"Spiritual Fervor"

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
- John 4:7-10

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
- John 4:13-14

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
- Psalm 34:8

SPIRITUAL FERVOR IS SUPERNATURAL

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
- John 4:14

Greek word for “drink” means “deriving from vines”

HOW DO WE GET SPIRITUAL FERVOR?

Not by being religious

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
- John 4:21-24

We position ourselves and we simply ask

THE SECRET TO SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND FULFILLMENT

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
- John 4:34-36

We receive spiritual sustenance and fulfillment by doing God’s work

WE MINISTER TO OTHERS FROM THE OVERFLOW OF CHRIST

28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.
- John 4:28-30

We will go from satisfied to becoming a spring gushing with life

THE FINAL RESULT OF RECEIVING SPIRITUALLY AND SHARING SPIRITUALLY

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
- John 4:39-42

#STAYHUNGRY

"Missional Passion"

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:4-6 (ESV)

MISSIONAL CULTURE

• Missional simply means to think like a missionary

• Missional means to think outward, beyond ourselves and our comfort zones

• Missional means to think globally

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

The mission and responsibility of the church includes both the proclamation of the Gospel and its demonstration. From Jesus, we learn the truth is to be proclaimed with authority and lived with grace. The church must constantly evangelize, respond lovingly to human needs, as well as “seek the welfare of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7). By living out the implications of the gospel, the missional church offers a verbal defense and a living example of its power.
- Ed Stetzer

OWN THE MISSION

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)

“If you love me you will obey me…”
- John 14:15

MISSION OF EVERY NATION

To honor God by establishing Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, socially responsible churches and campus ministries in every nation.

CHURCH PLANTING

History suggests that church planting remains the most effective form of evangelism.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Campus Manifesto by Pastor Rice Brooks

• The future leaders of society are on our campuses.

• Major movements, bad or good, start on the campus.

• The majority of those who become Christians do so as students.

• International students impact their nations.

• The values on campus become the values in society.

• The most available and trainable groups of people are on our campuses.

• When we reach a student, we reach a family.

• God promised to pour out his Spirit on sons and daughters. (Acts 2:17)

WORLD MISSIONS

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

5 CORE VALUES OF EVERY NATION

1. Lordship

2. Evangelism

3. Discipleship

4. Leadership

5. Family

#ALL IN

We accomplish this by connecting at the top to God, connecting to others at the bottom and reaching one life at a time. Brick by brick.

“Reverse the Curse”

Our lives can feel cursed.

14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life…
- Genesis 3:14

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. 6 But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus... 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.
- Esther 3:5-6, 13

17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
- Genesis 3:17-18

11 ...But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
- Esther 4:11

God has the power to reverse every curse!

10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”
- Esther 6:10-11

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28

A process of worship and spiritual warfare positions us to experience God’s Divine Reversals.

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.
- Esther 4:1

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
- Esther 4:15-17

Elements of Spiritual Warfare

Fellowship

for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
- Proverbs 24:6

Fasting

29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
- Mark 9:29

Finishing the Fight

...Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
- Esther 4:16

"Prince of Peace"

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
- Luke 2:14 (ESV)

Three Hebrew words in the bible that describes “peace”

• Shaqat - Rest (Judges 3:11)

• Shalam - Cessation from war, to be safe, to be friends with (Joshua 11:19)

• Shalom - To be made whole, complete (Isaiah 9:6)

11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
- Judges 3:11 (NIV)

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 14:17 (ESV)

3 Main Focal Points

1. Peace with God

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)

2. Peace Of God - Peace within

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33 (NIV)

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
- Psalm 85:10 (ESV)

17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
- Isaiah 32:17 (ESV)

165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
- Psalm 119:165 (ESV)

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

3. Peace with men

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- Romans 12:18 (NIV)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
- Matthew 5:23-26 (NIV)

“Everlasting Father’”

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Jesus is everlasting.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
- Revelation 1:8

Jesus is, figuratively, a father.

1. Christ is the “Second Adam,” representing us in righteousness.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:22-23

2. Christ founded a new covenant system.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:8-10

3. Christ loves like the Father.

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
- John 14:7

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
- John 15:9

Jesus is the Everlasting Father.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
- John 3:16-17

"Mighty God"

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

The mighty God

1. Infinite in Power

24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
   who formed you from the womb:
“I am the Lord, who made all things,
   who alone stretched out the heavens,
   who spread out the earth by myself,
- Isaiah 44:24

As holiness is the beauty of all God’s attributes, so power is that which gives life and action to all the perfections of the Divine nature. How vain would be the eternal counsels, if power did not step in to execute them. Without power His mercy would be but feeble pity, His promises an empty sound, His threatenings a mere scarecrow. God’s power is like Himself: infinite, eternal, incomprehensible; it can neither be checked, restrained, nor frustrated by any creature.
- Stephen Charnock

2. Defines Reality

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.
- Luke 8:52-55 (ESV)

3. Demands our agreement

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13

"Wonderful Counselor"

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Jesus Listens and answers

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:12 (ESV)

Jesus Understands

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
- Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

Jesus knows better

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
 and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

How should we respond?

1. Be honest with our counselor

2. Listen to the counselor

3. Obey the counselor

"Thanksgiving and Gratitude"

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
- Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

Thanksgiving and gratitude is the foundation of our worship

7 Hebrew words translated as “praise”

1. Todah - A Thanksgiving choir

2. Barak - To kneel in Thanksgiving

3. Tehillah - To sing a song of thanksgiving

4. Halal - to give thanks by being clamorously foolish

5. Yadah - to give thanks with extended hands

6. Zamar - to give thanks with a musical instrument

7. Shabach - to give thanks in a loud tone

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
- Psalm 100:4

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
- William Arthur Ward

Gratitude towards small things leads to miracles.

4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. 9 When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.
- Numbers 11:4-7 (ESV)

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
- Oprah Winfrey

God multiplies what we are truly thankful for

14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
- Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV)

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault

“How Do I Get Closer to God?"

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:11-24

Become discontent and disillusioned without God.

13 ...he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything… and he began to be in need. 17 “But when he came to himself...
- Luke 15:13-14, 17

3 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13

Distance ourselves from sin and idolatry.

2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
- Isaiah 59:2

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
- Psalm 51:1-3

Grow desperate for God.

Treat me as one of your hired servants.
- Luke 15:19

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- Psalm 42:1-2

Develop a relationship with God daily.

11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
- 1 Chronicles 16:11

“When Should We ‘Let Go and Let God?’”

We should “let go and let God” save us from sin and eternal separation from Him.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
- Romans 3:23-24

We shouldn’t “let go” of opportunities or challenges until we’ve exercised our God-given responsibility.

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
- Matthew 25:24-26

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
- Matthew 16:24

God wants us to give our best; then, we can trust Him with the rest.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
- Proverbs 16:3