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 The Doctrine of Man – Sin & the Curse THEOLOGY ON FIRE PART 5   Recommended Reading: JOHN MACARTHUR on Biblical Doctrine   Gen. 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”   Image can mean a copy or a representation of.   THIS IS WHY the sanctity of human life is so important.   There is a relational aspect, as well as “having dominion.”   Most miss the most important aspect of living: TO EXPERIENCE GOD!   Man is body, soul/spirit…   1. THE BODY is the shell that affects how we live.   GOD RENEWED MY PASSION IN THIS AREA: If we allow addictions to control our attitude and productivity, it will hinder what we do for God. When we’re always dealing with stress, anxiety and sickness, can we do much for God?   WHY wouldn’t the devil what to severely hinder productivity? Does your mood (the way you feel) affect productivity and quality of life? Serotonin. Dopamine. Glutamate. Noradrenaline.   2. THE SOUL is our distinct personality; nephesh in Hebrew, and psyche in Greek.   This is said to be the part that is eternal – SPIRIT and SOUL are often interchangeable. Isaiah 26:9, “With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early…” HEART (kardia): the governing aspect of the body that controls conduct. Mark 12:30, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength….”   3. THE SPIRIT refers to our interaction with God – pneuma; it is sometimes interchangeable with the word “soul.” __________________________   Sin and the Curse: to inflict harm or punishment   Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes,

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 Making a Strong Hold Weak THEOLOGY ON FIRE PART 4 An aspect of theology is Demonology – over 100 mentions, most in the N.T. To Be Forewarned Is To Be Forearmed. ROBERT MORRIS, DEREK PRINCE, vs. MACARTHUR: “Can they [demons] walk through an open door and become a squatter? Proponents of today’s spiritual warfare movement say yes, but they base their answer on subjective experience, not on God’s Word. The Bible makes it clear that such a claim has no justifiable basis. There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer.”   WHY DIFFERENT VIEWS? Conservative vs. Charismatic   KEY: Not Possessed But Oppressed: “subject to harsh treatment.”   A demon can’t make a Believer do anything! A stronghold is often an inherent weakness; a point of entry.   If a person begins entertaining thoughts of fear, jealousy, anger, or bitterness and stops reading God’s Word; if they open the door again to tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, lust, etc.   This use to have a WEAK hold on me. What happened? Or, it’s always had a STRONG HOLD on me. How can I get free? Often, our younger years is where the door is opened – the “stronghold” begins.   “But Shane, as a Christian, I was delivered on a certain day.” Was it because of possession, or due to the fact that you repented, and cried out to God?   “But I have done that many times before!” Often, it is a fight! __________________________________________________________________   PERSONALLY, I can’t say you had demon and that’s why you were ensnared. OFTEN, this person blames the demon for their sin – the Bible does not teach that.   Could it be that God, in His mercy, lifts the oppression instead of a demon leaving? Could it be that the person finally fully surrenders their life instead of secretly wanting to continue in the sin? Is it possible that the person was demonized because they weren’t a believer?   Sometimes there is a RELEASE, but often there is a FIGHT [weapons]! REGARDLESS OF THE VIEW – THERE IS HOPE & INSTRUCTION   2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   Is a stronghold a messenger of Satan? It can be…Something was sent.

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 Making a Strong Hold Weak THEOLOGY ON FIRE PART 4 An aspect of theology is Demonology – over 100 mentions, most in the N.T. To Be Forewarned Is To Be Forearmed. ROBERT MORRIS, DEREK PRINCE, vs. MACARTHUR: “Can they [demons] walk through an open door and become a squatter? Proponents of today’s spiritual warfare movement say yes, but they base their answer on subjective experience, not on God’s Word. The Bible makes it clear that such a claim has no justifiable basis. There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer.”   WHY DIFFERENT VIEWS? Conservative vs. Charismatic   KEY: Not Possessed But Oppressed: “subject to harsh treatment.”   A demon can’t make a Believer do anything! A stronghold is often an inherent weakness; a point of entry.   If a person begins entertaining thoughts of fear, jealousy, anger, or bitterness and stops reading God’s Word; if they open the door again to tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, lust, etc.   This use to have a WEAK hold on me. What happened? Or, it’s always had a STRONG HOLD on me. How can I get free? Often, our younger years is where the door is opened – the “stronghold” begins.   “But Shane, as a Christian, I was delivered on a certain day.” Was it because of possession, or due to the fact that you repented, and cried out to God?   “But I have done that many times before!” Often, it is a fight! __________________________________________________________________   PERSONALLY, I can’t say you had demon and that’s why you were ensnared. OFTEN, this person blames the demon for their sin – the Bible does not teach that.   Could it be that God, in His mercy, lifts the oppression instead of a demon leaving? Could it be that the person finally fully surrenders their life instead of secretly wanting to continue in the sin? Is it possible that the person was demonized because they weren’t a believer?   Sometimes there is a RELEASE, but often there is a FIGHT [weapons]! REGARDLESS OF THE VIEW – THERE IS HOPE & INSTRUCTION   2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   Is a stronghold a messenger of Satan? It can be…Something was sent.

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 Forum Part 3 – My Fasting Experience Many people think that I have always focused on health and that I don’t struggle. Not so. Although my mother did a great job promoting health, once I left the home, my early years were marked with alcohol abuse, junk food, and neglect of my body—a cinnamon roll and coffee was breakfast and fast food was dinner. My past may someday catch up with me.   Twenty-two Days Of Mountains And Valleys   Recall my earlier analogy: The desire to seek God is greater than the desire to eat.   Week One: I began with a very clean, low-calorie diet for three days followed by water fasting for four days. Unfortunately, I hung onto my morning coffee habit because I was tired and sluggish. I hoped that God would bless my fast even though I wasn’t willing to give up my favorite addiction.   Try to get adequate sunlight, fresh air, and open ventilation when possible. Also, be sensitive to what you are putting on your skin in regard to hair products, deodorant, and lotion.   I didn’t see many improvements, but my voice became hoarse and sores formed in my mouth. I simply viewed this as detox. On day six, I found myself worshipping God more.   Week Two: My weight dropped about 6 pounds. An increasingly painful toothache caused me to resume eating for a few days. My right knee and other joints started to feel better, but a deep pain came first. Before the body heals it often hurts.   Many Christians are surprised that they are not on a constant spiritual high while fasting. Deprivation of food, especially things that we’ve been addicted to, often leads to body aches and pains as well as bad moods and weariness.   Don’t gauge fasting success by feelings alone. God often rewards later in the fast, or after the fast, versus during the onset of the fast (there are exceptions).   Week Three: My weight dropped another 8 pounds after the third week concluded. The first few days were very tough. My toothache turned into a nightmare.   I’m not against antibiotics, but they should be the last resort not the first. The word actually means “against life.” They wipe out all bad bacteria, as well as good bacteria, but they will not always fix the main cause of the infection. By the end of the week, the pain was gone, although I don’t know what the future holds.   During this 3rd week, I had water only, and finally kicked the coffee habit right before the week began. Sleep was deep and I wasn’t very hungry. I could have definitely eaten, but the feeling wasn’t strong.   Remember, fasting is not starving. Hunger does not keep increasing every day. This is another myth that keeps countless people from fasting.   Some say that you should stay busy, others say rest.   Through my studies, I found that vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes are often stored in the body for seasons of fasting.   This was the case in 1973 when a twenty-seven year-old male water fasted for 382 days under the supervision of the Scotland University. His weight dropped from 456 lbs. to 180 lbs.   At one point in the fast,

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 Forum Part 3 – My Fasting Experience Many people think that I have always focused on health and that I don’t struggle. Not so. Although my mother did a great job promoting health, once I left the home, my early years were marked with alcohol abuse, junk food, and neglect of my body—a cinnamon roll and coffee was breakfast and fast food was dinner. My past may someday catch up with me.   Twenty-two Days Of Mountains And Valleys   Recall my earlier analogy: The desire to seek God is greater than the desire to eat.   Week One: I began with a very clean, low-calorie diet for three days followed by water fasting for four days. Unfortunately, I hung onto my morning coffee habit because I was tired and sluggish. I hoped that God would bless my fast even though I wasn’t willing to give up my favorite addiction.   Try to get adequate sunlight, fresh air, and open ventilation when possible. Also, be sensitive to what you are putting on your skin in regard to hair products, deodorant, and lotion.   I didn’t see many improvements, but my voice became hoarse and sores formed in my mouth. I simply viewed this as detox. On day six, I found myself worshipping God more.   Week Two: My weight dropped about 6 pounds. An increasingly painful toothache caused me to resume eating for a few days. My right knee and other joints started to feel better, but a deep pain came first. Before the body heals it often hurts.   Many Christians are surprised that they are not on a constant spiritual high while fasting. Deprivation of food, especially things that we’ve been addicted to, often leads to body aches and pains as well as bad moods and weariness.   Don’t gauge fasting success by feelings alone. God often rewards later in the fast, or after the fast, versus during the onset of the fast (there are exceptions).   Week Three: My weight dropped another 8 pounds after the third week concluded. The first few days were very tough. My toothache turned into a nightmare.   I’m not against antibiotics, but they should be the last resort not the first. The word actually means “against life.” They wipe out all bad bacteria, as well as good bacteria, but they will not always fix the main cause of the infection. By the end of the week, the pain was gone, although I don’t know what the future holds.   During this 3rd week, I had water only, and finally kicked the coffee habit right before the week began. Sleep was deep and I wasn’t very hungry. I could have definitely eaten, but the feeling wasn’t strong.   Remember, fasting is not starving. Hunger does not keep increasing every day. This is another myth that keeps countless people from fasting.   Some say that you should stay busy, others say rest.   Through my studies, I found that vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes are often stored in the body for seasons of fasting.   This was the case in 1973 when a twenty-seven year-old male water fasted for 382 days under the supervision of the Scotland University. His weight dropped from 456 lbs. to 180 lbs.   At one point in the fast,

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 Forum Part 2 – What Works, What Doesn’t, & Why Begin today. You’ve probably fallen so many times that you have lost count, so have I. God honors perseverance, not perfection.   *What is fasting? Fasting must compliment a healthy diet, not take the place of it. *Where do I start? Don’t focus on length just yet. Begin with a meal or two, educate yourself, and seek medical advice if needed. *Why should I fast? How is starving beneficial? Fasting is not starving; it’s the removal of food for a season. *How long should I fast? If we are talking about for health reasons, ideally one should fast as long as it takes to heal or detox. The goal determines the length. If for spiritual reason, pray, ask for direction, and follow through. Don’t forget to factor in the refeeding phase. *How do I get back on track if I fall? Like children, we are growing in our walk with the Lord. Infants learning to walk don’t quit when they fall, they get back up. Eventually, you will walk where you use to fall. *Can I drink coffee, tea, or soft drinks when fasting? Read: The Truth About Caffeine and Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug. Neither authors are Christians that I’m aware of. Those who recommend coffee are addicted – why would I put chemicals and a stimulant when I’m trying to cleanse? Water is crucial to health—from removing toxins to hydrating every cell, it’s a vital resource, especially when fasting. All of the ways that the body removes toxins are affected by water, from mucus to urine—pure, clean water cleanses the entire system. READ: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders lists caffeine-related disorders such as caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, and caffeine-induced sleep disorder—all can lead to angry outbursts, severe anxiety, and extreme irritability. Since caffeine runs along the same biochemical pathways in the brain as cocaine, opium, and amphetamines, quitting can be a nightmare. My suggestion is to back off day by day until intake is very minimal, and use organic green tea. *What about health drinks and supplements? The question also comes up about carbonated water with no calories and natural flavor. Supplementation. The bottom line is that nothing works better than fasting…nothing is even a close second. Many of these things can “supplement” our diet from time to time, but when large quantities are introduced, it may not always help the body. No one has the market on truth in this area, and science is always learning.   *What about juicing? Our body uses close to 50% of its energy to digest food. Juice fasting, although healthy, does not give the digestive system complete rest.   A juice cleanse is also good for those who can’t discontinue medication.   *What do I eat when I stop fasting? The longer the fast the more careful one must be when refeeding. Ending a fast is a wonderful opportunity to start a new beginning.

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 Forum Part 2 – What Works, What Doesn’t, & Why Begin today. You’ve probably fallen so many times that you have lost count, so have I. God honors perseverance, not perfection.   *What is fasting? Fasting must compliment a healthy diet, not take the place of it. *Where do I start? Don’t focus on length just yet. Begin with a meal or two, educate yourself, and seek medical advice if needed. *Why should I fast? How is starving beneficial? Fasting is not starving; it’s the removal of food for a season. *How long should I fast? If we are talking about for health reasons, ideally one should fast as long as it takes to heal or detox. The goal determines the length. If for spiritual reason, pray, ask for direction, and follow through. Don’t forget to factor in the refeeding phase. *How do I get back on track if I fall? Like children, we are growing in our walk with the Lord. Infants learning to walk don’t quit when they fall, they get back up. Eventually, you will walk where you use to fall. *Can I drink coffee, tea, or soft drinks when fasting? Read: The Truth About Caffeine and Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug. Neither authors are Christians that I’m aware of. Those who recommend coffee are addicted – why would I put chemicals and a stimulant when I’m trying to cleanse? Water is crucial to health—from removing toxins to hydrating every cell, it’s a vital resource, especially when fasting. All of the ways that the body removes toxins are affected by water, from mucus to urine—pure, clean water cleanses the entire system. READ: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders lists caffeine-related disorders such as caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, and caffeine-induced sleep disorder—all can lead to angry outbursts, severe anxiety, and extreme irritability. Since caffeine runs along the same biochemical pathways in the brain as cocaine, opium, and amphetamines, quitting can be a nightmare. My suggestion is to back off day by day until intake is very minimal, and use organic green tea. *What about health drinks and supplements? The question also comes up about carbonated water with no calories and natural flavor. Supplementation. The bottom line is that nothing works better than fasting…nothing is even a close second. Many of these things can “supplement” our diet from time to time, but when large quantities are introduced, it may not always help the body. No one has the market on truth in this area, and science is always learning.   *What about juicing? Our body uses close to 50% of its energy to digest food. Juice fasting, although healthy, does not give the digestive system complete rest.   A juice cleanse is also good for those who can’t discontinue medication.   *What do I eat when I stop fasting? The longer the fast the more careful one must be when refeeding. Ending a fast is a wonderful opportunity to start a new beginning.  

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 FORUM Fasting Forum Part 1 – The Crossroads and the Spiritual Benefits It’s no secret that we are at the crossroads: Opioid and alcohol abuse are leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Obesity is skyrocketing and plaguing the young as well as the old; it has reached epidemic levels in children as well. Diabetes is plaguing millions, and cancer and heart disease are the number one killers in America.“We pray for God to heal rather than for help with self-discipline to change harmful habits.”   Most are not caring for the wonderful gift of health that God has given them: “There are multitudes of diseases which have their origin in fullness, and might have their end in fasting” (James Morrison).   America, wake up! Fasting doesn’t kill us; over consumption does. __________________________________   Granted: the physical benefits of fasting are secondary, the spiritual benefits are the priority. THE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS – WE HAVE COVERED MANY TIMES: Lean, mean, fasting, machine  https://vimeo.com/253246415; Health—what does the bible say? https://vimeo.com/231641933; Fasting over forks pt.1 and pt.2 https://vimeo.com/224003262 – https://vimeo.com/224932899; A prisoner of appetite https://vimeo.com/197731085; Fasting—the good, the bad, and the hungry https://vimeo.com/172356334; Fasting—they found the secret

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 The Character of God THEOLOGY ON FIRE Series #3     Intro. Theology On Fire: The goal is too spark hunger – NEXT WEEK …     Character of God [WHO HE IS]: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” (commonly attributed to Abraham Lincoln). Two weeks ago: A word-for-word translation vs. thought for thought – 1. God is just [not fair]…“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT). JUST – What is morally right. Without a JUST standard – we have nothing to gauge action. If God makes me love Him – that’s not love. 2. God is holy…“…you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be His children—is holy. For He Himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT). NKJV: “As obedient children not conforming yourselves to former lusts.” HOLY: that which resembles the character and nature of God. “BE HOLY” – “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” My character is either going to resemble that of my Lord and Savior, or of my nemesis – Holy, or unholy! Godly, or ungodly. Broken and Humble, or Haughty and Arrogant. Pride is why many don’t share their struggles – they have everything mastered. HOLINESS affects everything – that’s why Repentance is a beautiful word. Common question, “Why should Christians repent?” We Need Realignment 3. God is righteous…“Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT). NKJV – “That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Throw off – cast away old thoughts and attitudes [the way we act] Biblical commands when fighting for “righteousness”: Submit yourself to God and resist the devil. Endure temptation as a good soldier. Deny the flesh and be filled with the Spirit. Do not yield to temptation or make provision for it; crucify it…flee! Don’t be brought under the power of temptation. God will make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it. “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11). When we minimize this we become Bipolar rather ...

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 Return to the Old Paths pt. 1 Jer. 6:16 NIV, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’.” Return – the act of coming back from straying away, or repositioning. Proverbs 9:10 REMINDS US THAT THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS WHERE WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING ORIGINATE.   Let’s look at the KJV Proverbs 8:13 – The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth [DIFFICULT], do I hate. Matthew 10:28 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   When we don’t fear something, we can mock it, take it lightly, or be indifferent.   Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. Psalms 33:8 – Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Proverbs 14:27 – The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.   Fear and Keep – stand in awe… It’s a “fountain of life” that keeps us away from the “snares of death.” 2 Chronicles 17:9-10 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah… Take Inventory: Psalm 15 Lord,

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 God – Fairy tale or Fact? THEOLOGY ON FIRE Series #2 Intro. Theology On Fire: The goal is too spark hunger /  Last week: The Bible – truth or… GOD – Fairytale or Fact: The existence and knowability of God. 1. God in creation: A creation cannot create itself. Gen. 2:7 [AMP], “Then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].” https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/from-dust-to-dust/: The earth’s crust contains most of the mineral nutrients our body requires. Oxygen is the most abundant element in both the human body and the earth’s crust. The human body is made up almost entirely of 13 elements. Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen make up 96% of our body’s mass. The other 4% of body weight is composed almost entirely of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and iodine. It’s so obvious that people have to say we came from stardust with a straight face. Pic. of a stained glass at Saint Peter’s Church in York and the Double Helix of the DNA. Fairy tale or Fact? ________________________________ 2. The fact that we see amazing creations all around us points to a Creator: from pollination by bees to the placement of the sun and moon – to the human body, DNA, and the birth of a child. Romans 1:20 (NKJV), “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse… Logic – Unity – Consistency – Beauty – Purpose – We see that a cataclysmic event occurred where things died rapidly [Flood]. Why are seashells found in the Himalayas and the Grand Canyon [Flood]. The Grand Canyon’s limestone layer contains tens of millions of fossils with nearly one in seven fossilized standing vertically! Soft tissue found in dinosaur bones. Obviously, Someone created all this – There is no excuse. Our Conscience is also a witness! (Rom. 2). God’s eternal power is evident – nothing is now being created out of nothing: matter and energy are recycled. The sheer mass of the Universe illustrates His eternal power. I’m a Biblical Creationist I can’t stretch the

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 Is It Right For You To Be Angry? Jonah 4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” WHAT DISPLEASED JONAH? God’s grace and mercy. HE FLED BECAUSE HE WAS ANGRY! We often miss God’s will when angry. TAKE MY LIFE – I GIVE UP! Anger makes us want to quit. Is it right when God saves or rescues others? Is it right when God heals them? Is it right when God blesses them? Is it right when God blesses other ministries or promotes? *How we act when others are blessed or spared reveals the true condition of our heart. 5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. HE WASN’T READY TO REPENT – Let’s see what happens. GOD, IN HIS GRACE, WORKED THROUGH THE WRONG HEART OF JONAH 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” GOD OFTEN USES DIFFICULTIES TO TEACH US 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” PITY: “The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.” We have pity on what affects us – God wants us to have pity on what affects others! Pray for those struggling through the issues below – Health Financial state Marriage Kid troubles CLOSING: Is it right for you to be angry? Leave it here tonight…

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 The Bible – Truth or Tolerance THEOLOGY ON FIRE Series #1 Intro. Theology On Fire – Can’t do this subject justice, BUT I can spark hunger. The Bible is the foundation of theology [the study of God]. Systematic Theology is working systematically through it. 1. God’s decrees and commands: “Let there be…” When He speaks it is true: the plumb line, the gauge, the standard for truth. TRUTH DOESN’T TOLERATE OPPOSING VIEWS. 2. Jesus is the Word of God: On screen John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 3. God speaks through flawed vessels: 2 Peter 1:21, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The closer you draw to God – the more you resemble His character and nature, and are filled with His Spirit, the more you will speak His truth. KEY: When God speaks, all avenues speak with the same voice. Be Beareans – another reason we have it written out. Top 7 RULES OF HERMENEUTICS – http://www.apologeticsindex.org/5846-biblical-interpretation-rules The rule of DEFINITION: The rule of USAGE: O.T. written to the Jews The rule of CONTEXT: The rule of HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The rule of LOGIC: The rule of PRECEDENT: We must not violate the known usage of a word. The rule of UNITY: *We communicate the same way. Would GOD know how to preserve His Word? TEST it – scientifically, prophetically, archaeologically, and historically. The Majority text / Textus receptus  Vs. Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus How we got our Bible at WCFAV.org: http://westsidechristianfellowship.

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 3 Characteristics Of A Sacred Assembly Opposite of Las Vegas – what happens here does not stay here! Joel 1:14 – Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Sunday we talked about the cure for judgment.   3 Characteristics Of Calling A Sacred Assembly   1. Fasting preceded the assembly: like soil, we must prepare the heart. 2. The call is to all believers. 3. Go to the place of anointing: take action – “I’ve had enough.” ________________________________ 3 Characteristics Of A Sacred Assembly   Joel 2:12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. 14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— 1. “Turn to Me with all your heart?” There can’t be hidden areas of rebellion, ulterior motives, or Plan B’s.   It must start with a complete turning, a heart breaking, and a prideful man repenting. Zechariah 7:5, “When you fasted and mourned did you really fast for me – for me?”   2. Position yourself to receive from God – fast, weep, and mourn   WHY SHOULD WE WEEP AND BE SAD? The most popular pornography site draws 80 million visitors a day—more traffic than Pinterest, Tumblr, or PayPal. Mass shootings. Children, teens, and young adults are lost – our future leaders. [Tide Pods] Marriage is being mocked, abortion is taking nearly 3000 lives a day – 56,993,299. Would the blind beggar have been healed? Would Rachael have conceived? GOD says, “I HEAR THE GROANS AND THE CRIES” – No parent goes to the room of a newborn if they’re content. Real prayer is travail – BUT it can’t be fake. 3. “Rend your hearts – not your garments.” A Hard Heart Will Prevent Revival Jonah 4:2, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” Jonah was mad – critical, judgmental, and negative: “Negativity is a tendency to be downbeat, disagreeable, and skeptical. It’s a pessimistic attitude that always expects the worst.” Stop the criticism – the complaining – and the polarization of politics! A complainer will not experience renewal.

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 The Cure For Judgment – Call A Sacred Assembly   Encouragement last week / Conviction this week   INTRO: LEADING to WED. – Judgement is God Responding to Sin [Broad term]   We are to respond BEFORE it comes, but we’re also given grace AFTER it comes.   WARNING LABELS:  warning the user about risks associated with the use of.   A person is not to wait for judgment; they are to remove the cause.   Arthur Wallis, “If lukewarmness and apostasy are predicted for the endtime, it is not that we might apathetically await the fulfillment, but that we may be forewarned and strive to advert it.”   ACT Before – to avoid / ACT After – to establish and reconnect with GOD   Ironically, the response is often the same: “God is slow to anger, patient & kind.” ____________________________________ God is not worried about what people think.   We don’t want to hear about the penalty, but the pardon. Don’t tell me about pain, I want pleasure. Don’t tell me about judgment, give freedom.   On Screen: In 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” TELL THEM ABOUT THE PAIN, but also the PROMISE…ABOUT THE JUDGE but also the PARDON. Martin Luther – “Always preach in such a way that if the people listening do not come to hate their sin, they will instead hate you.”   Reminder: Paul is saying to preach the difficult truths as well as the joyful ones; preach the cross and the new life; preach hell and preach heaven; preach damnation and preach salvation; preach sin and preach grace; preach wrath and preach love; preach judgment and preach mercy; preach obedience and preach forgiveness; preach that God “is love,” but don’t forget that God is just.   This should sound an alarm in the the heart of every pastor—are we encouraging sin by SILENCE? ______________________________   Regardless of where you’re at [our nation] – Joel offers the cure for Judgement   IN THIS CASE, JUDGMENT ALREADY CAME   On Screen JOEL 1 The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.2 Hear this, you elders, And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers? 3 Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation. ACKNOWLEDGE IT – OWN IT – PASS IT DOWN Who are we to soften God’s blow? Who are we to ease the pounding of the hammer? Who are we to silence the trumpet that God is blowing to get our attention? I WANT TO SEE MY CHILDREN CRYING OUT TO GOD – Weeping under the magnitude of their sin – seeing that they are lost with...