Rewatch or catch up on the full sermon with the link below!
Recent Sermon Notes
What a weekend we had with guest minister Nancy Dufresne. She shared on the power of faith and reminded us that God and the Holy Spirit should always remain our focus. That means when we face difficulty, listening to the Holy Spirit, our guide on the inside, is the best thing that we can do. You can walk in faith toward your miracle!
Pastor Jim delivered his seventh installment in his series on the book of Romans, entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The first three chapters of Romans focuses explicitly on the definition of sin. “Because,” as Pastor Jim says, “if you don’t understand what sin is, you will not understand the solution to the sin problem.” Paul wanted them to understand that all of mankind has a sin problem, and no matter who you are, you will never, ever be able to achieve righteousness through your own merit. If doesn’t matter if you’re a secular pagan who worships Zeus or a religious Jew who strictly follows the law, God will never see you as righteous through your own effort. Pastor Jim has much more to say in this message subtitled, “All Under Sin.”
Last Sunday, Pastor Mac taught a message entitled, “They Brought.” He said, “If you’re in a relationship with the Lord, you’re in a covenant with Him. And that covenant is one of blessing.” Yet, many covenant believers do not seem to walk in the level of blessing the Bible promises. Why is that? Pastor Mac said walking fully in the provision and purpose of God begins by understanding what the definition of a covenant actually is.
What a wonderful Easter weekend we had as we celebrated Jesus! His resurrection is the focal point for our faith, for it bridges the gap between the seen realm and the unseen realm. As you go through your day today, remember that the resurrection power of Jesus has the ability to raise your circumstances high above anything you can imagine. The touch of death does not need to destroy your life! God’s resurrection power is at work in you and through you to touch this world for Him.
Pastor Jim gave the fifth installment of his series entitled, “Grace Unveiled.” The first three chapters of Romans can be summed up by saying people who rely on their own righteousness, their own ability, their own self-effort will not escape the judgment of God. It is only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can any man escape His judgment. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul defines New Testament righteousness as the ability to stand before God without a sense of guilt or inferiority.
Upper Midwest Faith Explosion
Dr. Jerry Savelle, Kenneth Copeland, and Dr. Jesse Duplantis
August 17–21, 2022
Recap:
When the world is filled with chaos and disorder, you don’t have to be. God has positioned you on this earth for a reason. It’s not so you can worry about what the world worries about or be consumed by this life. God wants you to bring His light to the world. He wants you to expand His kingdom; because He is good, He will expand your life as you expand His kingdom. Hearing these truths is what expands our faith in the possibilities that God can do in our lives. That’s why we were so blessed to sit under the ministry of Dr. Jerry Savelle, Kenneth Copeland, and Dr. Jesse Duplantis this past week!
Dive Deeper:
Dr. Jerry Savelle kicked off our UMFE meetings by talking about the divine acceleration he believes is coming our way. Things are speeding up on this earth, and as things speed up, God is ready to move His hand and position His children to receive from Him. We don’t have to be shaken by what is happening in this world. We can expect that God will take care of us in the middle of it.
Thursday, Dr. Savelle continued to talk about divine acceleration and how that positions us to receive the favor of God. We can look for, watch, and expect God’s favor in our lives. As God brings favor into our lives, we can turn that favor toward blessing others. We are blessed to be a blessing to this world!
Kenneth Copeland continued our meetings on Friday night talking about the importance of our words. Our words matter. They contain spiritual power and can create positive situations when we use them wisely. What words are you speaking? Faith-filled words dominate the laws of sin and death.
Dr. Jesse Duplantis talked about expansion on Saturday, which is the breath of Christianity. An expanded life is clarified by a vision of transformed values. It’s vitalized by a larger motive, and it is deepened by wider horizons. In Sunday’s first message, he talked about the approval of outcasts that Jesus receives. Some people will disapprove of God’s approval of outcasts, but we must pass through the fire of people’s disapproval. We must spread God’s Word and kingdom without holding back!
The last message Dr. Jesse preached was about the three temptations Satan brought to Jesus in the wilderness. If Jesus was approached with these three temptations, you will be too. In fact, because Satan lacks creativity, these are the three methods he will use to tempt every person. Be aware of his ways, so you can lean into God’s answers!
Throughout this week, we were reminded of the message of hope we can bring to the world through the seven new churches Living Word wants to plant throughout this next year! We are increasing our faith not only for our lives, but so we can bring God’s kingdom to the world.
Read More:
John 2:1–11 KJV
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Psalm 145:14–16 Amp.
The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor.
Proverbs 11:25 Msg.
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Mark 11:22–24 KJV
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Luke 19:1–10 KJV
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 4:1–13 KJV
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you seen God’s favor at work in your life?
2. Have you seen the work of God seem to speed up over the last few years?
3. What words will you speak today?
4. What is one way you can expand God’s kingdom at home, at work, or at school?