GALATIANS 5:1-26 | MATTHEW 7:3-5

Although Christianity is classified as a religion, the Jesus we know did not come to start a religion. Jesus was not talking to His disciples about a religion, He used every parable to teach us about family and to represent relationship.

As children of God we need to be careful because we start with relationship and somewhere down the line we all fall into religion.

Here are a few ways to catch our religious mindsets:

1. Remember that we have so much to work on in ourselves that we don't need to judge anyone else.
2. Removing the plank in your own will give you clarity and the vision of love.
3. Removing the plank is hard work but you have to be prepared to do it.
4. God set us free from the law, for us to pursue freedom and the fruit of the spirit.
5. Done focus on not sinning but focus on the freedom that God have us go step into the throne room of grace.

The world and the church love to condemn those that pursue Christ. So if you ever feel like stepping out in judgment ask yourself how criticising someone is loving them.

APPLICATION:

Have you been judgemental lately? Thinking things like "this sermon is perfect for__"

 How can you begin to repent and ask God to speak to the areas of

your heart that need strengthening today!

PRAYER:

Father forgive me for my flesh and my judgemental heart. I ask you to reveal the planks in my eyes so I can continue see your love more clearly. In Jesus name, amen.

This week, Pastor Jeremy Johnson is breaking down the deeper meaning of Christmas. Presenting a message of hope, he shares what we have to look forward to. In Emmanuel, God with us; Pastor Johnson encourages us to get out of our way. Get ready to unwrap the incredible gifts Jesus has for you this season.

What does it look like to be a child of God? Why does God long for us to truly understand His identity as a Father? How do these identities impact our destinies or even our day-to-day lives? God wants us to come forth into the fullness of our true identity and live a joyous, fulfilled life. This Christmas, God wants us to open the gifts He has laid up for us as His children. To gain access, we have to step into a true understanding of what it means to be sons and heirs.

Join Pastor Jeremy as he unlocks secrets from the word of God to bring us into our inheritance as God's children. Enjoy this message, right in time for the Holiday Season. Unwrap the gifts to launch you forward this Christmas!

1 TIMOTHY 6:6-11 | EXODUS 16:16 | 1 SAMUEL 16: 11-13 | NUMBERS 17:32-36

A sense of contentment bleeds into every aspect of how we operate in this life. It's possible for us to be set free but desire to go back to our old lives simply because it's comfortable! God is okay with the moments of doubt if we can overcome with Faith in knowing who He is.

There are many reasons why we can get discontented in this life so here are three traps of discontentment.

1. Discontentment clouds our judgement

2. Discontentment convinces us that what we have is never enough

3. Discontentment doesn't give us time to rest

The enemy is constantly trying to get us to control our circumstances when the Lord is only wanting us to be in control of our contentment.Here are the three things to know about contentment:

1. Contentment brings favor

2. Contentment brings confidence

3. Contentment brings clarity

When we get used to just "enough" we will be excellent with all we have in front of us. We won't need armor to slay giants because we know that God can use us with what we have in our hands. Remember we can be expectant but remain content in every season as we trust in the Lords timing!

Application - We can be accepted by God but rejected by man. It's one or the other but which one are we pursuing? What we pursue will determine where our contentment lies.

Prayer - Father I long for you not just to be my savior but for you to be Lord over my life. I want to fix my eyes on you so that I can be content in every season. Remove all the worldly distractions and help me take all thoughts of discontentment captive!

PHILLIPIANS 4:4-13 | ROMANS 8:38 | 1 TIMOTHY 6:6 | 2 CORINTHIANS: 11:23-30

Discouragement is like a downhill walk, it doesn't take much effort and you barely notice how far you've walked until you realize that there is a moment that you might have to turn around and trek up back hill. But the beautiful thing is God want's to give you the priceless possession of Joy, something that no matter what life may throw at you, it won't be able to steal from you.

Here are some things to remember about a state of discontentment:

1. The devil is after your worship, and discontentment is a lack of worship
2. Satisfaction lies in the fact that in Jesus, you have it all.
3. God provides a way out of discontentment by giving us His strength to lean on.
4. The secret to contentment is having awareness of Him in every situation.

Discontentment is a manifestation of pride in our lives and it was that pride that made the great heroes of faith turn their back on God only to realize that He was all they needed at the bottom. Remember one day we will be worshiping Him and not showing off our trophies in Heaven, but we don't have to wait to get to Heaven to find the treasure of life right here, right now.

APPLICATION -

Your contentment is a matter of pursuit, so take a moment to look at what you are chasing that you already possess!

PRAYER -

Father, I know that you have already given me the greatest treasure in life.

Thank you for the gift of your relationship. Help me pursue you today in spirit and in truth, show me glory so that I can see that I'm not missing anything in life.

Read-
Proverbs 14: 30
Philippines 4:4-13
1 Timothy 6:6-12The enemy wants to rob you of now. He wants to empty today by causing you to worry about tomorrow, but a heart at peace is what we need to long for, because what we go through emotionally will affect you physically!Your pain gives you power to preach more effectively if you can learn to be content at “empty”. Because if you can’t be content at the end you will never be content at full. Because it’s not about being filled it’s about being fulfilled.Here are four things to know about contentment:Contentment must be learned.
Contentment is a choice.
You can have contentment on empty
Contentment is the good fight of faithThe only thing that can bring you contentment is not found here. When we leave this world we will not be taking anything with us, but a change in our focus will allow us to make it through this life.Don’t beat yourself up for being discontent, but ask God to help you see the things you can be grateful for in this moment, and you can rejoice like the wordApplication -
What are some areas in your life that you have envy and discontentment? What can you be thankful for instead in your life?Prayer - Father, I’m so grateful for the life you have given me. Allow me to see all that you’ve already set your hand to in my life because I know that everything has purpose! I discard discontentment from my life and I choose to fix my eyes on you! In Jesus name.