Listen to Excerpts of Our Recent Series: KEEPING THE BASICS

Listen to our recent series on Keeping the Basics taught by Pastor Jeff Murton. Please click the links to listen from your computer.

LISTEN TO THIS BROADCAST.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE NOTES:

Keeping The Basics: Absolute Truth

1. What is absolute truth?

a quality of truth that cannot be exceeded; complete truth; unvarying and permanent truth.

2. We cannot base our life foundations on relative truth.

Subjective versus objective feelings versus facts

3. Jesus is the truth.

John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

4. Standing for truth means standing in freedom. John 8:32 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Keeping The Basics: AGAPE LOVE

LISTEN TO THIS BROADCAST.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE NOTES:

Notes

1. What is "Agape" Love?

Agape Love is the Love that gives to others with no regard to the consequences to itself.

2. God is Love.
1 John 4:8 8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

3. Loving one another is the greatest witness of our following Jesus.

John 13:34-35

34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. 35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

4. The definition of Love worked out practically
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything andeverything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]
5. The assignment of the enemy is to remove Love from our hearts.
Matthew 24:12
12 And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity.

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Scriptures of Prayers for Clergy Families

1. 1Pet 4:8...........Father, I pray that their family members love one another.
2. 1Pet 4:9...........That they are hospitable to one another without complaint. 
3. 1Pet 4:11.........Serving by the strength that You supply, 
4. 1Pet 4:11.........so that in all things You may be glorified. 
5. 1Thes 5:11.......I pray that they encourage one another, comfort, edify, 
6. Acts 20:32.......and build one another up. 
7. Mt 18:19..........That they stand in agreement in every area of their lives, 
8. Neh 8:10..........Letting the joy of the Lord be their strength, 
9. Col 3:15...........with the peace of God ruling in their hearts. 
10. Ps 138:8..........Father, I thank You that You're perfecting 
11. Ps 138:8..........everything concerning them. 
12. Ps 92:10..........Anoint them with fresh oil. 
13. Ps 103:5..........Satisfy them with good things, 
14. Ps 103:5..........So that their youth is renewed like the eagle's. 
15. Ps 92:14..........In old age they shall still bear fruit,
16. Ps 92:14..........and be fresh and flourishing.
17. Ps 91:16..........With a long life You will satisfy them.
18. Job 1:10...........Father, place a hedge of protection
19. Job 1:10...........around them, around their household,
20. Job 1:10...........and around all that they have on every side.
21. Ps 34:7............I thank You that the angel of the Lord encamps
22. Ps 34:7............round about them and delivers them from all evil,
23. Ps 91:3............from the snare of the fowler, from every pestilence,
24. Ps 91:10..........and that no plague will come near their dwelling.
25. Prov 3:24..........They shall lie down and their sleep shall be sweet.
26. Prov 16:7..........Because their ways please You Lord,
27. Prov 16:7..........You make their enemies to be at peace with them.
28. Deut 29:9..........They keep Your word and do it,
29. Deut 29:9..........therefore, they prosper in all that they do. 
30. Jn 15:4.............Because they abide in You and delight them selves in You,
31. Ps 37:4............You give them the desires of their heart.
32. 1Pet 5:6............And because they humble themselves, exalt them in due season.
33. 1Pet 4:19..........I thank You Father that they are committed to You, to doing good,
34. 1Pet 5:7...........casting all their cares upon You, for You care for them.
35. 1Pet 5:8...........That they are sober, vigilant, continually resisting the devil,
36. 1Pet 5:9...........and steadfast in their faith.
37. 1Pet 5:10..........Father, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them in Jesus' name.

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Scriptures of Prayers for Clergymen and Women

1. Ps 31:23..........Father, I thank You that our pastors are faithful,
2. Ps 31:23..........and that You preserve them.
3. Prov 28:20........That they abound with blessings,
4. Gal 6:9.............and do not grow weary in well doing.
5. Phil 1:6.............That You who began a good work in them will perfect it.
6. Eph 2:10...........They are Your workmanship created in Christ Jesus,
7. Heb 13:21.........and equipped in every good thing to do Your will.
8. Heb 13:21..........Work in them that which is well-pleasing in Your sight.
9. 2Cor 9:8............Let all grace abound toward them, having sufficiency in all things,
10. 2Cor 9:8...........and an abundance for every good work.
11. 2Cor 9:6...........Because they have sowed bountifully, they will reap bountifully,
12. 1Cor 3:6...........and whether they plant or water, Father, You give the increase.
13. 2Cor 2:14..........I pray that they continually triumph in Christ,
14. 2Cor 2:14..........diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15. Deut 28:2..........That all blessings come upon them and overtake them,
16. Deut 28:2..........because they obey the voice of their God.
17. Ps 32:8.............Instruct them and teach them in the way they should go;
18. 1Cor 2:10..........reveal the deeper things of God to them by Your Spirit.
19. 2Tim 2:21..........Let them be vessels of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master,
20. 2Tim 2:21..........prepared for every good work.
21. 1Pet 5:2...........Shepherding the flock willingly, eagerly, and being an example to them.
22. 1Cor 2:4...........Their speech and preaching is in demonstration of the Spirit and power.
23. 2Tim 4:2...........And they are instant in season and out of season to preach the Word.
24. Josh 1:3............Every place the soles of their feet tread upon has been given to them.
25. Deut 31:6..........They are strong and of good courage for You, Lord, go with them.
26. Ps 27:14...........They wait on You, and You strengthen them in their heart. 
27. Titus 1:5............Help them set in order things that are lacking,
28. Titus 1:5............and appoint elders in every city.
29. 2Cor 10:4...........I tear down the strongholds over the pulpit.
30. Ex 17:11............I lift up our pastors and cover them 
31. Heb 12:24..........with the blood of Jesus.
32. Deut 28.............Sickness and disease shall in no way come near them,
33. Gal 3:13............for they are redeemed from the curse of the law.
34. Isa 54:17...........I say that no weapon formed against them will prosper,
35. Isa 54:17...........and every tongue rising against them shall be shown to be in the wrong.
36. Cor 12:11..........Father, let the gifts and anointings on their lives come forth. 
37. Luke 1:45..........Birth the things that You have spoken to them in their hearts,
38. Acts 6:4............as they continually give themselves to prayer
39. Acts 6:4............and the ministry of the Word.

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MORE FAITH OR MORE INSURANCE Bishop Irvin Perry, Sr., Insurance Broker, Perry & Associates

Does your ministry have the right insurance coverages? I live in California where people will sue you for looking at them strange. We really don't think about members or visitors taking out a law suit on their church but they are getting creative in California and it is beginning to spread all over the country.

A pastor not to long ago was in counseling with one of his female members. The lady told the pastor her husband had been cheating on her for sometime and she wanted a divorce. The pastor explained to her according to scriptures she had every right to divorce him. Sis Bacon (I like bacon) divorced her husband and felt good about the divorce.

Shortly after the divorce Mr. Bacon won the lottery for over several million dollars. She took Mr. Bacon to court to see if she could get a portion of his lottery winnings. The courts turned her down. Her attorney suggested she sue the pastor who suggested she divorce Mr. Bacon. She won her law suit against Pastor Eggs.

The suit was for leading her and guiding her to divorce Mr. Bacon and that caused her to lose out on the new fame and fortune Mr. Bacon was enjoying. This is a true story with a few names being changed.

It is important for Churches and Pastors to have a complete church business package that includes Pastoral Counseling Coverages.Sometimes Bacon and Eggs don't go together.           

Bishop Irvin Perry has been in the insurance industry since 1976. He has worked with small ministries and large church denominations. Bishop Perry is a member of The Clergy Connection.

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Leading Like Jesus by Pastor Jeff Murton

1) LEADING LIKE JESUS  

What are my intentions and motives in being a Leader?

 Matthew 20:25-28

 The way many are taught what leadership is.

1. Scripture study, verse 25 key words (KJV)  

“Princes” - Gk. archontes, rulers, governors, chiefs

“Gentiles” - Non-Jews, nations, people groups, culture

“exercise dominion over” - decisive control as owner with full jurisdiction

“Great” - Large, loud, mighty, strong, important

“exercise authority over” - exert power oppressively

 The true nature of leadership.

2. Scripture study, verse 26 key words (KJV)   

“minister” - Gk. diakonos, waiter, servant

“Chief” - Gk. protos, First, number one, leading man

“servant” -  Gk. doulos, slave, who belongs to another, no ownership rights

 As a leader, are you looking to be served or to serve?

2) LEADING LIKE JESUS | LEAD BY EXAMPLE:

1. Understand and relate to the real life situations people are facing.

Hebrews 4:14,15 (NKJV)

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin

Jesus had compassion

Jesus wept 

2. Do it first, than teach it.

Matthew 4:23 (NKJV)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

3. How are you as an example?

3) LEADING LIKE JESUS | SUCCESSION, TRANSFER, TRANSITION

1. Identify those who will succeed you in leading the cause.

Matthew 4:18-20 (NKJV)

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19 Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Mark 2:14 (NKJV)

As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, Follow Me. So he arose and followed Him.

John 1:43 (NKJV)

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, Follow Me.

2. Move followers into leadership positions

Matthew 14:15-19 (NKJV)

15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.

16 But Jesus said to them, They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.

17 And they said to Him, We have here only five loaves and two fish.

18 He said, Bring them here to Me.

19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

3. Send the leaders with full authority and responsibility...Take a risk!

Matthew 10:5-8

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city ofthe Samaritans.

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heavenis at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give

4) LEADING LIKE JESUS | COMMITMENT TO VISION

1. Stay clear on why you are doing what you are doing.

Luke 9:51-52 (NKJV)

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.

2. Stay determined to finish the course set before you.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

5) LEADING LIKE JESUS | TEAMWORK - NO ONE MAN BANDS

1. Develop multiple teams with different relational closeness.

Luke 9:28-29 (NKJV)

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening

Matthew 10:1 (NKJV)

 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Luke 10:1 (NKJV)

 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

1 Corinthians 15:6 (NKJV)

After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

2. Cherish and maximize the uniqueness of individuals

Look at the twelve disciples..

Matthew 10:2-4 (NKJV)

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

6) LEADING LIKE JESUS | COMMITIMENT TO VISION

1. As a leader, you are a manager for the cause and vision.

Matthew 26:39

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.

John 12:29

For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 

2. View your team/followers as family and friends

Matthew 12:50

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.

John 15:15

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 

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Living on the Level by Pastor Howard Rose, Jr.

Understanding our Position in the Kingdom of God

Sub Title: Dealing with our ways

Main Scripture Text:

Isaiah 5:7-9 "7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Supporting Scriptures:

Proverbs 14:12; 16:25 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Ephesians 2:6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"

Ephesians 6:10-18, Highlight v12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Sub Scripture Text: 

Genesis 1:26 "

Definition (Dictionary.com): Way

1. manner, mode, or fashion; 2. characteristic or habitual manner; 3. a method, plan, or means for attaining a goal; 5. a direction or vicinity

Definition (Dictionary.com): Manner

1. a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurence; 2. the prevailing customs, ways of living, and habits of a people, class, period, etc.; 3. a person's outward bearing; way of speaking to and treating others; 4. characteristic or customary way of doing, making, saying, etc.

Definition (Dictionary.com): Mode

A manner of acting or doing; method; way

Definition (Dictionary.com): Method

1. A procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan; 2. a manner or mode of procedure, especially an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc.; 3. order or system in doing anything; 4. order or systematic arrangement, sequence or the like.

One of the first places we must address, if not the first, is our mind, dealing with our way 

of thinking, assessing, processing, and evaluating.

The ways we currently operate in must be weighed against the ways of the Kingdom. In order to live effectively in the Kingdom of God, we must deal with our (current) ways that are not conducive to His purpose for our lives.

We must deal with and change our ways that we learned before we came into the Kingdom. More specifically, we must reassess and evalute our manners, modes, methods, plans and means of how we conduct ourselves and our business. (Question: Is it possible that a lot of what we have learned was not at all Kingdom?)

The death that we could be currently experiencing could be directly attributed to our methodologies that bring about a process of death or open us up to death in one or more areas and aspects of our lives.

We must examine God's and Christ's ways of how they handled every situation that is noted in the Word. From there, we can evaluate our own lives and consider the grace and mercy that has been extended to our lives to get an even deeper understanding of God's ways.

Each time we learn more about God's way, we must strive to do the following:

1. Notate them
2. Evaluate and study them
3. Live them

This process must be a daily, ongoing one so that His reflection is seen through us in the earth realm.

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