The Examination of Elevation

Listener Guide provided by Pastor Ed

The Examination of Elevation

• When we rise up,  will we forget where we came from?
• Don't let your platform influence you, but instead use your platform to influence others.

1. Genesis 41
2. Proverbs 27:21
1. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.
2. Reminder:  Waiting Warns, Silence Shapes, Pain Prunes, but Prosperity has the ability to Poison.
3. The Tale of Three Coats:
1. Son: Father's Coat.
2. Servant­­­: Potiphar's Coat. Genesis 39
3. Savior: Pharaoh's Coat.
1. He's no longer defined by status.
3. Sermon Principles:  The "Examination of Elevation" will occur when you receive a...
1. Praised Ability:  Genesis 41:15-"I have heard it said of you"
1. Response:  "without God this is not possible" (16)
2. Reveals: "doubling of Pharaoh's dream means the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about" (32)
3. Releases:  "select a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. (33)
1. Pride will make you hold on to and pay for things that you really don’t need in your life.
1. Pastor finds a track jacket at a thrift store. His daughters told him he looked good in it so he decided to buy it. The zipper broke so he decided to buy the jacket  go home, and cut it off. He had too much pride to ask the customer service for help but someone noticed that he was stuck.
4. Provided Authority: Genesis 41:41-43-"thus he (Pharaoh) set him over the land of Egypt."
1. Ring: Resources
2. Robe:  Ruler
3. Necklace:  Rank
4. You get your platform to make a name for God.
1. Pastor showed up for a funeral and it was cold outside.  Pastor Ed "finds" coat on coat rack in greenroom. He puts it on thinking it's a gift from God. He realized at the end of the day that the coat belonged to an elderly funeral worker. He approached the man and admitted his wrong but the old man said, "Today you needed it a whole lot more than I did."
5. Posses Autonomy: Genesis 41:44 - "without your consent no one shall lift up a hand or foot in all of the land of Egypt."
1. You have freedom to do whatever you want to do.  How do you respond?
1. This freedom means that you can be trusted.
6. Core Values of a Leader that Excel within Elevation: Genesis 41:46-49
1. Honor:  Give value to all people.
2. Humble:  Steward of Gifts not an owner.
1. Flight attendant asks Muhammed Ali to fasten his seatbelt. Superman don't need no seatbelt. Superman don't need no plane either.
2. If we don't humble ourselves, God will humble us.
1. Matthew 23:12
1. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
3. Hustle:  Takes Initiative, makes things better.
1. Hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle.
4. Hungry: Passionate to Succeed
5. Hospitality:  Servitude

• Final Thought: How do we know whether Joseph passed the "Examination of Elevation”?
• Genesis 41:51:  "God has made me forget all my hardship and my father's house"
• Note: Joseph's Children's names are in Hebrew, which is a bold statement to the Pharaoh of the land. 
• Manasseh: To Forget
• Ephraim:  Doubly fruitful
• He did not give his children Egyptians names because he never forgot where he came from.
• I'm not the victim, I'm the victor.
• At times people will fail you,  but Jesus never will.
• Pastor Ed signed up for a marathon. He saw 2 college students and he was determined to win. What he didn't know was those college students weren't even running in the marathon. He thought he was first, but he was last. The young man he was following was not chasing the same goal as he was. In following the wrong person, he got off track
• Sometimes we look to the wrong people for example.

Praise & Worship

This Is Amazing Grace" by Josh Farro, Jeremy Riddle, & Phil Wickham

"O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus" by Samuel Trevor Francis And Thomas J. Williams

"Flawless" by Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer

"Love Came Down" by Jeremy Edwardson, Brian Johnson, Ian McIntosh, and Jeremy Riddle

Overcoming Weariness

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

Become Weary: To lose your sense of pleasure.

1. Sometimes because the battle is taking so long we get discouraged.
1. Become Weary
1. To lose your sense of pleasure.
2. Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.
3. Reluctant to see or experience any more of; tired of.
4. Calling for a great amount of energy or endurance; tiring and tedious.
2. If the enemy can't take you out all at once he’ll try to wear you down.
1. Battle fatigue.
1. Combat stress reaction, a military term for an acute reaction to the stress of battle commonly involving fatigue, slowed reaction time, indecision, and other symptoms.
2. Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV
1. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
1. You're doing the right thing but right things aren't happening.
2. Isaiah 27:5
1. Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me."
3. David
1. kept taking care of his father's sheep with a good attitude even though he was anointed to be king.
2. Saul tried to kill him.
3. Samuel 30:6-7
1. David and his men burst out in loud wails—wept and wept until they were exhausted with weeping. David's two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken prisoner along with the rest. And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him. David strengthened himself with trust in his God . He ordered Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the Ephod so I can consult God." Abiathar brought it to David.
1. When you give in to weariness you lose your strength.
2. Weariness will always come but don't give into it.
2. You can talk yourself into strength or you can talk yourself into weakness. You may feel tired but don't say it outloud.
4. Your strength is renewed when you're living with expectancy. Nothing that's happened to me has interrupted God's plan.
1. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
1. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
5. What God promises, he will bring to pass.
6. God wants to make you an example for others.
1. Brain Cancer
1. Had Surgery and Changed his diet, but the doctors still gave him only 6 months to live.
1. it has been 3 years.
2. The doctor asked him to go to support group to encourage others.
2. Things may look permanent but it's not.
7. Take Care of Your Temple
1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
1. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
8. Sometimes when we're weary it's not a spiritual problem, it's a physical problem.
1. 1 Kings 18-19: Elijah called fire down from heaven, had seen people resurrected, and got threatened by one person ran away into the desert then wished to die.
2. An angel appeared AFTER he had taken a nap and told him to eat something!
3. We are spiritual, physical, and emotional and we need to take care of each part. Living balanced is the key.
1. Don't have your life cut short because you didn't take care of yourself.
1. Sabbath required. There was a COMMANDMENT to rest.
1. Exodus 20:8
1. ”Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
2. Psalm 23:2-3
1. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
9. Proverbs 3:6
1. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
Proverbs 3:6

When we were planning to move to Schertz in late w

When we were planning to move to Schertz in late winter of 2014 we checked out the Schertz Family YMCA. We had held a membership at the YMCA in Houston and were interested in continuing our health journey with the YMCA in Schertz.

Upon arrival at the YMCA we met with the representative and in addition to telling us about the service that were currently offered, he told us about things to come. Among the things to come were an Aquanasium. There were absolutely no signs of an Aquanasium! Here it is over 2 years later and the frame of that Aquansium is beginning to take shape.

Sticks and Stones

Nick @ Lakewood Church

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

Matthew 7:1-5 NLT

1. Giving People the Benefit of the Doubt
1. Nick was meeting the family of his now-wife. Though he had never met Summer’s family, he observed her dad and JUDGED that he was a “serious no-nonsense type of guy. Consequently, he made sure to head there 30 minutes early to meet Summer's parents and was pulled over by cops: His insurance and Driver's License EXPIRED. He was nervous thinking that Summer’s family would see him as irresponsible and unworthy of their daughter. However, his now father-in-law came to his defense giving Nick the benefit of the doubt. Nick’s car had to be towed but he learned that Summer’s dad was gracious and fun.
2. Take Aways
1. His judgement was wrong.
2. He received grace that he wasn’t willing to give.
2. God is constantly rewriting stories.
1. John 8:1-11
1. Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”11 “No one, Master.”“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
2. Let's not judge a person's story based off of one chapter.
1. We're all on a journey. We’re all in process.
2. One of the biggest temptations is to apply the truth of God to others before we apply it to ourselves.
3. Don’t wait to give grace.
1. Matthew 7:3-4: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eyewhen you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[b] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
1. You will naturally be limited in your scope of someone else's life so approach people with an immense amount of grace.
1. Don’t wait to give grace
1. Flying with kids.
1. Nick used to be very frustrated on airplanes with kids. He’d complain and judge the person, thinking “How hard can it be to control a 2-year-old on an airplane for 5 hours.
2. Nick Had Kids
1. Now he sees unforeseen struggles that arise
2. He applauds struggling parents on flights
4. Jesus is always working behind the scenes.
1. Proverbs 25:7-8
1. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
5. God Blesses people who cover
1. Genesis 9:18-29
1. The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.) From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth. After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: "May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives." Then Noah said, "May the Lord , the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant! May God expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant." Noah lived another 350 years after the great flood. He lived 950 years, and then he died.
1. We all have weak moments.
2. Fight the trend and blaze a trail.
3. Your kids can feel your act of honor and grace for years to come. You can set a new trend in your family and your culture.
2. Whataburger
1. Homeless guy walks in and is immediately judged until someone decided to buy him food and pray for him.
1. It's easy to spot a problem be a solution.
3. Pastor Tony
1. Prostitutes in Diner
1. A pastor decided to throw a prostitute a birthday party and she said that was the first birthday party she’d ever had.
1. Bury judgement and throw birthday parties.
4. Care more about the sin than the sinner.
1. John 8:1-11: Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "No one, Master." "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
1. Pharisees cared more about the sin than the sinner. Jesus always cares about people first. Your future is not dictated by the past.
6. John 8:9-11: Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”11 “No one, Master.”“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
1. Grace defends publicly so truth can correct privately.

1. You build credibility and relationship through grace.
2. Truth corrects privately
3. Throwing stones has never changed anyone's heart.
4. Blocking stones will revolutionize a heart.
7. It's easy to miss someone's story when you're focused on one blemish.
1. God is doing so much more in someone's life.
2. You don't know how the blemish got there.
8. ***Cindy's Pruning Story (will add later)
9. ***Dr. Paul's Mission Report (may add later)

Fight Police Brutality

When I say fight back I don't mean physically. I believe that when confronted by police you should do all that you can to cooperate. Do exactly what the police officer asks you to do so that he or she can't say that you did anything wrong.

 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

 

When I say fight police brutality, I mean file a police report. That's how we can hold police officers accountable.

 

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15-17

 

 

 

I recently read an article and watched a video (posted above) about the violent arrest of Breaion King. Art Acevedo, the police chief interviewed in that article said, “we need to help our community overcome the fear or reluctance, which I understand, to file a complaint...This is critical if we are to weed out bad officers and bad behavior."

 

I  received questionable treatment by police officers and I didn't file a complaint; fortunately, it wasn't anything close to the horrible videos that have been surfacing lately. I used to excuse the behavior, saying "well, he doesn't know me from the next person". Though the aforementioned statement is true, it's really dangerous to let "little things" slide. Art Acevedo, the police chief interviewed in this article said, “we need to help our community overcome the fear or reluctance, which I understand, to file a complaint...This is critical if we are to weed out bad officers and bad behavior"

 

I'll post a blog soon about how to file a complaint.

Trouble is Transportation

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

You may not understand it but God would't have allowed it if it wasn't going to help.

• God is steadying you and making you stronger.
• 
  
• Trouble takes you to the next level.
• 
  
• Moses:
• The Pharaoh decided to kill all of the mails. So many would say that he was born in the wrong place at the wrong time. But instead of accepting that, Moses' mom decided to send him in a basket on the river and he was raised among royalty.
• 
  
• Joel Osteen Plumbing Lawsuit
• Joel sold some property that had plumbing problems and the new owners decided to sue him. Sending them through a painful legal process. Through this process he made a friend in his Lawyer. Years later that same lawyer helped him to acquire a television station that propelled the Lakewood Media ministry that's now able to reach the world!
• Joseph: 
• Steps were strategically orchestrated. If his brothers had never thrown him in the pit he wouldn't have been sold to Potiphar, Potiphar's wife would't have falsely accused him, he wouldn't have met the butler and the baker to interpret their dreams, the Pharaoh wouldn't have know that he could interpret dreams, and he wouldn't been 
• Joseph's Brothers could not take his coat, but they couldn't take his calling.
• They meant it for my harm but God used it for my good.
• Victoria Arlin
• "I wouldn't choose what happened to me but I wouldn't change it."
• Victoria Arlen’s life drastically changed in 2006 at the tender age of eleven when she developed two rare conditions known as Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This was an incredibly rare scenario and Victoria quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move. She slipped into a vegetative state in which doctors had written her off as a lost cause. Victoria spent nearly four years “locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate. Doctors believed there was little hope of survival and recovery was unlikely. Victoria, however was not ready to give up. In 2010 after almost four years she began the nearly impossible fight back to life.
• Her family would play messages from Lakewood Church from her. She remembers hearing the message of hope and prayed that her family would receive a sign that was still alive until she was finally able to open her eyes!
• Her mother noticed and asked her to blink as a response and she did.
• When no one else could hear her, God could!
• Extraordinary challenges lead to an extraordinary life!
• Learning how to speak, eat and move all over again.Victoria went on to exceedingly defy the odds and not only recovered but has since become an accomplished Motivational Speaker, Actress, Model, and Swimmer. Her swimming resume includes three Silvers and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games as well as multiple World, American and Pan American Records.
• In April 2015, Victoria made the transition from professional athlete to sportscaster and joined ESPN as one of the youngest on air talents hired by the company. Reporting for espnW, X Games and Sportscenter across all platforms. Victoria has become world famous not only for her story and accomplishments but for her message: “Face It, Embrace It, Defy It, Conquer It“.
• Copied from her website.

Untouchable

This weekend we rented a car and the company does not subscribe to SiriusXM radio so it was continuously playing the preview channel. We listened Meghan Trainor's song Untouchable at least 10 times this weekend! The fact that Dr. Ed referenced the song in the sermon tickled me. Below are the notes he provided along with a few additional tidbits that he shard and random thoughts. I actually watched online. If you'd like to watch on line, click here. If you ever want to visit, here is a link to the location.

Ed Newton @ Community Bible Church

Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with me.”8-9 He wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he’s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?”10 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her.11-15 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there. She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, “Sleep with me!” He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house. When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside, she called to her house servants: “Look—this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he’s trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could. With all my yelling and screaming, he left his coat beside me here and ran outside.”16-18 She kept his coat right there until his master came home. She told him the same story. She said, “The Hebrew slave, the one you brought to us, came after me and tried to use me for his plaything. When I yelled and screamed, he left his coat with me and ran outside.”19-23 When his master heard his wife’s story, telling him, “These are the things your slave did to me,” he was furious. Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the jail where the king’s prisoners were locked up. But there in jail God was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer. The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners—he ended up managing the whole operation. The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because God was with him; whatever he did God made sure it worked out for the best. 

 Genesis 39:7-20

Potiphar's wife is the first official Desperate House Wife

What is the area of my life that causes me to stumble?

Untouchable

Genesis 39:7-20

Pattern of Temptation: (7-8, 12)

The Slippery Slope of Compromise:

• "Cast her eyes": Observe
• "Lie with me": Obsess
• "Caught Him": Obtain

1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

James 1:14-15: But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully-grown brings forth death. 

We all are prone to wonder.

Sin is always seeking to fulfill legitimate needs in illegitimate ways.

Power over Temptation: (9-10, 13)

• Right Belief, determined Right Behavior:
• Joseph was shafted over and over again.
• Our choices affect everyone around us but the most important person who is affected is our God.
• Priority of Purity: "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Verse 9)
• Purity is not a line, it's a direction.
• There's just to choices on the shelf: pleasing God or pleasing self.
• Protection within Parameters: "he would not listen to her, to lie beside her, or be with her." (Verse 10)
• Created boundaries and blockades.
• Predetermined Plan: "Joseph fled out of the house." (Verse 13)
• An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
• Be mindful that everyone isn't as strong as you are.
• What I might have victory over may be the very thing that someone else struggles with.

Proverbs 4:23: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" 

2 Corinthians 10:5: ... "take every thought captive to obey Christ."  

Ephesians 4:27:  "Give no opportunity to the devil." 

1 Corinthians 10:13:  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Price against Temptation: (Verse 19-20)

• Obedience is costly, but rewarding: 
• Joseph lost his coat, but not his character.
• Joseph lost his title, but not his testimony.
• Joseph lost his position, but not his purity.
• Joseph lost his responsibility, but not his righteousness.
• Joseph lost his standing, but not his sanity.
• Joseph lost his job, but not his Joy.
• Joseph lost his security, but not His Savior. 

Application:  The Testimony of the Triangle

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Corey Batey vs. Brock Turner

 

I recently had an interesting discussion with someone, let's call him John, involving these two cases. John said that we are "always trying to make something about race" and then cited OJ Simpson as an example of an athlete who "got off when charged with egregious acts". I'm really tired of people pulling OJ Simpson out of their behinds every time this conversation comes up.

 

I definitely wouldn't be ok with someone receiving a mandatory 3 month sentence in jail after raping me behind a dumpster while I was unconscious. "John" agreed that he wouldn't be ok with that either. Furthermore I would feel even more disrespected if I found out that a man who did the exact same thing to another woman was sentenced 3000% more time.

 

John brought up OJ insinuating that the discrepancy is with money; saying that OJ could afford better lawyers. He continued to say that the crimes happened in different states to justify the sentence discrepancy. I took his suggestions into consideration.

 

In these two cases specifically, having money for lawyers wasn't an issue because they were both found guilty. Different states yes but Brock wasn't sentenced to 3 months because of the laws of the state, he was sentenced 3 months due to the discretion of the judge. The judge decided that he was too delicate for jail or a lengthy prison sentence while Cory's judge felt like he could handle prison just fine. Maybe it wasn't race and he was just lucky but statistics show that there are far more lucky white people than lucky black people.