Kingdom Recipes - Well Built

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Welcoming the Congregation

• The speaker greets the audience, expressing excitement for the day's message about "recipes for Kingdom living."

• A prayer is offered to invite the Holy Spirit into the service, emphasizing gratitude and readiness to receive God's word.

Importance of Scripture

• The speaker encourages attendees to hold up their Bibles, highlighting the significance of meditating on God's law for prosperity and success.

• Acknowledgment of senior pastors being away due to a family matter, reinforcing that congregants are still tasked with spiritual growth.

Personal Reflections and Spiritual Insights

Connection with God

• The speaker shares personal experiences related to listening to God’s voice in 2023, indicating a desire for deeper communication with Him.

• Emphasis on four key actions: Speak (S), Tarry (T), Listen (L), Lead (L), which guide believers in their spiritual journey.

Leadership and Business

• Discussion on leadership not just as authority but leading others towards Jesus Christ; personal businesses are mentioned as being guided by faith.

• A revelation from God about allowing dreams to come naturally rather than chasing them, reflecting a shift in mindset after years of hard work.

Call to Action

Responding to Opportunities

• The speaker recounts being called upon unexpectedly by Pastor Mike to minister, illustrating obedience and readiness in serving God’s purpose.

Understanding the Role of the Cornerstone in Kingdom Living

The Teacher's Approach to Ministry

• Mike's request prompted a hesitant acceptance, highlighting the speaker's preference for thorough lesson planning. They typically take weeks to prepare detailed notes before teaching.

• Despite meticulous preparation, the speaker emphasizes allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their message, indicating a balance between structure and spiritual inspiration.

Insights from Scripture

• While reading through the Book of Luke, the speaker seeks divine guidance on what message is needed for their audience, reflecting a ministerial responsibility to convey God's voice rather than their own.

• The speaker references Isaiah 28:16 as foundational scripture for understanding Christ as the cornerstone of faith, emphasizing its significance in building one's spiritual life.

The Significance of Christ as Cornerstone

• Ephesians 2:19-21 is introduced to illustrate that believers are no longer outsiders but part of God's household, built upon Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This highlights community and belonging within faith.

• The metaphor of a cornerstone is explained; it serves as a critical reference point in construction that determines whether a building will be straight or flawed, symbolizing stability in faith when aligned with Christ.

Practical Application and Personal Reflection

• The speaker shares personal experiences observing construction work at home, drawing parallels between physical building processes and spiritual foundations laid by Christ. This illustrates how practical experiences can inform spiritual teachings.

• Emphasizing precision in laying down a cornerstone reflects on how careful attention must be given to one’s spiritual foundation to ensure growth and stability in faith practices.

The Recipe for Well-Built Disciples

Introduction to the Message

• The speaker introduces the theme of the message, focusing on "well-built disciples" as a key concept for 2024.

• The message is rooted in scripture from the Book of Luke, specifically chapter 6.

Scriptural Foundation

• Reference to Luke 6:46-49, emphasizing Jesus' teaching about obedience and foundation building.

• Highlights that those who hear and practice Jesus' words are like a man who builds his house on a solid rock foundation.

• Contrasts this with those who do not act on His words, likening them to a house built without a foundation that collapses under pressure.

Importance of Belief and Action

• Discusses the necessity of both confessing faith in Jesus and genuinely believing in Him for true discipleship.

• Emphasizes that belief must lead to change; mere confession without belief results in no transformation.

Building on Solid Ground

• Questions what kind of foundation individuals are building their lives upon, urging reflection on personal spiritual practices.

• Acknowledges the role of church leaders in guiding congregants towards deeper engagement with scripture.

Application of God's Word

• The speaker shares personal experiences with being surrounded by devoted believers which fosters spiritual growth.

• Introduces the concept of an "apply pie," symbolizing practical application of biblical teachings in daily life.

Definition and Purpose of Application

• Defines "apply" as making use of something for a specific purpose, stressing its importance in relation to God’s word.

• Encourages listeners to focus on their own application rather than thinking about others’ needs for the message.

Personal Reflection and Need for God

• Concludes with an emotional appeal regarding personal need for more connection with God through His word.

Discipleship and Acknowledgment of Christ's Lordship

Understanding Discipleship

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of being a well-built disciple in the Kingdom of God, highlighting that true disciples follow Christ and share His message with the world.

• Acknowledging Jesus as both Savior and Lord is crucial; it requires making Him central to every decision in life, reflecting His character in one's actions.

Biblical Foundation

• The discussion references Luke 6:35, where Jesus addresses the Pharisees regarding their scrutiny of His actions while walking through a cornfield.

• The Pharisees are depicted as constantly watching Jesus, aiming to discredit Him rather than understand His teachings.

Key Teachings from Jesus

• An anecdote illustrates how the Pharisees complained about fairness regarding Jesus' actions, showcasing their critical nature.

• Jesus reminds them of David’s actions when he was hungry, emphasizing that He is also "Lord of the Sabbath," reinforcing His authority over religious laws.

Recognition of Christ's Authority

• The speaker stresses that acknowledging Christ as Lord means recognizing His sovereignty over all creation and understanding our response to His power.

• A pivotal question posed by Jesus—“Who do you say that I am?”—challenges listeners to reflect on their personal relationship with God.

Reflection and Representation

• The speaker expresses a desire to be a reflection of Christ in words and deeds, aspiring to be an ambassador for Him rather than just a minister.

• Emphasizing God's protective nature over His people highlights the responsibility believers have towards one another.

The Importance of Belief and Prayer

Foundation of Faith

• It is essential for believers to first acknowledge who Jesus is—the Messiah, Risen King—before building their faith structure upon this foundation.

Active Communication with God

• After recognizing Christ's lordship, developing an active prayer life becomes vital; prayer serves as communication with God.

• Simple yet profound practices like prayer are often overlooked but are fundamental for spiritual growth.

This structured approach provides clarity on key themes discussed in the transcript while allowing easy navigation through timestamps for further exploration.

The Importance of Prayer and Decision-Making

Jesus' Selection of the Apostles

• Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing his twelve apostles, highlighting the significance of seeking divine guidance in major decisions.

• The speaker emphasizes the need to apply biblical teachings to life for fruitful outcomes, indicating a personal approach to scripture.

• Jesus called his disciples closer as he prepared to select those who would be trained and sent out, showcasing intentionality in leadership choices.

• Among the followers were diverse motivations; some believed in him while others sought physical benefits like food and healing, illustrating varied faith levels.

• The power emanating from Jesus attracted many, but not all were genuine followers, emphasizing discernment in spiritual communities.

The Role of Prayer Before Decisions

• Before making significant choices, Jesus often prayed alone, suggesting that personal connection with God is crucial for clarity and direction.

• Ephesians 6:18 is referenced to stress that prayer should accompany spiritual preparation; being "armed" without prayer is incomplete.

• A group of women meets weekly to read scripture together, focusing on understanding rather than merely sharing problems or prayers.

• The importance of engaging with God through prayer is highlighted; it’s essential even when one feels spiritually equipped or prepared for battle.

Community and Spiritual Growth

• Women participating in Bible study demonstrate commitment by spending extended time in scripture together, reflecting their dedication to spiritual growth.

• Emphasizing God's word as a foundation helps believers withstand life's storms; reliance on Christ ensures resilience during challenges.

Types of Prayers

• Various forms of prayers are discussed; they can range from simple requests for help to profound expressions of worship and praise towards God.

• The speaker encourages praying for others and glorifying God without asking for anything in return, reinforcing selfless devotion.

Understanding Prayer and Forgiveness

The Importance of Prayer

• The speaker references 1 John 5:14-15, emphasizing that God hears our prayers when they align with His will.

• The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, highlighting the importance of learning prayer as a spiritual practice.

• Personal testimony about being guided by God to specific Bible chapters containing prayers for personal use.

Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

• Reference to Luke 11:1-4 where Jesus instructs his disciples on how to pray, starting with acknowledging God's holiness and asking for daily needs.

• Emphasis on the necessity of forgiveness in prayer; one must forgive others to receive forgiveness from God.

The Concept of Pardon

• Discussion on the need to pardon others as a reflection of Christ's forgiveness towards us, encouraging freedom from past grievances.

• Citing Luke 6:37, the speaker explains that not judging or condemning others is essential for receiving God's mercy.

Measuring Our Actions

• The principle that how we treat others—whether through judgment or forgiveness—will be measured back to us by God.

• Encouragement to reflect on one's own actions and attitudes towards others in light of divine measurement.

Love as an Essential Ingredient

• Introduction of love as a key ingredient in relationships; referencing Luke 6:27 about loving enemies and doing good despite opposition.

• Urging listeners to extend their capacity for love beyond human limits, mirroring God's unconditional love even amidst sinfulness.

God's Love and Our Fruits

Understanding the Final Ingredient

• The speaker emphasizes that God's love is made complete in us, introducing the final ingredient of a spiritual concept.

• Reference to Luke 6:43-44 highlights that a tree is recognized by its fruit, prompting self-reflection on what one yields in life.

• The importance of evaluating personal output is stressed; good people produce good results from their hearts, while evil leads to negative outcomes.

Self-Reflection and Yielding Good Fruit

• A metaphorical question arises about the quality of one's "fruit"—are they producing love and grace or something sour?

• Key actions for spiritual growth include acknowledging God, staying humble through prayer, and genuinely loving others.

Building a Strong Foundation

• Emphasizes the necessity of having a solid foundation in Christ to achieve victory in life’s challenges.

• Well-built disciples are characterized by their ability to endure storms and remain steadfast in faith.

Conclusion and Invitation

• The speaker expresses gratitude for the audience's participation and encourages them to deepen their understanding of Jesus through available resources.