Greg French Said What?

“Connect Group Notes – 25 July 2011

GOD CAN, IF YOU BELIEVE – Ps Greg French

‘Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.’ 1 Cor 9:24 (NKJV)

We lose hope when we lose sight of God’s capacity to breakthrough. To run our race means we need to choose to believe that God can.

– A boy is Healed, Mark 9:14-29
• Jesus says that all things are possible for those who believe, v23
• We need to move into a place of belief that God can v24

So how do we move from unbelief to belief?
– Understand that small things are important

Matt 10:29-30 The details of our life are important to God.

• We need to train ourselves to have faith in small things.
• Speak to molehills first, building your faith for mountains.
• We forget that to believe for the ‘small’ things is preparation for the ‘big’ things.
• We build belief, faith when we start believing with smaller things in life.

– Keep turning up

Acts 3:1 This man was positioned day after day for 38 years. The two men passing were pray-ers, heading to pray. They are walking past hundreds of needy people but they hear the voice of the blind man among others because they hear God’s voice in prayer.

• We too need to understand our voice will be heard if we keep turning up.
• We are strengthened and rebuilt when we continue coming to the House of God.

– Have a heart revelation, embrace unity
Acts 4:32-34 ALL needs met because they were of one heart, one mind.

• We need a revelation of God in our hearts, not just our minds.
• As we stand in unity and agreement with each other, power and grace build.

God says “I am the God who can, if you just believe.”
TALK ABOUT
1. What do you do when you lose faith?
2. How can you re-commit to persevering, continuing to show up to God’s place?
3. Who has God put in your life that you can stand in agreement with or for?” – Greg French, Connect Group Notes 25 July 2011: God Can If You Believe, 25/07/2011. (Accessed 28/07/2011)

Zamekio Jackson Said What?

Steve Munsey Said What?

“When you give your heart and you give it to God, where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is. And so you put your heart in your hand which is in the form of monetary- or money, or offering, and you say, ‘God! Here it is!’…” – Steve Munsey, GOD WANTS YOUR TAX RETURN (Pastor Steve Munsey on TBN), oo:08, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyX2CCoLVk, Uploaded 30/04/2008. (Accessed 28/07/2011)

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“Now this makes the devil mad but it makes God happy. God says, ‘If you stand before me and do not stand empty handed’, that’s kind of hard to tell people to come and give an offering to you when possibly that-that they’re going through hard times.

God said, ‘I created this nation that in the Spring of the year, there would always be seed in their hand with their income tax, so that it would be a seed that they would have because no man will be able to stand before me and say, ‘God! I never had anything to give’.” – Steve Munsey, GOD WANTS YOUR TAX RETURN (Pastor Steve Munsey on TBN), oo:21, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyX2CCoLVk, Uploaded 30/04/2008. (Accessed 28/07/2011)

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“God is saying, ‘Don’t look at the clouds! Don’t look at the storm! The kingdom dialogue is, is that if you give it shall be given. If you want to get out of trouble, start GIVING your WAY out of trouble.

I’m thinking about cash for you, that’s the deal. I’ve got cash on my mind cos it’s getting ready to happen to somebody.” – Steve Munsey, GOD WANTS YOUR TAX RETURN (Pastor Steve Munsey on TBN), oo:54, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyX2CCoLVk, Uploaded 30/04/2008. (Accessed 28/07/2011)

Provided Documentation

Steve Furtick Said What?

“Hey haters!

I hate to break this to you but your day is done. See we’re done with the way you sling shame and blame in the face of anyone, who doesn’t say what you say, see what you see, read what you read, think what you think, do what you do, how you do what you do.

But it’s not about you. We’re sick and tired of your pervasive propensity to pick a fight and hide the light, nit-picking every single pixel of God’s brilliant picture, seeing only your side in only black and white, so scared to death of difference, shaking your fists in the face of change.

I hear you hating on some people because they’re not deep enough. But it makes me wonder depth is more a measure of love then it is about whether people sync up with every idiosyncratic opinion you’ve got.

You’re FULL of opinions but you are low on the Spirit, cos the Spirit is LOVE, the spirit is PEACE, the spirit is KINDNESS and the only kind of words you ever seem to speak bring DEATH to the hearer and leave weakness in their wake.

You look like a toddler drawing lines in the sand, talking about how you are defending the truth, taking a stand, but for all your hating and pontificating and stances and games there’s no change.

Hold back, it’s a NEW day. Cos we are not looking for approval from you who give no respect and never neglect the chance to complain. Are you going to criticise or create, waste your time casting stones, breaking bones, belittling everyone you consider opposed. Are you going to exchange your hate, trade the pain of the same and embrace a new way to change the world.

On us, time has come and a new light has dawned to still the tongue of the cinic and pierce the heart of the sceptic. This generation is waiting to restore the hope of a nation.” – Steve Furtick, Hey Haters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCW9-MglCsw,  Uploaded 01/03/2011. (Accessed 26/07/2011)

Provided Documentation

Mark Kelsey Said What? (II)

Proverbs 4:20-24 (NIV) 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.

The source of life is what’s in our hearts; we need to learn how to protect our hearts from anything that can infect us. Luke 6:45 (NJKV) reveals that we will speak out from the overflow of our hearts, therefore we need to carefully guard our hearts ensuring what we say will be creative not destructive.

Three areas to guard your heart from:

1) Stress
– Phil 4:6-7, Do not be anxious for anything but take it all to God, He can handle it. Our own understanding can be our worst enemy, instead we need to turn to faith and trust God.

2) Offence
-We will not have life flowing through our hearts if we are offended. We need to elevate our expectations of God having faith, and in turn lower our expectations of people, showing mercy.
-Insecurity will make you misread situations, allow God to gird up your confidence!

3) Unbelief
– The main cause of an unbelieving heart is isolation, from God and from people. If we start to see cynicism creeping in on us, we need to strengthen our prayer life, whilst also letting people guide and correct us; allowing them speak into our lives and help us.
– Rom 4:18-25, We need to believe against all hope! As far as the people around Abraham could see, there was no hope at all that he would have even produce one child, but Abraham believed anyway-against all hope and became the Father of nations.
The very things you struggle with are the things that will propel your life the most as you believe your way through them. Make a decision to stand on the promises of God (Romans 4:20) – “Today I am facing the ‘facts’ but I am still going to believe anyway!”

Questions
* Have you ever considered the weight of what you speak out in your current situation? How could your life be different if you chose only creative, life-filled words?
* Which area of heart “infection” you have battled? How are you learning to guard against it?” – Mark Kelsey, Connect Group Notes 4 July 2011: The Source of Life,  04/07/2011. (Accessed 22/07/2011)

Chris Rosebrough Said What?

“If a person attends a church that doesn’t properly teach God’s Law AND Gospel but rather makes its evangelistic appeals by never discussing sin but instead says that Jesus will make a person’s life more satisfying (infomercial gospel), THEN that person does not know that they are a sinner who will face God’s judment and that Christ died for their sins and they need to repent and trust in Christ. That being the case, even if that person identifies themselves as a Christian, they have NOT truly been converted to the Christian faith.

The chart below will help demonstrate what I am saying. (Click on the chart to make it bigger)

If the reason that you associate yourself with Jesus is so that you can learn Biblical principles that will make your life more satisfying such as having a better career, less stress, better finances, and a better sex life then you’ve come to the WRONG JESUS and you are believing a Myth. (The Biblical Jesus hasn’t promised you any of those things). What is missing in far too many seeker-sensitive churches is the message of the cross, Christ’s atonement for sins, God’s just judgement against your evil and wicked behavior, repentance and trust in the promises of scripture regarding God’s mercy and forgiveness of sins won on the cross by Christ.

If there is no mention of sins, repentance and Christ Crucified for Sinners then the Biblical Gospel has not been preached (a false gospel has taken its place) and there are ZERO people truly being converted to the True Faith, regardless of how many thousands of people are filling the building.” – Chris Rosebrough, Am I saying…..?, http://www.extremetheology.com/message_of_the_cross/, 06/09/2007. (Accessed 17/09/2007)

Bryan Wolfmueller Said What?

“What is the most dangerous thing in the world? I suspect each person would have a different answer; what do you think? Lions, tigers, bears (or snakes, I’m not a fan of snakes)? Do you think different diseases like cancer or diabetes? Perhaps Islamic terrorists or communist dictators top your list. If you’re a farmer locusts or drought might be the most dangerous thing. What do you think is the most dangerous thing in the world?

While all the answers listed above are different, they all have something in common: they kill. The thing lions and cancer and terrorists have in common is that they murder, and the more they kill the more dangerous they seem. But what does the Bible say about this? What does Jesus say is the most dangerous thing in the world?

First, Jesus tells us not to fear physical death. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” [Matthew 10:28] Physical death is not the most dangerous thing. There is something worse: judgment and condemnation. This is to be feared.

This is why Jesus teaches us the most dangerous thing in all the world is false teaching. That’s right: false doctrine. I’m sure that if I did a survey of a thousand people, asking them the question: “What’s the most dangerous thing in the world?” that the answer ‘false doctrine’ would never show up; that is, unless we ask Jesus.

Just about every time Jesus (and in fact the entire New Testament) uses the word ‘Beware’ He is using it to warn against false teaching and false doctrine.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” [Matthew 7:15]

False teachers are dangerous because they come to kill and destroy, not our bodies but our souls. Every false teaching strikes at Jesus; every false doctrine obscures the clarity of the Gospel. And false teachers are made even more dangerous because they are hidden under outward righteousness; these wolves dress as cute cuddly lambs.

Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [Matthew 16:6]

Jesus gives this warning to His disciples as they were on the sea of Galilee, soon after feeding the five thousand and then the four thousand men (with their families). The disciples think that Jesus is criticizing them because they forgot bread. To this Jesus responds:

8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. [Matthew 16:8-12]

Jesus warns against the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and what is their false teaching? First, the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Jesus. They saw that He was the promised Messiah, and knowingly rejected Him and plotted His death. Second, the Pharisees and Sadducees sought to achieve a righteousness by their own works and efforts. They needed no forgiveness, no Savior, because, in their own eyes, they had no sin. Such false teaching destroys people eternally.

The Lord’s apostles also repeat this warning. From His jail cell St Paul writes to the church in Philipi:

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation.” [Philippians 3:2]

The ‘mutilation’ are those false teachers who required Gentiles to be circumcised before they could join the church. Such false teaching displaced the truth of the free grace of God with the lie that works are needed for salvation. Paul repeats this warning to the Colossians:

“Beware that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” [Colossians 2:8]

The false teachers in Colosse tried to draw the Lord’s Church away from her Jesus by tempting them to philosophy, human traditions, the so-called wisdom of the world. Again, this false teaching is dangerous because it pulls our faith away from Jesus and the promise of our forgiveness.

Like St Paul, St Peter also warns the church about the most dangerous thing: false teaching.

“You therefore, beloved, seeing that you know these things before, beware that you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” [2 Peter 3:17]

Peter’s warning stands alongside the warnings of Paul and our Lord Jesus: Beware of error; beware of evil workers; beware of false prophets. With these commands the Lord’s church is put on constant vigilance against any error or false teaching that would threaten the simplicity of Christ, the words of the Scriptures, and the comfort of the Gospel’s promise of the forgiveness of all sins.

What’s the most dangerous thing in the world? According to the Lord’s word it is false teaching. May His church continue to pray that the Lord would keep His church in the purity of His Word, that knowing the truth we would know the freedom of the forgiveness of all sins and the sure hope of eternal life. Amen.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word;
Curb those who fain by craft and sword
Would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son
And set at naught all He hath done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known,
For Thou art Lord of lords alone;
Defend Thy Christendom that we
May evermore sing praise to Thee.

O Comforter of priceless worth.
Send peace and unity on earth.
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life. Amen.” – Bryan Wolfmueller, http://www.extremetheology.com/2007/10/the-most-danger.html, 25/10/2007. (Accessed on 17/07/2011)

Perry Noble Said What?

“In response to my post yesterday…I’ve been thinking about the way that I, as a pastor, often respond to negative things I happen to hear about other pastors and ministries.

I began thinking…

#1 – What if pastors sought to pray for other pastors rather than tear them down?

We criticize and condemn others because of insecurity in our own lives…and the more we find wrong with others the more our personal insecurities are revealed.

BUT….WHAT IF we, upon hearing negative talk, we hit our knees for the person being talked about? What if we prayed for any untruth of what we’ve heard to be burned away? What if we prayed that if the rumor is true that God, in His mercy, would get the pastors attention and call him to repentance?

#2 – What if pastors began to realize that God is not limited to a particular formula of doing church?

One of the reasons that we, as pastors, attempt to tear down others is because they aren’t doing things the way we think they should be done.

In the earlier days of NewSpring my arrogance caused me to think and proclaim that we were actually doing church “right” and that others were wrong…now I am realizing there is no right and wrong way. The questions that need to be asked are–#1 – Are people being saved? And…#2 – Are people taking their next step in their journey with Christ?

NewSpring is a way of doing church–not THE way…and it takes different types of churches to reach different types of people. AND…I am WAY comfortable with that.

#3 – What if pastors truly celebrated the success of others rather than saying, “Yes, they are doing a good job over there–but I heard…”

I want other churches and ministries to be successful–period.

Several years ago whenever I would hear about someone’s success I would try my best to find a nugget of information that would make them look bad. Sort of like, “Yeah, they are reaching a lot of people–but how many of them are REALLY growing?”

Lately I have came to realize that God blesses churches in different ways…and that when He does I need to celebrate it rather than speaking against it. Once again, the only reason a pastor cannot celebrate the success of others is insecurity (and jealousy as well!)

#4 – What if pastors did not allow other pastors to criticize other pastors/ministries in front of them?

Seriously, what if we were willing to lay the smack down and say, “Hey bro…what you are doing right now the Bible actually calls slander…stop it!”

Pastor Steven Furtick had some awesome things to say about this here…awesome stuff!

#5 – What if pastors spent more time trying to learn from those who are different from them rather than trying to discredit their ministry?

I have a philosophy of ministry that I used to not have–here it is, I can learn something valuable from any ministry that God is blessing–period!

I want to learn from people who do ministry differently than me…and it is amazing to me how stupid and insecure pastors and church leaders are when it comes to this.

For example–anytime I mention TD Jakes or Joel Osteen on this website we have idiots e-mail in with their “concerns” about issues in regards to their theology or teaching style. (As if the person e-mailing is perfect and has it all figured out!)

BUT, I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I have an incredible amount of respect for both of those men. God is blessing their ministries in an incredible way…and I know there are tons of things that I could learn from them. Just because you are trying to learn something from someone doesn’t mean that you believe exactly like them!

(And for those who feel like you can only learn from just like you…please repent to God for being shallow and ridiculous!)

By the way–I’ve had the privilege of meeting Joel…but haven’t gotten to have lunch with Bishop Jakes yet…if anyone can make that connection I would be much obliged!!! 🙂 (I’m serious!)

#6 – What if pastors spent more time focusing on God’s Word and their own church rather than attempting to be watchdogs of everyone else’s ministry?

Dang…that was good…even if I say so myself!!!

I’ve got to be honest…I really don’t have time to tear down the ministry efforts of others. Seriously, I’ve got enough to be concerned about in trying to be a good husband, father and pastor. The day I have the time to rip apart other people’s ministry is the day that my ministry will be fruitless and dead.

(That’s the only way I would have the time…you see, if a vineyard is producing fruit then you really don’t have the time to peak at the perceived fruitfulness–or unfruitfulness–of others.)

I once heard TD Jakes say, “The problem with most pastors is that they never leave the locker room–they always feel the need to compare!”  WHEW!

Pastors…you and I can experience TRUE freedom when we compare ourselves to our calling and God’s vision for our ministry and NOT the church down the road or across the country!  We will not be held accountable for their ministry–we will be held accountable for ours!  (Hebrews 13:17)” – Perry Noble, Six “What If’s” Pastors Should Wrestle With, http://www.perrynoble.com/2008/04/24/what-if-pastors/, 24/04/2008. (Accessed 03/07/2011)

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Brian Houston Said What? (II)

“The Church that I see is a Church of influence. A Church so large in size that the city and nation cannot ignore it. A Church growing so quickly that buildings struggle to contain the increase.

I see a Church whose heartfelt praise and worship touches Heaven and changes earth; worship which influences the praises of people throughout the earth, exalting Christ with powerful songs of faith and hope.

I see a Church whose altars are constantly filled with repentant sinners responding to Christ’s call to salvation.

Yes, the Church that I see is so dependent on the Holy Spirit that nothing will stop it nor stand against it; a Church whose people are unified, praying and full of God’s Spirit.

The Church that I see has a message so clear that lives are changed forever and potential is fulfilled through the power of His Word; a message beamed to the peoples of the earth through their television screens.

I see a Church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.

I see a people so Kingdom-minded that they will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see revival sweep this land.

The Church that I see is a Church so committed to raising, training and empowering a leadership generation to reap the end-time harvest that all its ministries are consumed with this goal.

I see a Church whose head is Jesus, whose help is the Holy Spirit and whose focus is the Great Commission.

YES, THE CHURCH THAT I SEE COULD WELL BE OUR CHURCH – HILLSONG CHURCH.” – Brian Houston, The Vision, The Church I See, http://myhillsong.com/vision. (Accessed 03/07/2011)

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“We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only One who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.” – Brian Houston, The Vision, The Church I See, http://myhillsong.com/what-we-believe, . (Accessed 03/07/2011)

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“We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the ‘new birth’ we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.” – Brian Houston, What We Believe, http://myhillsong.com/what-we-believe. (Accessed 03/07/2011)

(If you want to know what Brian means by saying ‘submit to His will for our lives’, read: https://preachersaidwhat.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/brian-houston-said-what/)

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Apostle Paul Said What?

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Apostle Paul, Acts 20:25-35, http://niv.scripturetext.com/acts/20.htm, NIV.