All About Jesus Part: Jesus Is My Star: Revelation 22:16

 

A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel.
Numbers 24:17 (CSB)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16 (CSB)

1. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES DIRECTION

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (CSB)

If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6-7 (CSB)

2. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES PERSPECTIVE

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (CSB)

3. JESUS THE MORNING STAR GIVES HOPE

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:18 (CSB)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-part-jesus-is-my-star-revelation-2216/

All About Jesus: Jesus Is My A-Z: Revelation 1:8; 22:13

 

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

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:13 (CSB)

1. Jesus Reveals Spiritual Truth

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.  All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3 (CSB)

For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17 (CSB)

The one who has seen me has seen the Father.
John 14:9 (CSB)

2. Jesus Knows Everything

“Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
John 16:30 (CSB)

3. Jesus Provides What I Need

But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:18-19 (CSB)

4. Jesus Finishes What He Starts

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (CSB)

…looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (ASV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/all-about-jesus-jesus-is-my-a-z-revelation-18-2213/

Back Talker: Battle Weary: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

1. FAITHFUL TO YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB)

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

A. God is faithful in providing for you

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (CSB)

B. God is faithful to encourage you

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:16 (CSB)

C. God is faithful in comforting you

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (CSB)

2. STRENGTHENS YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB)

3. PROTECTS YOU

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (CSB)

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/back-talker-battle-weary-2-thessalonians-33/

Back Talker: Stomp On The Strongholds: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

…and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:27 (CSB)

Living in Spiritual Victory requires me to…

1. Discern The Thoughts

…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

2. Disperse The Weapons

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.  Pray at all times in the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17-18 (CSB)

3. Demolish The Strongholds

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/back-talker-stomp-on-the-strongholds-2-corinthians-103-5/

Back Talker: Spiritual Sass: Matthew 4:1-11

 

How to sass the devil…

1. Know God’s word

Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”⁴ He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:3-4 (CSB)

Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” ⁷ Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
Matthew 4:5-7 (CSB)

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (CSB)

2. Get filled with the Spirit

When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
Matthew 3:16 (CSB)

Then Jesus left the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.
Luke 4:1 (CSB)

3. Understand the schemes of the enemy

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Matthew 4:1-3 (CSB)

4. Believe you will overcome

Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.
Matthew 4:11 (CSB)

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/back-talker-spiritual-sass-matthew-41-11/

Storyline: Celebrate Your Story: Esther 9:20-10:3

 

When I follow God’s plan I can…

1. Celebrate the Past—What God has done

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all of King Ahasuerus’s provinces, both near and far. 21 He ordered them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar every year 22 because during those days the Jews gained relief from their enemies. That was the month when their sorrow was turned into rejoicing and their mourning into a holiday. They were to be days of feasting, rejoicing, and of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.
Esther 9:20-22 (CSB)

2. Celebrate the Present—What God is doing

They fought on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.18 But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.
Esther 9:17-18 (CSB)

3. Celebrate the Future—What God will continue to do

…the Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined with them to a commitment that they would not fail to celebrate these two days each and every year according to the written instructions and according to the time appointed. 28 These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.
Esther 9:27-28 (CSB)

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (CSB)

Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was famous among the Jews and highly esteemed by many of his relatives. He continued to pursue prosperity for his people and to speak for the well-being of all his descendants.
Esther 10:3 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/storyline-celebrate-your-story-esther-920-103/

Storyline: Reversible: Esther 8:1-17

1. God Reverses My Sentence

Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
Esther 3:13 (CSB)

The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war.
Esther 8:11 (CSB)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (CSB)

2. God Reverses My Sorrow

When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. 2 He went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. 3 There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict reached. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4:1-3 (CSB)

Mordecai went from the king’s presence clothed in royal blue and white, with a great gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
Esther 8:15 (CSB)

…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.   
Psalm 30:15 (NIV)

3. God Reverses My Situation

Have them bring a royal garment that the king himself has worn and a horse the king himself has ridden, which has a royal crown on its head. 9 Put the garment and the horse under the charge of one of the king’s most noble officials. Have them clothe the man the king wants to honor, parade him on the horse through the city square, and call out before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.’” The king told Haman, “Hurry, and do just as you proposed. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the King’s Gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested.” 11 So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, calling out before him, “This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.”
Esther 6:8-11 (CSB)

The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces assembled, defended themselves, and gained relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not seize any plunder.
Esther 9:16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/storyline-reversable-esther-81-17/