C. BOSTIAN                  NO CANCELLATION BY CLASSIFICATION                 12/28/03

 

1 Peter 1:18-21 (MsgB) 

    It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. [19] He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. [20] And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. [21] It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV) 

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 

(INS) DEMOGRAPHICS EXPERTS SAY THAT THERE ARE 5.8 BILLION PEOPLE ON PLANET EARTH.  94, 000 OF THEM WERE BORN LAST NIGHT.  THAT’S A LOT OF LABOR PAINS AND STRETCH MARKS GIRLS. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS THE SAME DNA OR FINGERPRINT.  THAT MEANS GOD WITH HIS AWESOME CREATIVITY HAS PRODUCED IN YOU AN INDIVIDUAL THAT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. YOU ARE A UNIQUE SPECIMEN; THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER PERSON LIKE YOU. YOU MIGHT JUST TELL YOU SPOUSE OR YOUR NEIGHBOR: ‘ITS GOOD TO MEET AN ORIGINAL CAUSE YOU ARE NOT A COPY.  GOD DOES NOT WANT SAMENESS.  YOU SEE, AGREEMENT REQUIRES DIVERSITY.  UNITY DEMANDS DIVERSITY.  IF WE ARE ALL THE SAME THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AND THERE IS NO VARIETY AND DIVERSITY AND IT WOULDN’T REQUIRE AGREEMENT.  BUT THANK GOD WE ARE DIFFERENT.  IF ANY TWO OF US ARE IDENTICAL ONE OF US IS UNECESSARY.  YOU ARE UNIQUE, THERE IS NOT ANOTHER YOU.  NO, WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT.  (INS) SO UNITY PLUS DIVERSITY EQUALS MATURITY.

 

1 Cor. 12:18-25 (KJV) 

    But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [20] But now are they many members, yet but one body. [21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. [24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: [25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

 

SO GOD’S NOT INTO SAMENESS.  (INS) SO WHY DID GOD CREATE ALL OF US DIFFERENT?  HE WANTS TO TEACH US THE PRINCIPLE OF SCARCITY.  ECONOMIST TEACH US THAT THE VALUE OF SOMETHING IS DETERMINED BY HOW RARE IT IS.  THE SCARCER SOMETHING IS THE MORE VALUE IS PLACED ON IT.  HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW ASPHALT ISN’T VERY RARE CAUSE WE DRIVE ON IT ALL THE TIME.  BUT IF WE WERE TO PAVE OUR PARKING LOT IN GOLD WE’D BE THE POOREST ONE SERVICE CHRUCH IN ABERDEEN. WHY?  CAUSE EVERYBODY WOULD COME AND TAKE IT BECAUSE GOLD IS A RARE AND HIGHLY VALUABLE COMMODITY.  OIL IS VALUABLE, DIAMONDS ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT FIND THEM EVERY WHERE. (INS)SO GOD MADE YOU UNIQUE AND IRREPLACEABLE CAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO LOOSE YOUR VALUE. 

 

(INS)Rev. 12:10-11 (MsgB)

Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying, Salvation and power are established! Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah!

The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God. [11] They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren't in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.

 

REALIZE THIS MORNING HOW INCREDIBLELY PRECIOUS AND VALUABLE YOU ARE TO GOD. (INS) DON’T LET THE DEVIL DEVALUE YOU THROUGH EVENTS, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, DEMEANING WORDS THAT BREAK YOUR SPIRIT AND CAUSES YOU TO BAIL OUT OF RELATIONSHIPS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND EVEN LIFE ITSELF.  EVEN WORSE THAN THAT YOU BEGIN TO BAIL OUT ON GOD’S WILL, PURPOSE AND DESTINY FOR YOUR LIFE CAUSE YOU THINK YOU’RE WORTH-LESS.

 

I READ THE OTHER DAY SOME STATISTICS THAT ARE SHOCKING.  SUICIDE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR 15 YRS. – 23 YRS. OLD.  THAT WAS ALARMING.  ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (INS) 30,000 DEATHS TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR BY SUICIDE IN THAT AGE BRACKET.  THAT NUBER IS MORE THAN THE HOMICIDES IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH MEANS THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE KILLING THEMSELVES THAN THAT ARE MURDERED BECAUSE THEY FELT HOPELESS AND VALUELESS.  THAT’S SHOCKING. 

 

(INS) Matthew 20:27-28 (KJV)

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: [28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

HOW VALUABLE ARE YOU?  WELL YOU ARE AS VALUABLE AS THE PRICE GOD PAID TO BUY YOU BACK. (INS) JESUS DIDN’T DIE TO MAKE YOU VALUABLE.  JESUS DIED TO PROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR WORTH TO HIM.  (INS) YOU WERE WORTH THE DEATH OF GOD.  THAT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT ON MY WORST DAY OF FAILURE AND BLUNDERS THAT I AM THAT VALUABLE TO GOD.  WHAT A VALUABLE PERSON YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. DON’T TALK BAD ABOUT YOURSELF ANY MORE.  LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY YOU’RE GOOD THING, YOU’RE OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD AND WHEN HE MADE YOU HE MADE A GOOD THING. (INS) ASK GOD TO PERMANEANTLY DAMAGE YOUR IGNORANCE.  YOU ARE A GOOD THING.

 

DID YOU KNOW THE WEALTHIEST SPOT ON PLANET EARTH IS NOT THE OIL FIELDS OF THE MIDDLE EAST, NOT THE DIAMOND FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA, ITS OUR CEMETARIES. WHY?  (INS) BECAUSE BURIED IN THOSE CEMETARIES ARE BOOKS THAT WERE NEVER WRITTEN, DREAMS THAT WERE NEVER FULFILLED, INVENTIONS THAT WERE NEVER CREATED AND IDEAS THAT NEVER HAPPENED.  CEMETARIES ARE VISIONS THAT NEVER BECAME A REALITY, SONGS THAT WERE NEVER SUNG.  PEOPLE DIED TO THEIR DREAMS AND PASSIONS.  GREAT BUSINESS ARE BURIED THERE THAT WILL NEVER BE BUILT.  THERE ARE GREAT CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES BURIED THERE.  YOU SEE, BURIED IN OUR CEMETARIES TODAY ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED TO THE AWESOME DREAM OF GOD IN THEIR HEARTS. THE AWESOME POWER OF POTENTIAL WAS BURIED.

 

(INS) Matthew 10:6-8 (MsgB)

Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. [7] Tell them that the kingdom is here. [8] Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.

 

JESUS MANDATE TO THE CHURCH WAS TO HEAL THE SICK, TO TOUCH HURTING PEOPLE, TO CAST OUT DEMONS AND TO RAISE THE DEAD.   NOW HE’S NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE PHYSICALLY DIED ALTHOUGH HE CAN DO THAT AS WELL.  WHEN WE THINK ABOUT RAISING THE DEAD WE NEED TO ALSO CONSIDER THE AWESOME PRIVILEGE AND POWER OF THE CHURCH TO RAISE THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD, EMOTIONALLY DEAD PEOPLE, THE DREAM DEAD PEOPLE.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED TO THEIR TALENT AND POTENTIAL  AND RESTORE VISION, PURPOSE, DESTINY AND VALUE TO PEOPLE.  (INS) DO YOU REALIZE THAT THE ONLY AGENCY ON EARTH THAT HAS THE POWER AND PRIVILEGE TO RAISE THE DEAD IS THE CHURCH?  THE GOVERNMENT CAN’T DO THAT.  THE ECONOMIST CAN’T DO THAT.  THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS OR EVEN THE INDEPEDENTS CAN’T DO THAT.  ONLY THE CHURCH CAN RAISE THE SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DEAD BY THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND RESTORE HOPE AND VALUE TO PEOPLE.  WHO BUT GOD KNOWS THE POTENTIAL BURIED IN THIS ROOM AND IN THIS GROUP THIS MORNING. 

 

SO WHAT DO YOU CALL THE WEALTH THAT BURIED IN A CEMETARY?  POTENTIAL.  ITS CALLED POTENTIAL.  NOW, WHAT IS POTENTIAL?  (INS) POTENTAIL IS UNTAPPED POWER, DORMANT ABILITY, UNUSED STRENGTH, HIDDEN POWER, UNUSED SUCCESS AND UNDISCOVERED WEALTH. POTENTIAL MEANS POWER NOT BEING USED, YET.  GOD IS A GOD OF POTENTIAL.  THAT MEANS THAT GOD HIDES POWER.  IT EXISTS BUT ITS HIDDEN. SO IF POTENTIAL IS ALWAYS THAT WHICH IS NOT SEEN THEN POTENTIAL IS WHO YOU REALLY ARE BUT NOBODY CAN SEE IT YET. (INS) POTENTIAL IS WHAT YOU CAN REALLY DO THAT YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET. POTENTIAL IS HOW FAR YOU CAN GO BUT YOU HAVEN’T GONE YET. POTENTIAL IS HOW MUCH YOU CAN ACCOMPLISHS BUT YOU HAVEN’T ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING YET. POTENTIAL IS NEVER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.  WHATEVER YOU HAVE DONE IS NO LONGER YOUR POTENTIAL. POTENTIAL IS WHAT YOU COULD DO THAT YOU HAVEN’T DONE YET. 

 

NOW IF YOU’VE ALREADY DONE SOMETHING, GOD’S NOT INTERESTED IN THAT.  WHY? BECAUSE IT DOESN’T REQUIRE ANY FAITH ON YOUR PART AND BECAUSE HE’S A GOD OF POTENTIAL.  THE MINUTE YOU ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING GOD GET’S BORED AND SAYS OK NOW DO SOMETHING ELSE THAT WILL REQUIRE CALCULATED RISK AND FAITH.  PAUL TOLD US THAT WHATEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN.  IF YOU DON’T EXERCISE FAITH TO DO SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO HE IS #1 NOT PLEASED AND #2 BORED. 

 

(INS) Hebrews 11:6 (MsgB)

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

 

WITHOUT FAITH ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.  WE’VE BEEN PUT ON THIS PLANET EARTH TO LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD AND NOT NECESSARILY PLEASING TO OURSELVES.  IF YOU WERE TO CAREFULLY EXAMINE MOST OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY WE’D SEE THAT GOD’S PRETTY BORED AND ISN’T BEING PLEASE VERY MUCH BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN PLEASING THEMSELVES THAN GOD.  WE USUALLY PICK A CHURCH BASED ON OUR PREFERENCES INSTEAD OF GOD’S WILL.  AND THE SAME THING APPLIES FOR BUYING A HOME, RELOCATING AND CHOOSING A CAREER.  WE LIVE FAR TO LOWER THAN THE POTENTIAL WE WERE CREATED WITH.  WHY?  BECAUSE IT REQUIRES FAITH TO EXERCISE THAT POSTENTIAL IN A WAY THAT WILL BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD AND BE PLEASING TO HIM.

 

(INS) John 8:29 (KJV)

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

Romans 8:8 (KJV)

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

1 Thes. 4:1 (KJV)

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

 

(INS) 2 Tim. 2:4 (KJV)

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

 

Col. 1:10 (KJV)

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 

1 John 3:22 (KJV)

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

 

DO YOU REALIZE THAT MUCH UNANSWERED PRAYER IS THE RESULT OF A LIFESTYLE THAT IS UNPLEASING TO GOD.  WHEN WE EXERCISE FAITH TO LEAVE OUR COMFORT ZONE AND DO SOMETHING WE’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE IT PLEASES GOD.  GOD WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO RESOURCE YOUR NEW ENDEAVOR AS YOU SEEK TO FIND A FULLER EXPRESSION OF YOUR POTENTIAL.  (INS) FOR SOME OF YOU YOUR WORST ENEMY IS NOT THE DEVIL ITS YOUR COMFORT.  YOU DON’T NEED ANY FAITH TO MAINTAIN YOUR PRESENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.  BUT WITHOUT FAITH GOD IS NOT PLEASED SO WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR GIVING LEVEL.  WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR COMPASSION AND HOSPITALITY LEVEL.  WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR MINISTRY LEVEL TO THE POINT WHERE WE EITHER TRUST GOD OF FAIL. GOD WANTS US TO LIVE ON THE EDGE OF EITHER SINKING OR SWIMMING, BELIEVING OR FAILING.  THAT ADDS A LITTLE EXCITEMENT TO GOD AND WILL RELEASE HIS FULL POTENTIAL IN YOUR LIFE.

 

Ephes. 3:20 (KJV)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 

Ephes. 3:20 (MsgB)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

 

TO THINK THAT THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY OMNIPOTENT GOD IS IN ME AND IT’S IN YOU. HOLY COW BATMAN, WHY DO I WANT TO LIVE LIKE A PIGME?  WE LIVE LIKE A LITTLE ANT WHEN GOD’S PUT UNLIMITED POTENTIAL IN EVERY BELIEVER.  THE SCRIPTURE SAYS WE ARE LIMITED BY WHAT WE CAN ASK OR THINK. WHICH MEANS THAT NO MATTER HOW HOT YOU THINK YOU ARE OR HOW KOOL YOU THINK YOU ARE GOD SAYS ‘ YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET CAUSE I ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL YOU COULD ASK OR THINK.’ (INS) WE THINK TOO SMALL AND WE ASK TOO SMALL.  GOD WANTS US TO ASK BIG.  HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE AND WITH GOD THAT’S NOT TOO MUCH.  YOU SEE, HE DELIGHTS TO SHOW HIS POWER AND STRENGTH.  HE IS GLORIFIED WHEN WE RECEIVE IN PROPORTION OF OUR FAITH.  HERE’S WHAT JESUS SAID:

 

John 14:12-14 (KJV)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. [13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

 

GOD IS NOT PLEASED OR IMPRESSED WITH WHAT I HAVE ALREADY BUILT OR DONE.  GOD’S NOT PLEASED WITH YOUR BACHLOR DEGREE IF HE PUT IN YOU A MASTERS DEGREE.  SO STOP BRAGGING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE CAUSE HE’S HOT WIRED YOU TO DO MORE. AND WHEN YOU DO IT HE WILL BE GLORIFIED AND PLEASED. (INS) THE GREATEST ENEMY OF SUCCESS IS MY LAST LEVEL OF SUCCESS. NOTHING CAN STOP PROGRESS LIKE A LITTLE SUCCESS WHEN WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR SO MUCH MORE. 

 

Philip. 3:12-14 (KJV)

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

LISTEN THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY IN 2003.  ANOTHER YEAR HAS GONE BY.  WHAT HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR THAT YOU WERE UNABLE TO DO THE PREVIOUS YEAR.  WHAT HAVE YOU FAILED TO DO THAT YOU HAD PLANNED TO DO LAST YEAR.  FROM EITHER PERSEPCTIVE WE HAVE GOT TO SEE THAT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE FOR US TO ACCOMPLISH IN GOD THIS NEXT YEAR THAT WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO FORGET THE PAST AND REACH FORTH ON TO THAT WHICH LIES AHEAD. REMEMBER, POTENTIAL IS POWER AND ABILITY THAT WE HAVE NOT YET USED. (INS) LET’S DETERMINE TO USE MORE OF THE POTENTIAL GOD HAS PUT IN US THIS NEXT YEAR THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.  THIS PASSAGE IN PHIL 3:12-14 GIVES US THE LEGAL RIGHT TO FORGET THE PAST WITH ALL OF ITS FAILURES AND SUCCESSES AND REACH FORTH WITH A GREATER ZEAL AND FAITH TO CONQUEROR MORE AND TO DO MORE THAN WE’VE EVER DONE BEFORE.  GOD’S NOT IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU’VE DONE CAUSE YOU CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.  SO NEVER MEASURE YOUR LIFE BY PEOPLE’S OPINION ABOUT YOU.  WE SHOULD LIVE LIFE FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE: JESUS CHRIST. NO MATTER HOW MANY PEOPLE LIKE YOU, CHEER FOR YOU OR CLAP FOR YOU IF JESUS ISN’T CLAPPING FOR YOU ITS NOT WORTH IT,  WE NEED TO LIVE LIFE PLEASING TO HIM!  UNTIL JESUS GETS UP AND SAYS WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT WE NEED TO KEEP MOVING, GROWING AND CHANGING.  OUR GREATEST FEAR AS A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT BE DYING.  (INS) NO OUR GREATEST FEAR SHOULD BE DYING TOO SOON WITHOUT ACCOMPLISHING ALL THAT GOD HAS DESIGNED FOR OUR LIVES.  GOD WANTS US TO ALL DIE EMPTY.  SO THAT THERE ISN’T AN OUNCE OF POTENTIAL LEFT IN US.  IF WE DON’T DIE EMPTY WE ROB GOD OF THE POTENTIAL TO ADVANCE HIS KINGDOM.  I DON’T WANT TO DIE WHEN I COULD HAVE DONE MORE. SO ENDEAVOR TO LIFE SUCH A LIFE THAT YOU DIE EMPTY!  IF YOU LIVE LIFE THIS WAY IT’S A CONFIDENCE BUILDER CAUSE YOU KNOW YOU WON’T DIE UNTIL YOU FINISH YOUR DESTINY.  SO DIE EMPTY.  (INS) YOU SEE MOST PEOPLE COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPLETING EACH OTHER AND FINISHING THE WORK THAT GOD HAS CALLED FOR US TO DO.

 

(INS) John 4:34 (KJV)

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

 

John 5:36 (KJV)

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

 

John 17:4 (KJV)

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

 

 

 

(INS) TO BE SATISFIED WITH MEDIOCRITY AND BURIED WITH NORMALCY IS FAILURE. THIS MAY SHOCK YOU BUT GOD DID NOT GIVE BIRTH TO YOU FOR YOU TO BE NORMAL.  NORMAL PEOPLE GAG ME.  BEING A NORMAL PERSON IS LIKE KISSING YOUR SISTER. SO WE GOT MORMAL PEOPLE WITH NORMAL FACES TALKING NORMAL WORDS KEEP NORMAL COMPANY DRIVING NORMAL CARS AND LIVING IN NORMAL HOMES PROVIDED BY A NORMAL JOB DYING A NORMAL DEATH AND BURIED WITH A NORMAL TOMBSTONE IN A NORMAL GRAVE AND LEAVING A NORMAL LEGACY. AND GOD SAYS, BORING OR SO WHAT!  YOU WERE BORN UNIQUE.  (INS) YOU WEREN’T BORN TO JUST FIT IN YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT. POTENTIAL IS NOT WHAT YOU’VE DONE SO DON’T GET EXCITED ABOUT THAT BUT RATHER GET EXCITED ABOUT WHAT CAN BE.

 

(INS) Rev. 19:6 (KJV)

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

 

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD IS OMNIPOTENT.  LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT THIS MORNING.  LET’S TAKE THE WORD OMNIPOTENT APART. OMNI MEANS ALL AND IT ALSO MEANS ALWAYS. POTENT MEANS POWER, MIGHT OR STRENGTH AND ENERGY. OMNIPOTENT.  ONLY ONE PERSON IS EVER ASCRIBED THIS ATTRIBUTE AND ITS GOD.  HE’S ALL POWERFUL, ALMIGHTY, ALWAYS FULL OF POWER, ENERGY AND STRENGTH. SO IT MEANS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS FULL OF POTENTIAL. SO THAT MEANS THAT ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE IS NOT ALL THAT HE CANOR WILL DO. POTENTIAL IS NEVER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BUT WHAT YOU COULD DO BUT YOU HAVEN’T DONE IT YET.  GOD HAS CREATED THE GALXIES AND THE HUBBLE SPACECRAFT HAS UNCOVERD 60 BILLION SUCH GALXIES AND THEY’RE STILL COUNTING. AND THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PLANTES AND STARS IN EACH OF THOSE GALXIES AND GOD CREATED THEM ALL.  AND WHEN HE SAID IT IS FINISHED BEING THE OMNIPOTENT GOD THERE IS STILL A LOT THAT HE HANS’T DONE YET.  LISTEN, WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET.  (INS) THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE IS GREATER THAN THE FORMER HOUSE.  GOD’S GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE TO DO SO DON’T PUT HIM IN A BOX AND LIMIT HIM.  NO HE’S THE OMNIPOTENT GOD. THAT MEANS IF YOU NEED SOMETHING AND IT HASN’T BEEN CREATED YET HE’S ALREADY GOT IT ON THE INSIDE AND CAN STILL CREATE SOMETHING BRAND NEW NEVER DONE BEFORE KIND OF MIRACLE. MAN, WE CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO BE THE MOST OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE ON PLANET EARTH CAUSE WE HAVE A BIRTHRIGHT INTO ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD.

 

(INS) John 1:1-3 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

NOW LISTEN TO THIS, IF EVERYTHING WAS CREATED BY GOD THEN BEFORE THEY WERE MADE WHERE WERE THEY? IN GOD! SO THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING BUT GOD. BEFORE ALL THINGS WERE, I AM, HE SAYS.  (INS) SO THINK ABOUT GOD BEFORE ANYTHING WAS, STANDING ON NOTHING BY THE CORNER OF NOWHERE AND IMAGINE GOD WITH EVERYTHING INSIDE BEFORE ANYTHING WAS.(INS) NOW IF YOU MET GOD ON THE CORNER OF NOWHERE ON THE SEA OF NOTHING AND YOU SHOOK HANDS WITH HIM YOU’D BE SHAKING HANDS WITH EVERYTHING BUT YOU WOULDN’T KNOW IT CAUSE IT WAS STILL POTENTIAL. AND THAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH THE HUMAN RACE: WE DON’T KNOW WHO WERE SHAKING HANDS WITH.  SEE, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT GOD’S PUT IN THE PERSON BESIDE YOU. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT TREASURE IS THAT’S BEEN PUT IN THAT EARTHN VESSEL. (INS)THAT PROBLEM CHILD, THAT CANTANKEROUS RELATIVE OR THAT UNRULY EMPLOYEE HAS MORE POTENTIAL IN THEM THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE. THAT’S WHY YOU SHOULDN’T CANCEL ANYBODY CAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S IN THEM THAT HASN’T YET COME OUT OF THEM IN THE FORM OF POTENTIAL.  I THINK ONE OF LIFE’S GREATEST TRADGEDYS IS CANCELLING PEOPLE BEFORE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IS RELEASED.  THE VERY BROTHER YOU BREAK FELLOWSHIP WITH COULD BE THE ONE THAT GOD HAS SET UP FOR YOUR DELIVERANCE OR HEALING.  HE COULD BE YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER THAT WOULD TAKE YOU TO YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF SUCCESS.  HE COULD BE THE PERSON TO LOAN YOU THE MONEY TO FINANCE YOUR NEXT PROJECT.  BUT YOU SEE WE CANCEL PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR PAST FAILURES, BUT LISTEN, THEY ARE MORE THAN THEIR PAST FAILURE.  THEY HAVE POTENTIAL TO DO MORE THAN WHAT THEY ALREADY DONE.

 

1 Cor. 12:18-26 (MsgB) 

    As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it. [19] But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster.  [20] What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own.  [21] Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"?  [22] As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a (INS) stomach.  [23] When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons.  [24] If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair?  [25] The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't,  [26] the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.

 

 

 

WHEN WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT OF POTENTIAL IN OUR LIVES AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHER BELIEVERS WE WILL LEARN NOT TO CANCEL THEM BY ANY CLASSIFICATION.  AND WE WILL LEARN WHY NEXT WEEK.  THIS WEEK, AS WE CLOSE OUT 2003 AND LOOK FORWARD TO 2004 LET’S DTERMINE TO EXERCISE THE FAITH TO RELEASE THE POTENTIAL GOD HAS PLACED IN OUR LIVES TO REACH A HIGHER LEVEL OF SUCCESS AND PRODUCTIVITY THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.  (COUNTER:1726)