who Jesus is.  Jesus sees your potential not your past.  Jesus takes you from ordinary to extraordinary.

Peter followed Jesus closely.  Miracles happen.  You might be accused of following Jesus.  Jesus will ask something of you.

Peter struggled with his mouth.  God used Peter’s weakness and turned it into a strength.

Without risk, there is no reward!

In the parable of the talents, the servant who buries the money is called lazy & wicked.

Peter took major risks in following Jesus.

He followed Jesus.  He left his work, his family, everything for Jesus.  He told people to rise up and walk.

He walked on water.

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”  Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV

He cut off the soldier’s ear.

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”  John 18:10-11 NKJV

He ran to the tomb.

He preached to a huge crowd of Jews and told it like it was.

He spent time in prison because he was preaching the gospel.

The legend of his death.  Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy of dying the way that Jesus died.  Peter ultimately gave his life to the cause of Christ.

You insult God with safe living and small dreams… – Craig Groeschel

What will you risk for God?

Peter messed up big time, and yet God used him mightily.  We already talked about how he denied Jesus 3 times.  At the Transfiguration, Peter suggests that they build tabernacles to Elijah, Moses, and Jesus.

In the days of Jesus, servants would wash people’s feet as they enter a home.  They wore sandles and walked on dirt roads.  So their feet needed cleaning.  In this particular instance, there was not a servant at this house.

5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”  John 13:5-11 NKJV

Think before you speak.

27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”
28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”  Mark 8:27-33 NKJV

You have permission to speak freely to Jesus.

He can handle it.

He will correct you when you need it.

But when it comes down to it, this is what it’s all about.  Are you willing to speak to others about Jesus?

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples with power.  Thousands of people were gathered in Jerusalem.

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:37-38  NKJV

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  Acts 2:41  NKJV

Peter did not stay defeated as one who had denied Jesus.  If you have let your mouth get you in trouble in the past, you don’t have to stay there.  Confess your sins to God and He will forgive you.  He can turn your weaknesses into strengths.  He did it for Peter and He can do it for you.

Peter followed Jesus closely and we should to.  Mark 5:37 NKJV
37And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

When you follow Jesus closely:

▪    Miracles happen (Mother-in-law healed, dead raised to life, thousands fed, demons cast out, etc.)
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.  Matthew 8:14-15 NKJV

These miracles often happen to people that you are close to, family members, close friends, etc.

Share about Jeremy and LA demon possessed guy w/ 2 translators.  Can you think of a miracle that you need to happen in a friend or family member’s life?  Begin to believe God for it.

▪    You might be accused of following Jesus.
John 13:36-38 NKJV
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Mark 14:66-72 NKJV
66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again.
And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”
71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

▪    Jesus will ask something of you.
John 21:15-17 NKJV
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Jesus asked Peter to feed his sheep.  Peter would become one of the main leaders of the church.

If you love Jesus, you will be willing to serve Him with your talents and abilities.  What is Jesus asking you to do for Him?  Are you willing to do it?

John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus.  John preached that you must repent and turn from your sinful ways.  He was a freak.  He ate locust and honey and wore camel skins.  He attracted a lot of attention and some people enjoyed his teaching and became his disciples.  Andrew was one of his disciples.  As John the Baptist taught, he would be very up front about the fact that he was not the Messiah.  The Jews were waiting for the Messiah, God’s chosen one to come.  The Old Testament prophets had predicted a Messiah and so they were looking for him.  That brings us to John 1:35-42.

35Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

36And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

42And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, Peter).
John 1:35-42 (NKJV)

Andrew was one of John’s disciples.  When John told him that Jesus was the Messiah, he found his brother Simon and told him.  They agreed that they should check him out.
▪    When you realize who Jesus is, it changes everything. That is the proper response.  Simon Peter realized this and followed Him.  He walked away from the family business of fishing.
It may mean a complete change in your life.  No more doing whatever feels right, you do what the Bible says to do.  No more giving in to sin, you start to fight the sinful desires that you have.
Or it may not be a complete change in your actions, but a change in your motivations.  You no longer do what’s right because it makes you look good, you do it because you want to please Jesus.

▪    Jesus sees your potential, not your past. Simon means reputation.  Peter means rock.  Jesus doesn’t see Simon as the sum of what everyone says about him, he sees that Peter could be rock for the Church.  You are not what everyone says that you are, you are what God says that you are.  Your parents may put you down, don’t believe them believe God’s Word.  Your brothers or sisters, may make fun of you but God never does.  He sees the gifts and talents that He has created you with.  He sees what you could be, not the mistakes that you have made.  Jesus says, “Simon, son of John.  You will be called Cephas, which translated is Peter.”  Jesus sees your potential, not your past.  There is no sin that can’t be forgiven.  There is no past that can’t be left behind.  When you follow Jesus, you should be looking ahead to eternity.  That should motivate you to live a life for God.

▪    Jesus takes you from the ordinary to extraordinary.
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19″Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.  Matthew 4:18-20

Jesus takes the ordinary fishermen and makes them extraordinary fishers of men.  Even in your ordinary life, you can represent Jesus by doing everything you do for Him.  Go the extra mile.  Work a little harder.  Do your absolute best.  And when people ask you can give all of the credit to God.  Your time in class, you can be the best student you can be.  You can encourage and influence your teachers.  You can be the best friend a person could ask for, and when the opportunity arises share Jesus with them.  Be the best employee that you can be, and point people to Jesus.  You can make a difference without going to seminary.  You can make a difference without ever preaching a sermon.  You can make a difference even if you never step foot on a mission field.  You can make a difference by the way that you live.  Let Jesus take you from ordinary to extraordinary.

In closing, I want to challenge you to realize who Jesus is.  Jesus is the son of God.  He was tempted in every way, but He never sinned.  At the age of 33, He willingly went to a cross.  He endured terrible pain.  But the beatings he took and the time on the cross, were done with you in mind.  He knew that you would be here today and that you would hear this message.  If He is speaking to you, don’t put it off.  You are not guaranteed tomorrow.  Realize who Jesus is and choose to follow Him.  Today is the day of salvation.  Your past is no longer important, give it all to God.  The Bible says that when you ask Him to forgive you, He will cast your sin into the sea of forgetfulness.  If you want to make that decision today, simply call on the name of Jesus!