Westside Christian Fellowship

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes I Am Barabbas - And So Are You Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate 27 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Only Rome could execute. A Christian is first bound - then led away: movement is restricted and we are led to places we don’t want to go. 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Judas may have thought that Jesus wouldn’t be condemned. Wordly sorrow vs. repentance -  "Repentance is more than just sorrow for the past; repentance is a change of mind and heart, a new life of denying self and serving the Savior...." - J.I. Packer Like Peter, run to God’s mercy not your own solution. Waiting on him involves paying bills, integrity, working hard...moving forward JUDAS: Could have had a strong finish like Paul. The greatest gift you can give is to finish strong. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,“And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” Zechariah not Jeremiah - zou vs. iou Justifying sin is a slippery slope - they can’t put it back in the treasury because it’s “blood money”, but they took it out to pay Judas to betray Christ. TODAY’S SELF-EXAMINATION - Paul asked the Galatian church, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:7-9.) He is asking, "What's in your life that keeps you from going on in the full blessing of Christ? You were doing so well at one time. I know you to be a praying people, and you labor diligently to do good works, but something is wrong. I don't see you growing anymore. Instead, you've gone back to relying on your flesh. I don't sense the sweet aroma of Christ you once had...Something's hindering you. "What could have persuaded you to settle in this condition?” Whatever it is, I tell you it's not of God...I know so many Christians today who once were mightily used of God. These people were devoted, praying, believing saints. But then something happened to them that somehow caused them to be hindered from experiencing the fullness of the blessing of Christ...Often that hindering leaven was a single besetting sin. To all such people, Paul asks, “What happened? What's hindering the flow of Christ's blessing in your life? What leaven has crept in?” - “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). ~ From David Wilkerson,

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes A Clean Slate Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin - Matt. 26:57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” Really said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” But even that is not a blasphemous statement - after 3 years they found nothing. AND NEITHER WILL YOU …    A Clean Slate 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Doesn’t respond to lies, but does respond to a legitimate question. Saying, “The Right Hand of power” is what got Him in trouble - showing He has more authority than Caiaphas and will judge him. 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” 67 Then they spat in His face [lack of respect for authority] and beat Him [no power]; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You [supposed false teacher]?”   No Wiggle Room - “Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Blasphemy - speaking offensively about God - what about living offensively? How could they not recognize Him - the power of a hard heart.   INTERESTING CONTRAST: Nicodemus vs. Caiaphas - “We know you have been sent by God,” vs. “Blasphemy. “2000 years ago Israel was expecting a lion but got a lamb - 2000 years later the church is expecting a lamb but will get a lion. When Christ returns He’s no longer on a throne of mercy...He is on a throne of judgment.” ~ Stop Playing Church   Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary on the Hardening of the Heart: The heart, in effect, is the whole person in all of his or her distinctive human activity as a thinking, planning, willing, feeling, worshiping, socially interacting being. And, of course, when the person is not living according to God's will, it is the heart that is described as darkened, rebellious, callous, unfeeling, or idolatrous. It is within the heart that God works; hence the human heart may be tender and soft or as hard as stone (Eze 11:19).......

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes When Darkness Reigns THE SCENE: The Messiah is here - our Hope, our Savior and our conquering King has arrived.       ...For the last few years, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised.             ...Families are restored, people are saved, and tremendous healings take place. But it appears that all is lost - the conquering King, has been subdued and defeated. Matt. 26:47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords & clubs, came from the chief priests & elders of the people. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore that Judas being a discipline made him one. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. LUKE 22:53 NIV - “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour - when darkness reigns.” “I sat daily with you” - Other religions start by people having a private dream or revelation - but Jesus did everything in PUBLIC. Throughout life there will be seasons when darkness reigns - The call from the doctor, the blood test results, the divorce papers, the loss of a job, financial failure - the dark night of the soul. 1. DISCOURAGEMENT CAN KNOCK US OFF TRACK OR STRENGTHEN FAITH: Jeremiah 20:14-17 “Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me! Let the man be cursed Who brought news to my father, saying, “A male child has been born to you!” Making him very glad. And let that man be like the cities Which the Lord overthrew, and did not relent; Let him hear the cry in the morning And the shouting at noon, Because he did not kill me from the womb, That my mother might have been my grave…” DISCOURAGE - “To lose confidence and enthusiasm” - the cure is ENCOURAGE 2. WE MUST PERSEVERE TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL - Delay can lead us astray: Exodus 32 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which we...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Fasting - They Found the Secret Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I WANT TO HELP YOU STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT. Matthew 6:18 paraphrased: Don’t let it be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Spiritual Insight - Daniel - Lumberjack story Spiritual Power - Jesus - Prepares your for ministry Spiritual Wisdom - Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord (Acts 14:23). Spiritual Protection - Ezra Spiritual Victory - Israel lost 40 men in battle in a few days - Judges 20:26 - the people went to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord,” and “fasted that day until evening.” The next day, God delivered them. Physical Benefits of Fasting Anti-aging effects, Better attitude, Better resistance to disease, Better sleep, Change of habits, Clearer skin, Creativity, Drug detoxification, Improved senses  (vision, hearing, taste), Joint relief, More clarity (mentally and emotionally), More energy, More relaxation, Reduction of allergies, Rejuvenation and Revitalization, Rest for digestive organs [form of Sabbath], Spiritual awareness, Weight loss. Why? Because when the spiritual side is built up and strengthened, the health of the body often returns. Hunger - having a strong desire/craving - FASTING REDIRECTS Fasting is directly related to our spiritual appetite - hunger for God outweighs hunger for food. John Piper explains it this way, “The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.” THERE ARE 2 COMPETING HUNGERS - the Spirit and the Flesh Galatians 5:17 commentary NLT - The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Two Dogs fighting within - fasting feeds the Spirit When we give into the desires of the flesh, it results in anger, addiction, depression, guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, and disappointment - FASTING removes these things. Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote the following: Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord. REMOVE THE PULL OF THE FLESH AND ADD THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true sp...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Fasting - They Found the Secret Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I WANT TO HELP YOU STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT. Matthew 6:18 paraphrased: Don’t let it be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Spiritual Insight - Daniel - Lumberjack story Spiritual Power - Jesus - Prepares your for ministry Spiritual Wisdom - Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord (Acts 14:23). Spiritual Protection - Ezra Spiritual Victory - Israel lost 40 men in battle in a few days - Judges 20:26 - the people went to Bethel and “sat weeping before the Lord,” and “fasted that day until evening.” The next day, God delivered them. Physical Benefits of Fasting Anti-aging effects, Better attitude, Better resistance to disease, Better sleep, Change of habits, Clearer skin, Creativity, Drug detoxification, Improved senses  (vision, hearing, taste), Joint relief, More clarity (mentally and emotionally), More energy, More relaxation, Reduction of allergies, Rejuvenation and Revitalization, Rest for digestive organs [form of Sabbath], Spiritual awareness, Weight loss. Why? Because when the spiritual side is built up and strengthened, the health of the body often returns. Hunger - having a strong desire/craving - FASTING REDIRECTS Fasting is directly related to our spiritual appetite - hunger for God outweighs hunger for food. John Piper explains it this way, “The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ.” THERE ARE 2 COMPETING HUNGERS - the Spirit and the Flesh Galatians 5:17 commentary NLT - The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Two Dogs fighting within - fasting feeds the Spirit When we give into the desires of the flesh, it results in anger, addiction, depression, guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, and disappointment - FASTING removes these things. Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote the following: Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord. REMOVE THE PULL OF THE FLESH AND ADD THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your tru...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Act Like Men LAST WEEK - A Call to Anguish: “If we had as many "agonizers" as "advisers" the church would experience revival.” ~ Leonard Ravenhill ENCOURAGEMENT - I have seen many parents spiral downward because of guilt and regret. Even God’s children rebel. You’re not God - just the steward. Trust in sovereignty not your skills: I have seen terrible parents produce wonderful kids, and good parents, rebellious ones: Jim Cymbala, Billy Graham, many Calvary Chapel pastors. Your kids are fighting the flesh just like you are - sometimes they need love and grace and not another lecture. “Those who have been forgiven much love much.” Matt. 26:31, “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” ...a dad's leadership at home should be a model of strength and authority, but always tempered by love and compassion. Harsh discipline tends to close down a sensitive feminine spirit. ...a dad must remember that he is being watched closely by that little girl around his knees. The way he treats her mother will teach her volumes about how men and women should relate to one another. Blatant disrespect toward his wife will not be missed by the child. ...a dad should always look for ways to build the self-confidence of his little girl. If she believes he thinks she is pretty and "special," she will be inclined to see herself that way. He holds the key to her self-acceptance. ...a father must be the spiritual leader of his family, making clear his devotion to Jesus Christ and to the principles in Scripture. He should give the highest priority to bringing up his daughters, and his sons, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. http://www.drjamesdobson.org/Solid-Answers/Answers?a=3b1f9d3e-17d8-4375-9aca-d69422274423 A father shapes his son’s life more than any other influence on the planet. A man affects his wife spiritually and emotionally more than any other influence. A man builds his local church more than any other influence - this flows into the community, and ultimately, the nation. Strike the Shepherd and they will scatter … Men, you’re not called to be a passive, weak, indecisive partner—you’re called to protect, lead, and guard your family. You are to initiate prayer, defend your wife, shepherd your children, and make your home a holy sanctuary not a breeding ground for Satan. You’re called to fight the enemy, not flee from him. Act Like Men - cf. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV) - “1. Be watchful 2. Stand firm in the faith 3. Act like men 4. Be strong.” 1. Be Watchful - alert, cautious, vigilant, on guard, prepared, and ready. Opposite - careless, lazy, rash, negligent - “led by the flesh”. Matt 26:43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See,

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes A Call to Anguish - David Wilkerson Jesus’ anguish - 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”   Jesus’ anguish was the result of what He was about to go through - ours should be from what we’ve turned into.   David Wilkerson - “When God determined to recover a ruined situation, He would share His own anguish for what He saw happening to His church and His people...He would take a man and baptise Him in anguish.” * Concern vs. Anguish - inner pain that drives us to pray...to seek God   Yes, you’re concerned, but do you have ANGUISH!   * Satanic Temple * New ISIS ‘Kill’ List Claims To Target Thousands Of Americans * Desert Rose Elementary School in Palmdale dispatched a sheriff’s deputy to stop a 7-year-old from sharing Bible verses with his classmates because someone could be “offended.” * Suicide rate in U.S. on the rise, with spike for girls age 10-14 * Family disfunction: Michael Reagan, the son of Ronald Reagan, wrote of his parents’ divorce: “Divorce is where two adults take everything that matters to a child—the child’s home, family, security, and sense of being loved and protected—and they smash it [to pieces], leave it in ruins on the floor, then walk out and leave the child to clean up the mess.” Like most of us, “He came and found them asleep...” Disinterested!   * Anguish changes your life - prayer is your priority; holiness is sought; you’ll fill your mind with the things of God. Petty, trivial things don’t bother you.   * Most Christians are on LIFE-SUPPORT - they show more anguish over losing a job than losing God - losing God in our society, in our homes, & our churches.   There is NO revival or renewal without anguish - “Oh, my anguish, my anguish! [I’m in pain]. Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me, I cannot keep silent. For I have heard the sound of the trumpet; I have heard the battle cry.” Jeremiah 4:19 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah “I sought for a man from among them…” Ezekiel   “At this my body is racked with pain, [anguish] seize[s] me, like those of a woman in labor; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I see.” Isaiah 21:3   * Leonard Ravenhill, “We need to close every church in the land for one Sunday and cease listening to a man so we can hear the groan of the Spirit which we in our lush pews have forgotten.”

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Matt. 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.   Denial has to do with fear & pleasing men - “I will not deny You!” * We must be filled with God’s spirit - Acts 1:8 identifies this experience: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me....” REMINDER: The power of the Holy Spirit is like dynamite that ignites a hunger for God so intense that every aspect of life is changed—we become bold not passive; stable not fanatical; and committed not wavering.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Matt. 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.   1. It is written http://www.essentialbibleblog.com/2013/03/top-10-reasons-bible-is-true.html Manuscript Evidence. There are way more copies of the biblical manuscripts, with remarkable consistency between them, than there are for any of the classics like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates.  "There is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoys such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament." F.F. Bruce Archaeological Evidence. Again & again archaeological discoveries have verified the accuracy of the historical and cultural references in the Bible. The more they dig, the more it confirms. Expert Scrutiny, Changed Lives, and Eyewitness Accounts. The Bible was written by people who witnessed the events it describes; many were persecuted or martyred but never changed their story. Literary Consistency. The Bible contains 66 books written over 1,500 years by 40 different writers but it tells one "big story" of God's plan of salvation that culminated in Jesus Christ. You can't even pass a secret around a circle of 12 people and get the same message at the end. Prophetic Consistency. There are over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament that are fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. * “But after I have been raised…” If you drift from “it is written”, you will drift from God   2. Many leave church or get disgruntled when leadership fails. But Christ never fails - look to Him not man. * Judas Iscariot had the best teacher, pastor, friend, and leader - often, the problem isn’t the leadership, it’s our attitude.   3. Pride comes before a fall - “I will never stumble.” * When we rely on willpower and not God’s power - we will stumble. Acknowledging our dependence and asking for His help allows Him to help.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet No Sermon Notes

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes “Lord, Is It I?” The Plot to Kill Jesus Matt 26 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”   * What is the passover? Ex. 12:12 “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”   Baruch Maoz, an Israeli pastor of Jewish descent, doesn’t believe it is wrong for Jewish Christians to celebrate the feasts. But also explains why Gentile Christians shouldn’t observe them - “The ritual aspects of the Law, its symbols, hopes, and expectations, all find fulfillment in Jesus. Having been fulfilled, they no longer have the religious value they had in the past yet, for us Jewish Christians, they form part of our national culture. The shadows have passed to give room for the reality, and it is not right for us to insist upon those shadows as if they were still in force.”   * The problem - “Christ isn’t sufficient”, so they thought: Col. 2:16-17 NKJV, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance [the real thing] is of Christ.”   CHRIST IS SUFFICIENT - You don’t have to do anything because He did everything! * A day of rest * Good works * Holiness * Love others, and God, and His Word * Partake in Baptism and Communion - “I want to get baptized so I don’t go to hell!” BEEP! . . . Wrong answer...   The Anointing at Bethany 6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” 10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” * If everything is a priority then nothing is “Why doesn’t the church do this…?”   * Jesus was the priority - much like Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38-41, “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes WHY DOESN’T SOMEONE DO SOMETHING? Remember and Return -   * THE NATION - Deuteronomy 28:1 - If you diligently obey the voice of the LORD and observe all that He has commanded you, He will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Psalm 33:12 - Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.   SEEING A NATION DRIFT IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN SEEING A PERSON * “Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded by the stern old Puritans whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God.” HENRY WILSON (1812-1875); 18TH U.S. VICE PRESIDENT * “The law . . . dictated by God Himself is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times. No human laws are of any validity if contrary to this.” ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1755– 1804), SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION * “And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790) * “From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation...that this is a Christian nation.” THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, 1892 * In 1790, Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, said this about public schools, “But the religion I mean to recommend in this place is that of the New Testament . . . .” * John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, said, “Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son.” * In 1647, the Old Deluder Law established the first biblically based public schools in America. The Colonists believed that they could protect their civil liberties by eliminating biblical illiteracy. * As yet another example, consider the 1642 Rules and Precepts of Harvard University founded by Reverend John Harvard: “Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3)...and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.” What would those at Harvard say today? REMEMBER - Newsweek magazine, on December 27, 1982, in an article entitled, How the Bible Made America, made this revealing statement, “historians are discovering that the Bible, perhaps even more than the Constitution, is our Founding document.”   The Delaware Constitution initially required that everyone appointed to public office must say, “I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ his only Son...” Many other Constitutions such as Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Connecticut all acknowledged their reliance on God.   Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater - Muslims Think US 'Has Gone Completely Insane' Over LGBT * SLAVERY - As President of Congress Henry Laurens explained: I abhor slavery. I was born in a country where slavery had been established by British Kings and Parliaments as well as by...

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes Why Didn’t Someone Do Something?   INTRO:  Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service. When many ask, “Why didn’t we do something”, they did something! In the words of Mr. O’Brien who served in World War II: “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.” O’Brien continues: “It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”   * The vast majority of the men and women who died for our country did not die for what we’ve become today - they wanted to be One Nation Under God, not Above God.   By Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama—from his book, So Help Me God. One Nation under God was their cry and declaration, Upon the law of Nature’s God they built a mighty Nation. For unlike mankind before them who had walked this earthen sod, These men would never question the Sovereignty of God... ...I’m glad they’re not here with us to see the mess we’re in, How we’ve given up our righteousness for a life of indulgent sin. For when abortion isn’t murder and sodomy is deemed a right, Then evil is now called good and darkness is now called light. While truth and law were founded on the God of all creation, Man now, through law, denies the truth and calls it “separation.” No longer does man see a need for God when he’s in full control, For the only truth self-evident is in the latest poll. But with man as his own master we fail to count the cost, Our precious freedoms vanish and our liberty is lost. Children are told they can’t pray in school and they teach them evolution, When will they see the fear of God is the only true solution? Our schools have become a battleground while all across the land, Christians shrug their shoulders afraid to take a stand. And from the grave their voices cry, the victory has already been won. Just glorify the Father as did His only Son. And when your work on earth is done, and you’ve traveled where we’ve trod, You’ll leave the land we left to you, One Nation Under God!   _________________________________ God designed us to remember. “Remember” is used 167 times in the NIV version of the Bible. * But what about Philippians 3:13 to “Forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead.” Forget means - don’t focus your attention on the past - * When something drifts - remember and return   You will stop defeating yourself when you stop deceiving yourself.   3 Important Areas of Remembrance -   * THE CHURCH - I remember when the church walked in the power of the Holy Spirit - “The church lived in the fear of the Lord and was encouraged by the Holy Spirit” (cf. Acts 9:31).   * “We come with expectation ‘waiting here for you’. You're the Lord of all creation and still you know my heart - the author of salvation you’ve loved us from the start. ‘I’m waiting here for you’.”   People camp out for Big Sales   * The church waited in an upper room then POWER fell. * Peter waited for direction then lives were changed.

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes What is a Faithful Servant? Finishing Matthew 24 and 25 - What is a Faithful Servant?   KEY: All of us are servants - two groups: faithful and unfaithful   Context: Matt. 24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. __________________________________   Matt. 24:45-51 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. * A faithful servant treats others like God would. CF. MATT. 25:44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”   * A faithful servant is faithful over the little things because his heart is right - “he will make him ruler over all His goods.”   * A faithful servant does not live like the unfaithful - “begins...to eat and drink with the drunkards.” Sonoma County wine tasting, Vegas party scene, Irish Pubs in Hermosa Beach -   * A faithful servant is not a hypocrite - one servant had outward reform but not inward change - Hypocrisy is always linked with foolishness.   Rob Bell: 'I Don't Use the Word Christian, Jesus Would Be Mortified Religion Started in His Name' * “I will build My church…” It’s not a Religion - it’s relationship with Almighty GOD!   The article continued... * [His] book questioned the existence of Hell and Jesus Christ being the only way to salvation. * In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 2015, Rob and his wife, Kristen, claimed that the American church would inevitably accept gay marriage and questioned the Bible's relevance to modern society - "We're moments away. I think the culture is already there. And the church will continue to be even more irrelevant when it quotes letters from 2,000 years ago as their best defense," claimed Rob. * “I don't think the heart of the Jesus message has much to do with boycotting Target.”  

If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes. Tweet Complete Sermon Notes What is a Faithful Servant? Finishing Matthew 24 and 25 - What is a Faithful Servant?   KEY: All of us are servants - two groups: faithful and unfaithful   Context: Matt. 24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. __________________________________   Matt. 24:45-51 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. * A faithful servant treats others like God would. CF. MATT. 25:44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”   * A faithful servant is faithful over the little things because his heart is right - “he will make him ruler over all His goods.”   * A faithful servant does not live like the unfaithful - “begins...to eat and drink with the drunkards.” Sonoma County wine tasting, Vegas party scene, Irish Pubs in Hermosa Beach -   * A faithful servant is not a hypocrite - one servant had outward reform but not inward change - Hypocrisy is always linked with foolishness.   Rob Bell: 'I Don't Use the Word Christian, Jesus Would Be Mortified Religion Started in His Name' * “I will build My church…” It’s not a Religion - it’s relationship with Almighty GOD!   The article continued... * [His] book questioned the existence of Hell and Jesus Christ being the only way to salvation. * In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 2015, Rob and his wife, Kristen, claimed that the American church would inevitably accept gay marriage and questioned the Bible's relevance to modern society - "We're moments away. I think the culture is already there. And the church will continue to be even more irrelevant when it quotes letters from 2,000 years ago as their best defense," claimed Rob. * “I don't think the heart of the Jesus message has much to do with boycotting Target.”