Ever Present #2 - 'Forever Faithful' - Brian Leifeste

1. He is ‘Ever-Present’.

He is near. With Us. Among Us. In Us. Through Us. 

Is this in our sight - Vision? ‘the Lord is with us.’ 

Do you know the I am’s? I am means NOW. 

John 6:35: Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty. 

John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke out again, "I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

John 10:9: I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 

John 14:6: Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. 

John 8:57-59: 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

The God who is with us is with us. 

Matt. 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

John 14:15-18 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

2. God is.

Psalm 46:1-3

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Heb. 13:5-6

NKJV 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (x3) 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

3. “Why?” A better question is “Now What?”

This I know:

Matt. 16:15-18 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Jesus builds His church. I do understand that Jesus is not talking about buildings here. Jesus builds His church (people). Buildings are tools used by people. 

1 Thess. 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Equip Night: Spirit Within, Spirit Upon - Brian Leifeste

In & through the church - there are no shortages of opportunities to serve, to lead, to teach, to disciple, to help, to encourage, to welcome, to build bridges, to pray, to play, to clean, to open our homes, to give, to sacrifice, to minister to our little ones and not so little ones, and many more…..there are no shortages….

Here’s reality as Jesus saw it. 

Matt. 9:35-38  35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Seems there’s always been more needs than laborers. Where do we start? We ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

All of us can do this. 

Pray for laborers. What’s this? People who will work. 

Every believer is a to be engaged in the “work of ministry.”

Where? Inside and Outside the Church - for as long as we are on the earth. 

There are no limits to what Jesus wants to do In and Through His Church. The Church is not a was. Man’s Sin problem has not changed - the solution is the same. We need the same power that the early church had. 

1. The Holy Spirits work:

Eph. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

to be operative, be at work, put forth power

to work for one, aid one

to effect

to display one's activity, show one's self operative

There is a work of the Holy Spirit IN the church. In US. Among US. 

Acts 1:4-8 

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

to come upon, overtake, one

of the Holy Spirit, descending and operating in one

There is a work of the Holy Spirit THROUGH the church.

Spirit Within, Spirit Upon 

a. The 1st work is: He brings His life too us. 

b. The 2nd work is: He pours His life through us. 

1st: Born Again.

John 3:3-6  3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

The New Birth is a Real work of the Holy Spirit in Us - His indwelling. It is a real work that delivers us from the Kingdom of darkness and places in the Kingdom of the Son of His Love.

Titus 3:5-6 

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 

Regeneration: New Birth

Renewing: to made completely new for the better

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Illustration: Dirty Cup - I’m a sinner

New Cup - I’m a new creation - the Holy Spirit’s creation in Me

2nd: As amazing as this is…there’s more.  Jesus said be ‘filled/baptized with the Spirit.’

There is what Jesus said…be endued with power. Luke 24:49

There is what Paul wrote…be not drunk with wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18

There is what Peter said….This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, It shall come to pass in the last days.Acts 2:17

There is what John wrote…If any man is thirst let him come to me and drink and out of his belly will flow….John 7:37-39

My New cup - Must be filled up - to overflowing. Continually.

God says through Joel that the Spirit will be poured out on all people regardless of gender, age, or social status ( Joel 2:28-32 ). His choice of the verb "pour out" in reference to the Spirit alludes to the healing rains God would send upon the land ( Joel 2:23 ). Amos, similarly, speaks of a famine for the word of God ( 8:11-12 ), and describes a restoration in terms of an abundant harvest ( 9:13-15 ).

It was on this day, .... that the Holy Spirit ... was poured out on 120 believers .... who were gathered in Jerusalem by the command of their King. (Jesus) (Acts 1:15) 

Here is God’s answer for a ‘famine’ of the Spirit and the Word. Times of Refreshing. Times of Retooling, Times of His fulness, Times of Power. 

It was on this day… that the Church was born. Pentecost promotes Jesus & His church. 

Born in a Blaze of Glory... In A Blaze... of Fire.

We celebrate Christmas - when Jesus came the first time.

We celebrate the Resurrection - when Jesus got up.

We should look to the upper room. And talk about the Holy Spirit. These are times of God’s Spirit.

3rd. Post Pentecost…..

Acts 11:19-24 19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

The new birth is about Heaven invading us. Pentecost is about us invading the World.

Examples: It’s been a great privilege to serve the church. To see it not only in the context of the U.S. but to see the church in Mexico, South America, the Virgin Islands, Russia, China & Burundi. The Church is the Church wherever it is on the earth. 

A few years back - I was on a group trip in Peru. In a mountain city. One day we went to the market to share the gospel…..Our group divided up into 2-3 groups and went to different corners of the market - The group I was in began to share the gospel with a few, a few became a small crowd, the small crowd quickly grew larger….We shared, presented the gospel, called people to come to Christ, prayed with them and then prayed for those who had physical needs.

We prayed in faith based on God’s word - Mark 16 - lay hands on the sick and they will recover.

We prayed….they suddenly this guy who had a locked knee/stiff leg began to jump up and down and got really excited about what had happened to him and THEN the Spirit of God just broke out in that plaza - other people were healed, others saved, tears, joy - it was awesome. 

The hand of the Lord was present. 

The Holy Spirit seems to be attracted to DOERS of the Word. 

On another trip to Peru with a group of Teenagers….we presented the gospel through drama, skits, testimonies and then threw out the net. 100’s responded. 

These moments are Holy. When God meets man. When His hand…..

The Hand of the Lord is for the church. Humble yourself, Believe, Ask, Obey, Expect.

D L Moody was once asked ... why he urged Christians ....to be filled constantly... with the Holy Spirit.  "Well,"... he said, ......"I need a continual infilling ... because I leak!"

We all leak.  We all need to be filled anew...to be filled consistently ..with the Holy Spirit.

It was an environment of Prayer - Praise & Worship that the early church was again filled. 

Acts 4:23-31

Activate the Altars. Churches seek God. Believers seek God. 

For what purpose…..to do Kingdom Work. And so it is with us…..

NPC 2018: 'God with Us #1.' - Jan. 7, 2018 - Brian Leifeste

‘the Lord is with us.’ This is broad & big. It’s O.T., it’s pre-law, it’s during the time of Mosaic law, it’s declared as Immanuel - ‘God with us’, it’s N.T., it’s in Paul’s letters, John’s letters, James letter, Peter’s letters. You could say it this way - ‘the Lord is with us’ - Cover to Cover. 

1. He is ‘Ever-Present’. Right Now, Here Now. Do we have sight of this? 

He is near. With Us. Among Us. In Us. Through Us. 

Is this in our sight - Vision? ‘the Lord is with us.’

2. Vision comes like faith comes. Rom. 10:17 

Psalm 46:1-3

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

Heb. 13:5-6

NKJV 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”[a] 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

AMP ..for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?

We began this journey last week in looking at Gideon. Remember…..

Judges 6:11-12 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 

The angel of the Lord was a manifestation of Jesus before His incarnation.

Notice that the Angel of the Lord came and sat down. After the children began to call on the Lord - mercy, help, repentance. He walked right into Gideon’s stuff. He is with us. To HELP us. To bring us UP. To bring us INTO His Purpose. 

Gideon is hiding. Gideon is full of fear.

What do people do when they’re afraid? They do things they’re not supposed to do. Like thresh wheat in a winepress. Winepresses are for crushing grapes. Threshing floors are for threshing wheat. But Gideon is so afraid, he’s doing things he’s not supposed to do. 

God never wanted it to be this way. Gideon is not supposed to be afraid of the Midianites; he and his people are supposed to drive them out. But his fear has taken hold of him. Maybe you can relate to that.

Are there things in our lives that have taken hold of us, things that God never intended for us to be connected to or afraid of? If so, then I think you’ll relate to Gideon.

If anybody else were to walk up to Gideon in this moment, they’d see a scared little man trying not to draw attention to himself. Yet, the angel of the Lord addresses Gideon with a different title: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” (6:12).

Gideon had a vision problem. He was stuck in what was. The Lord’s WORD got Him UP and INTO Purpose. 

3. NPC 2018 - The Lord is with us. If we’re stuck - we can come Up, Out & Into - Right Now - Here Now. 

The Hand of the Lord will be evident. It will come upon many for the 1st time to…..

Numbers 14:8-9 8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”

What does the Lord delight in?

Isa. 66:1 This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that?

Could you build me such a resting place? 2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “"But on this one will I look: those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.

Those who’s heart is humble and moldable and who honor the Word of God. 

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God seems to delight in a people who believe Him. 

God is pleased with Faith. Heb. 11:6 - Faith Alone in Him Alone. 

No One or Nothing Else.

'One Word.' New Year's Eve 2017 - Brian Leifeste

What’s your story today? What’s your story for 2017?

Many of us have had great opportunity this year to overcome or to be overcome.

The tendency of most humans is to, at one time or another, ‘get stuck’ – to get into a rut. To settle into a place of being passive, to be absorbed, to be carried away by life.

In other words: ‘not challenging life’ but instead allowing our lives to be dictated and controlled by the outward circumstances and inward emotions that come to all of us.

Today my goal is this: I want to stir us up.

2 Peter 1:12-14

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.

Foundation Scriptures: Let’s encourage and challenge ourselves with the scriptures

I Cor. 15:57-58

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

II Cor. 2:14

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

I John 5:4-5

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Our victory is tied to what we believe about Jesus Christ.

Overcome: nikao – mightiest prevail

Conqueror – hupernikao: to gain a surpassing victory/we are pre-eminently victorious

• of God – over darkness
• of Christ – over death, hell and the grave – the power of sin
• of His followers
• of Faith

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who overcame great opposition – one of my favorites is the story of Gideon:

Change, Growth, Overcoming can happen. ‘The story your living today doesn’t have to be the story you live tomorrow.’ 

Big Thought: Just ‘One Word’ from God has the power to change our lives. 

Gideon: We find the story of Gideon during the period of Judges. 

Why is Judges so important?

The time of the judges brought about great apostasy in Israel. ‘Apostasy in Christianity is the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity.’ 

The nation underwent political and religious turmoil as the people tried to possess those parts of the land that had not yet been fully conquered. The tribes fought among themselves, as well, nearly wiping out the tribes of Manasseh (Judges 12) and Benjamin (20–21). The pattern of behavior in the book of Judges is clear: the people rebelled through idolatry and disbelief, God brought judgment through foreign oppression, God raised up a deliverer—or judge, and the people repented and turned back to God. When the people fell back into sin, the cycle started over again.

Ironically, in this book we meet many heroes of faith: Gideon, Samson, Deborah, Jephthah, Ehud . . . flawed individuals who answered God’s call to deliver the Israelites in sometimes dramatic form. The book includes many of the most graphic, violent, and disturbing scenes in all Scripture—some in the name of righteousness, others in the name of evil.

What's the big idea?

As Exodus established, Israel was God’s people—He was their King. They had forsaken the covenant established at Mount Sinai. In Judges, He disciplined them for following other gods, disobeying His sacrificial laws, engaging in blatant immorality, and descending into anarchy at times. Yet because they were His people, He listened to their cries for mercy and raised up leaders to deliver them.

The story of Gideon: during the time of Gideon the children of Israel were stuck in a nasty pattern: over and over again the word says: 

• The children of Israel complained
• The children of Israel murmured against
• The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord
• The children of Israel did not believe

Judges 6:1-16 NKJV

1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. 3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it. 6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.

7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage; 9 and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”

What is the significance of this for us as N.T. believers? 1 Cor. 10:6-11

Judges 6:11-12 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 

It is possible that appearances of the angel of the Lord were manifestations of Jesus before His incarnation. Jesus declared Himself to be existent “before Abraham” (John 8:58), so it is logical that He would be active and manifest in the world. Whatever the case, whether the angel of the Lord was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany) or an appearance of God the Father (theophany), it is highly likely that the phrase “the angel of the Lord” usually identifies a physical appearance of God.

Notice that the Angel of the Lord came and sat down. He walked right into Gideon’s stuff. He is with us. To HELP us. To bring us UP. 

Gideon is hiding. Threshing wheat normally takes place in a large, open space. The thresher tosses the grain in the air, letting the wind blow away the chaff. The picture of Gideon threshing out the wheat in a small, enclosed winepress conveys his fear of the Midianites.

Gideon is full of fear. Hunger. Desperation. 

What do people do when they’re afraid? They do things they’re not supposed to do. Like thresh wheat in a winepress. Winepresses are for crushing grapes. Threshing floors are for threshing wheat. But Gideon is so afraid, he’s doing things he’s not supposed to do. 

God never wanted it to be this way. Gideon is not supposed to be afraid of the Midianites; he and his people are supposed to drive them out. But his fear has taken hold of him. Maybe you can relate to that.

Are there things in your life that have taken hold of you, things that God never intended for you to be connected to or afraid of? If so, then I think you’ll relate to Gideon.

If anybody else were to walk up to Gideon in this moment, they’d see a scared little man trying not to draw attention to himself. Yet, the angel of the Lord addresses Gideon with a different title: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” (6:12).

When others look at Gideon they see a fearful man, trembling in the winepress. But God….

12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you might man of valor (fearless courage) vs. 13 And Gideon said to him, O sir (But God), if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.

• What’s Gideon’s reply? But God!!?? Why…..
• Gideon didn’t talk like a mighty man of valor
• Gideon didn’t think like a mighty man of valor
• Gideon didn’t act like a mighty man of valor
• Gideon didn’t look like a mighty man of valor

What’s is the Lord’s response to Gideon? 

Example: Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who was dead wrong in what was being said? You turn your head, your body language; maybe shake your head – no! - I can see the Lord doing this with Gideon….

vs. 14 The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian, Have I not sent you?

• The Lord once again – points back to what He said in vs. 12 the Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor…

vs. 15 Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, (But God!!!) how can I deliever Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

Once again – Gideon points back to His circumstances: I don’t have any money / I’m the youngest in my family – my older brothers would do better

• Again, the Lord points back to what’s said in vs. 12 the Lord is with you, might man of valor!!!

vs. 16 And the Lord said to Him, Surely, I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midanites as on man.

Remember Gideon: What did God say about Him? The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor – Gideon got it – and God used He and 300 men to deliver Israel….

God told Gideon – the Lord is with you, mighty man of valor….What does God say to us today about who we are?

2 Cor. 5:17 If any man be in Christ…..a new creation…

Isn’t it interesting that Paul told Timothy – therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you….

It’s our tendency to forget what kind of man or woman we really are….Remember….

The def. of insanity? To expect my life, circumstances and condition to change without doing anything differently…..

Example: remember the name: the man who was hiking and climbing through a canyon? As he was negotiating over and around a rock – His arm got stuck? What did He do? I can either die here or I can do something and get out of here – He choose to do something instead of staying stuck and dying….

Jesus has done everything we need to get us unstuck – we don’t have to die stuck!!!!

“We don’t have to Live stuck.”

May I encourage the believer in Jesus today….

We come to Him believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of Heaviness.

Matt. 11:28-31 Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and find REST

Psalm 100:1Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[a]

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5 For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Christmas 2018: 'God with Us.' - Brian & Sallie Leifeste - No Recording.

The Miracle of ‘God with us.’ 

Matt. 1:18-23

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 

 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Today - I am thankful that ‘God is with us’. That He is our ever present helper.

1. Christmas is Miraculous: Christmas is for Miracles.

Miracle defined: An extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. An effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.

A wonder; marvel.

Miracles are an absolutely essential element in Christianity. 

-Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh. 

-He indeed rose from the dead in bodily form, with the grave being empty and His appearance recognizable, then we are of all people, the most thankful. 

-The miracle of grace is verifiable in the transformation of the life of the one who puts his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

C.S. Lewis gives this definition, “A miracle is an interference with nature by supernatural power.” 

One of the greatest miracles to have ever taken place was in Bethlehem a little over 2,000 years ago, when God interfered with the natural way of bringing children into this world through a virgin who gave birth to a child. 

The Story of Jesus' birth was marked by angelic visitations, prophecies, dreams and miraculous signs. As we celebrate Christmas, remember that God's power is still at work in the earth today - still at work, still able, still active….

2. One of the most amazing truths is the fact that the almighty, the creator, redeemer, savior, healer, deliverer, prince of peace is: God with us. 

Listen to God’s promises in light of Immanuel. God with Us. 

To His people He has said..…

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

And Now, in light of the 1st Advent - He is with Us.

Heb. 13:5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

John 14:16-18 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Jesus came. Immanuel: God is with us. 

3. Jesus promises. God will be in you. 

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Obviously this is telling of the Wonders of the Incarnation when God took on flesh. 

When God moves in us at the new birth, at salvation - He wants His word in us to take on flesh. 

Col. 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Immanuel - God with Us desires to become God in Us. 

So that we might….Live the life of Love, Pray bold prayers. Walk in Humility. Trust Him. Love fiercely. Be Faithful. Believe.

He is with us. And now as believers in Jesus….He is in us.

Let us remember the words of the Old Hymn:

Joy to the world

The Lord has come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Prayer / Prepare Him room. Open your heart today to Jesus. 

'Joy x 3.' Dec. 17, 2017 - Brian Leifeste

When something is described as great, the meaning is amplified.

Like this:

I have a wife. vs. I have a great wife.

2 of my daughters have husbands. vs. 2 of my daughters have great husbands.

Adding ‘great’ is a game changer. It gives Focus. Clarity. Value. Understanding. It changes the story. 

Great defined: Greek / Megas - great, large, vast, big, high, tall; mighty, important

Reveals: great mass and weight

Makes it: large, spacious 

Adds: measure and height and length

Gives: stature

Large in: number and quantity: numerous, large, abundant

Creates: intensity and increased degree: violent, mighty, strong

In scientific language - Mega: times 1 million - megaton, megawatt, megahit 

Luke 2:8-12 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 

The word suggests the thought of the Shechinah, or cloud of intolerable brightness, which was the token of the divine presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Never before had there been such a manifestation to such men as these. What had been the privilege of patriarchs and priests was now granted to shepherds, and the first proclamation of the glad tidings was to these shepherds.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

And suddenly there was with the angel,....That brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds: a multitude of the heavenly host: who being caused to fly swiftly, were at once with him, by his side, and about him; and which was a further confirmation of thetruth of his message to them: these were angels who were called an host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God, that wait upon him, and do his pleasure; and are sent forth to minister to his people, and encamp about them, preserve, and defend them;

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

1. On this day, Great Joy Came.

Great Joy Came by, with & through Jesus. 

Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Joy - What comes to mind? 

Jesus, The word of God, The Spirit of God, the Mercy of God, the Love of God, the Grace of God, My wife, My children, My family in heaven and on earth, His church. Strength. Heaven. Family & Friends who have surrendered to the Love & Grace of God. 

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

This is so true. 

Joy defined:  joy, gladness, cheerfulness - the joy received from you; the cause or occasion of joy - of persons who are one's joy

Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, strength, confidence and hope in/from Him. It is something or someone that provides a source of strength, gladness & gratitude. It appears 88 times in the Old Testament in 22 books; 57 times in the New Testament in 18 books.

Matt. 2:9-11 - The Wise Men

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. But that’s not all….

2. Great Joy still Comes. 

a. When we remember again that He Came. 

Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

b. When we choose to rejoice in the Lord. 

Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:8-9

8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

c. In believing in Him. 

Acts 8:5-8

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

d. Engaged in His ministry.

Acts 15:3 Paul & Barnabas sent to Jerusalem - 3 ‘So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.’

e. In seeing His redemptive work in people. 

Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. Great Joy still Comes. But that’s not all….

3. Great Joy is coming. 

Heb. 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

There is Joy that is set before us. He came. He comes. He is coming again. 

We celebrate His first advent during this season - but there is another advent to come. Something incredibly significant is in front of us. 

1 Thess. 4:13-18

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

2 Cor. 5:4-8 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

One way or another all of us who are in Christ will be present with Him. 

1 Cor. 15:57-58  57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

These are some of my favorite verses in the N.T. They were written in light of the resurrection that is to come. 

We were made for great joy. To rejoice exceedingly. To rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. 

Jesus is our Great Joy. His joy came. It comes. It’s coming. 

Do you know His joy? Do you know His Name? 

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

So we call on His name. We believe on His name. We need Him. 

He’s ready to forgive. He’s ready to begin His work in Us. Call on His name. Believe on His Name. 

Why? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He has not sinned and He is worthy of the Glory of God. He has made our way. He is savior, He is the only Lord. He is King of all Kings. 

He is the way the truth and the life. They only way. Call on His name! 

'It is Written.' Dec. 10, 2017 - Brian Leifeste

Check out thenpc.com or download our app. @ northpoint church nb

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? #2 - Brian Leifeste - 11am

What kind of church am I? Is the church perfect? 

Col. 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray 

for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom 

and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing 

Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Let us be a ___________________________ Church.

1. What kind of church ___________________I? Matt. 16:18

Cooperate with the builder.

2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make ___________. 

Matt. 28:16-20

3. What is discipleship? 

The process of learning how to think, talk, stand, step, walk & live in the 

newness of life in Christ. To learn how to live life “Inside Out”. 

Matt. 5:27-28 27/Prov. 4:23 

4. What is the ___________________ of my heart?

Who sets this temperature? Matt. 6:21/Gal. 6:7-9

What’s our Church __________________ set on?

a.    Spirit of the Church:

b.    Commitment of the Church:

c.    Growth of the Church:

5.  Am I _________________________? Col. 1:27/1 John 4:4/Rom. 12:11

Enthusiasm - “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.” 

Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. 

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? #2 - Brian Leifeste - 9am

What kind of church am I? Is the church perfect? 

Col. 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray 

for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom 

and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing 

Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Let us be a ___________________________ Church.

1. What kind of church ___________________I? Matt. 16:18

Cooperate with the builder.

2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make ___________. 

Matt. 28:16-20

3. What is discipleship? 

The process of learning how to think, talk, stand, step, walk & live in the 

newness of life in Christ. To learn how to live life “Inside Out”. 

Matt. 5:27-28 27/Prov. 4:23 

4. What is the ___________________ of my heart?

Who sets this temperature? Matt. 6:21/Gal. 6:7-9

What’s our Church __________________ set on?

a.    Spirit of the Church:

b.    Commitment of the Church:

c.    Growth of the Church:

5.  Am I _________________________? Col. 1:27/1 John 4:4/Rom. 12:11

Enthusiasm - “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.” 

Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. 

Me and the Church: What kind of church am I? - Brian Leifeste

Me and the Church.

I love the church. I love the power of the gospel unleashed. I love what Jesus does in and through the church. The unlimited potential of a people together who love Jesus. I love the gathering of the church. 

Is the church perfect?

What kind of church am I? 

2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

1. What kind of church am I? 

Matt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My 

church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to _______________. 

Matt. 28:16-20

3. What is ______________________?

4. Inside out.  What happens _______________ is seen on the outside. 

Prov. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Matt. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

5. You and I are the_____________________ of our own lives.

a.    ____________________of the Church.

b.    ____________________ of the Church.

c.    _____________________ of the Church.

6. We can _________________ in helping people along the process.

7.  We (the church) needs _______________________.

Col. 1:27 / 1 John 4:4

Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. Rom 12:9-12