Just One Good Break

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

Sometimes we don't see how we can accomplish our dreams because the odds seem against you but we're all iust 1 good break away from turning the impossible into the possible.

Compaq Center opportunity came because of 1 phone call after the family had been working to build a new facility for years and had 2 facilities sold out from under them.

You don't need everyone to be for you only the right people. God knows how to make up for lost times.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV

David worked in the shepherd's field, he was the youngest with the least experience. Man would not have chosen him...his dad didn't even volunteer him as an option. It wasn't until Samuel insisted that the older sons had not been chosen by God.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord , endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

Psalms 138:8 NLT

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,

Acts 2:26 NIV

Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

Jonathan surprised her (his mom) to express his appreciation and it moved her because she taught him to express his thanksgiving.

Nothing is closer to the heart of God than to help others. 

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

Genesis 12:2 NLT

When you make someone's day God will make your day. 

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. "

Luke 6:38 NLT

You have to do it when you don't feel like it. 

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13:15‭-‬16 NLT

Just Like Jesus

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 John 4:12‭-‬14‭, ‬20 KJV

To be like Jesus we have to approach Jesus in 3 ways. 

Context: that of the Bible. The whole world can have him and we don't get to decide who has access.

Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

Ephesians 2:16‭-‬18 MSG

Content: Jesus didn't come to make us feel good he came to save us from our sins.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 4:17‭-‬19 KJV

Contact: Jesus was intimate with EVERYONE. Everyone matters in the kingdom. You will have to love your enemies.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Acts 10:34‭-‬35 KJV

To be like Jesus you'll have to die in 3 areas:

Personal Ambition

External Validation

Flesh

Be Jesus in 3 areas:

Culture: Be a functional believer. Be relational relatable and relevant.

Community:

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts of the Apostles 4:32‭-‬37 NLT

Crisis: We don't get to only help people who believe.