Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson
2016-04
Episodes
Sunday Apr 24, 2016
The Greater One Lives in You
Sunday Apr 24, 2016
Sunday Apr 24, 2016
1 John 4:4, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Beware of the lure of lesser things. As an “overcomer,” the Apostle John is not talking about “us” against “them” (people). He is talking to “overcomers” who know the Spirit of God and do not yield to the “spirit” of lesser things. 1 John 4:1-2 says, “Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God.”
This is the “them” that we have overcome. We have overcome lesser spirits in order to know the Spirit of God. In this message, you will learn about the three keys to living the overcomer’s lifestyle!
Sunday Apr 10, 2016
The Blessing of Hearing After Listening
Sunday Apr 10, 2016
Sunday Apr 10, 2016
Mark 4:23, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24] And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Hearing is a function of our will to understanding what is being said. We listen with our ears, but we hear with our minds and hearts.
Many scriptures show the importance of hearing. Faith itself comes by hearing; “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Hearing is much more important than most people imagine. Hearing is obviously a necessary component in communication. Insofar as our walk with God is concerned, hearing is all important:
How you hear will determine the quality of your life
How you hear will determine your level of authority and responsibility in life
How you hear will determine the measure of God’s anointing on your life.
A) Hearing determines aptitude (ability) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear…”
B) Hearing determines attitude (state of mind), "Take heed what [or how] you hear...”
C) Hearing determines altitude (height) “With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you…”
Four Types of Listening:
1. Passive Listening • Passive means, “not active, but acted upon.” Passive people are generally sluggish and disengaged. Passive listeners only “purk up” when something is said that relates to what they want. In the face of responsibility, a passive listener may pretend to be deaf.
Passive listening produces frustration in any communication or relationship because it creates uncertainly, slow progress, and shortcuts excellence.
2. Convenient Listening • Convenient is defined as, “Situated within easy reach.” The convenient listener only applies his heart to hear when the information or task is within easy reach. As believers, we have a dilemma: We live in a world that promotes convenience above everything; but we also live in a Kingdom of which Jesus said, “the violent [or aggressive] take it by force” (Matt 11:12).
3. Critical Listening • The word “critical” is defined as, “exhibiting the spirit of one who looks for and points out faults and defects.” Communication often fails because of critical listening that is more concerned about finding faults than in understanding the content and meaning of the message. Critical listeners are not motivated to learn and grow. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3] And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:2-3)
4. Active Listening • This should become our goal: Active listeners “hear” the communication accurately the first time. “Active” is defined: “Not waiting to be acted upon. Prepared to apply what is heard and act on it—regardless of circumstances.
James 1:25, But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Sunday Apr 03, 2016
Lessons from Lemonade: How Trouble Becomes Triumph
Sunday Apr 03, 2016
Sunday Apr 03, 2016
Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19)
Always serve God, even when doing so brings difficulty, like sour lemons. Through the power of Jesus Christ, you can bring the water of the word and sweetness of the Holy Spirit to every bitter circumstance. This will produce something good, from something bad, like refreshing lemonade. Then, you will be able to sip and rejoice as God shows you, and others, his love, power, mercy and favor.