Sunday, March 5th, 2006

 

“Have You Declared It?”

Pastor Dix posed a challenging but very necessary question about our daily walk with the Lord, simply put… “Have You Declared It?” (John 17:1-4, 26)

We’ve all heard the cliché “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.” As Christians we have to take a transparent look at our lives and realize that now is the time for us to stand up and declare the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When we review God’s resume its clear that God has NEVER failed us, even when we didn’t believe or were undeserving, and just like God brought us through the last time, He will surely bring us through this time.

The word of God clearly states that God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. The word also declares that if we wait on the Lord He shall renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31). God shares His compassion for both believers and nonbelievers alike (John 17:1-4) and just like Christ showed unconditional love, so should we. Pastor Dix explained that too many of us get wrapped around our own axes and forget all about the Great Commission---soul winning! Every now and then we should ask ourselves "Who are you?" And if what you are doing daily reflects Christ’s presence in your life.

Jesus declares [which is to announce or make known] to His Father that He has made us known to God The Father so that the same love God has for Jesus will reside in us, and when that love prevails in our hearts Jesus will abide in us too (John 17:26). During our "valley low" experiences and in the face of persecution and suffering, we should declare the name of Jesus! When we claim the name of Jesus, it should not be contingent upon whether or not people will respond to us or how we feel at a particular time. The name Jesus Christ is above all names and causes the heavens to tremble!

As believers we are the light of the world and should proclaim God’s name, authority and His character, at all times. King David set a fine example of declaring the name of the Lord and he had an unconditional praise and was committed to blessing the Lord at “all times (Psalm 34:1).” Jesus set an even greater example of declaring the name of the Lord when He headed to the cross!

Quote of the Sermon:

“How you respond to life adversities determines your spiritual growth." – Pastor George Dix

Scripture References:

 

Sunday, March 5th, 2006

• Psalm 62: 1-2,5 - Prayer and Scripture - Minister Cheryl Greene
• John 17:1-4,26 - "...I have declared unto them thy name..."
• Psalm 34:1 - "I will bless the Lord at all times"
• Isaiah 40:31 - "...they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength..."
• Job 13:15 - "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
• Jeremiah 20:9 - "But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones."

Sunday, March 12th, 2006 - PASSAGE 4th Anniversary Sunday

 

Speak it, Expect it, and Experience it!" - Isaiah 55: 10-11 & Jeremiah 1:7-9

Pastor Dix asked two simple but relevant questions:

Q1. What are you standing for?
Q2. What are you standing on?

If you are not serious about anything else in life, it's time to get serious about God. As Pastor Dix put it, "it is time to get dead serious and absolutely for real about God and our relationship with Him!" As a body of believers we must make sure God holds the blue ribbon (first place) everyday of our lives and that He takes precedent in everything we do. We cannot afford to waste the borrowed time that God has granted us but instead make haste! We are travelers with a visa that will someday expire and on that great day God wants to reward those who diligently stayed on course with an eternal visa and a complimentary crown of life! So if you never win a pageant and a crown down here, God has a crown for you, you just wait and see .and there's no swimsuit competition---Isn't God ALRIGHT!

In preparation for our face to face reunion with Jesus, we must make sure that we have undergone our spiritual "heart transplants" and "total make over" so that we are able to wholeheartedly forgive our family members, and friends, co-workers and enemies of past hurts, pains and disappointments! Pastor instructed each partner to activate their bold faith like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who didn't mind telling Nebuchadnezzar that they weren't even going to debate with him about the delivering power of the Almighty God (Daniel 3:16). And like the three Hebrew boys, we must be willing to go through the fire and not smell like smoke!

Quote of the sermon:

"We don't know when God is coming back, but He is coming back!" - Pastor George Dix Jr.

Scripture References:

 

Sunday, March 12th, 2006

• Psalm 134 - Prayer and Scripture - Mother Edith Dix
• Isaiah 55: 10-11 - "...So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void..."
• Jeremiah 1:7-9 - "The Prophet's Call"
• Daniel 3:14-18 - "The Fiery Furnace: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego defy King Nebuchadnezzar"
• Genesis 22 - "Abraham sacrifices Isaac."