August 23, 2026

 Sunday AM Recap

August 23, 2026 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/_ds_cgFE8Rs?si=PZ2K18Nciv-2NiLw 

Teacher Sara Ozbun opened the service. 

Stacea Kuehn led worship. 

Early Childhood Worship:

Link: https://youtu.be/4dDGnGcwRXk?si=ZruD279qm8an8NZv 

Big Idea: Sin broke the world but God has a plan

Bible story: Adam and Eve sin

Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 

Message: The Body of CCC

5 and 2 sharing time 

Pastor Jeff invited the congregation to come share how the Word from the past few weeks has impacted or unfolded in their lives.  What has the Lord spoken to you during this series?  What questions do you have?  A comment?  A discovery?  Come and share! 

The congregation was asked to send summaries of what they shared to Teacher Sara so she could recap what was said in their own words.  The following members shared: 

Cathy Spangler:

My contribution to the discussion today: We are the "temple" of Holy Spirit! We have been "entrusted with the POWER of Holy Spirit, Who equips us with spiritual gifts......you don't have to be a "prophet" to prophesy. You don't have to be a "Healer" to heal people or deliver people! The Spirit IN you has supernatural power....abilities to "SEE", to "KNOW", to "access" and to speak for the LORD what He says to you. However, you need to know the "WORD" (It is Written) to "test" what you are given... The LORD gave us His Spirit to teach you and reveal God's thoughts to you! Wow, what a TRUST we've been given! Are you (and I) going to prove FAITHFUL with it? God says "let Me out" and "don't contain Me!"

Sean Ozbun:

When the first message was given in this series challenging us to ask God what He's entrusted us with, the Lord answered the question before I asked.  I was sharing with the Tribe during announcement time that morning about the history of why we pray for the families of the fallen soldiers assigned to battle.  I explained how God had given the directive to Apostle George, and how George had eventually passed it on to me.  Apostle Sue heard me use the phrase "Passed it on" and Holy Spirit told her "No, he mantled him."  I realized that there was more significance to this ministry than I had realized, and I needed to prove faithful to that which I'd been entrusted.  As a result, I've been more consistent in praying for the families of our four most recent fallen soldiers. 

I was also reminded through this series of the importance of being consistent in my walk with Jesus.

I also asked for help from the Tribe to PLEASE pray for me that I would recognize when I'm thinking something is a directive from the Lord, but it is not.  Particularly when the consequences would hurt my family or others.

In addition, Junior Gonzalez  was led to come to the front and share about an experience he had at school about following his gut. He also shared that he initially wasn’t going to come to service, but he felt something drawing him.  Pastor Jeff spoke with him and led him through a process of sharing publicly. 

The following members also shared at the service but the summaries are not in their own words:

Robert Fyock:

Robbie shared about being faithful with things we have already been charged with and not being fearful but being willing to upgrade. 

Kandy Spangler: 

Kandy spoke about having a new path and pattern and how people at work see her with “that Jesus glow.”   She spoke about preaching the Gospel daily and, if necessary, using words. She was also struck by the idea of the “do not disturb” sign that she puts on her cubicle sometimes…does she have a “do not disturb” sign on other parts of her life?  With her family or her husband?  She also spoke about not letting anyone put a false price tag on you - you are worth what GOD says you are worth! She shared this song: 

Matthew Ozbun:

Matthew shared that Matthew 6:33 is a powerful verse in his life, and that it gives an order to how to live our lives…seek FIRST the Kingdom of God, and then everything else.  He spoke about the comfort that verse gives him as he seeks to be faithful in what he has been entrusted with.  He also spoke about the importance of filling his own cup so he has something to pour out.

Stacea Kuehn:

Stacea followed up on what Matthew shared and expanded about her own struggle in pouring out so much for others that she does not have enough left for herself.  She spoke about being a lot of things to a lot of people but the importance of making sure she gets things for herself so she doesn’t burn out in the pouring out for others. 

The service ended with communion. 

  

August 16, 2026

 Sunday AM Recap

August 16, 2026 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/JQVOJ1zrkzc?si=fcB3E8PTuC3fZE9g 

Teacher Sara Ozbun opened the service with an update on Anna Ozbun in Guatemala and a review of the new Hebraic month, Elul. 

You can study more on Elul here: Elul

Rachael Gilmore led worship. 

Early Childhood Worship

Link: https://youtu.be/vkJo2s2rH8Q?si=WTqfWtM_Xpnt7pjZ 

Big Idea: God made everything and it was very good. 

Bible story: Creation

Bible verse: 2 Timothy 3:16

Message: Pastor Jeff Spangler 

“What is Required?”

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

This has been the basis of our series, and we have learned to not ask “what’s in it for me?” but ask “what’s in it for YOU, God?” 

We have mysteries revealed to us that people all around us just don’t understand.  The world is in a battle over who they think is telling the truth.  

It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful - which is not a burden. It means we can be trusted.  

Today’s Title: “What is required?”

There are things that are required when given power and authority.  He measures each one according to what we can handle - He knows us intimately!  His thoughts number more than the pebbles of sand in all the earth…His thoughts about YOU!!!

One million pebbles of sand = one cup.  How many thoughts a day do you have about God?   In one day, we have a hard time thinking about Him a million times, and in a day His thoughts about you number more than all the grains of sand in the world. 

There is something required of us - but He always goes above and beyond the requirement.   Amazing!  We serve a God that always says “I’m only asking this much.  I’m not asking for a million thoughts - but know that I have that about you!” 

He gives us all the trees in the Garden and keeps just one for Himself.

He asks us for 10% and lets us have the other 90%. 

Why do we bristle against authority?  It’s part of our sinful nature - we have a hard time with authority.  So the word “required” becomes a yoke, a heavy burden - but it was never meant to be that.  Whatever He requires is SO much less than what He gives Himself.  He outdoes us ALL THE TIME - how can we not worship this God?!

“Do I have your attention now?”  There’s so much going on around us- and for you to say “I give you my attention” means so much to the Lord.  How did you answer the message: “do I have your attention now?”  What was your response?  Did you find places where He does NOT have your attention? 

Matthew 10:39 - “those who lost their life for My sake will find it”…maybe before you do anything else in a day, start with “I give you my attention, Lord.”  Which has your attention  first - your phone or God? 

Verse 2:

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

What is required?  Don’t just jump to “prove faithful” - that is the way of the world.  That you have to prove something all the time. 

“Those who have been given a trust.”  Who does God give a trust to?

TRUST.  

Many people in Jeff’s business world have a trust - something in place so that when you die, your instructions will be carried out.  Otherwise, the  government will run everything, and someone’s wishes would not be honored. 

Wouldn’t it be terrible to have a God that never wrote anything down and we had to guess for His intentions? 

Definition of trust: 

“A legal agreement where one party known as the grantor gives a trustee the right to hold and manage assets for the benefit of someone else called the beneficiary.”

Three parts:

A grantor

A trustee

A beneficiary 

A grantor sets up a trust, grants the land to a trustee (oftentimes himself) and then sets us successor trustees.  You write down how you want it to progress. 

So who is the trust held for?  The beneficiaries.  The trustee has the right to manage and hold the asset for someone else as the beneficiary.  

So…that would be like Father God being the Grantor…who owns the Earth and everything in it?  God the Father, right?  And as the Grantor - because He is the only one who owns these things - He names trustees.  And their job is to hold and manage the asset.  Father God deeded something to Jesus - and Jesus named successor trustees - He has said, as the trustee, that He wants these to come and reign and rule with Him. 

“As the grantor, I have given some to be trustees, and by the blood of the lamb, they are to hold and manage for those beneficiaries to come.”  

We have been given A TRUST. 

You give a trust to someone while they are still alive so they can still ask questions, so you can be crystal clear about what you want done. 

So, we have been granted a trust - and the grantor, the Great Grantor, has a plan for you and He wants you to come forward and ask questions - not stay in the back of the church, but come forward and ASK QUESTIONS so we know how to manage the trust! 

We’ve been given authority - we have been given a TRUST DOCUMENT.  And that document has plans all laid out. And He has named you as a trustee. 

Message translation: 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s divine secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.

It’s your job to be a GUIDE to the mysteries.  We’ve all had a guide show us how to find Jesus, and now WE are the guides.   

Complete Jewish Bible: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

So, you should regard us as the Messiah’s servants, as trustees of God’s secret truths. 2 Now the one thing that is asked of a trustee is that he be found trustworthy. 

A trustee should be found trustworthy.  What’s the job of the trustee?  To manage and hold the assets.  He has authority over the asset, to do something with it - not bury it, but to do something with it.  We have been given a mystery, and He wants you to do something with it, because you are a guide.  You are a trustee. 

Those who have been given a trust - what is required?  Prove faithful to managing the asset. 

Those who have been given something - most trustees haven’t earned it, they have been given something.  Each trustee shouldn’t get haughty over what we have been given - it’s been given to us to share with BENEFACTORS.  That’s everyone in your sphere of influence!  God has entrusted YOU in these circles FOR THEM - hold the asset as a treasure FOR THEM.  

What’s required of a trustee?  To hold and manage  for the beneficiaries.  It’s not for you.  It’s bigger than you. You are in the work for the beneficiaries.  

The Lord is saying “I trust you.”  People share things with us and trust us.  God put something within us, something natural, to connect with others.  In trust.  We put layers and expectations on top of that, but if we remember that God is the grantor, we will remember we didn’t earn any of this - but what we have, we can freely give, like Peter!  

God is the Great  Grantor, and He has named us as trustees.  And sometimes we feel like pretty bad trustees.  We did not earn this.  But He sees us through Jesus.  He has given us the ability and the authority that goes along with being a trustee. 

What has been required of you?  To be a trustee to be proven faithful.  To be a guide - or a STEWARD.  To steward well.  We have been entrusted with something, and we are to steward it well. 

Think of a guide to a historical house or museum.  If they are excited about it and tell the story and tell what it means to them, they can engage others.  If a guide just kinda says “well, here it is, whatever,”  that’s not being a very good guide.  We all have different ways to guide people through different passions, different experiences.  To steward the Gospel in the best way to introduce people to the Great Grantor. 

Message translation: 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s divine secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.

We need to do the work.  Jesus did the work.  We have to do the work He has given us to do.  Jesus said “it is finished” or in other words “Oh Great Grantor, I stewarded the best I could and I guided them, and that work is finished.”  

There comes a time when the work of the trustee is done.  There will come a time when we will come into account for what we do with the trust. 

1 Chronicles 28:5-20

5 Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me: ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.’

8 “So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. 14 He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service, and the weight of silver for all the silver articles to be used in various kinds of service: 15 the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight of silver for each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand; 16 the weight of gold for each table for consecrated bread; the weight of silver for the silver tables; 17 the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish; 18 and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

 David, all his life, dreamed of building the temple for the Lord.  He wanted to build a place worthy of the Lord. 

But God said “it’s not for you because you are a man of war…because you have spilled blood, it would not be right for you to build this temple.” In addition,  David had lots of sons, but God said “your son Solomon will be the one who builds the temple.” 

We have been entrusted, we have the mysteries revealed, and we must prove faithful.  Solomon was the trustee of the temple.  “I have named a trustee.  It’s not you.  I have a will and testament, and I name Solomon as a trustee.” 

Verses 9-10

9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

BE STRONG AND DO THE WORK. 

Be strong of yourself?  How can you be strong?  Ask the Lord and He will help you!  Seek Him, don't reject Him.  Just focus on Him…”do I have your attention now? Ask Me and I will help you...do I have your attention now?  I have named you as a trustee…do I have your attention now?” 

Every day we wake up and have to build something.  Every day we have a trust to prove faithful in.  

BE STRONG AND DO THE WORK.  Give your attention to God, Solomon, and keep your focus on Him.  God is saying to each one of you, “I have chosen you as my trustee - and you don’t have to figure out what that means!  Ask Me My desires!” 

Verse 12:

12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 

David was modeling for us: there were plans and instructions for what would happen and how to carry out those plans.  WE HAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!  It’s in the Book…follow the instructions! 

Ask Him!  Don’t do the thing before you ASK HIM about the thing! 

You’ve been given the opportunity to be a guide into something that has been planned and has instructions.  You are a steward to what is in the Book.  And many won’t read the Book…but they will read you!  So be strong, and do the work! 

Go read this in Chronicles and study.  There is something for each one of our lives in this. David said “I have the plans and instructions and the resources.”  David had gathered everything.  He had skilled workers ready to go.  He had built up Jerusalem.  

In our own church at CCC…Apostle George did the work.  He built things up, he gathered plans and instructions.  We have records of the work he did…and the gardens are coming.  They weren’t George’s to build - you are named as trustees. SO BE STRONG AND DO THE WORK.  

God has given you a legal agreement, access to all He has.  You are heirs to all of this, and He is saying “be good managers of all of this.”

Culmination of the four parts of all this: 

The four things we’ve been looking at:

1. We’ve been entrusted with something.  

2. He has revealed things to us. 

3. There is a requirement. 

4. We must be proven faithful.

He has given us the plans, the instructions, the resources, the workers.  Ask Him - and then be strong and do the work. 

We, the trustees, we are taken care of.  And now we can freely give what we have been given to the beneficiaries.  

Verse 19-21

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

And where is the plan?  In the WORD. 

Jesus was building a temple…IN YOU.  It's about YOU as a living temple.  Jesus came with plans and instructions and built the temple IN YOU.  He was a good steward of that building, in you as a repository of these things.  And He trusts us, we are built into the trust.  

What’s required of you?  To do the work.  What’s the work?  That which is required.  Just obey - it is written.  Don’t add to it.  

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS AND DO THE WORK

Each one of us has to ask because each one of us has work to do.  So go ask, and do the work yourself.  He is revealing the mysteries if you ASK.  Prove faithful to give your attention to Him - and He will help you do the work.  Give Him your attention, and He will give you the ability to do the work. 

End of the 1 Chronicles passage 

19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

This world will come to an end at some point. But He has a plan, and He doesn’t change. 

Do I have your attention now? 

August 9, 2026

 Sunday AM Recap

August 9th, 2026

Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/YXEV0bSihoo?si=7octQ2BzFRieHKWb 

Apostle Susan Powers opened the service introducing a gift from Robert Fyock for the church, which is a metal sign that says “Garden of Dreams” and asking the church for ideas of how to display it.  She also shared that Terri Norman had given a similar sign in honor of Apostle George Powers, and that she had been at a dinner the night before at Peterson Outdoor Ministries honoring Apostle George. 

Cathy Spangler prayed over students in the congregation for the new school year:

LORD, we declare and decree, in the authority of Your Name, that Your faithfulness is now creating barriers and boundaries around the children and youth of our families and Ekklesia to protect them from poisonous words, bullies and predators! In JESUS’ Name we release the favor of our God upon them….that they will grow in grace and favor with God and people! Grant them skill to learn and grow in knowledge AND in excitement about learning about LIFE, LIBERTY and healthy pursuit of Happiness! We pray that they will be given godly wisdom with eyes that SEE and ears that HEAR! Ignite the candle of relationship with You in their spirits!

Apostle Susan Powers gave an assignment to the congregation to prayerfully choose a school in the community to intentionally drive around and pray for.  Ask God: “where do I go, and what do I pray?”

**Andrea Colyer also shared something that the recording cut off. It was not recorded. 

Andrea Colyer led worship. 

During worship, Andrea Colyer shared the following:

I feel like the Lord is asking us, “Where is your focus?  Where are your eyes?”  Are they on Him and the good things He has done?  Look around; so many good things!  Are they at your feet?  Are they on the storm?  Are they focused on the clouds?  Where is your focus?  Where are your eyes?  Cuz His eyes are on you.  And something happens, deep inside of us when we lift our eyes, and we find that His eyes are on us, and we lock eyes.  Something just snaps, and chains are broken without a single word.  

Cathy Spangler was led to pray towards the end of worship for the renewing of our mind, for peace not as the world gives, and for our surrender. 

No early childhood worship today. 

Message: Pastor Jeff Spangler

We sang “Let it Rain” - what did you think of?  What if God wants us to think about it again, differently?  Isn’t that what He has been speaking to us? 

Is it reign or rain?  Or both? 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

We have been entrusted with something. 

A mystery has been revealed.  

There’s something required of us.

Verse 8:

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!

So…is it rain?  Or reign?  Or both?  

2 Timothy 2:12

if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;

If we die with Him, we will also live with Him.  If we endure, we will also reign with Him.  

What is a good question?  Well, what rain is it?  Reign or rain?  

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is pointing out the haughtiness of the church - what, you already have all you want and need?  You might think you have it all figured out but you don’t. 

Why don’t we trust institutions the way we used to?  They have violated our trust.  We do the same.  Sometimes we think we have it all…but when we say “let IT rain” what is it the “it”?  

THESE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK. 

What rains?  What reigns?  

“Let the love of your Spirit rain.”  Or…”Let the love of your Spirit reign.”  

ASK THE GOOD QUESTIONS. 

Let IT - that which I have been entrusted with - reign - or rain - in this community.  Let the mystery rain…or reign.  

“Obey even when there is no obvious personal benefit to you.” - John Bevere 

Maybe it doesn’t seem like a personal benefit because we are thinking the wrong way.  Our expectations can be different from the way HE infers it.  

1 Corinthians 2:6-7

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

Doesn't our community need wisdom right now?  What about your circle of influence? When is the Church going to rise up and share the wisdom they have been entrusted with?  And reign? 

Remember there’s a fourth piece to this 1 Corinthians 4 passage. 

We’ve talked about…

We have been entrusted with something. 

A mystery has been revealed.  

There’s something required of us.

And the final piece: “Prove Faithful” (Today’s title)

Projected, perceived, reality…when you want to prove something, when you want to prove yourself right, we talk fast, we talk louder, we do some things to prove we are right and in control.  We struggle with proving we are right, prove that we are loving, prove that we are a good friend, etc.   We try to prove ourselves correct online..and then we find out the source we were trusting wasn’t reality, it was just perceived. 

“Must prove faithful” - what tense is this?  PRESENT TENSE. 

This was written long ago, but the Word is still alive, and we can still read it in present tense.  “It is written” - we don’t have to add to it, the tense applies just as much today as it did back then. 

Those who have been given a trust to reign with HIM must prove faithful.  When?  TODAY.  NOW. 

If we assume the wrong “reign” we might miss what it is to prove faithful..let’s look at what He is saying TODAY. 

Let’s talk about Jesus as LORD and let that REIGN in your life.  

It remains in the present, no matter when and where, for us to prove faithful.  It takes some work. 

Think back to the message about the Father and the Prodigal Son - had the son that was returning proved faithful yet?  There was intention but did the Father know that?  He saw the son from a long way off - and he got up and went to the son. The FATHER knows the intention and the heart, and the father on the porch knew the intention and the heart of his son.  The son proved faithful - because he had had a change of heart, and in that moment the father met him in that place.  It wasn’t finished and there was probably still some character work to do. 

In this moment, let’s prove faithful to hear “reign” in a different way.  

Every day it’s our HONOR AND PRIVILEGE to prove faithful in what He has entrusted in us!  It’s not a burden, it’s exciting!  What an opportunity to prove faithful - even though!  Even when it’s hard!  

You have been entrusted.  

You’ve had a great mystery revealed. 

There is something required.  (We miss this a lot in the Church.) 

Are you just a servant who doesn’t know anything, that’s in the presence of Jesus, that doesn’t get to know the mysteries, or do you want to be the close advisor and know the mysteries?  (Presidential example - he has plenty of servants in his presence that overhear lots of things, but it’s his trusted advisors that know the secrets and are entrusted with information.)

Lot was a faithful man - and he was surprised by what happened in Sodom.  Abraham got to be in the know. Which do you want to be?   

Let’s not take this as common and ordinary…let’s be ones that are ENTRUSTED WITH THE MYSTERIES.  And pace the way for ALL OF US TO BE THAT WAY. 

The Master gave talents measured by what they could handle.  What could you be entrusted with? 

It’s not the way you think it…ask a good question…do I have your attention now?  

He wants us to reign with Him.  No condemnation - just think about it a different way!  Cathy prayed that our minds would be renewed…are you allowing your minds to be renewed?  Or are you haughty like the Church in Corinth and think you have all you need? 

Do you want to stay comfortable or do you want to prove faithful? 

Acts 3:1-7

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 

So, Peter and John were being good Jewish boys and headed to the synagogue. Headed somewhere, gotta be somewhere.  The beggar was brought to the gate every day.  Do you think Peter and John had ever seen this beggar before?  Yes.  Likely yes.  

But this time there was eye contact, and eye contact gives permission. 

You have a circle of influence that’s just casting about with questions, just like this beggar. “I’m hurt!  I need something!”  The beggar came for money.  He wasn’t asking for healing.  His work, his survival, was based on people giving him money at this gate. 

Somebody brought him every day because people were headed on the way to the temple because that’s when people have their money - on the way TO the temple.  He had positioned himself so people would feel bad to say no.  It’s the way and wisdom of the world. 

Proving faithful means - even when it hurts, even when it’s hard, I am going to speak the truth and tell you it is written. 

People are going to try to take advantage of you - and you give it away unauthorized.  

Consider this question: when did this beggar’s healing begin?  

Let’s consider this…it began before he was even created.  Because God says “you think this is a mistake but WATCH WHAT I’M ABOUT TO DO.”

Present tense…think of a present…what gift do you have to give today?  What gift should you reign with or rain rightly today?  

The healing began when He saw Peter and John…it says “the beggar saw them.”  He saw lots of people.  It wasn’t honorable to lock eyes with people, he was a step down in that culture.  

He caught eyes with Peter and John and asked for money….which means they must have been looking at him.  The look gave permission for something to be given - a transaction to happen. 

Peter looked STRAIGHT AT HIM. Something was different that day.  And Peter said “LOOK AT ME.”  

And that moment was probably kind of “oh crap!” moment for the beggar. 

I heard you ask me for money…I don’t have silver and gold…but what I DO have, I will give you freely.  

Holy Spirit is speaking to Peter…everyone else was confounded…but at this moment, these two are connected and SOMETHING IS  ABOUT TO HAPPEN. 

“I’m not wanting to hold anything back from you,” says the Lord, “but if I gave it all right now it would kill you.  But I see you.  I see what you’re facing this week. You’re asking me for money, and I’m going to give you something else.”

LOOK at me - and the man gave them his attention. 

When did the healing start?  Sometimes your focus changes everything. 

The beggar was expecting money.  Peter offered something else.  The beggar was probably like, “what?! That’s not what I came for!”  His perceived man was different from the reality about to happen.  Which happens to us all. 

People are going to come asking and you have to know what to give in that moment - because it’s not about YOU, it’s about THEM, it’s about HIM. 

“IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WALK!” 

Seems like a cruel thing to say - but he spoke “walk,” and then walked over and grabbed the beggar’s  hand, and lifted him up, and as soon as they moved and took action, and the beggar felt strength coming to his legs. He could tell something had changed.  He came with one expectation of a gift and it became something else. It became what he really needed. 

Peter and John had to have proved faithful.  They listened to the Word of God and gave their attention.  When did the healing begin for Peter and John?  When they GAVE THEIR ATTENTION.  

Who is in your sphere of influence that Jesus is saying “give them your attention”?  Open your eyes to whom GOD wants you to give attention!  And close your eyes to those who are sucking your attention away!  This is a good prayer to pray - “God, show me where to give my attention.” 

Peter knew in that moment he was to  give his attention to this man - and he did, and look what happened!  Are you praying for people to get to accolades or to make people whole? 

Verse 16:

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. 

Peter and John had to prove faithful.  Did the beggar have to prove faithful?  Yes, him too.  He gave freely his attention.  Don’t think “prove  faithful” is this list of things you have to do perfectly to prove your love for Jesus.  

Apostle Susan: they were both with Jesus when Jesus gave a similar healing at the Pool of Siloam.  They had witnessed that, so they were prepared.

The man paid them attention and proved faithful.  

The Father knows your heart and your intentions.  He sees you a long way off and KNOWS these things.  The beggar was a long way off - and he gave his attention.  And as a result, he could feel the strength in his legs, he felt something changed, and he trusted Peter who was trying to pull him up. 

Jesus will ALWAYS PROVE FAITHFUL.  Who amongst us who  can try our own way can say that?  But Jesus’s way will ALWAYS PROVE FAITHFUL. 

By FAITH Christ proved faithful. 

Who did the work to prove faithful? Peter and John had to be mature followers of Christ.  The beggar didn’t know what he was looking for but he had to prove faithful and trust these guys.  And all had to trust Christ to prove faithful.