Friday of Forgiveness: The Matthew West Song

By Kris Freeman
Revolution Church

"To forgive is set a prisoner free, and discover that prisoner was you." - Matthew West

Friday is for forgiveness. For today's story, I could not write it any better than the person did herself and the story which follows is one of incredible forgiveness that encompasses the love, empathy, passion, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ more than any I have ever known.

Renee Napier lost one of her twin daughters in an automobile accident, along with another of her daughter's friends. The driver who killed them was drunk, and convicted of his crime. What happened next is so inspiring that Christian artist Matthew West wrote a song about it.

I will let you read it for yourself at this link and then below, see the moment when Matthew West surprised her in person during a radio interview.

If you're struggling to forgive, like me at times, because you have been hurt and because you have hurt others, then here's a good reminder to never minimize the pain, but always give God the chance to do something bigger.

I love you, and these are my thoughts. Happy Friday. Enjoy.

Pastor K

"Forgiveness"

It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

The Power of the "Technology" Gospel...

By Kris Freeman
Revolution Church

Technology matters, and in the culture of today's church, it takes a front seat in the driving force of communication in this generation.

Sunday morning, I woke around 7:30 a.m. with my kids sleeping, my wife out of town and one foot of snow blanketing my front yard. Had I attempted to make it to the office just 10 minutes from my home, it would have been impossible.

The decision was made on Saturday by our church staff to cancel Sunday morning services, only the third time in our church history in six years this has taken place without any alternative worship time.  Our final decision was the direct result of our partnership with the City of White House, and responding to the Code Red alert for residents to stay home and off the roads unless in emergency situations. By Monday afternoon, temperatures rose and the city is returning to its normal activities on Tuesday by default.

From my home, I loaded a social media graphic to pass the announcement and share. On Sunday morning, we sent a notification through our church app to cancel services and offer alternatives. Sitting on my couch Saturday night, I loaded a previous service from July 12, 2015 and the Crash the Chatterbox series, built the digital platform and released it at 9 a.m.

By Sunday evening - the message had been viewed 277 times, and our videos in total were viewed a record 415 times in one 12-hour period. We had 17 live viewers on a Periscope live broadcast from my recliner at 10:45 a.m. talking about the Gospel of Matthew and over 61 replay viewers in the next 24 hours.

We received $200 in first-time online giving, and exceeded our normal weekly budget online for giving with recurring givers. In total, our budget took a slight hit of around $1,000, but minimal compared to the possibility of nothing at all. It is quite possible that amount could be made up faithfully by those who attend next Sunday and double tithing during service.

Overall, our technological base was a HUGE success on a snow day.

Almost every church in White House and our surrounding area cancelled on Sunday. Many of those have no system of return for the missed date. A church with no social media presence, no interactive technology and no online giving may have suffered a huge setback by missing one week of service. Let's break down the numbers for a moment: A church averaging $4,000 per week during in-service tithes and offering by cash and check may have suffered a 20 percent budget hit for the month of January (based on a five-week month at $20,000 which is average for a medium-sized church in this area). A church with no online presence may have missed one of just five hours of corporate worship time with guests, congregants, kids and families. There is no getting the time and investment back, and it would appear that church is facing a monumental uphill climb. Since churches are volunteer-based attendance and giving-based budget, missing a week of service would be like Wal-Mart closing its doors for seven days, while still paying its employees and expenses and trying to generating corporate momentum.

Most of all, one week with a corporate church gathering makes a big impact on the momentum of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being delivered to those who are seeking the most powerful reason a church exists: to equip and edify, and evangelize those who will find an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

On August 11-12, 2016, Revolution Church will serve as a Nashville host site for the Global Leadership Conference by Willow Creek Church in Chicago, Ill., by satellite feed.

For Revolution Church, from the beginning we have placed an importance on technology. Here are some of the things you will find at Revolution Church to help advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ through technological means:

1. An interactive church application for iOS and Android platforms.
2. Digital media production including Pro-Presenter software, digital audio with in-ear monitors and post-production mixing, HD video camera recording then post-production remix with audio. Three in-service screens for live technology (words, video and graphics). Live broadcast of our second service on Periscope (through Twitter).
3. A powerful social media platform and presence with a designed strategy for post times and target audience, including $5.00 per week budget for social media advertisements on Facebook to share videos of service.
4. Online giving, accounting for over 40 percent of the church's income budget, and growing weekly in user sign-up.
5. Square card-reader technology for merchandise sales of coffee cups, tee shirts, keychains and logo items in our welcome center.
6. Two WiFi networks open (with password required) for congregants using technology during service. Online worship notes accessible by digital app.
7. A network of open source resources with some of the largest churches in America, sharing free resources, videos, graphics, notes and digital files for the purpose of saving small churches money and time by using the resources of larger staff. Partnerships include NewSpring Church (Anderson, SC), Elevation Church (Charlotte) and LifeChurch.TV (Oklahoma City), Transformation Church (SC), and Willow Creek (Chicago).
8. Interactive kids curriculum through The Gospel Project (Lifeway).
9. Broadcast license partnerships through CCLI, CVLI and SermonSpice.
10. Church Management Software and Kids-Check in through Elexio Inc.

There is a much greater reach than the local church. Our media platform reaches to hundreds, if not thousands, of people around the world. Soldiers deployed from Revolution Church can watch online from Iraq, Afghanistan and European or South Asian destinations. Missionaries can view the services from at least 10 different countries. Churches in other networks partner with us through technology, and best of all: the NUMBER ONE reason people attend Revolution Church is from watching or finding the church online, and seeking out the real thing, in person. Those guests have a very high retention rate. 

Are you a stats person? Let me back that up. This is astounding.

In 2015, Revolution Church had 15,857 media views and 6,060 plays through our website, Vimeo, social media and embedding of other social networks. All-time, since 2010, Revolution Church has 141,183 media center loads or hits, and 35,080 video plays. The videos have been viewed in 78 countries around the world, and 90 undisclosed locations, including 253 plays from Portugal and 248 from Germany, most likely from military assignment of church members, community members and their families. 

The Gospel is no longer "come and see." The church must reach into the digital age. Access to the Gospel has never been more prevalent, and never been more important. 

Take the plunge, make a difference in your online footprint, and keep it professional, classy and an accurate representation of your church. Do not present what you are not; present who you are and allow your guests and partnerships around the world to get an verifiable representation of your local congregation.

We may not be a church of 1,000 locally. But we can reach thousands around the world. Thank you for sharing, and if we can help you, let us know how.

It costs money, it takes time and it spreads the message of Jesus. This is a worthwhile return of investment.

Live.Love.Serve. and thanks for checking in.

---

I love you all, and these are my thoughts.

Pastor K

Serving with Significance

By Kris Freeman

Revolution Church

Following Monday's holiday, we are having our weekly staff meeting at Revolution Church on Tuesday, and you may also be returning to work. One of the things we emphasize as a staff and a church is serving with significance. Based on Sunday's message from Matthew 20, remember that "among you it will be different. He that is among you that wants to be your leader must first be your servant."

Our mission is Live.Love.Serve. No matter your business, organization or individual involvement in either, you can serve with significance. Every visitor here is a guest; in fact we never use that word "visitor" at all in any of our verbiage or printed material or from the stage. We don't believe in visitors. We want to welcome guests. Everyone does their part, from the paid employee to the unpaid volunteer.

Here are 12 steps to serving with significance. Enjoy, and make a difference!

Serve with Significance

Twelve Principles of Serving with Significance

1. I am empowered to build strong relationships, from the moment a guest steps onto the property.

2. I am reminded to always think like a first-time guest

        a. Are signs properly placed?

        b. Do people understand where to go?

        c. Are we greeting at every point of contact?

3. I am empowered to create an environment for our guests and be what they need.

4. I understand my role. I am significant and I matter to our guests and they should always matter to me.

5. I seek to be innovative and creative and am not afraid to try new things.

6. I resolve problems myself and don’t pass off what I can do on my own.

7. I am a teammate of others who serve and involve them in my role.

8. I am always learning and growing and finding ways to improve.

9. I am a planner and will be prepared.

10. I am proud of my appearance, language and behavior.

11. I am aware of security issues and privacy, and always prepared to look out for the best of our guests and my organization.

12. I am clean and safe. I will step up and keep my environment accident-free and proper for presentation.

Jesus died for every person. May we always treat our guests like they matter as much as Jesus died that they do.

Pastor Kris

01.17.16 Notes (Good News Week 3)

#GOODNEWS Week Three

The Gospel of Matthew

Pastor Kris Freeman

Revolution Church

Watch the service in full on http://www.periscope.tv/pastorkrisf 

Matthew 20:13-16 (NLT)

13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ 16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

Serving is not measured by FAME .

Serving is measured by FAITHFULNESS .

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. - John Bunyan

Matthew 20:20-27 (NLT)

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” 22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The latter chapters of Matthew open the events leading to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We will finish those stories in week four. Here’s a recap of where we are:

-       Matthew 17 - The Transfiguration of Jesus

-       Matthew 18 - The Greatest, the Lost Sheep, Conflict

-       Matthew 19 - Divorce and Marriage, The Rich Man

-       Matthew 20 - Serving

-       Matthew 21 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem, Clears Temple

-       Matthew 22 - The Great Feast, the Great Commandment

-       Matthew 23 - Jesus and Religious Leaders

The opposition to Jesus is mounting, but the kingdom of God through Jesus is UNFOLDING .

Never has there been a more relevant sermon to the mission of Revolution Church than one about being selfless and serving.

1.   Serving is a matter of SACRIFICE .

• Matthew was a servant of the rule of the government and became a servant of people through Jesus.

• He gave up what he COULD HAVE for what others NEEDED.

2. Serving is a matter of SELFLESSNESS .

• Arrogant people do not serve. Arrogant people expect to be rewarded. Arrogant people desire prestige.

• Servants desire the BEST for the REST .

3. Serving is a matter of SALVATION .

• Works will not save you, but they will SHOW you have it.

10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers,[a] as you still do. - Heb. 6:10

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” - James 2:17-18

The Gospel of Matthew is an original series of Revolution Church. Pastor Kris Freeman and Revolution Church © 2016. www.liveloveserve.us

Good News Reading Plan (Jan. 17-23)

Bible Reading Plan for Good News: The Gospel of Matthew

Jan. 3 - Matthew 1

Jan. 4 - Matthew 2

Jan. 5 - Matthew 3

Jan. 6 - Matthew 4

Jan. 7 - Matthew 5-7

Jan. 8 - Matthew 8-9

Jan. 9 - Matthew 10

Jan. 10 - Matthew 11

Jan. 11 - Matthew 12

Jan. 12 - Matthew 13

Jan. 13 - Matthew 14

Jan. 14 - Matthew 15

Jan. 16 - Matthew 16-17

Jan. 17 - Matthew 18

Jan. 18 - Matthew 19

Jan. 19 - Matthew 20

Jan. 20 - Matthew 21

Jan. 21 - Matthew 22

Jan. 22 - Matthew 23

Jan. 23 - Matthew 24

See you next week and bring your Bible!

Friday of Forgiveness: "Nothing You Can Do"

By Kris Freeman
Revolution Church

Musial: Original image The Boston Globe

Each Friday, we want to bring a story of redemption, called Friday of Forgiveness. Let me open with a story close to my heart, from the legendary left-handed swinging Hall of Famer of the St. Louis Cardinals. This edition of the Friday of Forgiveness comes from Stan Musial.

Stan the Man played 3,026 games beginning in 1941 for 22 seasons, and his last at-bat was a base hit though the hole between second and first. The rookie second baseman that day for the Cincinnati Reds was Pete Rose. Those two players combined for over 8,000 hits from 1941-1986.

But in a particular game in 1954, writer Joe Posnanski recalls the tale of Musial batting in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs and pitcher Paul Minner had shut out the Cardinals 3-0, facing the minimum until Wally Moon reached base. Musial casually stepped to the plate and doubled down the right field line, scoring Moon and breaking the hold facing the Cardinals on this frustrating day.

Except first base umpire Lee Ballanfant defiantly stood as the play came to a close and refused to change his call. Though the hard line drive had dropped inside the foul line, Ballanfant called it foul. The Cardinals bench erupted. Home plate umpire Augie Donatelli ejected manager Eddie Stanky and Cardinals shortstop Solly Hemus. A near brawl and riot ensued on the field. On deck batter Peanuts Lowery nearly got thrown out as well.

At this moment, a quietly demeaned Musial did not fully know what was going on and stepped away from second base to ask Donatelli what had taken place. Donatelli was critical in Musial's career - not much later he was also behind the plate when Musial hit five home runs in a single double header, and he was again behind the plate for the slugger's 3,000th career hit.

On this day, Donatelli upheld his first base umpire's call and it was foul. Musial returned to the box and Moon back to first.

"What happened, Augie? It didn't count, huh?" Posnanski writes of Musial's words. "Well, there's nothing you can do about it."

Musial stepped back in, laced another double to the exact same spot, and on this occasion Ballanfant called it fair and the Cardinals erupted for six runs and won the game.

Musial's reaction is a lesson.

Forgiveness involves a number of elements. You could have been the guilty party and needed to ask for it. You could have been the innocent party and needed to receive it. You could have been the co-party and needed to participate in a dual apology. But forgiveness is critical to moving forward and becoming successful in any part of life.

We all have been hurt, and those hurts are real. What we do with those hurts will determine where you go. Many people have been hurt in ways that cannot be made right, but forgiveness allows us to take a different perspective.

What if Musial had become so consumed with the umpire's call that he struck out? His team lost? He got ejected for arguing and ruined his legacy? Or let's say he did all or any of those things and then needed later to make it right.

Forgiveness begins with giving or hearing an apology, but it comes through admittance and confession. But the key is to let it go and move on. Today, I challenge you to learn to forgive.

Unforgiveness is poison, it's toxic, and sometimes it seems right in vengeance and honor but it's never fulfilling. Unforgiveness can release a viscous cycle of rebuttal which will never be made right.

I think of other baseball calls. I struggle, as every Cardinals fan does, to forgive umpire Don Dekinger for blowing an out call in the 1985 World Series which ultimately cost the Cardinals a title. But the biggest issue was - there was STILL another game. The Cardinals came unglued in game seven and were blown out by the Royals, resulting in a 3-1 deficit becoming a 4-3 series win for Kansas City. The image is burned into my mind of Todd Worrell's foot reaching the bag first. But it will never change.

Perhaps this is not about baseball, but a greater hurt. Abuse, innocence lost, tempers flared, words said, stupidity lessons learned. Forgiveness is the power of releasing what hurt is in you for the good that has yet to be revealed in others.

Consider that Matthew West wrote a song about this. A family member decided to forgive a criminal who committed vehicular homicide with a DUI and killed her family member. They now travel together speaking about forgiveness and the dangers of drunk driving. THAT'S forgiveness.

What about a missionary who was killed and his family members returned to those tribal areas to plant churches? That's forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not getting even. There's NEVER an even. Jesus died on the cross to OVERCOME sin, not GET EVEN with it. He became sin, who knew no sin, so we might become His righteousness (Tomlin).

Forgiveness could also be as simple as letting go of a hurt that is consuming you. The Bible says in Matthew 18 that between people, it is a matter of confronting and discussing and then moving forward. But what if that person is yourself.

Oh, that mirror is blurry, isn't it?

God said he forgives and tosses your sin as far as the east is from the west. You cannot forget. He can, but you cannot. You must, however, forgive.

Forgive others, just as Christ has forgiven you.

There's six runs waiting on it. Don't lose this game because you got thrown out.

When the enemy brings up the past and cries foul, remind him, "Well, there's nothing you can do about it."

Keep swinging. Forgiveness is a reminder that there's always a second chance.

---

I love you all, and these are my thoughts.

Pastor K

No is not a Failure...

By Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church

My pastor, Tim Williams, preached the message clear. Abraham sent a servant to find a wife for Isaac. If he didn't find the right one, the servant asked if he should return and take Isaac to another place to find the wife himself. Read the passage here, as the father of nations spoke directly with the word.

Genesis 24:1 (NLT) Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. 2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. 3 Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. 4 Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.”

5 The servant asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel so far from home? Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?”

6 “No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there. 7 For the Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.[a] He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son. 8 If she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath of mine. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there.”

Abraham said no. Isaac had a place and a plan, and it was Abraham's purpose to ensure it.

We live in a culture where no has become the buzzword for failure. Donald Trump shouts "you're fired." American Idol refuses a golden ticket to Hollywood. Bosses reject resumes and applications. Schools turn down academic prowess and bypass acceptance. And we turn away from these presumed failures with a broken spirit.

Yet, no is not always the wrong answer. Perhaps, Abraham knew that for the will of God to be accomplished, a no meant the foundation was laid for a better yes. And therefore, he was firm that no was a good decision.

In life, sometimes Abraham says no. Your dreams get a no. Your finances get a no. Your sports team gets a no. Your kids hear no. Your spouse says no. Your goals say no. Your weight loss scale says no. And you have the ability as these moments to quit.

It's in the no, God delivers a yes. Adversity MAKES you better than success will ever BREAK you.

If you are searching for your dreams, let me speak some words of "YES" into your life so that when the "no" moment comes, you do not quit. You instead, learn to look with spiritual eyes and have a better vision for what is in store.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker

There keys to Dreaming Past Your "No"...

1. The best way to dream is "try" harder than you think. You must put action to your dreams.
2. No is never a failure. It is an opportunity. The person who is afraid of a no, will never fully appreciate the yes.
3. Believe in yourself. The most genuine quality on earth is confidence wrapped in integrity and humility.

Make it happen.

1. Market your dream. Get your story in front of the right people and maintain the proper sense of humility when God allows you to share it. Remember, you are a city set upon a hill, but the glory from the light belongs to God.
2. Be thankful. Never miss an opportunity because you are focused on yourself. Take a full inventory of the people you meet and realize every person could be a critical step in your journey.
3. Invest in others. While searching for your dreams, don't forget the people who are inspired by them. Let your adversities drive you to success and teach others to be better than you could have ever imagined.

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”  - Martin Luther King Jr.

Don't let no stop you. Let it define you. Then, the right yes is the perfect fit.

Because you dreamed big, the no prepared you for the day you finally found the right thing.

---

I love you all, and these are my thoughts.

Pastor K

He Had the Voice of God...

By Kris Freeman
Revolution Church

GALLATIN, TN -- The bellow of his laugh was so contagious, this gentle-hearted servant calling out into the crisp February air.

Snow fell, as Greg Strickland stepped into the batters box and Dustin Layne, a bulldog second baseman, swung two bats with donut sleeves in the on-deck circle.

Following his introduction to less than 20 fans who braved this brisk winter day, Charles Thomas turned to me and said, "Kris, this is a great day for baseball."

Charles was the father of the coach, a team ranked in the top three in the nation for NJCAA baseball, fresh off a trip to the Junior College World Series. There we sat, a makeshift press box located on top of the first base dugout in Gallatin, TN. This field would be transformed later into the Tim Garrett Baseball Complex at Volunteer State College, and we spent part of the season sitting on the third base dugout at Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field (prior to remodel) while our lights were being installed. It was 1995-1996. Life was good.

And Charles was my right-hand man, or maybe I was his. Little did he know, he was my hero. He could speak like thunder, and then wrap a kindergartener around his little finger with the meekness of a Sunday School teacher. He never once spoke anything but a positive word to me, and reminded me that "one day kid, you're going to do big things."
My goal at that point was to marry the woman running the radio station and not commit an FCC violation while on the air. I accomplished both. I bet you did not know Jennifer was a D.J. - but that's a different story for a different time.

Charles' son (Kenny Thomas) was the head coach of the Pioneers until 1999 and later left Gallatin to become the head coach of the University of South Carolina at Aiken where he still leads the baseball program. I think his dad went with him. I never saw Mr. Thomas the elder again, though I have spoken to coach a couple of times.

I'll never forget the day he let me fill in. I did play-by-play over radio and public address announcing at the stadium at the same time while he attended a family event. He was my biggest fan. He was everybody's biggest fan. I asked him if one day I could take his job, and he said "Son, this isn't a job. This is what I do because I love it."
When he was not announcing live, he would take a radio mic and provide color commentary for me on 88.5 FM. Every minute or so, he would have to push the "other" button and talk to the fans live at the event. His voice was so smooth, we just let him echo over the radio and never talked over him.

Twenty years later, I am less that 500 feet from that same Vanderbilt baseball field where we called games on top of the dugout for half a season while Vol State used their field. After 18 years in full-time ministry, I was blessed this year to be named the public address announcer for the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball program.

I wish I knew if Mr. Thomas the elder was still alive.

I would love to call him. I would love to say that dreaming is worth it, and thank you for believing in me.

I would tell him specifically:
1. I married her.
2. I made it.
3. You were my hero.
4. Thank you for encouraging me to dream big. It's worth it.

Maybe he was God after all, and the Lord just decided to look like Charles Thomas and never tell us otherwise.

They sure sounded like the same person.

---

I love you all, and these are my thoughts.

Pastor K

Good News Reading Plan

Bible Reading Plan for Good News: The Gospel of Matthew

Jan. 3 - Matthew 1

Jan. 4 - Matthew 2

Jan. 5 - Matthew 3

Jan. 6 - Matthew 4

Jan. 7 - Matthew 5-7

Jan. 8 - Matthew 8-9

Jan. 9 - Matthew 10

Jan. 10 - Matthew 11

Jan. 11 - Matthew 12

Jan. 12 - Matthew 13

Jan. 13 - Matthew 14

Jan. 14 - Matthew 15

Jan. 16 - Matthew 16-17

01.10.16 Notes (Good News Week 2)

#GOODNEWS Week Two

The Gospel of Matthew

Pastor Kris Freeman

Revolution Church

Matthew 12:22-37 (NLT)

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. 30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

The middle chapters of Matthew involve the works of Jesus as he fulfilled his earthly ministry.

Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends out the Twelve Disciples

Matthew 11 - Jesus and John the Baptist

Matthew 12 - The Sabbath and Jesus casts out demons

Matthew 13 - Parables Begin

Matthew 14 - Jesus feeds 5,000, Walks on Water

Matthew 15 - Jesus teaches about Purity

Matthew 16 - Jesus predicts his Death

Once again, Jesus is healing but encounters the PHARISEES .

“A Kingdom Divided”

-       Unity is an Old Testament PRINCIPLE that is reinforced by a New Testament PROMISE .

-       The Pharisees were trying to divide a Kingdom that Jesus has yet to fully establish

They accuse Jesus of casting out demons for DEMONSTRATION .

If Jesus ACTUALLY did that, he committed BLASPHEMY .

What is blasphemy?

-       Attribution of the works of The Holy Spirit to the works of Satan/demonic

-       If you commit blasphemy, there is no forgiveness

-       God will harden your heart

Jesus came to redeem people from their sin.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23

Will you give an account for what is forgiven?

JESUS already has.

1.   Admit you are a sinner.

2.   Believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and the Son of God

3.   Confess your sins (repent of your sins).

Disciple - Become a follower of Jesus and grow with Him

The Gospel of Matthew is an original series of Revolution Church. Pastor Kris Freeman and Revolution Church © 2016. www.liveloveserve.us