The Master‘s Class, LifeChange Church Wichita

TO LOVE IN A WORLD OF HATE (John 15:12-26)

Is Jesus Christ your personal friend? If not, you are missing out on the best of all friends. Jesus is my personal friend. I have all there is of Jesus just for me, and yet, you can have all there is of Jesus just for you as well. Only God can do that. Only deity can do that. He loves us all, but, He loves us each. He loves us individually. He cares for us. The God who runs this universe, in and through Jesus Christ, is your own personal friend. What a friend we have in Jesus!

There are a lot of people out there who have never met our friend Jesus, and He tells us, "You are my friends if you do what I command you, that you love one another as I have loved you." If we are to do this, then we need to say, "O God, help me to find someone that I can love and cultivate for Jesus. And help us to make our church a family of friends.'

When people come to a church that loves Jesus Christ, do you know what they should be impressed with? They should be impressed with the way the members love one another: the bigness of their love, and the warmth of their spirit. They should see any church that loves Jesus as a family of friends. We have the best Friend that a person could have, and we should share that Friend with them.

But there is another side of the world. There are people who deliberately choose to hate us just because we love the Lord. The opposite of love is hate. The Lord has been commanding His disciples to love one another. One reason why such love is imperative is because of the hatred of the world for the Lord and his own. He commands us to love one another, including those outside of the church, but He also wants to prepare us for the hatred that the world has for His followers.

Click on the link below to learn how to love as Jesus loves, in a world of hate.

Amen.

ARE YOU PART OF THE FAMILY Part I (John 15:12-17)

So, what kind of church do you belong to? A growing church, or a dying church? Here at Summit, we have a wonderful staff. Our pastors are some of the best pastors I have ever served under. We have good teachers, and dedicated volunteers. God has blessed those efforts, but is it possible for those blessings to become a negative for our church?

We come on Sunday, and Sunday by Sunday, our preachers, our teachers, our workers, and our musicians, they all present a wonderful program. Each Sunday we come and enjoy it and then go home and wait for the next service, and then we come and enjoy that and then we go home. The problem with a successful church, actually with any church, is that there are a few people working very hard, but a large part of the congregation does not share the load. They don’t become a part. They are in danger of becoming a congregation of spectators. They see the blessings, but they fail to remember the real purpose of a church, which is to be a hospital for souls. They forget that there are so many people in our church, and in our community, who need Jesus. There are so many who are hurting, so many who do not enjoy the blessings, the friendship, the warmth, and the love, that we enjoy. We need to ask ourselves, "How can we change this in our church, and how can we reach out to this community?" What is the message that we want to share?

One of the most important things that a person needs is a feeling of belonging. Well, belonging to what? Belonging to a family of friends who cares for them. Are we a family of friends? If we are to reach out to others and invite them into our family, then we must first be a family of friends.

A church that loves Jesus Christ is to be a family. You say, "Well, Bro. Keith, I live alone." That's all the more reason you need a church family because we are your extended family. And whether you have a great big family sitting around your dinner table or whether you live by yourself in an apartment, or in a room somewhere, your church is to be family. But it is more than family. It's friendship. And the two longings that people have in our world today are, for family, or a sense of belonging, and for friendship, or a sense of caring.

Each week you are given an opportunity to invite people who need Jesus to come and be a part of the family. But how many of you invite those people? Many of you have done that. We have been blessed by those that have come. But the fact that you invited them will only get people in the doors of the church. What they find inside the church is what matters. Do they find a family of friends who will welcome them into their family?

Jesus tells us, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” It is not optional, we have a duty, an obligation, a privilege to love others as Jesus loves us.

Click on the link below to hear a message on what it takes to be a friend and to have a friend. To be a family of friends.

Amen.

A LIFE FULL OF JOY (John 15:11)

Many people would define the word joy as happiness. So, what's the difference between joy and happiness? Someone once said, “Happiness may give smiles, put laughter on our face, but happiness is just what the word describes. Happiness depends on what happens. Therefore, you call it happiness. If your hap is good, then you're happy. If your hap is bad, then you're unhappy. It all depends upon happenstance and whatever happens.” But joy depends upon the Lord. It is supernatural. It is not natural. And, therefore, because that joy is supernatural, that joy is steadfast. It is not happiness.

For a believer, joy is more than an emotion. It is a strength. It is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ flowing through us. It is a continuous, contagious, and conspicuous, source of strength for the believer to deal with the tribulations and persecutions of this world. When Christ’s joy emanates from you, people see it, and they want what you have. It is what draws people to you to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ’s Joy is a joy that should be a part of every Christian’s life. It is not an automatic gift when you become a Christian, but it is a necessity to anyone wishing to live a victorious Christian life. The problem is that many Christians look for that joy in all the wrong places. They look for it the circumstances they are in. They look for it in their job, their hobbies, the people that they know, such as family members and friends. But those are all the wrong places to find Christ’s joy.

Click on the link below to hear a message on where to find real joy. It is when we abide in Christ that we find the unending love of Christ. It is also where we find true joy, in Christ.

Amen.

FINDING JOY IN THE VINE (John 15:5-11)

True joy is something that every Christian needs in their lives. It is the lubricant of your life. The joy of the Lord is indispensable in serving the Lord. The Bible says, "The joy of the Lord is what?" Your strength! The Bible says, “Serve the Lord with gladness..." The joy of the Lord will take the weariness, and the burden, and the labor, out of serving the Lord. But there are many Christians who do not have this joy. They want it, but they do not have it. Why is that? Why can’t they find this joy?

Have you ever lost something, and you looked, and looked, for it but you couldn’t find it? You looked in almost every place that it could be, but you didn’t find it, and then you found it. Now, why didn’t you find it when you looked in all of those other places? Because it wasn’t there. You were looking in the wrong places for it. Why can’t some people find this true joy that is so important to their lives? Because they are looking for it in the wrong places. They're trying to find it. They are looking, and looking, and looking, but they will not find it because it is not in the places that they are looking. They will never find it until they look into the place where true joy is. You have to look in the right place.

Click on the link below to hear a message on the true source of joy. It is a supernatural source. It is Jesus Christ. If you want to have true joy in your life, stop looking in all the wrong places and come to the source. Come to Jesus.

Amen.

I AM THE VINE (John 14:29 to 15:5)

John 15:1
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
KJV

The Christian life is similar to the vine that grows in a vineyard. Its branches run everywhere. Its leaves are beautiful, its fruit colorful and abundant. Even the tiniest branch is vitally connected with the parent stem. One branch does not try to dominate or direct another branch. Each branch runs back to the source. The branches are independent, yet dependent. Each adds its contribution to the splendor of the whole. Each is busy producing its own foliage, flowers, and fruit.

Such is the Christian life, whether expressed individually in the life of each believer, or corporately as local churches, branches, reaching out with the life of Christ to the lost of the world.  Without Jesus, we can do nothing. There is no such thing as a freelance Christian. To be a Christian in the biblical sense of the word involves an organic, spiritual, relationship with Christ. In the Bible there is no such thing as a denominational church being ruled from some headquarters, or an independent church ignoring all other gatherings of believers.

All are united to Christ and through him to one another. Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the vine. Severed from him there is no life at all, individual or corporate. Denominational-ism, tradition, programs, or money might keep a dead church going through the motions for a time. But all it produces is worldliness, carnality, legalism, death.

Click on the link below to hear a message on how the abiding life is to become the abounding life, a life that brings glory to the Father by being a reflection of the life of Christ. Jesus is the true vine and we abide in Him, and He abides in us.

Amen.

DON'T MISTREAT YOUR BEST FRIEND (John 14:15-18)

The Holy Spirit bears the name of Jesus. That is, Jesus says, "He comes in My name." He has all the power of Jesus that is released through us, and He makes Jesus real to us. But the problem is that we fail to think of him as a dear friend. If that is true of you, then that is something that needs to change in order for you to live a victorious Christian life. It is vitally important to your relationship with God that you understand that the Holy Spirit is the One, the Person, who makes Jesus Christ real and alive in your heart. You need to know the Holy Spirit of God, personally, and you must not mistreat Him.

Today’s message is about three ways that you dare not mistreat your best friend, the Holy Spirit of God. Each of these are things that I just pray to God that you will not do. Each of them comes from the Word of God.

The first one, is not to let Him in your life at all. First and foremost, you must not resist the Holy Spirit when He tells you that you need to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit of God wants to speak to you. How does He speak? He speaks through song, He speaks through Scripture, He speaks through sermons, He speaks through servants, He speaks through situations, He speaks through sorrows, He speaks, and He speaks, and He speaks.

The second way we mistreat our best friend is to grieve His indwelling. If you have invited the Holy Spirit of God in, and if He has come to live in your heart, then don’t mistreat Him by grieving Him. How do you grieve the Holy Spirit, by your unholy character, your unholy conduct, and your unholy conversation.

The third thing is that you will not quench His outgoing. The Holy Spirit is in me. He lives in me. Why does He live in me? He lives in me to minister through me. He wants to bless you through me. He wants to start a fire burning in me that'll reach out and bless you. He wants there to be a stream of living water flowing out of me that will slake your thirst. And, He wants you to be a blessing to me. And, He wants us to be a blessing to one another and to this lost world.

Click on the link below to hear a message on the reason that many of us are floundering around, saying, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do." The reason is that you are grieving the Holy Spirit and quenching the Holy Spirit. When you stop grieving Him, and stop quenching Him, then you are going to be amazed how much power and guidance there is in your life. When you stop grieving Him, and stop quenching Him, He will speak to you, if you will listen.

Don’t mistreat your best friend, the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? (John 14:15-18)

Today’s message is about a wonderful friend that all believer’s in Jesus Christ have. That friend is the Holy Spirit. Now, the problem is that many of us know theologically that the Holy Spirit is a person. That is, we worship one God who has revealed Himself as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We know that theologically, but many of us fail to think of the Holy Spirit as a person. We think of the Holy Spirit almost as an influence, a force, some empowerment, or something very much like energy is in a battery. But we fail to think of Him as a dear friend, and I want to talk to you about your best friend, the Holy Spirit, because He makes Jesus Christ real and alive in your heart.

Now, I know that you believe that the Holy Spirit is God, but I want you to become acquainted with Him personally. The Holy Spirit is to be to you today what Jesus Christ was to the disciples so long ago. And, you are to treat the Holy Spirit as those disciples treated the Lord Jesus Christ. He is to be your Lord, He is to be to your guide, He is to be to your director, your friend, and your comforter. And, if you don't do this, then you're going to suffer the tragedy of a barren life.

Click on the link below to hear a message on the best friend you can have. This friend is the only friend you have that can bring you to salvation. It is the Holy Spirit that enables you to be saved. That is what your best friend does, He enables you to have enteral life. He seals you into Jesus Christ. He indwells you, and He comforts, and strengthens you with all the power you will need to do the things that God asks you to do.

Your best friend is the Holy Spirit of God.

Amen.

TO DO EVEN MORE THAN JESUS - PART II (John 14:12-14)

Today’s message is part II of a pair of messages on how we, as believers, will do even more than Jesus did. He tells us that this is true in,

John 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
KJV

Now, that is a statement that will make you step back and ask the Lord, “You expect me to do what? Not only will I equal what You did, but that I will exceed what You did? Really?” The answer to that question is yes.

What are the works that Jesus Christ is talking about? In other words, when Jesus said, "The works that I do shall ye do, and greater works than these," what type of works does He mean? Jesus says it is having everlasting life! Eternal life. That is the greater work. And the greater works that Jesus is talking about, the greater works that we will do, refer to salvation ministry.

The next question is who is going to do this? Is it you or Jesus? The answer is yes and yes. When Jesus says you're going to do greater works than these that I do, the secret is that He will still be doing it, but He will be doing it in us.

How does this come to pass? Jesus says, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name. I will do it.” When we ask in the name of Jesus, we're asking in His name, for His authority. Authority is power. Jesus said, "If you ask anything in my name, friend, I'll do it. And greater works than these that I do will you do." Who's doing it, you or Jesus? Yes! Yes! What are you doing? What is this business about? Why are we here? To get souls saved.

Why did Jesus say, "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it?" Why would Jesus make this promise to us as believers? He says it is so "... that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Jesus made this promise to bring glory to the Father. It ought to be the greatest desire in your life to see others come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus says, "The works that I do will you do, and greater works than these will ye do, that you believe in Me."

Amen.

TO DO EVEN MORE THAN JESUS - PART I (John 14:7-12)

In today’s message we are going to talk about what it means when Jesus says that we as believer will do greater works than He.

John 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
KJV

So, what is Jesus saying here? Does that mean that Jesus fed 5,000, so I am to feed 10,000? That is greater works. Jesus walked on water. Does that mean that in order for me to do greater works, then I am to fly through the air? Then we come to the really big one, Jesus raised the dead. Now, how am I going to top that? Am I going to be walking around raising people from the dead?

Jesus tells us the answer in John 5:24.

John 5: 24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
KJV

What is a greater work than healing a man who's been paralyzed for 38 years? It's very clear. Jesus says it is having everlasting life! Eternal life. That is the greater work. And the greater works that Jesus is talking about, the greater works that we will do, refer to salvation ministry. That is the what. What are the works that Jesus Christ is talking about? What are the works that we will do that are greater than His? Salvation ministry.

Click on the link below to hear a message on what the work of the believer is to be. It is the work of bringing men, women, boys and girls bound in the golden chains of the gospel and lay them at Jesus' feet. We are to reap the harvest that Jesus planted.

Amen.

HOW TO HAVE YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED-PART II (John 14:4-6)

Prayer is a privilege that is granted to a believer by a loving God. Prayer is such a powerful privilege because prayer can do anything that God can do. Prayer is unlimited in its power because prayer brings God into action. Effective prayer is essential to any believer if they are to live a victorious Christian life.

In today’s message we talk about six things that you need to do if you want your prayer to be heard by God. If you want your prayer to be answered by God.

The first thing we have to do is to Pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray in the name of Jesus, we have His authority. His power of attorney. Which means we must have His approval on anything we pray in His name, and we must be praying to bring honor to Jesus. Jesus will not allow you to use His name if He does not approve of what you are praying for.

The second thing is that you must pray in the Spirit. It is very important to understand that if you want your prayers answered, then you must not only be saved, but you must also be Spirit-filled. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means that you have fully surrendered your life to the Holy Spirit. He is the president of your life, not just a resident in your heart. You are not just committed to the Spirit, you are fully surrendered to the Spirit.

The third thing is that you must Pray in obedience. It is foolish to pray and to ask God to answer your prayer if you are not obeying. If you want God to hear your prayers, then confess those sins that you have regard for, and He will be “faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The fourth thing is to Pray in the Will of God, your prayer must be in the will of God. The way to pray in the will of God is to be surrendered to that will, to want that will, to listen to that will, and to do that will.

The fifth thing is to Pray in Fellowship. If we are out of fellowship with somebody else, if we have an unforgiving spirit in our heart, then we are out of fellowship with the Father.

The sixth thing is to Pray in Faith. Someone once said that “No prayer has ever been answered that was not a prayer of faith. No prayer of faith has ever been unanswered.” If you pray in the name, if you pray in the Spirit, if you pray in obedience, if you pray in the will of God, if you pray in fellowship with the other saints, then you will find yourself praying in faith to God.

Click on the link to hear a message on how to have God answer your prayers. This is not about earning your answer, for it is God’s grace all the way. We do not command God, He commands us. This is about preparing yourself to have your prayer heard by God, and God answers the prayers He hears.

Amen.