Courtney McBath: A Friend of God - CBN.com

Bible Study Notes: Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Previous Homework Question:
Why were the Sadducees grieved by Peter preaching the resurrection? (Acts 4:2)
Mark 12:18
“Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection…”
They did not believe in the resurrection.

Acts Chapter 4
Persecution: To Press, to put to flight, to drive away, to pursue (To follow in order to overtake, capture, defeat or kill)

Persecution is designed to move you out of position, off of your assignment and shut you down.

The enemy desires to isolate you through this experience.

Always realize that persecution will come when you are doing the work of the Lord.

St. John 15: 18-20
“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to this world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.”

2 Timothy 3:11-12
“My persecutions and suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

1 Peter 5:8
“Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.”

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul gives his testimony of persecution and hardship while doing ministry.

The following are examples of persecutions found in the Bible:

• Matthew was killed by the sword in Ethiopia.
• Mark was dragged to death in the streets of Alexandria.
• Luke was hanged to death on an olive tree in Greece.
• John was put in boiling oil and banished to Patmos.
• Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
• James, the brother of John, was killed by the sword in Rome.
• James, the less, was thrown from a wall and beaten to death.
• Andrew was crucified and continued preaching to persecutors until he died.
• Thomas was stabbed to death in Coromandel, East Indies.
• Jude, the brother of Jesus, was shot to death with arrows.
• Barnabas was stoned to death in Salonika.
• Paul, after numerous tortures, was beheaded in Rome by Nero.

Family Harvest 2010 - Pics

Mud Pies (mmm, mmm, good)

(Sis. Ashley's Kids Krafts)

The Ladies

(Sis. Reshma, Sis. April, Sis. Ashley)

The Debrief
(Sr. Pastor A.L. Harris, FH2010 Crew)

Dynomite!!!

(Bro. Kirby, Youth Dept. Leader)

Profilin'

(Bro. Jason Grant, AV/Music Ministry Team)

Wasn't the crafts for the kids???

(Sis. Reshma, Admin)

Enjoying the Mud!

(Sis. Ashley, Director of Youth)

Craft Time!!

Giving Back! A gift our visiting families!

Pastor stopping by the Family Harvest.
(Sr. Pastor A. L. Harris, Sis. Reshma)

Operation: Give Life Table

(Sis. April, Director of Dance)

Welcome to

Family Harvest 2010

(I guess this should have went first lol!)

Family Harvest 2010

Hope to see ya'll next year!

Message Notes: Don't Allow the Noise to Distract You 10.2410

Pastor A.L. Harris
Sunday October 24, 2010
“Don’t Allow the Noise to Distract You”

Isaiah 54:1-3; 14-17

Noise: loud, senseless shouting, or outcry; to talk much, an unpleasant sound.

The enemy is trying to throw enough noise your way to distract you from your purpose, destiny, and the promise over your life. His plan is for you to stop fasting, praying, and connecting with your brothers and sisters. He is trying to isolate you and get you in a place where you no longer believe what God has told you.

Noise can be equated with negativity.

The reason the noise is loud because it causes you to have to focus harder. In the natural we can focus better when it is quiet. The enemy understands that most of us need peace and quiet. Therefore he sends loud noise with the intent that we won’t be able to stay focused on what God has said.

We will not allow ourselves to be overcome or distracted by the noise that is around us. The reason you are going to make it is that God is with you. Hebrews 13:5 “…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”

The noise is coming because the enemy knows what God has told you. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” The purpose of the noise is to make you deviate from righteousness. The enemy knows that God is not able to bless you when you are caught up in sin. Don’t compromise your destiny, you have come too far!

God is speaking to Old Testament Israel in Isaiah 54. He knows they are barren, but he tells them they will be more fruitful. In verses 2 God says “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes”

1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love him”

God is telling them to learn how to prepare for the increase.

How can you rejoice in a barren land? Know that you are going somewhere. You must learn how to sing my barren brother and my barren sister. Know that it won’t be like this always. If the enemy can get loud in your ear, you must learn to get loud in his ear.

God tells Old Testament Israel they can sing because he will propser them. I know you are in a place of barrenness, but I am going to restore. Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein…”

Isaiah 66:1 “…Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool”

We must learn to praise God on credit! If God says its coming, we can praise him right now! We can praise him in advance.

The enemy does not want you to hear this because you can sing in your barren state.

1st Reality: Noise will come. Isaiah 54:15 “Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you…” The enemy hears what God tells you and his objective is to distract you and get you off the path. In the natural we will wait in long lines and have someone hold our spot. Why can’t we have the same resilience as it relates to the things of God? Don’t give up your spot!
Ephesians 6:13 “…having done all to stand” We don’t stand alone, we stand with “the sword of the spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:14-17

2nd Reality: God has authority over the noisemaker. Isaiah 54: 16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy” There is a purpose to be worked out in your life. The noise will work out for your good. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”

3rd Reality: Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” The noise can’t destroy you or the plan that God has for you.
4th: The noise can’t last forever. Isaiah 54:15 “…Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake”

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Men's Fellowship Notes 11.6.10

Our own Senior Pastor Harris spoke to the men about the qualities of a Godly Man. Check them out and apply these to your life.

Top Ten Qualities of a Godly Man:

1. A godly man fears God and is obedient to His Word. (Eccl 12:13)

2. A godly man is a man of faith. (Rom 1:17; 2Cor 5:7; Heb 11:6)

3. A godly man is a loving man. (St John 13:34-35; Rom 13:8)

4. A godly man is honest and truthful. (Rom 12:17; Eph 4:25)

5. A godly man is humble. (Matt 18:4; 1Peter 5:6)

6. A godly man exercises self-control. (Prov 16:32; 25:28; Gal 5:22-23)

7. A godly man admits when he is wrong and is willing to be corrected.
(Ps 51:1-4; Prov 9:8-9)

8. A godly man is forgiving. (Matt 5:38-39; 18:21-22; Col 3:12-13)

9. A godly man is faithful and reliable. (Prov 20:6; Neh 7:1-2)

10. A godly man is generous and hard-working.
(Prov 11:24-25;1Thess 4:11-12)

For more information about New Life, check out our website at http://www.nlccministry.org/.

Bible Study Notes 10.13.10

Bible Study, Wednesday Ocotober 13, 2010
Pastor A. L. Harris, Facilitator

Acts 2:37-41

Romans 6:11
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

If you die to self there is nothing you will not have victory in. Paul says to die daily. Paul admonishes us to be dead to self and dead to our own desires. God will give you the desires of your heart when your desires become His desires. When you die to self you are dead to: flesh, your will, and your desires.

What do you need to do to die to self?
Eat God’s word. Build the Spirit man and starve the flesh.
When you don’t have food and water in the natural you can die. This is the same for the Spirit, when you fail to eat the word and thirst after righteousness you are spiritually dying.

Why did Peter say be baptized in Jesus name?
Baptism publicly identifies you with a movement. In this case it was identifying people with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
Who was Peter talking to? Jewish people
Were these believing Jewish people? No
Why are they non believing? They have not embraced Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Prick: To hit violently.
Baptism: dying to the old man. Being buried in a liquid grave and risen as Christ was. Identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
Repent: to turn away from; literally a change of mind. When you change your mind, your actions will follow.

Acts 2:41
"So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added."

When was the first church established?
Exodus 5:1
"...Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness."
They were called out of Egypt, into the wilderness to go and worship.
Church: Ekklesia in the Greek; Gathering, those who are called out.
Why did God tell them to go and get silver and gold? To present as an offering to the Lord. God wanted to be worshipped.

Homework question:
Acts 2:41-47
What four levels did the Church connect on?

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Bible Study Notes 10.06.10

"Acts of the Apostles"
Acts Chapter 2: 1-37

Acts 2:5 -7
Why and How was it significant that the people were speaking in other languages?
* God is not the author of confusion as it was understood all that was said.
* Acts 2:11 "...we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Acts 2: 17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days , says God, That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your Old men shall dream dreams."

Reference Verse Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour our my Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
-What is afterward ? After there is repentance for sin; After unrighteousness and sin is removed
*Prophesy: To speak the mind of God concerning a matter.
If God says it, it has to happen. It doesn't matter how long.
Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

*Christ: anointed one
*Lord: Savior/Master
Many times we keep him as Savior and struggle with Master, as master implies ownership.
Galatians 2:19 "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ."

*Crucified: put to death
How did Jesus conquer death? Why could death not hold him?
He was without sin. He became sin, paid our debt, and rose on the third day.
1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Increase comes from making him Lord. God wants to give you deeper revelation, but it will happen when he becomes Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:2 "I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal."

Join us next Wednesday as we dive deeper into the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

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