Jesus Is In The House!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2021 Bible Reading Challenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his book, Building a Contagious Church, Mark Mittleberg asks us to join him in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. As you walk up to the large arena, you see a mass of young people in line for a concert. The headline act is shock-rockeer Marilyn Manson (named after Marilyn Monroe and mass murderer Charles Manson and bills himself as the \u201cAnti-Christ Superstar\u201d). The crowd is noisy and energetic, ready to see a show that most, if not all of us would not even consider attending, to say the least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you get closer, you notice a group of people engaging the concertgoers in lively discussion. The protesters are Christians with signs expressing their disapproval of Marilyn Manson and all those who would attend the concert. These zealous protesters are yelling at the crowd, and the Manson fans are shouting back with equal intensity. Though no physical blows are exchanged across the battle lines, a steady barrage of verbal missiles and assaults are launched back and forth. Obviously there is a significant disconnect between the two groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon another group of Christians enter the mix. It\u2019s a band of 19-29 year olds from a ministry called \u201cthe gro-ups\u201d, sponsored by Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan. They unload bags of ice, coolers, and cases of Mountain Dew. They walk up to the pulsating crowd of anxious rockers and begin giving away soft drinks. No signs condemning anyone, no strings attached\u2014just free drinks, a smile and a sincere, \u201cHave a good evening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the people going to the concert simply accepted the free drink and moved on. Others say thank you and asked \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The answer was simple with not shame or guilt attached, \u201cWe love God and we love you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some snickered and walked away. Others lingered and talked a bit. One young man begins to interact more deeply and even decides to throw away his ticket and help the members of \u201cgro-ups\u201d hand out more drinks! Out of this simple act of service, lives were touched and the love of Jesus was communicated to people who might have no other positive contact with Christians. There was an obvious connection between the two groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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There are all kinds of ideas of what it means to stand up for Jesus. I know of quite a few folks in the \u201cturn or burn\u201d crowd. These folks hand out tracts to Catholics about the eucharist being a \u201cCookie God\u201d. When most folks turn and shun them, they congratulate themselves for standing for the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In passage tonight we find a powerful spiritual encounter with the Savior. There was a huge crowd, God\u2019s power was on display, sins were forgiven, false doctrine was exposed and God was worshipped. What drew these folks? How was the city prepared? It was simple, word spread that Jesus was in the House!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about that for a minute. What if when you came into church tonight, you saw Jesus sitting a few pews back, chatting with the folks who came in early? What would you do differently? Would you sing differently? Would you pray differently? Would you still pass notes and joke with those near you in the pew during worship? Would you tell anyone about our little prayer meeting? What if Jesus, on the way out told us He would see us Sunday morning? Would you do anything different leading up to church? Would you pack the place out because Jesus was in the house? Would you make sure you got to bed Saturday night and got everyone up on time because Jesus was going to show up? Would you make sure your sins were confessed and your soul was ready for whatever spiritual thing God was going to do because Jesus was going to be in the house? Oh if I knew Jesus was going to show up in person things would be way different…. ummmm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 18:20<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight we are going to look at what can happen when we take God at His word and really believe that Jesus is in the house. This is what we must do with the fact that Jesus is in the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noise It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark 2:1<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark 1:43\u201345<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n John 9:25<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Attend It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Mark 2:2<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hebrews 10:25<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Mark 2:2<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 5:2<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke 8:1<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Corinthians 1:18<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romans 10:17<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Uncover It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark 2:3\u20134<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tDon\u2019t let anything get in your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWe will do what it takes to show up when we really believe that Jesus is in the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWe will not let personal preferences, or differences of opinion keep us away if we really believe that Jesus is in the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Believe It!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Mark 2:5<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tBelief accesses Grace for forgiveness<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tBelief accesses Grace for healing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Witness It!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark 2:6\u201310<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tSkepticism melts when exposed to the manifested presence of Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tNot sure if its true? COME AND SEE…. JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experience It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark 2:11\u201312<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tExperience Deliverance<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tExperience Forgiveness<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tExperience Healing<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tExperience Life Changing Power<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Amazed By It!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Mark 2:12<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament <\/p>\n\n\n\n ???????? ????????: cause someone to be so astounded as to be practically overwhelmed<\/p>\n\n\n\n Become so absolutely overwhelmed by the manifest presence of Jesus Christ, you cannot help but burst forth in praise and worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John 4:24<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My dear friends, if our eyes of faith would be enlightened a bit, the power of God would be unleashed in a way we have not seen! Jesus promised it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 18:20<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So since Jesus is in the house: Let us <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tNoise it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tAttend it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tHear it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tUncover it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tBelieve it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWitness it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tExperience it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tAnd Be Amazed By It – driven to passionate worship!<\/p>\n\n\n\n After All…. Jesus is in the House!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:22 PM October 19, 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jesus Is In The House! Pastor Don Carpenter 2021 Bible Reading Challenge In his book, Building a Contagious Church, Mark Mittleberg asks us to join him in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. As you walk up to the large arena, you see a mass of young people in line for a concert. The headline act is … Continue reading Jesus Is In The House!<\/span>