Chicks are about to hatch. The River was never meant to stay here for the River. It was meant to be dispersed and move. The River has 1. Authenticity 2. Innovation 3. Orphans are coming home. You do not have a judgment stick. You have a robe, and ring, and sandals. This house is prepared You can find the full sermon on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SBYp-A0bVs

You can find the full sermon on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kYXtElZCB8&list=PLlPF6OUAI6f5zOzPdxQ0Pw0mn4LXimKJh 1 PETER PART 7 Today we’re going to investigate 2 of the benefits of going through trials, testing, and problems, and answer the ‘Why?’ question. 1.They help us know and understand God better. 2.They are meant to refine our characters that we will take with us into eternity. This helps us understand that we are only here temporarily Peter makes a most interesting statement in this next section: 1 Peter 4:12,13 NLT Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1.They help us know and understand God better. God wants to be known, just like at our core, we long to be known. Jer 9:23,24 NLT This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! V24 MSG: If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.” God’s Decree. One of the ways we can begin to understand who he is and what he is like, of course, is to read the Gospels. Jesus came and lived every moment of his life on earth, to show us who the Father is. And also, we can learn about him by going through things he went through. This is true of getting to know anyone. I know and understand people who live with chronic pain because I have experienced it and gone through it for an extended time. We become ‘partners with Christ in his suffering’, through the trials we go through. Peter says this should make us glad! WHY?! When we go through hardships, we more and more understand what Jesus went through as a human. And we understand God’s nature and heart better. And that is His goal after all, to be known! So yes, do not think it strange that we go through tough stuff! There is a great deal of difference between reading about something as a concept and having to go through the situation personally! Climbing the microwave towers in the Yukon. I can tell you about it, but there is nothing like experiencing it to give you an understanding of what it is like! Suffering, personal pain that is sometimes involved in living life God’s way: forgiveness. If we’re going to become more like Jesus, if we’re going to increasingly ‘partner with Jesus’, if that is our goal, then we must increasingly learn to go through trouble with our spirits and emotions intact, and we must learn to forgive. If we never had anything to forgive, how would we value our own forgiveness? Working through our own struggles with forgiveness, helps us to better understand God, get to know Him, by going through what He goes through. Jesus teaches us just how much God values forgiveness! Matt 18:32-35 NLT Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Matt 6:14,15 NLT “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Then Jesus demonstrates the extent of his value on forgiveness. Luke 23:34 NLT Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” [Footnote: “he prayed intensely.” and TPT: “he prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”] I understand forgiveness, I value the fact that God has forgiven me, I understand a bit more about the price God paid to forgive me, I therefore know God a little better, by learning to forgive. I can embrace it as a lifestyle, because Jesus showed me how! He set the example! Suffering, personal pain that is sometimes involved in living life God’s way: humility. One of the most freeing revelations of my life in understanding what is involved in being a son of God, was about humility. Before, as an orphan, I had to try to make sure I got the credit for anything good I did or said. It would seriously chafe me if someone else took credit for something I said or did. Even if someone else mistakenly gave credit to someone for something I did or said, I would want to correct them: ‘no that wasn’t so and so, that was me.’ I was suffering for Jesus! I was going through emotional pain even though I knew it wasn’t right to feel that way. But going through that, and ending up emotionally sick because of it, I was finally able to hear my Father relieve me of the pressure of having get credit! What a huge relief to realize that my Father keeps track of everything good that I do, and I don’t need to even care if anyone else knows about it! I went through a time where I would delight in hearing someone else get credit for what I did or said. I could just smile and keep my mouth shut, because I knew that the One who needed to know, knew! It was a huge weight off of me when I didn’t care about getting credit! My value, and yours, doesn’t come from what people think of me, it comes from what my Father thinks about me and says about me! If I had not gone through that pressure, I would not have valued my freedom from living as an orphan! Jesus demonstrates his humility. Is 53:7 NLT He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. John 19:8-11 NLT When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” 11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Jesus knew inside that He had won, that the Father’s plan and purpose could not fail, so at that moment, he did not need to make sure everyone knew it! He knew it and that was enough. I understand humility, and can embrace it as a lifestyle, because Jesus showed me how! He set the example! As I go through a trial that involves humility, I become a partner with Jesus. Suffering, personal pain that is sometimes involved in living life God’s way: generosity. 2 Cor 8:9 NLT You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. When I go through a trial that involves generosity, I begin to understand the huge price God paid to set me free. I understand generosity, and can embrace it as a lifestyle, because Jesus showed me how! As I go through a trial that involves generosity, I become a partner with Jesus. 2.They are meant to refine our characters that we will take with us into eternity. 1 Peter 4:12,13 MSG: Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. Rom 5: 3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. James 1: 2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. V12: God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 1 Peter 4:14 NLT If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. Matt 5:11,12 NLT “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! (TPT: Leap for joy!) For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. It is important not to slide into a ‘martyr’s complex’! Don't say or think: ‘poor me!’ Instead say: ‘thank you Jesus that you promised God would bless me if, “people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” “Thank you that you promise a blessing and a crown of life if I can patiently endure problems, that a great reward awaits me in heaven.” We need to keep our focus on God’s promises, He is with us, he is for us, he loves us! God’s intentions for us are always for good, not to harm us or put us down or keep us down. Even when we are in tough circumstances! Jer 29:4-14 NLT This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” 8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord. 10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” There are kinds of suffering that don’t bring a reward! 1 Peter 4:15-19 NLT If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” Prov 11:31 NLT If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners? Remember everyone experiences trouble. Many see it as a useless and negative experience, but God wants us to redeem that thought! That’s very clear by the scriptures we have read today! He is very clear that troubles are not negative and useless but valuable and to be embraced. V19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. So when we go through troubles and trials, remember they are meant to help us ‘partner with Jesus’. They are meant to help us understand and know God better. And they are part of the process of refining our characters, that we will take with us into eternity. MSG: So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.

Find the Full Service on our channel here: https://youtu.be/dbkrhVfF8VI Worship time: The beautiful name of Jesus Let us lift up Jesus name throughout our day! Let us be led and guided by His Spirit all day! Let our response to Jesus always be "yes" in our hearts Announcements: Pray for "more" during the Stream outreach this afternoon. The word of God sustains, feeds us, source of the promises, and gives us assurance that death has been defeated! Word: 1 Peter 2:11 The enemy is trying to undermine you and the promises of God in your life. So we must arm ourselves with the attitude of Jesus 1 Peter 4:1 You must arm yourselves Find out what God wants you to do and do it but remember it's temporary. Romans 6:1-7;11 We are free from sin since we died with Christ So also we should consider ourselves dead to sin. Do we hold baptism as a serious renunciation of the old and embracing of the new? If you embraced the will of God then you will find yourself anxious to do the will of God. Are we trying to live the new life with an old mindset? New Spirit and old mindset? We must embrace the new mindset and arm ourselves with this mindset of Jesus. The old way of living must go for the new way of living. How we represent God depends on how we see God. The new way to live because the end of the world is soon. When you die that is the end of the world for yourself .Teach us to number our days. When it is over it is over When you go that is the end of the world for you. Be disciplined and most importantly show deep love for each other. Be compassionate without complaining. We all have gifts to serve one another, and not for looking good or climbing a ladder, but so we can help each other. I have a gift and you have a gift. Let's use our gifts to serve one another and our community! Use your gifts with the heart of the Father and in partnership with the strength that God provides. When the anointing has gone from something maybe it's time to pour into something else. Mt 20:26-28 Our armor is humility and the desire to serve and embrace Jesus mindset

The Generous Heart 2 Corinthians 8:1-11 "I’m not saying this as though I were issuing an order but to stir you to greater love..." The Corinthian Church was not necessarily suffering for Jesus. Dealing with Roman government, Temple Tax, and land being stolen. Yet still they experienced joy in the extreme generosity. Generosity beyond our means is not practical by our standards. But the practicality of Heaven is perfectly aligned with the will of God. He loves to realign our own thinking to match His will. God loves to get stuff done! Between chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians, Grace (Charis) is mentioned 10 times. Charis (Greek: Χάρις) is a given name derived from a Greek word meaning "grace, kindness, and life." Paul is reminding these people about the commitment they made a year ago, but haven't acted on yet. What if we let God determine what the 10-fold blessing looks like? Keep your mind focused on the moment of giving that God has called you to, and let the repercussions be something that builds your faith, when you are rewarded. They responded. They fully saw the need and gave before security of what it was going to come back as. This required full dedication. This became their priority, not a side-set. A restaurant called "Room of the Living Son" offered meals at a suggested price. "Nobody who eats in my restaurant need be worried about their ability to pay for the food they eat."

God is patient. He took 700 years to fulfill a prophetic word about a virgin giving birthy. Our agreements with his word bring Him Glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 God's plan for you is Yes. Are you going to add your Amen to them? Just because you stand in a garage doesn't mean you are a car. Just because you own a bible does not mean it is in you. You have to read it out loud, and let it assimilate into you. (Nice Star Trek reference there) Mark 4:1-20 God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. The parable of the word as seed refers to the spoken word. As soon as you speak the words in you, it becomes seed. How does a seed get stolen? My response to a situation is a stolen seed, if it does not agree with the Word of the Lord. You cannot afford to build into your life the effects of stolen seed through your thoughts. You need to take your thoughts captive. The question is never “Can I do this?” It’s “Will I do this?” Because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13) ‘Can’t’ cannot be in your vocabulary. I can’t, because I need to go make a wage and pay my living. I can’t, because I’m not qualified. I can’t, because I don’t have time. Words that are spoken are more powerful than thoughts. You cannot think a lie when you’re speaking the truth. How can I cultivate God’s word in my life? Speak life over yourself. Stop condemning yourself. Stop being complacent. Step into agreement with God’s word. He calls you triumphant. He calls you victorious. If you hear a word once, put it on a shelf. If you hear it a second time, take it off the shelf. If you hear it a third time, plant it and put your amen on it. Watering God’s word in your life looks like reading the Word of God. “...the washing with water through the word...” (Ephesians 5:26) Allow sunlight into your life. Worship brings sunlight into your life. The gift of faith allows you to take that step into the unknown. How can you set yourself up to yield fruit? Look at your environment. The definition of a disciple is a 'disciplined one.' "The mysteries are not hidden FROM us, they are hidden FOR us!" - Stuart Tisdale Find the full video online here: https://youtu.be/CbGoCv9UY88

Notes from April 4, 2021 preaching: Pam wrote 40 days at a Dumpster. Special Speaker. Last week, Palm Sunday, wonderful welcoming into Jerusalem, Jesus told authorities who wanted to quiet the crowds, If they are quiet, the stones will cry out. Betrayal cycle started. Last supper: this cup is my blood, and the betrayer himself is at their table. Jesus went out to pray showing the weight of exhaustion. "If you are willing, take this cup of suffering from me, yet your will be done." He was honest. Father if you are willing, take this away from me. Asking her grade eight students, these were some answers: anxiety, stress of friendships insecurities covid closures don't want parents to fight anymore. What would you say, to take away from you? We need to face the uncomfortable stuff (within these three days between crucifixion and resurrection. dealing with anticipating funeral, broken dreams, broken hopes. When all hope is lost, where do we go? What else died with Jesus? our anticipation, our hopes, etc. What died within us? Luke 24:1-6. Women go to the tomb. They are thinking, O No. This just got worse. The two men standing in white said why are you looking for the living among the dead? Joanna and Mary. Mary Magdelene also went to the tomb and found an empty tomb. Angels said, why are you crying and then Jesus said, Why are you crying? When he says her name, suddenly she heard Jesus! What just awakened in her? Cleopas and another were going to Amayas. Jesus walked with them. He was having fun keeping himself hidden. They are surprised that this 'stranger' doesn't know what took place in the last 72 hours. "We had hoped he was going to be the one who would set us free." They are eating together and suddenly their eyes open and then Jesus disappears. They asked each other, "We're not our hearts burning inside us?" When we are focusing on covid closures, what is not happening, what our hopes are disappointed.... Jesus is alive. He is still walking with us side by side. Are we able to see Him and eat wtih him. Stop looking into empty tombs. You will hear him calling your name. Susan! Bill John Ron Take a breath and see Jesus. It's not just about being dead and being raised from the dead, otherwise, Lazarus would be central to history, but he was still in his grave clothes and Jesus had to instruct others to release him from his grave clothes. When Jesus rose, he was no longer looking like the beaten, bloody one they put in the tomb. He was not even recognized by those who walked with him everywhere. He was brand new! This was the awakening and restart. Our eyes are unveiled. We are able to suddenly see what could be, seeing the new life, the new possibilities. What is being awakened inside of you because the grave is no longer holding you back. No more shame. No more holding back. Only rushing to tell others the good news. Peace. Showing them his hands and his side. As the Father sent me, he breathed on them, I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. When they awakened to this new idea: now our will, but yours be done, not even the jails can keep them contained. We also are being transformed and awakened. WHAT IS BEING AWAKENED IN YOU WITH THIS NEW LIFE? Brian McLaren: arising uprising a hope without weapons. Not angry threats, but outstretched hands. So much better than expected. This is truly what it means to be alive. Is it an accepting those of those who you would not normally accept? Is it a running and telling this story? What is coming alive in you? Help us step out of our graves, into the story of forgiveness and freedom. Awaken us to your glory. Amen. Stuart: Good word.... Seek the Father to see what has been activated in you.

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