Seek First To Understand Then To Be Understood, Pastor Phil Sessa

James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires”

God gave us all two ears and only one mouth. I think by our mere creation, God has designed us to do twice as much listening than we do speaking. First we must be quick to listen. Are you a careful listener, intent listener? Husbands do you give your wife your undivided attention when called upon by them during a time when they need your ears to just listen and not your mouth of advice?

Your communication with your spouse should be a two-way conversation that involves time effort,

Increase Our Faith, Evans Olang

Luke 17, vs. ,”5 – And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

The subject on faith is very important, but what kind of faith? We need faith for sure, however we need faith that works. In this message we will look at the faith we truly need. The opening verse in chapter 17:1 reads, “Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! “. I highlight the word “IMPOSSIBLE” because it sets in motion what kind of faith we need.

Confronting Sons Of Thunder Mentality, Evans Olang

Mark 10:35-37, “35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

In talking about the disciples, there is no one’s life detailed as that of Peter followed by that of James and John the sons of Zebedee. Interestingly, when Jesus called these two brother’s to be His disciples, He gave them the name Boarnerges which means Sons of Thunder, (Mark 3:17) because of their fiery temperaments. It appears that this is the only place in scripture where they were referred to by this title.

Ambassadors For Christ, Evans Olang

2Corinthians 5:20, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God”

Ambassadors are ministers of the highest rank, with full authority to represent their country. If you are born again, you need to realize that you are an ambassador for Christ. You are a minister with a highest rank raised to represent his country, the Kingdom of heaven with the gospel. We are not of this world, we are ambassadors in this world. Those who are saved are citizens of heaven temporarily on assignment here on earth (country). No ambassador comes in his own authority and does what he wants, he displays a lifestyle depicting what his country is like.

Striving For Excellence As A Servant, Evans Olang

Matthew 20:27-28, “ 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

In our time, to be called a servant/slave is considered by many as insult, sounds like slavery. A servant is a person who serves others, an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer. Servants have always been expected to fulfill their duties and many servants either meet the expectations or fall below. From my experience, I rarely hear of servants going beyond the required duty striving for excellence.

Bear One Another’s Burdens, Evans Olang

Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”

We all go through seasons, we have those seasons you need someone to help you bear your burden. Even Moses who was strong to lead the Israelites out of the land of Egypt needed someone to help him bear the burdens. At one point while Joshua was battling Amalekites, their victory depended on Moses keeping his hands raised up high.

Going Out Of Your Way, by Evans Olang

Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad”

In the world we are living in, virtue is decreasing tremendously. Kindness is running out the door right before our eyes. Respect for the elderly is diminishing, respect for life is affected. Respect for other people and their belongings are threatened. What a world we live in, a crazy scary world it is.

Make Me A Servant, Evans Olang

Leviticus 25:55, “For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God”

Difficult people to lead are those who come to a place with their own agenda. We come for us, we come to receive and if we don’t get it as expected, frustrations may rise. Some have been so much affected that they left because they were not satisfied by what they received.