Victory Church Jbay

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NIV) This week we are looking at Pastor Louis’ sermon on the ‘Marks of a Spirit-filled church’. Knowing these signs is so valuable because it allows us to determine if we are on the right path or not. Firstly, we know the church is Spirit-filled when it is united. The Spirit allows us to overcome our differences and stand as one. The church will also be magnified and begin to multiply. When the Spirit fills a church there is life and that life spreads and draws in more people. Another sign that the church is Spirit filled is that it is generous. When the Spirit fills us, we give. Not just out of compulsion, but with a joyful heart. These positive signs follow the Spirit-filled church, but there are also challenges that will follow it. The enemy doesn’t like it when we live Spirit-filled lives, so he will come and try to derail us. He will question us on what God really said and who we really are in order to make us doubt. After that, he’ll resist us and tell us we aren’t allowed to do what God says we must. If that also doesn’t work he’ll bring threats to intimidate us into submission. It is vital that we learn the power of Jesus’ name and how to use it effectively so that we don’t fall prey to the enemy's predictable schemes. God won’t just take these challenges away because he is more interested in our character and maturity than our comfort. He wants us to be available and obedient so that he can use us to advance his kingdom. Reflect: • Have you settled in your heart that Jesus didn’t just die so that you could be saved but also so that you could share the Gospel? • Have you dealt with your fears? • What have you been asking God to do that he has actually been asking you to do? • What false motives do you have in your heart?

Fresh Oil Part 3 - What is in a Name

Fresh Oil Part 2 - From Zero to Hero

Fresh Oil - Part 1

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NKJV) This week we are going to be looking at Ps Edna’s sermon ‘Reviving Rivers’ and discussing how we can access the waters of the Spirit and help others to as well. Just like we need to replenish our water supply in the physical, we need to tap into God’s Living Water in the spiritual. We have a built in need that must be fulfilled! We often try and fill that need with other things, but the only thing that can fill it is God! We get filled by drinking. It is an action. We need to spend time reading God’s word and spending time with Him so that he can fill us up. We need this filling not just to benefit ourselves, but also to carry it to the world. We tend to try and bottle up God’s water so that we can have reserves and feel safe. What we need to do though is be wells of that Living Water so that others around us can taste and see that it is good. Finally, God wants us to connect with other believers. As we allow him to direct us, we will join up our little bit of Living Water with that of others so that our tricklet becomes a stream. Then as more and more of us join together our streams become rivers that supply life to the world! Reflection: • What do you try to fill your need for relationship with God with? • How can you ensure you are a fresh, unblocked well of God’s Living Water? • Where can you join with other believers to combine your water with theirs?

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5 (NKJV) This week we are going to be looking at Ps Louis’ sermon ‘Your Kingdom Assignment’. We all have an assignment, but we often forget that it is connected to people. We as the church cannot stay inside our building. We need to be outside amongst people who are not followers of Christ. We have to ensure we are connected in such a way that we get invited places. That way, we can await the opportunities that God has for us to minister to those around us. Gathering together as the body of Christ is still important though! When we gather together, we are trained and equipped to become more like Jesus. We learn his counter-cultural ways and are empowered to go out and minister to the world. It is important for us to remember as we go out, that Jesus is interested in helping people with their problems. Even when it is no one’s fault but their own, he still wants to show them love and grace. It is this attitude that Jesus approaches us with and it is this attitude that we need to approach others with. We mustn’t limit Jesus’ miracle working power to what we see as big and important. He wants to work in the seemingly insignificant and carnal things in people’s lives as well, because as he does, they experience his love and their lives are changed. Reflection: - Re-read the story of the wedding at Cana in John 2:1-11. - Where can you position yourself to have a bigger Kingdom impact in your community? - How can you better engage with your local church in order to be equipped and empowered for ministry in your area of influence? - What attitude do you approach strangers or unbelievers with? Will they feel unconditional love or not?

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13 (NKJV) This week we are talking about staying in step with the Holy Spirit and how we need to be led by him. We have a race to run in life, but we don’t need to run it alone. We need to remember that there are things in our life that we aren’t able to see. Holy Spirit can though and he wants to guide us through life. This requires us to be willing to yield to him. If we won’t let Holy Spirit help and teach us, then it’s like running around blind with no guide. We’ll be able to build up good speed, but we might run outside our lane, trip, or run out of energy before the end of the race. God’s heart is for us to not only finish our race, but also to win. He doesn’t want to push or pull us around in order to do it though. The way he guides us is through ‘in race communication’. We need to be listening to his voice and the small nudges of Holy Spirit to determine what he wants us to do. We need to listen, trust and obey him in all things! God also wants us to help and guide others. This can be uncomfortable, because it will likely require us to alter our ‘running style’ in order to be able to run alongside them. We may need to set aside our time, energy, preconceived ideas or opinions about someone in order to help them. This process of discipleship isn’t about trying to push or pull someone forwards, but about guiding them into what God is calling them to, just as Holy Spirit does with us. Reflection: - What can you do to improve your ‘in race communication' with Holy Spirit? - In what areas of your life have you been running around blind? - Who can you come alongside to help guide in their race? What might you need to change in order to do so?

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) This week Pastor Brent Martini spoke to us on the Joy of the Lord and reminded us that this year we have been called to Rise and Build. We are going to be discussing a few of his key points. We often become tired and discouraged right in the middle of what God has called us to do. The wall was half way when the people of Jerusalem began to look at the rubble around them. It distracted them from what they had already accomplished and from what they still needed to do. In times like these we need to tap into God’s joy before we tap out of the fight. It is important that we understand the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is based on our circumstances, whilst joy operates regardless of them. Happiness is something we need to strive and search for, whilst joy is a fruit of active relationship with Holy Spirit. In order to cultivate joy, we need to understand how fruit work. Plants do not battle to produce fruit. That is not the focus for them. They focus on finding water. When they have water, they are able to produce fruit according to the amount available. We are the same. Holy Spirit is our living water and we have rivers of him. We have more than enough water, we just need to tap into it. When we do, the fruit of Joy will be abundant in our lives. Reflection: - Where are you at in Rising and Building? Is your focus on building or on the rubble around you? - Discuss the difference between happiness and Joy. How does relying on joy give different results to relying on happiness? - How can you actively tap into the Living Waters that we have access to?

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) The devil will often try to bombard us in order to get us confused and distracted. This can distort things around us and drain us of our energy. This is why it is so important to live with clarity, especially in confusing times. The first way we can do this is to remind ourselves that God is not the author of confusion. He wants to bring clarity to our lives and help us through the confusion. This does not mean that he will give us all the answers we want, but that we can trust him to guide us and give us peace. Another great way to gain clarity is to make sure we know what will never change. When we know what is completely certain (for example God himself, his kingdom, Jesus’ finished work on the cross, etc.) it gives us a place of safety to run to when other things become uncertain. We don’t always like to admit it, but when we face uncertain times we are often required to change and adapt to our new circumstances. We need to hear from God regarding what areas of our lives we might need to become more flexible in and what aspects of ourselves we might need to change. Finally, we must determine what it is we want, what it is we don’t want and why we feel that way. Then, if we can be persistent, disciplined and trust God, we will be able to live with true clarity. Reflection: - What thoughts, circumstances or people are causing confusion in your life? - Make a list of things that you are completely sure will never change. Pray and ask God to add or subtract from your list. - What is it that you want and don’t want? Why do you feel this way? (This can be applied to many areas. Maybe start with one of the areas of confusion you listed earlier.)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) This week we are going to look at how we can move through and past our struggles to the reward that awaits us on the other side. Firstly, we need to learn to pray first when we face struggles and ask other people second. When we pray we humble ourselves before God and admit that we need him. We should also remember that we can ask Holy Spirit to help us. Often we might ask him what we should say or do, but he is not just with us to instruct us, but also to help us and empower us. Secondly, we need to ensure that we give no space to the devil. He is constantly trying to pry his way into our lives so that he might convince us that we can’t make it through our struggle. Don’t let him in! We also need to cultivate true faith and not simply belief. Even the devil believes in God. We need to develop trust and confidence in Father. This only comes out of intimate relationship and time spent in his presence. Finally, some additional tips to make it through your struggle are to give it your best, not compare yourself with others, learn from your mistakes, celebrate others and never give up. Reflection: - When you need help, do you ask people of God first? What can you do to practice relying on Holy Spirit to help you? - Are there any areas in your life where you have made space for the devil? How can you kick him out of that space? - Think about the difference between faith and belief. Try and explain each of these in your own words.

Strengthened with Power

And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army? ’ ” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 2 Kings 4:13 This week we are going to look at what it means to be the hope of the world in such dark times through having a volunteer spirit. The first important characteristic of the volunteer spirit is that it initiates provision. We need to be sensitive to the needs of those around us so that we can help people in the right way, just when they need it. A great way to begin to develop this volunteer spirit is to begin to acknowledge and respect those in leadership roles. When we do this, we set ourselves up to start serving the leaders around us. As we begin to serve, we may gain greater responsibility or ‘rank’. We need to remember that we do not need to serve others less as we gain ‘rank’. The volunteer spirit is vital no matter your position or title! Finally, the volunteer spirit always gains God’s favour. When we serve others, God promotes and takes care of us. Our Father is a God of multiplication and as we sow our service he multiplies it so that we may reap the fruit of it. Reflection: - What can you do to become more sensitive to the needs of those around you? - What leaders are there in your life that you can begin to serve above and beyond what you currently do? - What area can you trust God for provision and multiplication as you live life with a volunteer spirit?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12 This week we are going to look at what it means to know our enemy and what we need to do in order to prevent him from getting us off track. Firstly, we need to remember who the devil is. The Bible calls him a liar, a thief and the accuser of the brethren. We need to be on the lookout for these tactics that he uses to attack us. If we can recognise these attacks for what they are it allows us to discern true danger and respond in the correct way. In line with how we respond is knowing what tools to use. We must know the tools we can use to fight our battles. The weapons at our disposal include the blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus, the Word, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. If we can use these correctly, it will allow us to effectively fight against any attack. Finally, we need to be constantly training ourselves in the ways of God by being in an intimate relationship with him. This way, we will develop ‘muscle memory’ and always be ready to face any attack without even needing to think. Reflection: - What tactics does the enemy use to attack you in your personal life? - How can you better use the weapons available to you in order to fight against the enemy? - How can you develop ‘muscle memory’ in your life?

"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5 This week we are going to look at how we can prepare ourselves to run with the horses by getting rid of distractions, focusing on Jesus and preparing for the battle ahead. We often become distracted by ‘foot soldiers’ in our lives. These can take the form of worries, excuses, circumstances, and many others. We need to learn how to handle these things the right way so that they don’t wear us out before the real battle comes. God is calling us to not just do church, but to be the church. In order to do this, we need a heart revelation of who Jesus is. Otherwise we’ll be side tracked by the ‘foot soldiers’ that will prevent us from being able to withstand the ‘horses’. The real battle is coming. The horses are on their way and we can’t stop them. What we can do is prepare for them and respond in the correct manner. We cannot do this in our own strength, but thankfully the power of the Holy Spirit is more than we could ever need to run with the horses. Reflection: - What ‘foot soldiers’ are you currently dealing with? - What does it look like for you to be the church? - How can you begin relying on Holy Spirit more in order to prepare for the ‘horses’ that are coming?

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea. Acts 1:8 (KNJV) This week we’ll be discussing what it means to be a witness regardless of what is happening around us. We are all chosen for salvation, but sometimes God chooses specific people for a specific job at a specific time and place. Sometimes we won’t be chosen and we need to learn to be a good witness even in these times. A great example of being a ‘good witness regardless’ is Barsabas. He had been with Jesus and the disciples for a long time but was still not chosen to replace Judas (you can read this story in Acts 1:20- 26). Regardless of the fact that he was not given the position, he continued to serve God faithfully. We need to be able to replicate this, but we cannot do it out of pure willpower. We need to carry a revelation of who God is in our hearts so we can accurately reflect Jesus regardless of the position we do or do not have. Just like Peter who did not have any money to give to the lame man outside the gate Beautiful (Acts 3:2-6), we do have something to give people. We have Jesus. Our testimony of what he has done in our lives is the power of our revelation, and it is worth more than any amount of silver or gold. Reflection: - How do you normally react to not being chosen? - How can you better serve God even when you don’t have the position you were hoping for? - What testimony do you have that you could share with others at any given time?

Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Matthew 23:9 (NKJV) This week we’ll be looking at a few important points on how to be a good witness to as a father: Firstly, it is important for us to know that we do not need to rely on any man to receive the full love and revelation of Father God. Regardless of our relationship with our fathers, Jesus models the full love of Father God and as such we only need him in order to receive everything we need from Father. Secondly, we need to take note of the importance of Godly, Kingdom families. When Fathers are absent from the home, children suffer greatly. However, we don’t need to try to be perfect. There are no examples of perfect families in the bible, just principles that help us to have healthy families. We need to have strong relationships with God, our wives and our children, so that we can have the biggest possible Kingdom impact in their lives. It is also vital that we engage with our children not just in things like sports, but also in their spiritual and emotional journeys. Finally, we need to stay humble and be less focused on ourselves. It is so easy to live a selfish, self-focused life, but as Kingdom Men we need to live in yieldedness and submission to God, and speak his words, not just our own. Reflection: - How can you rely more fully on Jesus to reveal the Father heart of God? - In which areas in your life can you be more yielded to God? - How can you practically go about speaking God’s words more often than your own?

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NKJV) This week we’ll be looking at a few important points on how to be a good witness to Jesus: Firstly, we need to know how important it is to be a good witness. When unbelievers encounter us, it shapes the way they view Jesus, and it is important that they are left seeing Christ and his church as desirable and beautiful. We do this by loving one another, being kind, walking in humility, looking after the vulnerable, serving each other, giving to the needy and living as brothers and sisters in Christ. We can’t, however, do this in our own strength. We should rely on Holy Spirit to empower us to witness effectively. It is important to remember that when we witness we don’t need to show people that we have it all together, but we must show them how Christ has changed our lives. The world isn’t looking for perfect Christians, but for Jesus’ grace. We simply need to show them what a life impacted by Jesus looks like. Reflection: - What is keeping you from witnessing about what Jesus has done in your life? - How can you practice relying on Holy Spirit in your everyday life? - Where do you have the opportunity to witness about Jesus with unbelievers?

The Enemy’s Tactics and our Triumphs. This week we will be revisiting the sermon preached over the weekend by George Gourlay on “The Enemy’s Tactics and our triumphs”, as we feel it is important to be reminded of what God is saying to us as a family. Nehemiah 6:2, 9 (NIV) – “But they were scheming to harm me; … But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” What am I trying to build? - If we are building to advance the Kingdom of God in our marriage, family, workplace, in every area of life, there will be opposition. 1 Corinthians 16:9 - Put on the armour of God to take a stand against his onslaught – Ephesians 6:11 The enemy took notice of Nehemiah! - The Enemy will cross your borders. - John 10:10 – The enemy wants to steal what Jesus came to give us. - He has no authority, but beware – he will visit every area of your life The enemy will always look for a door. Neh. 6:1 – Beware! The enemy looks for a door, 1 Peter 5:8 The enemy is continually sending messages - Neh. 6:3-5 The enemy wants to distract our focus on the Kingdom of God - The enemy sends thoughts of blame, shame, doubt, comparison, ect - Be sensitive to discern whose voice you are listening to The enemy is persistent - Neh. 6:6:3-6 – Be alert and aware every day - he enemy comes over and over - Be empowered in God’s grace to rise up in faith, stay focused and say ‘no!’ The enemy is a deceiver - Deceive = to accept as true that which is false. - John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14 The enemy’s primary weapon is fear - Neh. 6:9 - “If I feel fear, the enemy has my ear”. Fear drives us to consult with the enemy. Genesis 3:9 - Fear makes us stop the work of advancing the Kingdom of God The enemy has no reply to the truth - Neh. 6:8 – Nehemiah called the lie a lie. He stayed focus, unmoved! - 2 Corinthians 10:4 – We have the authority to demolish very stronghold Reflection Declare over yourself: In Christ, “I am strong enough to rise up, to build and to establish the Kingdom of God in every area of my life! I am strong enough to stand up against any tactics of the enemy and triumph!”

Growing up in the Household of Faith This week we will be revisiting the sermon preached over the weekend by Alistair, “Growing up in the Household of Faith”, as we feel it is important to be reminded of what God is saying to us as a family. John 3:16 – (NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God loves us! - Jesus came to love the world. John 3:16 - Jesus loves us every day, all day, in everything. - Love becomes real as we go out and love one another John 13:35 - Love aligns us with the purposes of God, for He is love. 1 John 4:7-8 What has God brought us into? - Into the Kingdom of light and love: Colossians 1:13 (NKJV) “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” - Into acceptance, as I am through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:6 - Set into the Body where it pleases Him. 1 Corinthians 12. What has Jesus done for us? - He has brought us into life – “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me …” Galatians 2:20 - He came to serve - John 20:20-28 - He is the Head of the Body, and ‘causes the growth of the body’ Ephesians 4:16 Reflection - Do you desire a fresh encounter with Him every day? - He wants to show you daily how much He loves you - Through His word, He wants us to discover what He has brought us into and what He has done so that we can grow into the image of Christ.

John 20:21 (NIV) - “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has send me, I am sending you.” • We need to behold Him: • The Kingdom of Heaven is within my reach through the Holy Spirit. • Romans 14:17 – Righteous, peace and joy – in the Holy Spirit! • I am a carrier of His presence: • Omnipresence of God. • Manifest presence of God. • Cultivated presence of God. • Psalm 24:7-9 (NIV) “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” • As I lift up my head, I become a gate that the King of glory can come in through me. • Receiving power from Holy Spirit: • We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we can become an agent of change. Additional Point: • Maturity isn’t measured by the manifestation but in the level of surrender to the Holy Spirit.