Tri-county Christian Center

“Tradition” – “Traditions give us a sense of unity and belonging” – * Traditions are passed on from one generation to another. ** We pass on to others by what we do and what we say. * Traditions help us understand who He is and what He expects you to do. ** Passover, Sabbath, Holy Communion * God created traditions for us and He created family. **You need to appreciate how important family is. - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

"True American Thanksgiving Story" - "The Uniquely American Holiday” – Psalms 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalms 107:8-9 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. * Whatever happened to Thanksgiving? * Thanksgiving in the 21st century. ** Forgetting Thanksgiving? Businesses were open. ** Something has changed. Almost all Major Retail Stores Closed! * Early Thanksgiving Observances. - Pilgrims decide to flee to Holland where they could practice their faith in freedom. After nearly 12 years, they relocated to America. - Pilgrims invite the Indians for a 3 day Thanksgiving festival. - Congress issued 15 Prayer & Thanksgiving Proclamations during the War for Independence. - Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November NEXT (1789) to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being,…

“Your Life As a Seed” – “His word, His work. He will take care of the rest.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - "You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed." - What is history watching us for? * Stand firm! Your work for the Lord will not be in vain. God will use your where you are! * It is not what God can do for you but what He will do through us. * God always has a remnant, just follow Him! * Life’s interruptions are God’s invitation. - Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sen

“Changing a Culture Through a Generation” – “Dominica Republic – Over 20” - * John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. * Jamie and Berly Bello are Assemblies of God missionaries to the youth and university students of the Dominican Republic. They have developed National Teen Ministries (MDA) and Uconexion (Chi Alpha DR), with the purpose of Changing a Culture through a Generation. Berly is a professional musician, composer and producer as well.

“Understanding Present Times” – “Romans 13:11 The Day is Near” – Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. * We must be aware of the times we live in. * You need to remove the light for darkness to reign. - God will hold America accountable: * In time, God will judge us - Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." * God has no desire to bring America down. God purpose will prevail, He is a God of His word. - 2 Chronicles If My People Pray - 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. * God will win this war regardless of what the enemy does or the victory he thinks he has accomplished.

“The Call of Abram” – “A word to the church” – God Speaks to Abram: Genesis 12:1-3 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." - Everlasting Covenant: * Gen 12:2 Make a great nation out of Abram. * Gen 12:3 They will be a great blessing. * Gen 12:7 "To your offspring I will give this land." - Those who bless Israel will be blessed: * Pray for Israel * Understand the situation in Israel * Pray for Peace for Israel - Only God can fix what is going on right now.

“Prepared for what is Ahead” – “Keep God in the right place, then you will not fear.” - 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. * What are WE doing? What is God asking of you to do? The end of the “normal” American dream is near. * What we are seeing is all made up from the pit of hell. * Recognize the urgency of the hour, we have only one option – be clear minded to see things as they are. - Things you can control: * Your relationship with the Lord. * Responsible only to Christ. * Be self-controlled in Christ Jesus. * God wants to give us victory in every area. Through Christ, we can do it. * As we draw close to Him through His word, then we can pray.

“Ezekiel 38 and the attack on Israel” – “The Lord’s great victory over the Nations” – A call to arms. Most nations around Israel hate them. - God is still in control, God is stirring them up. God will turn against Israel’s enemies. * Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? * Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. * Ezekiel 38:18 This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. - What is the purpose of all of this? God will make Himself known because we need to know who God really is. * Ezekiel 38:23 And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' - We need you God, right now! - We need bold faith Right now!

“Defeat Fear With (Fear-of-God)” – “We Choose to Fear Not!” – Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine * Discouragement & Fear – The 2 top weapons the devil likes to use. * We all make a choices in all we face. It is natural to be discouraged, just don’t stay there. - Whatever you fear, controls you. * It can hinder our relationships. * The world wants you to be afraid because they want to control you. * The good thing is that we can pull the plug on fear through God. * Isaiah 11:3 …and he will delight in the fear of the LORD… * Fear nullifies faith. He is the one we are to fear! * Don’t be afraid of God but fear Him. ** God is the one to dread. ** God is the our sanctuary * 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." ** Be ready to give an account about the hope we have.

“Forgiveness” - “The Palau Story” – 5 Keys to freedom through forgiveness. – Sermon Take Aways: * Since forgiveness is a command for the child of God, Since forgiveness is a choice and not a feeling and since forgiveness is for my benefit, what do I need to do to be obedient to God’s truth? Who do I need to forgive? * Since acknowledging God’s presence and choosing to trust Him even when I don’t understand my circumstances, positions me for God’s promised direction, what is keeping me from receiving God’s promise? * Since worship in the midst of trials positions me for God’s best, why would I not choose to do so? * Since it is easy to allow my hurt feelings to motivate my actions, what steps can I take this week to allow God’s truth to be what motivates me?

“The Truth Will Set You Free” – “A Living Sacrifice” - John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - A Living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. (2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

“Consumed by a Cause” – “What does it mean to make Jesus my Lord?” - This is your defining moment.

“Turning Trials into Testimonies” – “Preparing & Strengthening Ourselves for Whatever Lays Ahead” – Ephesians 4:12-13 “…to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” * The PATHWAY From What is Good to That Which is Evil * Understanding the Times: 1 Chronicles 12:32 and Esther 1:12-13 * Wisdom for Today: James 1:5 and Psalm 111:10 * What must we do? 1 Peter 1:1-6 ** Our Identity, Inheritance and Insurance policy. - 1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. - This world will always have trouble. The Key: Faith in Him – His Word – His Promises - Are You In That Place – Experiencing Trials Of Various Kinds? - Prayer for Spiritual Strength - Ep

“The Currency of the Kingdom of God?“– “Truth – The only True Currency!” – John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - The most fundamental thing that penetrates every area of our life is money/currency. - What is the currency of the kingdom of God? Truth from God. - A society that is not built on truth is not safe for anybody. - Currency of God * John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - Currency of the Devil * John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - The value of something is only worth what someone is will to pay for it. - Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own lo

“God is Our Refuge and Strength” – “Be still, and know that I am God” - Refuge: A place of trust, shelter * Psalms 46:1 ...God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. - Be Still: Being “Still” is a verb. Psalm 46 1-11 * Psalms 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, * Psalms 46:3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah * Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - We need to be led by our faith not our feelings. - Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? - The devil fears the presence of God.

“Compelled by Love” – “The Ministry of Reconciliation” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. * The government cannot censor private religious expression. * You cannot separate religion from the foundation of our nation. - What is happening now is not just demonic, it is spiritual warfare. * What fear has gripped the church? * Don’t take the bait. * We need to give a biblical response. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (18) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (19) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

“Holy Communion” – “We are freed from Guilt through Christ” – Hebrews 10:1-18 Christ's Sacrifice Once for All * The sacrifice of Christ’s body has made us clean. * Hebrews 10:18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. * We are perfect for ever while being made holy. * We are Saints not sinners saved by grace. - Hebrews 9: 13: Sacrifices pleasing to God. Why does blood have to be shed? * Christ had to die for salvation to come.

"Path of Life" - "Relationship Resource Center" - Path of Life is a Relationship Resource Center that exists to offer Christ-centered hope and resources for sexual health and relational wholeness. The ministry name, Path of Life, is based upon Psalm 16:11 in the Bible: “You make known to me the Path of Life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” - Path of Life has four main ministry paths: * Pregnancy Services & Support * Post-abortion recovery * Unwanted same-sex attraction and gender Identity * Relationship Resource in the context of spiritual disciples

“He is Greater Than I” – “Cruise Ship or Battleship” – Do we view the church as a Cruise Ship or a Battleship?” * Cruise Ship are all about me, my comfort. * Battleships are not about me. ** Everyone has a job to do. ** Everyone is part of the crew. - John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less. - 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. - Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“The Transformative Power of Worship” – “Prayer changes things but, Worship Changes You!” – 1 Samuel 17:17-50 David and Goliath * 1 Samuel 17:26b …Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" * 1 Samuel 17:29 "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" * 1 Samuel 17:32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." - Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - 1 Samuel 17:37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you." - Revelation 12:11a They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; - I worship You, Almighty God - There is none like you.