Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

The Power of Humility

Asking God requires a humble attitude

Asking God

The dynamics of how to ask God and obey His leadership in your life.

Parable of Householder: Power of Balance

Matt: 13:52 (NLT)
Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” 53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58 And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
This eighth and final parable in Matt 13 wraps up the teaching on the Kingdom of God that Jesus delivered. It was necessary that His disciples understand the difference between living in the reality of the Kingdom and simply living in the selfish decisions of life.
As with all the other parables, Jesus used commonly understood objects to teach spiritual truth. A householder is someone who owns or rents a home; a homeowner. Everyone understands the significance and obligations of being a property owner. People of the kingdom also have significance and obligations. These are not a burden, but a blessing.

Parable of Treasure: The Power of Value

Matthew 13:44 (Amplified Bible)
The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13:44 (New Living Translation)
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
Value is defined as: the worth, importance, or usefulness of something. The verb is definded as: to rate something according to its perceived worth, importance, or usefulness.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21) We follow what we value. We are going in the direction of what we value. We make our choices based on the value we place on things and people. We are driven by value, or the worth, importance, or usefulness of things natural and spiritual.

Parable of Tares: The Power of Challenge

Life brings many challenges and rewards. As people that follow Jesus Christ, we are a part of God’s kingdom, or the King’s domain. At the same time we are part of this present world with all of its possibilities and pitfalls. As people of God, we are not exempt from temptation and challenge. But we have God-given position, power and privilege that enables us to overcome negative circumstances. We also the power to avoid the counterfeit and embrace the genuine
The parable of the Wheat and the Tares shows us the power of challenge. Challenge is defined: A situation that tests somebody’s abilities.
When it is all said and done, we will be those that Jesus identifies in Matthew 13:43,
Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

3 Keys to Manifesting the Peace of God

Philippians 4 (New Living Translation)
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
INTRODUCTION:
Peace is one of those words that everyone understands in their own world of experience. When you hear the word “peace” what do you think about? Do you think about how you feel on the inside? Do you think about the status of relationships in your life? Do you think about the war in Iraq? Do you think about Jesus as the Prince of peace? Do you think about hippies, tie-dyed shirts and peace signs from the 1970’s (show peace sign)?
Peace is personal reality. Peace is a powerful revelation. But peace can be fragile and is often conditional. Peace is usually the benefit or result of doing something else first. Having peace and walking in peace with others requires faith and action. Above all, peace is a promise from God. It is a promise that you both deserve and need.
Last week we talked about how worry, in all its subtle forms, comes to steal away your peace. Today, we will learn how to manifest the peace of God at all times and under any circumstances.
This message will follow a simple three-point outline. We are going to learn about the:
1. Characteristics that Cultivate Peace
2. Roles that Release Peace
3. Modes that Manifest Peace

Fathers in 3D

Message Notes:
Fathers in 3D
Our Destiny, Our Design, Our Duty
PRO 17:6, Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
PRO 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
A. A Father’s Destiny (Purpose)
Fathers instruct, mothers impart the law of God. Instructions and principles form the basic tools for building anything, including a life. “Law” speaks of what to do. “Instruction” speaks of what to do.
1. He is destined to bring correction and Instruction
a. HEB 12:9, “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
b. Correction from a father prepares children to accept God’s correction
2. He is destined to be admired by his children and grandchildren.
B. A Father’s Design
Fathers, like Adam, the “father” of Eden, are developed by divine instruction and maximized (brought to fullness) through action in divine purpose. Gen. 1:26, 2:8-15
1. He is designed to reflect Father God’s:
• Image (Character)
• Likeness (Manner)
• Dominion (Action)
2. He is designed to cultivate (tend and keep) the purpose of God in sons and daughters
EPH 6:4, And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
3. He is designed to Reflect Christlikeness and Remove any curse
Gal. 3: 13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"[2] ), 14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Numbers 14:17, And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, 18 "The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' 19 Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."
C. A Father’s Duty
Fathers are gateways to provision, protection and power. “In the gates…”
Jer. 17:19, Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20and say to them, "Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.
1. His duty is to lead the way (Not like Samuel 1 Sam. 8:1-3 “Our father which art inactive”)
2. His duty is to overcome obstacles and build for the future
a. Nehemiah 4:14, “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
3. His duty is to set standards that children and others should follow
a. PRO 22:28 Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
Our responsibility to our Fathers is to:
• Listen to him
• Learn from him
• Lean on him
• Love him

Behold the Lamb of God

Message Worksheet
Name: Bryan Hudson
Type of Message: [ ] Topical [ X ] Expository: Scripture Text: John 1:29-39
My Title:
Behold the Lamb of God: From Promise to Preeminence
My Theme:
The challenges and blessings of following Jesus as the preeminent person and power of the universe
My Purpose:
To help people understand the necessity of following Jesus more than following anything or anyone else. To show how a great man like John the Baptist, who had followers, could put Jesus first and send his people to Him
Introduction Technique Used: Four things known to exist: Time, Space, Energy, Matter, Show how one of the greatest minds that ever lived, Albert Einstein, spent, some say wasted, the second half of his life looking for a theory to explain all other theories, a “unified field theory.” He never found it. Often times we live in frustration because we search for things, and the purpose of those things, that we cannot find.
Body:
• Main Point 1: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away sin: what does this mean?
Passover lamb: Suggests deliverance
Morning/evening offering of imperfect lambs in temple for sins: Suggests one perfect offering
Lamb to slaughter (Is. 53): Suggests death
A horned lamb was the symbol of victory used by the Maccabees (In 164 BCE, By the end of the war, they ushered in an 80-year period of Jewish independence.): Jesus was the champion of God who fought with sin and mastered it in single contest. “Lamb” used 21 times in revelation
It is a word that sums up Jesus’ work, In one word it sums up the love, the sacrifice, the suffering and the triumph of Christ.
• Main Point 2: John, like so many other things, was the center of attention until Jesus came
AMP] 31, This is He of Whom I said, After me comes a Man Who has priority over me [Who takes rank above me] because He was before me and existed before I did.
Jesus is preeminent
Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
John was Jesus’ cousin. He knew who he was, but he did not know “what” he was until He was baptized and the Spirit of God came upon him and stayed.
• Main Point 3: When Jesus comes, everyone and everything shifts to serve the Lordship and preeminence of Jesus.
30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’
31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.
John exalted Jesus in a way that cause his disciple to follow Him. John knew that he was not the center of attraction. He was the one who drew back the curtain to show the world the main attraction, Jesus. This is the reason why as a baby in Elizabeth’s womb, he reacted to the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary when the two women met (Luke 1:41). John responded then and he responded now.
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
What do you want?” This was a customary respond my a Rabbi or teacher. Students had to show their willingness and eagerness to learn. Jesus didn’t have time for people who just wanted to “hang out” with Him.”
“Where are you staying?” Not a question about His accommodations, but a request to be committed to Jesus leadership.
“Come and see” We would say, “Let’s roll.”
It sounds simple, but it’s more like joining the army during a time of war. Army: “Be all you can be.” Air Force: “Aim High.” Marines: “Looking for a few good men.”
When Jesus says, “Come and See,” you are entering the learning zone, followed by the battle zone, followed by the victory zone.
• Illustration: Did you know that the 747 jet that is used to transport the President is not really called Air Force One? It’s real name is SAM 27000. It becomes Air Force One when the President is one it. Any airplane that the President is one becomes Air Force One. Even a crop duster would be AFO if an acting President of the United States is on it. This is done to show his preeminence and to clear the air space around him. Everyone and everything has to shift when the President is moving.
Conclusion:
Review your main points.
I know of a far greater power than the President of these United States. I know someone who flies higher, goes farther and will reign for more than two terms. I know someone that I would rather following more than anyone who lives or as ever lived. I know someone who said to me 27 years ago, Bryan “Come and See” and I have been rolling with Him ever since.
• His name is Jesus and He is the “Lamb of God!’
• He takes away the sin of the world, He took away my sin.
• He will take away your sin.
• He did not just suffer and die. He rose from the dead and he reigns everyday, 24/7.
Behold the Lamb of God!

Out From Under Circumstances

INTRODUCTION: When asked, “How are you?” We usually respond from the perspective of circumstances. Some people say, “I guess I’m okay under the circumstances.” Others know better than to say “under the circumstance” but are still dominated in their thinking and reporting by adverse circumstances.
We need to learn how to accept the reality of circumstances, but to then move immediately to getting out from under them. We need to learn about and practice true contentment. We also need to learn how to get past simply living as victims of circumstances and become victors through setting conditions and victory and success.
Circumstance defined: A condition that affects what happens or how somebody reacts in a particular situation (usually used in the plural)
2. the conditions that affect somebody’s life and that are beyond his or her control
3. an event or occurrence (formal)
4. the way an event happens or develops
There are two kinds of conditions: 1) Conditions which occur beyond our control. 2) Conditions which we set (more about this later).
Condition defined: Something that is necessary for something else to happen, for example, to bring a circumstance about.
Content (verb) as commonly defined: to accept or make do with something, rather than taking further action or making more demands.
Content as a biblical contextual definition: Peacefully satisfied with what you have done or achieved in regards to circumstances
You cannot control all circumstances, though you can greatly affect them.
Discontent is a disease of the soul. It is often personal incompetence, laziness or failure to acknowledge mistakes parading as finding fault with others. People on jobs sometimes say, “I’m not happy here anymore. My needs are not being met. I need to move on.” That sounds like a pouting, self-centered, child who neglected his chores and wants to blame the parents
We should not react to circumstances, but respond from conditions set by contentment.
Example: If a major league threw a 95 mph fastball in your direction, you would duck or run away. If he threw it toward Barry Bonds, he would try to hit it out of the park. For you, the fastball is a circumstance because you don’t play baseball. For Bonds it is a condition for which he has prepared through contentment.
Five Keys to setting conditions that lead to contentment:
1. Foundation: Prayer / Worship / Holiness / Obedience
“Pray and not faith…”
2. Revelation: A “rhema” Word
Romans 10:17, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith begins where the will of God is known
3. Impartation: Faith
Matthew 17:20, So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
With faith, nothing shall be impossible (cannot exist and cannot be done), though it may seem improbable (not likely to happen or be true) to you. The possibility or impossibility of something is a judge call that we make based on our understanding of circumstances. God does not live in our circumstances.
Faith is a condition to hope. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is one of the most important condition to positively affecting your circumstances
4. Dedication: Patience / Perseverance
(NKJV) Hebrews 10 35] Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36] For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
(NIV) Hebrews 10: 35, So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38] But my righteous one[6] will live by faith. And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."[7] 39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
(AMP) Hebrews 10:35 Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.
36For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and [5] carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.
37For still a little while (a very little while), and the Coming One will come and He will not delay.
38But the just shall live by faith [My righteous servant shall live [6] by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it]; and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him.(9)
39But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.
Make the commitment to stay the course. “Don’t cast away your confidence.” You don’t need deliverance. You don’t need more money. You don’t even need a face lift or a tummy tuck. You need endurance.
Endurance defined: the ability or power to bear prolonged exertion, pain, or hardship
Greek definition: “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy”
Edurance/Patience is continuing on the path, within the assignment and connected to the people God has set in your life.
5. Confession: Words are evidence of belief. Words impact our thinking. As a man thinks, so is he.
Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. (Amp.)

Flying Upside Down

Jesus is the Light of the world. Without His direction, we are like pilots flying upside down.