Friday, July 15, 2011

Happy Father's Day ~ June 19, Pastor Leslie Crockett, Jr.

1.  Philippians 3:7-11 ~ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, & so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
  • Give up everything for Christ because none of it matters & none of it compares to what He has to offer, not to mention what He gave up for us! Stature, position, riches, fame mean nothing! John the Baptist was a great man but even he said he wasn't worthy to untie the shoelaces of Jesus. Open your heart to receive the excellence of Christ; then you'll realize the other things are simply JUNK!
2.  Matthew 13:44-50 ~ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous & throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  • When you come to the knowledge of truth/the Kingdom of God/the Gospel of Jesus, you give up all for this hidden treasure because these are the only things that matter - they are eternal. Because of sin, the treasure was hidden from us! Within that treasure there is life, healing prosperity, anointing, power, love, forgiveness, strength. This treasure is able to deliver & set captives free1 it can catch "fish" we can't because of its holiness!
3.  Jeremiah 9:23-24 ~ This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.
  • Consider yourself nothing because Christ & His sacrifice are above all else. Don't boast in who you think you are; boast in the fact that you know who God is & that you understand the things of God!
4.  1 Corinthians 1:22-31 ~ Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 
  • God's wisdom & being wise in His will & about the things of God are more beneficial than any worldly knowledge. Natural wisdom is only temporary; God's wisdom is forever1 That which we learn from/of God can deliver, heal & set free! Blessed is the man who trusts God! Humble yourself & seek God!

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