Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Free Indeed! Free Forever!

Be Empowered. Empower. Soar into 2017
2017: Your Year of Peace, Purpose, Provision, Empowerment
Free Indeed. Free Forever.
 
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.
~ Isaac Newton
 
We are free indeed and free forever. (Say it) 
Freedom is a treasure and a legacy. It is a treasure because is it valuable. It is a legacy because we did not create it, we only inherited freedom. Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. We have the responsibility to live a certain way and we have the responsibility to share it.
When Jesus says he makes us “free indeed” he is talking about freedom in the total sense, at every level.
The word "indeed" means: Truly, in reality, in point of fact, as opposed to what is pretended, fictitious, false, conjectural
On the national holiday Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior we not only celebrate the work of the man but of an entire movement of which he is the most visible figure. He is a figure that cannot be hidden, though many others are hidden in history. 
The civil rights movement was not actually a movement of freedom but a movement of the exercise of the rights of freedom. People who were not already “free indeed” could not have done what they accomplished. The only people who can truly exercise rides are people who already know that they are free. That leads to the conviction that oppression of freedom is evil and the oppression of evil people must be addressed.
“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.” Rev. Dr. KIng
Dr. King possession the spiritual and intellection capacity to be prophetic and proactive. He and the ministers who led the movement were closer to God and ten times smarter than the oppressors.
Psalms 119:98, Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
Here in the 21st-century many people are not living in the freedom they have already been provided because they've not experienced freedom indeed through Christ.
We are free indeed and free forever. But here's the hook, with freedom comes responsibility. It is our actions that determine if we live in what God has provided or if we continue to miss the best that God has for us.
Looking again at our text: John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Some of Jesus’ own people thought that they already possessed all the freedom they needed. We don’t want to make that same mistake in only leaning on religion or what our society defines and freedom.
To be “free indeed” requires a Savior
While doing research for this message and presentation I noted how many accounts of the Civil Rights movement exclude the facts of how fundamental prayer was to the whole process. History has recast the movement as a secular movement. No, it was a God inspired movement led by preachers and believers in Christ. It was a movement that included not only black men and women, but courageous white men and women. 
The Civil Rights movement was one of the most prophetic movements of the 21st-century
I define “prophetic” as: God accomplishing His purposes by declaring his will and purpose in advance and then performing His will through willing people and ordered circumstances.
Freedom Definition in the civil context: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; Absence of subjection to domination or despotic government.
A despot is: A ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways.
Freedom in the spiritual context: The power to know God, love God, love others, act in accordance with the will and Word of God. It is the power to be free from sin, demonic, and carnal influence to fulfill the Character of Christ.
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” (M.L. King)
You can’t think and talk like that unless you are “free indeed.” 
“Jesus recognized the need for blending opposites. He knew that his disciples would face a difficult and hostile world, where they would confront the recalcitrance of political officials and the intransigence of the protectors of the old order. He knew that they would meet cold and arrogant men whose hearts had been hardened by the long winter of traditionalism. ... And he gave them a formula for action, "Be ye therefore as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." ... We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.
We Are Free Indeed and Free Forever. That’s we are empowered and can empower others.
Definition of empower: Help people gain power or authority to do something great 
Let’s talk about Financial Freedom because free indeed must also include freedom from debt. The Bible says the “borrower is servant to the lender.” People who are free indeed should also be free from debt.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
I make a distinction in purpose between consumer debt and debts for assets such as a home mortgage, but being debt free is our goal. 
I am pleased to announce that in 2017 New Covenant Church will be completely debt free! It is an expression of “free indeed.” Because you are connected to this ministry and you are New Covenant Church, you share in the blessing and breakthrough. 
We are stewards, not owners.
Everything we have is a gift from God. We have a tendency to act like we “earned” things, but that’s not the truth. Without the time, talents and providence of God, we wouldn’t have anything!
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Everything belongs to God. He simply allows us the great privilege of caring for it. And one of the best ways we can do that is to not be wasteful.
In John 6:12, after Jesus fed the multitude, He told the people, “Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces left over) so that nothing may be lost or wasted.”

2017: Your Year of Peace, Purpose, Provision, Empowerment

INFLUENCE Micah 4:1, Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.”
EMPOWERED Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
EMPOWERING Colossians 1:10, So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 
Definition of empower: Help people gain power or authority to do something great
HOW TO BE EMPOWERED AND EMPOWER OTHERS.
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV
On one level December 31 and January 1 is only going from one day to the next day. On another level, we mark the New Year as something special because we value time and purpose. Because we reference our past life in terms of years, we think about our future life in the same way. We are creatures of time with eternal purpose. Every year is full of blessings and challenges, joys and sorrows, with people added and people who depart. Sometimes a year includes extraordinary gains and losses.
Through Isaiah, the Lord offers profound counsel for 2017:
1. PEACE “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old." Let the past stay in the past. Do not live in the past or look back as if you had no bright future.
2. PURPOSE "Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?" No matter how much you have done or how old you are, God is still doing new things. It will "spring forth" meaning that the "new thing" will come quickly. You need to "know it" in faith, not just wish for it.
3. PROVISION & EMPOWERMENT "I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." God can do the impossible for you. He will pave a road through your wilderness.  He will provide a river through your desert....provision in a dry place.
Expect a prosperous and fruitful new year!

Your Faith Can Make You Well

Mark 5:25-34
The true story concerning the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years clearly demonstrates the operation of faith in God. The process of faith which resulted in this woman's healing can be understood and activated in the life of any believer. This process can be understood with seven key words... 

Literacy of Love

Literacy of Love
1 John 3:1, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
One of the biggest problems in any society is illiteracy---the inability to read. Literacy is an essential skill to person development and fulfillment in life. One of the least desirable attributes is to be considered Illiterate.
 Literacy Defined:
1) Literacy is traditionally understood as the ability to read, write and use arithmetic
2)The modern term's meaning has been expanded to include the ability to use language, numbers, images, computers, and other basic means to understand, communicate, gain useful knowledge and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture
 Since we see many forms of literacy defined today, I want to offer another form of literacy: The Literacy of Love. It is the ability, willingness, and skill to walk in love (deeds and truth)
 Paul contrasted other abilities to the ability to love.
1 Corinthians 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
What kind of love has the Father given us?
He has given us the kind of love that has transformed us into children of God

The Fruitful Power of Your Seed

The Fruitful Power of Your Seed
Mark 4:26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.
Four Principles from Mark 4:26-28:
The kingdom of God, and your life, functions on the principle of Seedtime and harvest.
8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and nigh hall not cease.”
“...a man should scatter seed...”
The harvest, or results, we get from life come from the seeds of action that we plant, or of what others plant for us.
This is also true for financial blessings for ourselves and our church.
A seed, once planted, gains the power to produce and increase.
We don’t know how this happens, since we cannot see and it is not possible to be aware of every process.
One thing is certain, if we have not planted any seed, we won’t have any harvest.
This is what the Lord meant by asking this question, “Will a man rob God? Question: “How have we robbed you?” Answer: “In tithes and offerings.”
Increase comes in stages. “For the earth yields crops by itself.” Expect and look for signs of increase. When you see the “blade” make your plans for increase and continued sowing.
We don’t how this happens, since we cannot see and it is not possible to be aware of every process.
Don’t let fear and stinginess keep you from your greater blessings and, more importantly, greater benefits for God’s work.
Our goal is not only to have success and more money, but to have “good success” and to establish God’s covenant in the earth
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 8:17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Reap Your Harvest: Sow + Water = Increase

Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 
1 Corinthians 3:1,  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
The Corinthians had lost perspective. They were sowing and reaping, but not in the productive godly manner.
We are not spectators in the stand, We are players on the field. 
Spectators are criticizers. The perspective is much different when you are on the field and in the game.  We’ve made a sport out of Christianity, complete with favorite teams/churches, favorite players/preachers, favorite bands/praise teams, and favorite products. 
We are in the business of performing in the sense of doing God’s will in the service of blessing people.
1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
According to the text, we are looking doing one of two options:
1. We Plant or Sow
2. We Water or support
Doing nothing is not an option

Reap Your Harvest: Three Principles of Harvest

Three Principles of Harvest
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”
PRINCIPLE #1 | THE POTENTIAL OF SOWING AND REAPING IS NOT LOGICAL. IT REQUIRES FAITH IN GOD
Small seeds produce vast produce, with more seed inside. (Show tomato photos) Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes, which are potato pieces cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes with at least two eyes.  The yield is 5-10 potatoes per plant. To
Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.”
Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
As people of faith, we must often do things that are illlogical or  "counter-intuitive," meaning that we don't think, respond, act as we feel, or do what is usual (2 Corinthians 5:7). We walk by faith and not by sight. We should become comfortable with doing opposite of “conventional" or worldly wisdom. Like pilots who must learn the necessity of flying by instruments, rather than by their physical senses and emotions. 
Illogical acts of faith include:
• Become exalted by humbling oneself
• Give away, gain more
• Sowing Seed to Reap a Harvest
• Being still to know what to do
• In everything giving thanks
• Love those who hate you
• Do good for those who do not treat you well
• Serve people who have less than yourself
• Rejoice when persecuted
Aviation is a good illustration of living by faith. The act of something heavier than air flying is illogical. When man first attempted to fly, they tried to build machines that acted like birds or built hot air balloons. Pilots have to train themselves to do things that are counterintuitive, yet they have to be practical, realistic, fact and reality based. They (and we) rely on scientific laws or principles such as gravity and lift.
Being prepared for the harvest requires receiving the rain, or the word, of God. There is early and latter rain in your life
PRINCIPLE #2 | WITHOUT PLANTING AND SUPPORT, THE HARVEST CANNOT COME
(Show tomato growing video)
James 5:7, Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 
When you live in the Harvest principle, you will have seasons of rejoicing in receiving your harvest! 
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 
PRINCIPLE #3 | WITHOUT FAITH TO HONOR GOD WITH OUR FIRSTFRUITS, WE ARE NOT IN THE FULL WILL OF GOD
As God’s people, we understand the principle of "first fruits "which is bringing your first and best to God.  First fruits is the principle of dedicating our “first things” to the Lord, so that everything else can fall into their proper position. It’s about aligning ourselves with God’s order. 
Exodus 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. 
Exodus 22:29 “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
Leviticus 23:9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 NIV
Any time a “first” becomes a “second,” everything else is pushed into a different priority, creating disorder. Our foundation is putting the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, first. When we put God first, all priorities fall in their proper place
Proverbs 3:9 NIV, Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“Seek” by implication means indirectly “to worship”

Reap Your Harvest: Provision, Favor, Changed Lives

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest,Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”
John 4:31 Inthe meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to  them, “I have food to eat ofwhich you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Hasanyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to dothe will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Thereare still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, liftup your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that bothhe who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying istrue: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which youhave not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors
You are predestined to reap a harvest on three levels:
In blessing (provision)
In favor (access and influence)
In changed lives (making a positive difference in people's lives)
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, youwill ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father isglorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:16, You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointedyou that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, thatwhatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things Icommand you, that you love one another.
Jesus appointed us to go and bear fruit. Being fruitful is one ofthe objectives of life.
1 With respect to blessing and provision, that is connected tosowing and reaping. It's not just about provision for ourselves but provisionfor the purposes of God.
It's not hard to have to enough for yourself, it's more difficultto have a enough to serve God's purposes and to be a blessing to others.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure,pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
This is the problem with the lack of giving tithes and offerings,it's not that we lack but that we cause the house of God and his purposes tohave lack. Of course, if we don't give to God we will have more for ourselvesin the short run, but in the long run and for God's purposes, we will lack inways beyond monetary and material fulfillment.
Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes andofferings.
9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Eventhis whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there maybe food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If Iwill not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessingThat there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that hewill not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bearfruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be adelightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.
2 Concerning favor and influence, the apostle Paul experienced harvest:
Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by avision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am withyou, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in thiscity.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word ofGod among them.
Operating in the kingdom of God also produces a harvest offavor:
Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things isacceptable to God and approved by men.
3 We also operate in the harvest of changed lives.
Matthew 9:37-38, Then He said to His disciples, “The harvesttruly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.Therefore pray the Lord of theharvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Acts 18:10-11 shows the harvest of changed lives after leadingJustus and Crispus to the Lord.
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of acertain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door tothe synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lordwith all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you;for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and sixmonths, teaching the word of God among them.
Justus and Crispuswere two of the many people that God had in the city. I believe that God spokeprophetically concerning people in the city. God knows those who will acceptJesus, when the gospel is presented. But we don’t know. I called this the“Appointed Harvest”
Being prepared for the harvest requires receiving the rain, orthe word, of God. There is early and latter rain in your life.
JAM 5:7, Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of theLord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waitingpatiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
When you live in theHarvest principle, you will have seasons of rejoicing in receiving yourharvest!
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a greatlight; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light hasshined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoicebefore You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide thespoil.
As gods people, we understand the principle of "first fruits"which is bringing your first and best to God.Leviticus 23: And the Lord spoke to Moses,saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you comeinto the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring asheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave thesheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after theSabbath the priest shall wave it. 

From Faith to Faith - Let Down Your Nets. Change Your Life

From Faith to Faith
Let Down Your Nets…Change Your Life
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for
it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew
first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Luke 5:1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to
hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two
boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were
washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and
asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the
multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon,
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon
answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;
nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done
this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they
signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they
came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter
saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a
sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the
catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the
sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not
be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their
boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

"A Useful Vessel" by Patricia Hudson