Sermons & Teachings from CityReach Church Cleveland, led by Pastor Justin Maslanka
Episodes
Friday Aug 05, 2016
Friday Aug 05, 2016
Friday Aug 05, 2016
Practicing the presence of God ESTABLISHES us in a sense of God’s presence by CONTINUALLY CONVERSING with Him, and therefore, EQUIPS us to CARRY OUT the Father’s will atany and all times, no matter what is happening around us or where we are.
Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Brother Lawrence said, “The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer.”
Psalm 139:7-8 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
God is OMNIPRESENT – meaning He is EVERYWHERE SIMULTANEOUSLY. If this is true, why are there times or situations when it seems like He is distant or even absent? We know that God is not the one with limitations. However we exist in THIS world and in these EARTHEN vessels, which bring along with them certain limitations.These limitations effect our awareness of God’s presence.
BUT, as believers, God’s Spirit dwells within us (1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19), so we can break free from these limits!
CULTIVATING AN AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is FULLY AWARE of God’s presence because they are one
1 John 5:7-8 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement., (these three are one)
This means that through the Holy Spirit IN us, we are also one in Him (John 17:21) and are able to MOVE BEYOND ANY LIMITATIONS to gain a complete AWARENESS of God’s presence. In Christ, our ability to be aware is LIMITLESS.
It is a work of the Spirit in us and our cooperation with Him – His leading, teaching,guiding, that will create an awareness of God’s presence in our lives. We are utterly dependent on the Spirit to accomplish this.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
This cultivation, this “practice” of relying on the Holy Spirit, living BY the Spirit (Gal 5:25; Rom 8:5-9) leads us to become MORE AWARE of God’s presence
This is the starting rung on the figurative ladder where we ascend and God descends
Greater awareness is the first step in a greater experience;a greater knowing (epignosis) of God; greater understanding of His ways, His wisdom, His thoughts, His voice (His speaking)….so that we can carry out His will on earth AS IT IS in heaven.
ATTRIBUTES OF CULTIVATION
1. SEASONAL in Nature
2. ADJUSTS to Conditions
3. Occurs through ACTIVE Participation
4. Depends on CONSISTENCY Over Time
5. Requires CARE (Feeding AND Weeding)
AREAS OF CULTIVATION
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of ourLord Jesus Christ.
1. Physical Space (Body & Environment)
2. Soul Space (Mind, Will, Emotions)
3. Spiritual Space (Inner Man)
Wednesday Aug 03, 2016
Wednesday Aug 03, 2016
Key Verse
2Corinthians 3:18 Butwe all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, arebeing transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by theSpirit of the Lord.
*The gloryof God,will transform my life.
*The gloryof God will bring out the Jesus in me.
*The HolySpirit desires to lead me into God’s presence.
Personal Declaration-I was created to live in Christ!
John15:7-9 “Ifyou abide in Me,and My words abide in you,you will ask what you desire,and itshall be done for you.”By this My Father is glorified,that you bear muchfruit;so you will be My disciples.”As the Father loved Me,I also lovedyou;abide in My love.
Personal Declaration-In every area of my life,I am fullyequipped to live in Jesus and to reflect God’s love.
As God’schildren and heirs to His promises,God’s word and the daily application of Hisword will recalibrate and realign my life that I may reflect His image withclarity to the world around me.
These 2weeks it’s our desire to look deeper into 5 areas of our daily lives and toallow the Holy Spirit to realign us both individually and corporately to Hisgood,perfect and pleasing plan for us.
#1 In Prayer
#2 In Service
#3 In Faith
#4 In Hope
#5 In Love
Wednesday Aug 03, 2016
Tuesday Aug 02, 2016
Tuesday Aug 02, 2016
JESUS SPEAKS
COURSE INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS THE JESUS SPEAKS SCHOOL OF MINISTRY?
Hebrews 1:1-3a 1“Inthe past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets atmany times and in various ways, 2 butin these last days he has spoken to us by his Son….3The Son is the radiance ofGod’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining allthings by his powerful word. …”
John 1:1 Inthe beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
JESUS ISTHE WORD OF GOD. GOD has spoken through Him and continues to Speak by His SON to His people.
The JESUS SPEAKS SCHOOL OF MINISTRY is a 2-week intensive, CENTERED in PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE WORD of GOD and EQUIPPING for Kingdom Ministry. We expect a powerful encounter with the Living God during this time and to see people trained and equipped fortheir Kingdom purpose. We are committed to “practicing the presence of God” in all we engage in so that we may become MORE AWARE of His presence.
Each day will begin with a powerful time in the Lord focused around experiencing His presence through Worship and Prayer, pressing in for breakthrough in our lives and crying out to God for our city. We will pray as Jesus prayed – by FAITH, to a Loving & Holy Father, “for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.
Powerful times in God’s presence will be followed by practical instruction in the word, with life application and an eye toward becoming ever sharper in hearing JESUS SPEAK and releasing HIS KINGDOM in the Lives of a hurting generation. We are going to REACH THE ONE who is far from God, to help them become a PASSIONATE FOLLOWER of Jesus. We are going to RESTORE the LAND and REASSIGN desolate inheritances (Isaiah 49:8)
Every Thursday, opportunity for outreach, evangelism and ministry to the poor will take center-stage as we put to use the tools we are sharpening.
Every person who seeks God WILL FIND HIM, regardless of age or experience. Whether you area seasoned leader or a brand new disciple, you will walk away refreshed,empowered, hearing the voice of God and ready to live a life of presence and purpose.
HOW CAN I MAXIMIZE THIS TIME FOR FULL GROWTH?
1. 1. Have an OPEN AND TRUSTING HEART TOWARD GOD.
Luke 11:11-13 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg,will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
2. 2.Engage in prayer and worship with EFFORT AND ENTHUSIASM.
3. 3. Be TEACHABLE AND FLEXIBLE – Love what is true more than whatyou want to be true. Be willing to accept there are different ways of doing things. Be willing to adjust to changes with a positive attitude.
4. 4. CHECK THE SCRIPTURES – let them be our guide.
5. 5. Do your best to MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS in your personal life.
6. 6. Do your best in every class to seek God with all your heart. Learn FROM GOD not just about Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
7. 7. Realize YOUR EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT – turn off phones, use bathroom on breaks, think of others first.
8. 8. RESPECT OTHERS – everyone has a different story or background and an equal right to instruction. Commit to serving, spurring on and sharpening each other.
9. 9. COME OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. It may be where God is waiting.
10. 10. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS,especially when ministering to others.
11. 11. PUT TO PRACTICE what you are learning!
12. 12. EXPECT GOD to do the unexpected.
WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE?
9:00-10:05 Worship & Prayer
10:05-10:15 Break
10:15-11:00 Session 1
11:00-11:10 Break
11:10-12:00 Session 2
12:00- 2:00 Outreach—Thursdays only
In addition to weekly outreach we are planning other outreach opportunities on Saturday, August 20thand monthly events as we move into September. Details to follow.
THOUGHTS TO INITIATE OUR TIME:
1. During this time, I am expecting God to….
2. During this time, I can please God most by…
3. The last thing God said to me was…
4. The promises God has given to me are…
5. The important scriptures God has been emphasizing in my life are…
Tuesday Aug 02, 2016
Tuesday Aug 02, 2016
Tuesday Aug 02, 2016
Revelation 3:20
Wednesday Jun 29, 2016
Tuesday Jun 21, 2016
Tuesday Jun 21, 2016