Kingdom Recipes: Excuses of Inferiority V

Kingdom Recipes: Excuses of Inferiority V

Preparation for a Move of God

Setting the Expectation

  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of love and worship, stating that they will never be more loved than in this moment. They encourage the congregation to prepare for a significant move of God, highlighting that expectation is crucial for movement.

Faith and Intentional Focus

  • A call to action is made regarding faith; believers are urged to focus intentionally on God's Word and Spirit as they prepare for live streaming. The speaker reminds attendees to silence their phones and avoid obstructing cameras during the service.

Thanksgiving Season and Community Outreach

Gratitude for Participation

  • The speaker expresses gratitude towards those who participated in the Thanksgiving basket giveaway, noting that God exceeded expectations by providing food for over 80 people, showcasing His grace and mercy. This reflects a community effort where volunteers played a vital role.

Prayer and Service

  • Acknowledgment is given to prayer warriors and youth volunteers who served during the event, emphasizing that giving goes beyond material support; it includes spiritual engagement through prayer with recipients. The message reinforces that one cannot outgive God, encouraging generosity with an expectation of harvest.

Engagement with Online Community

Promoting Digital Presence

  • Viewers are encouraged to engage with the church's YouTube channel by liking, subscribing, and sharing content about Christ’s goodness. This outreach aims to spread awareness of God's truth across various platforms.

Website Resources

  • Information about accessing resources on their website (avpwcc.org) is shared, including values, mission statements, donation options, and words of encouragement from church leaders—highlighting a comprehensive approach to community building online.

Prayer Before the Message

Invoking Divine Guidance

  • A prayer session precedes Pastor Mike Armine's message where gratitude is expressed for life and truth found in God's Word. The speaker asks for clarity in communication during the service while acknowledging God's sovereignty as King of Kings. This sets a reverent tone before diving into scripture study.

Living Beyond Excuses: Lessons from Gideon

Recap on Living Without Excuses

  • The discussion transitions into examining how many people live lives filled with excuses using Gideon from the Book of Judges as an example—a relatable theme suggesting everyone has faced moments of self-doubt or reluctance when called upon by God. This sets up further exploration into overcoming such barriers through faithfulness in Ephesians chapter three verses 19–21 which will be discussed next.

Understanding God's Ability and Our Insecurities

The Power of God

  • The speaker emphasizes the phrase "now to him who is able," reflecting on a church song that highlights God's capability to exceed our expectations.
  • The message conveys that God can do far more than we ask or think, emphasizing His power working within us.

Gideon's Doubts and Insecurities

  • Gideon struggles with feelings of inadequacy in fulfilling God's commands, questioning who truly feels capable of such tasks.
  • He expresses his lack of experience as a leader, feeling unqualified for the role God has called him to fulfill.
  • This insecurity resonates with many people; they often feel they don't measure up when faced with challenges or new responsibilities.

Comfort Zones and Growth

  • The speaker discusses how individuals often prefer their comfort zones, which can hinder personal growth and leadership development.
  • A comparison is made between reading books and watching TV; readers are seen as leaders because they gather knowledge, while TV serves primarily as entertainment.

Expectation and Preparation for Change

  • The speaker encourages worshippers to prepare for a move from God, highlighting the importance of expectation in experiencing change.
  • Emphasizing faith, he notes that intentional focus on God's Word and Spirit is crucial for spiritual movement.

Community Engagement and Thanksgiving Initiatives

  • Acknowledgment is given to community efforts during a Thanksgiving basket giveaway, where over 80 people were blessed beyond expectations.
  • Gratitude is expressed towards volunteers who contributed time and resources, reinforcing the idea that one cannot outgive God.

Welcome to Prevellingworth Christian Center

Overview of the Church's Online Presence

  • The church's website, avpwcc.org, provides information on its values, vision, mission statement, and various ministries.
  • Visitors can also make offerings and donations through the site.

Community Engagement on Social Media

  • The church is active on Facebook, encouraging community participation with words of encouragement and health tips throughout the week ().
  • Emphasis is placed on maintaining both a healthy body and spirit through shared content.

Prayer and Preparation for the Message

Opening Prayer

  • A prayer led by the speaker expresses gratitude for God's word and asks for guidance during the service ().
  • The prayer acknowledges those tuning in who may need a message from God today ().

Importance of Scripture

  • The speaker emphasizes the significance of engaging with scripture, referencing Joshua 1:8 about meditating on God's law ().

Recap of Previous Discussions: Living Without Excuses

Introduction to Gideon's Story

  • The discussion focuses on living a life free from excuses, using Gideon from the Book of Judges as an example ().

Gideon's Doubts and Insecurities

  • Gideon felt unqualified to fulfill God's calling due to his lack of confidence and experience ().

Exploring Ephesians Chapter 3: Understanding God's Power

Key Verses Highlighted

  • Ephesians 3:19–21 is read, emphasizing knowing Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge and being filled with God’s fullness (, ).

Reflection on Capability

  • Discussion revolves around how individuals often doubt their ability to carry out God’s commands due to insecurities or lack of experience ().

The Challenge of Self-Doubt in Leadership Roles

Common Human Experience

  • Many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy when faced with new challenges or responsibilities ().

Relating Personal Experiences

  • The speaker draws parallels between personal job aspirations and Gideon's reluctance, highlighting common fears regarding qualifications and capabilities in leadership roles (, ).

Gideon's Leadership Journey

Comfort Zones and Leadership

  • Gideon was initially comfortable in his routine, which hindered his leadership potential.
  • The speaker emphasizes that many people prefer comfort zones, often leading to stagnation and lack of growth.

Reading vs. Entertainment

  • A strong statement is made: "Readers are leaders." Those who read more tend to gather information and become effective leaders.
  • Watching TV is seen as a distraction from reality; it provides temporary entertainment but does not contribute to personal development or leadership skills.

The Illusion of Comfort

  • People often live in a fantasy when watching TV, believing they can relate to the characters despite their real-life circumstances being vastly different.
  • This disconnect contributes to individuals remaining in their comfort zones, similar to Gideon's situation where he is called out by God for greater purpose.

Overcoming Fatigue and Excuses

  • Common excuses for avoiding responsibilities include feeling tired after work or claiming a busy schedule prevents participation in community activities.
  • The speaker highlights the irony of people feeling exhausted even when they haven't exerted much effort, illustrating how mental barriers can be just as limiting as physical ones.

Responsibility and Community Involvement

  • Many individuals recognize issues within their communities or organizations but fail to take action or offer help themselves, showcasing a lack of initiative despite awareness.
  • The speaker critiques those who complain about leadership without contributing positively, emphasizing that true insight comes from active involvement rather than mere observation.

God's Choice of Leaders

  • It’s noted that God often chooses unlikely candidates for leadership roles, demonstrating His power through those perceived as unworthy or lacking resources. Jesus' humble origins are cited as an example of this principle at work.
  • The idea is reinforced that God prefers using individuals with fewer advantages to showcase His strength and capabilities rather than relying on those already established in wealth or status.

Understanding God's Grace and Our Response

The Nature of Excuses

  • Pastor Mike emphasizes that God knows each individual's struggles and the excuses they make for not pursuing their potential. He highlights common thoughts like feeling unqualified or coming from a disadvantaged background.

Living for God's Glory

  • Reference to 1 Corinthians 10:31, where believers are encouraged to do everything for the glory of God rather than seeking human praise. Pastor Mike shares an anecdote about someone urging him to commend others, stressing that glorifying God should be the priority.

Celebrating God Over Self

  • The church's role is to celebrate God, not individuals. True love for God translates into love for one another, indicating that a lack of love may reflect improper devotion to God.

Attitude in Worship

  • In Colossians 3:17, believers are reminded to act in Jesus' name with gratitude. Complaining is discouraged when entering God's house; instead, worship should be filled with thanksgiving.

Importance of Gratitude

  • Pastor Mike recounts a personal story about his mother teaching him respect through greetings. This illustrates the importance of acknowledging others and being thankful when entering God's presence.

Acknowledging God's Provision

  • He explains that gratitude is essential because we owe our existence and provisions to God. Recognizing this helps shift focus away from personal grievances towards appreciation for life itself.

The Power of Positive Speech

  • Negative speech can hinder one's progress; Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 15:10 serves as an example of recognizing grace and working hard without wasting it.

The Role of Grace in Our Lives

  • Paul acknowledges that his identity stems from God's grace, which he does not take lightly. This grace enables us to function effectively despite life's challenges.

Utilizing Divine Potential

  • Pastor Mike discusses how many people fail to recognize their full potential due to underutilization of their abilities granted by God’s grace. He compares this realization to having a beautiful car without an engine—without utilizing divine gifts, one remains stationary in life.

By structuring these insights around key themes and timestamps, readers can easily navigate through the content while grasping essential teachings on faith, gratitude, and the significance of living purposefully under God's grace.

Understanding Our Position in Christ

The Honor of Being Seated with Christ

  • The speaker emphasizes that believers are seated in heavenly places alongside Christ Jesus, not due to their own actions but because of God's grace and design.
  • This honor is rooted in God's love, which empowers individuals to achieve great things through Christ, as stated in Philippians 4:13.

Supernatural Strength Through Connection

  • The speaker highlights the ability to perform without relying on substances like drugs, attributing this capability to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • Encouragement is given for self-affirmation; believers should declare their potential and capabilities based on their connection with God.

Importance of Prayer

  • Continuous prayer is stressed as essential for Christians; neglecting prayer leads to spiritual stagnation and complaints.
  • The speaker notes that praying for others fosters a community spirit and aligns believers with God's will.

Humility Through Prayer

  • True prayer cultivates humility; those who pray sincerely will exhibit a humble attitude rather than arrogance.
  • Believers are encouraged to approach God confidently, expecting answers to their prayers based on faith in His word.

Transformation Through Faith

  • Genuine encounters with God lead to life changes; mere attendance at church without transformation indicates a lack of true engagement with God.
  • The speaker asserts that understanding God's finished work through Jesus provides believers the assurance they need for success in life.

The Power of Belief and Relationship with God

Personal Journey and Transformation

  • The speaker reflects on their teenage years attending church, feeling unchanged despite hearing positive messages. They express frustration over repetitive emotional experiences without real change.
  • Introduction to the Word of Faith led to a significant shift in the speaker's attitude, emphasizing the importance of believing in God's promises rather than merely admiring Him.
  • The speaker highlights that true faith should manifest visibly, suggesting that believers should exhibit joy even amidst societal challenges like inflation due to their trust in God's provision.

Faith vs. Doubt

  • A contrast is drawn between seeking immediate relief through worldly means (like medicine) versus relying on God for peace and solutions.
  • The analogy of a bank account illustrates that spiritual deposits (time spent with God) are necessary for making withdrawals (receiving blessings or answers).

Relationships and Investment

  • Emphasizes the necessity of investing time into relationships to reap benefits; superficial efforts yield minimal returns.
  • Critiques those who expect substantial rewards from short-term commitments, particularly in marriage, highlighting the need for deeper understanding and commitment.

Divine Relationship Over Religion

  • Stresses that God desires a personal relationship rather than mere religious observance; belief in His power is crucial for experiencing His promises.
  • References scripture indicating that unbelief can hinder divine action, urging a return to faith exercises within the church community.

Purpose and Love Abundance

  • Discusses the importance of recognizing one's purpose as essential for personal fulfillment and avoiding self-destructive behaviors.
  • Paul’s prayer emphasizes love as an outcome of a genuine relationship with God, which transcends social barriers and manifests in actions towards others.

Community Engagement

  • Acknowledges recent community outreach efforts by the church as evidence of love in action, reinforcing the message that faith should lead to tangible expressions of care within society.

God's Abundance and the Heart of Giving

The Power of Sincere Giving

  • The speaker shares a personal experience of believing for 50 turkeys to feed people, emphasizing that God values the sincerity of one's heart over the quantity given.
  • Despite starting late in their efforts, they received 80 turkeys, illustrating God's supernatural provision when intentions are genuine.
  • The speaker reflects on common misconceptions about giving in churches, noting that many people resist contributing due to past experiences or expectations.

Understanding Life's Costs

  • Acknowledging that "everything costs," the speaker highlights a young person's realization about financial responsibilities as they transition into adulthood.
  • The concept of abundance is introduced, with references to biblical verses indicating that God provides immeasurably more than we can ask or think.

Partnership with God

  • The narrative shifts to Peter's partnership with Jesus during fishing, where Peter initially doubts but ultimately obeys Jesus' command to cast his nets again.
  • This act leads to an overwhelming catch of fish, demonstrating that success comes not from our own efforts but from divine collaboration.

Transformation Through Faith

  • After witnessing the miraculous catch, Peter feels unworthy and is told by Jesus he will become a "fisher of men," indicating a shift from physical fishing to spiritual outreach.
  • The speaker describes Peter’s impulsive nature and how Jesus uses moments like healing a soldier’s ear to teach deeper lessons about compassion and purpose.

God's Care Amidst Trials

  • Even in dire situations leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus prioritizes healing and caring for others, underscoring humanity's importance in God's eyes.
  • A reminder is given that God can provide for all needs; believers should trust Him rather than make emotional decisions based on circumstances.

A Lesson on True Needs

  • A story illustrates a man's frustration when his mother sends him a Bible instead of money while he's imprisoned. This highlights differing perspectives on what constitutes true help.
  • The man expresses anger at his mother's response, showcasing the struggle between spiritual guidance and immediate material needs.

The Importance of Faith and Understanding in Prayer

A Mother's Guidance and Misunderstanding

  • The speaker recounts a story about a son who received a letter from his mother urging him to pray and read the Bible while he was in jail. He felt let down by her advice, believing it did not help his situation.
  • Upon release, the son confronts his mother, expressing frustration over her repeated advice to pray and read the Bible despite his financial struggles.
  • The mother insists that he did not truly engage with prayer or scripture, revealing that she had hidden $100 bills within the pages of the Bible as answers to his prayers.

The Consequences of Ignoring God's Word

  • The speaker emphasizes that if the son had genuinely prayed and read his Bible, he would have recognized that his needs were already met through faith.
  • Many people feel their prayers go unanswered despite their efforts in giving tithes and offerings; this resonates with those who struggle financially yet remain faithful.

Personal Reflection on Giving

  • The speaker shares personal experiences of reluctance to give more than minimal amounts at church due to financial frustrations.
  • Through persistent study of scripture alone, he began to understand God's promises regarding generosity and blessings.

Testing God’s Promises

  • After deciding to test God’s promise about blessings for givers, the speaker claims he has never been broke since then, highlighting God's faithfulness.

Worthiness and Faith

  • The discussion shifts towards feelings of unworthiness among Christians; true worthiness comes from God rather than personal merit.
  • Belief in Jesus is emphasized as essential for receiving grace; genuine faith transforms one's desires away from sinful inclinations.

Observations on Spiritual Highs and Lows

  • The speaker reflects on how some Christians experience spiritual highs during favorable circumstances but may falter when challenges arise.

Relationship Dynamics with God

  • There is a critique of viewing one’s relationship with God based solely on His performance or blessings rather than mutual commitment.

Individual Experiences of Deliverance

  • Different individuals may experience deliverance or answers to prayer at varying rates; personal stories illustrate this disparity in outcomes.
  • An anecdote about stolen bikes highlights feelings of injustice when comparing individual experiences with others' seemingly favorable outcomes.

Life Lessons from Disappointment

The Impact of Loss and Replacement

  • The speaker reflects on a personal experience of losing a cherished bike, emphasizing the emotional pain associated with loss. His father replaced it with a cheaper alternative, highlighting the theme of disappointment in life.
  • This situation serves as an analogy for how people often settle for less in relationships, preferring "cheaper" options instead of what is truly valuable and sincere.

Understanding Relationships and Sacrifice

  • The speaker draws parallels between human relationships and spiritual connections, illustrating how individuals may sacrifice their well-being for those who do not appreciate them.
  • He references Jesus on the cross alongside two thieves, discussing their conversations that reflect human nature's tendency to focus on immediate desires rather than deeper truths.

Confession and Redemption

  • One thief acknowledges his sins while speaking to Jesus, demonstrating humility and honesty about his past actions. This confession leads to a promise of redemption from Jesus.
  • The speaker emphasizes God's unconditional love, noting that even in moments of judgment, God prioritizes solutions over condemnation.

Divine Intervention

  • The narrative shifts to highlight God's willingness to intervene in people's lives at critical moments. The speaker suggests that God stops time to reach out personally when someone is ready for change.
  • He stresses the importance of recognizing these divine messages as opportunities for transformation from death (spiritual or emotional despair) to life (hope and renewal).

Personal Experience with Faith

  • The speaker shares his own journey towards faith, recounting a moment where he asked God for direct communication without intermediaries. This led him to an impactful encounter during a church service.
  • He describes how this experience changed his life dramatically, leading him unexpectedly into pastoral work and sharing his story with others.

Seeking Authenticity in Spiritual Experiences

  • Emphasizing the need for genuine encounters with God, he encourages listeners not just to attend church but to seek real experiences that resonate deeply within themselves.
  • He advocates for open communication with God about personal struggles rather than relying solely on sermons or teachings from others.

Transformation Through Connection

  • Acknowledging the power of personal experiences over second-hand accounts, he highlights how true change comes from individual encounters with faith.
  • Sharing another anecdote about someone experiencing deep emotion during worship illustrates how authentic connection can lead to healing and liberation from past burdens.

Understanding God's Mechanism of Blessings

The Proximity of Blessings

  • The speaker emphasizes that blessings are often closer than one realizes, suggesting that distractions can lead individuals away from recognizing their proximity.
  • There is a notion that the enemy (negative influences) keeps people searching in vain for fulfillment, which diverts them from what they truly need.
  • The speaker argues against the need for substances to feel high or fulfilled, claiming they experience a natural high through spiritual engagement.

Daily Spiritual Fulfillment

  • Each day begins with a sense of being "loaded" spiritually, indicating a deep connection and reliance on scripture for strength and guidance.
  • Reading the Bible is described as an invigorating experience, providing nourishment and support for daily challenges.

Divine Purpose and Call

  • The speaker asserts that God reaches out to individuals with purpose; there’s no accidental encounter when it comes to divine communication.
  • A call from darkness signifies a need for one's services in the world, highlighting the importance of humility in receiving help from God.
  • Acknowledgment of personal limitations is crucial; those who believe they know everything may hinder their ability to receive divine assistance.
Video description

Good Morning Church Family! Today we are delve into how we can overcome excuses in the face of failure and the doubts. Let's forge our mental fortitude to prevail against inferiority complexes that sew seeds of fear, doubt and self-deprecation. Join us in opening our awareness of the excuses that hold you back. We hope that through this awareness you'll find spiritual growth to cut through your comfort zone, become purpose driven and break free from the fear of change. May the lord God bless you to move forward and overcome your fear of success and fear of failure.