DeanSweetman.com » God’s River of Life http://deansweetman.com Sermons, Podcasts and Teachings to Live Your Best Life Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:55:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Dean Sweetman is Sr Pastor of the C3 Church with a campus in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He also serves as Executive Regional Overseer for C3 Americas. The Sweetmans moved to the USA in 1996 for the sole purpose of planting the Lawrenceville church. C3 Church currently serves the Atlanta community in a unique way through itís technology and charity work. Last year, Dean and Jill planted the C3 Church in Studio City, California. As Sr Pastors of both churches, they split their time between Atlanta and Studio City and have homes in both cities. Dean is a sought-after speaker in both church and business settings and an emerging author. His passionate and uncompromising preaching will inspire the most on-fire believer as challenge those who lack the fervor required to serve God. C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA webmaster@christiancitychurch.com webmaster@christiancitychurch.com (C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA) C3 Atlanta Online with Dean Sweetman DeanSweetman.com » God’s River of Life http://audio.thec3church.com/podcasticon.jpg http://deansweetman.com/category/gods-river-of-life/ The Four Rivers – The Euphrates http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/30/the-four-rivers-the-euphrates/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/30/the-four-rivers-the-euphrates/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:12:02 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=591 The Euphrates River–the final river in the Four Rivers series–is the river that means to “break forth into fruitfulness.” It is the simplest of the rivers to grasp: God wants us to be fruitful. That is it! So simple! God loves simple things. Humans make things too complicated; God makes it simple. He wants you to be fruitful, and the way to fruitfulness is obedience. Obey God. See? Simple.

Matthew 25 tells the tale of three servants entrusted with their master’s money while he is away on a long journey. It is an accepted fact that the man on the journey is Jesus. He is leaving for a time, and He entrusts His servants with His property. Jesus came to earth to save us and to establish the Kingdom. He got the work started through His death and resurrection. Then, He said, “The rest is up to you.” He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us in our charge to change the world. He trusted us with His resources (money,abilities, etc…) like the man in the parable entrusted his servants.

What happens next is the real gem. The man gives to his servants according to their abilities. Wait a second. That’s not very fair. Why don’t all the servants get an equal share? That’s because “fairness” is no Biblical. God wants us to have more then other people. He wants us to prosper and be fruitful. There is no ceiling or cap to that. It is ongoing. Those who cry over how unfair it is are the ones trapped in the small-mindedness of the world. Very simple. Two servants prospered because they used their resources; one did not. When the master returned, he rewarded those who increased and cursed the one who did not.

So use what God has given you! Sow it! Invest it! And watch the blessing of increase come into your world.

Verses Used:
*Matthew 25: 14-30
*Psalms 1

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/30/the-four-rivers-the-euphrates/feed/ 0 The Euphrates River--the final river in the Four Rivers series--is the river that means to "break forth into fruitfulness." It is the simplest of the rivers to grasp: God wants us to be fruitful. That is it! So simple! God loves simple things. The Euphrates River--the final river in the Four Rivers series--is the river that means to "break forth into fruitfulness." It is the simplest of the rivers to grasp: God wants us to be fruitful. That is it! So simple! God loves simple things. Humans make things too complicated; God makes it simple. He wants you to be fruitful, and the way to fruitfulness is obedience. Obey God. See? Simple. Matthew 25 tells the tale of three servants entrusted with their master's money while he is away on a long journey. It is an accepted fact that the man on the journey is Jesus. He is leaving for a time, and He entrusts His servants with His property. Jesus came to earth to save us and to establish the Kingdom. He got the work started through His death and resurrection. Then, He said, "The rest is up to you." He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us in our charge to change the world. He trusted us with His resources (money,abilities, etc...) like the man in the parable entrusted his servants. What happens next is the real gem. The man gives to his servants according to their abilities. Wait a second. That's not very fair. Why don't all the servants get an equal share? That's because "fairness" is no Biblical. God wants us to have more then other people. He wants us to prosper and be fruitful. There is no ceiling or cap to that. It is ongoing. Those who cry over how unfair it is are the ones trapped in the small-mindedness of the world. Very simple. Two servants prospered because they used their resources; one did not. When the master returned, he rewarded those who increased and cursed the one who did not. So use what God has given you! Sow it! Invest it! And watch the blessing of increase come into your world. Verses Used: *Matthew 25: 14-30 *Psalms 1 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 33:41 The Four Rivers – The River of Anointing part 2 http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/02/the-four-rivers-%e2%80%93-the-river-of-anointing-part-2/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/02/the-four-rivers-%e2%80%93-the-river-of-anointing-part-2/#comments Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:01:35 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=568 The concept of the Rivers and the Garden continues to unfold the further we go into this series. The garden of the heart is filled with seeds that grow and produce fruit, providing even more seed. But what do we do with this new seed? Do we store it in barns, afraid that we won’t have enough seed in the future? Or do we give the seed to God and let Him scatter it? God can do more with the little seed that we have then we could ever hope to dream of if we keep it stored away. God has promised time and again that whatever we give to Him, He will give back to us. And He has also shown that whatever we hold in our hands, refusing to let go for fear of loss, will be lost through the decay of time and death. No man on his death bed is happy that he clung to all his riches. No, he wishes more than anything that he had done something with that which he had obtained.

The River Gihon, as stated last week, is the River of the Anointing. It means “to burst forth.” When something bursts up, it flows out. God began with the River Pishon (increase) and the moved on to Gihon (anointing or flow). You first receive increase and then you let it go somewhere. There is no use having seed if it is not going to go anywhere. You can have it all–fame, fortune, the praise and accord of others–but it means nothing without the anointing that flows out into the world.

John 9 tells the tale of Jesus healing a blind man by placing mud on his eyes and telling him to “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” Siloam means “sent.” Siloam is also the spring of the River Gihon. Jesus sent the blind man on a mission to receive his healing. The blind man had to grope about, asking for help to find the spring of the sent. And it was there that he was healed. Gihon and Siloam are the River of the sent: those who are sent out on missions; those who are a part of other people’s miracles. Do you want to be a apart of someone’s miracle? Then GO! You don’t have to (and we strongly advise against this) put mud in people’s eyes. But speak well of them. Tell those in authority that their employees are the best! Help with your words and actions! And through that, people will receive their miracle.

Verses Used:
*Genesis 2: 13
*John 9:6 & 7
*I Kings 1: 32-35

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/10/02/the-four-rivers-%e2%80%93-the-river-of-anointing-part-2/feed/ 0 The concept of the Rivers and the Garden continues to unfold the further we go into this series. The garden of the heart is filled with seeds that grow and produce fruit, providing even more seed. But what do we do with this new seed? The concept of the Rivers and the Garden continues to unfold the further we go into this series. The garden of the heart is filled with seeds that grow and produce fruit, providing even more seed. But what do we do with this new seed? Do we store it in barns, afraid that we won't have enough seed in the future? Or do we give the seed to God and let Him scatter it? God can do more with the little seed that we have then we could ever hope to dream of if we keep it stored away. God has promised time and again that whatever we give to Him, He will give back to us. And He has also shown that whatever we hold in our hands, refusing to let go for fear of loss, will be lost through the decay of time and death. No man on his death bed is happy that he clung to all his riches. No, he wishes more than anything that he had done something with that which he had obtained. The River Gihon, as stated last week, is the River of the Anointing. It means "to burst forth." When something bursts up, it flows out. God began with the River Pishon (increase) and the moved on to Gihon (anointing or flow). You first receive increase and then you let it go somewhere. There is no use having seed if it is not going to go anywhere. You can have it all--fame, fortune, the praise and accord of others--but it means nothing without the anointing that flows out into the world. John 9 tells the tale of Jesus healing a blind man by placing mud on his eyes and telling him to “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” Siloam means "sent." Siloam is also the spring of the River Gihon. Jesus sent the blind man on a mission to receive his healing. The blind man had to grope about, asking for help to find the spring of the sent. And it was there that he was healed. Gihon and Siloam are the River of the sent: those who are sent out on missions; those who are a part of other people's miracles. Do you want to be a apart of someone's miracle? Then GO! You don't have to (and we strongly advise against this) put mud in people's eyes. But speak well of them. Tell those in authority that their employees are the best! Help with your words and actions! And through that, people will receive their miracle. Verses Used: *Genesis 2: 13 *John 9:6 & 7 *I Kings 1: 32-35 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 29:21 The Four Rivers – The River of Anointing http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/25/the-four-rivers-the-river-of-anointing/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/25/the-four-rivers-the-river-of-anointing/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:34:25 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=564 The second river is the River Gihon–the river of anointing. The River Gihon branches off the River Pshon – favor and blessing stay within God’s anointing and presence. King David’s son, Solomon, was anointed king at the river Gihon with oil, to symbolize the presence of God in his reign. Since Solomon did not ask for riches, but wisdom, God chose to bless Solomon – gifts come from blessing and His presence. Each of us has an anointing to be something or have something that God can use- the ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher or the gifts of faith, prophecy, miracles, etc. God anoints us to do His work as we stay in His presence, which can be found as we seek God in our private times, and more importantly, in the House of God as we come together in corporate worship, connecting ourselves to God. The anointing carries us onward and we need the presence of God to do what He is calling us to do, to handle the pressure of that call at times, and to anoint the ideas He gives us so they come to pass. The C3 church is not just a cool place to come worship & learn about God, the presence and anointing of the Lord have to be here or it would all come tumbling down like a house of cards. We need the anointing to fulfill the visions we receive while in His presence!

Isaiah 66 says the oil of joy replaces mourning,that praise relieves heaviness. Peace comes out of His presence, it changes our hearts and minds as the Holy Spirit goes to work, making us different. Joshua gave us the greatest example of how going into the Temple, into the presence of God, set him apart from the rest of Israel, who stood outside their tent doors and watched the one man brave enough and wise enough to get literally into the presence of God. Because of Christ’s anointing to die on the Cross, we can now freely go into the House – the Presence – of the Lord, worship, serve and fulfill His call that is unique to each one of us. We don’t naturally know how to get into God’s presence, we have to choose like Joshua to get ourselves to church and connect in worship and the Word.

In Revelation 22:1-5 the apostle John writes about what he saw there in Heaven. He speaks of an angel showing him a pure, clear river running thru the main street, which had trees growing on either side. These trees were for the healing of the nations, and bore a different fruit once a month every twelve months. There is so much here – the river begins at the Throne of God, runs where everyone has access to it, and the fruit of it’s trees is not for us, it is for others, since God wants everyone to come into His Kingdom! He is a river without limit or end, He does not want us to segment off our lives into “Sunday I go to church, Monday through Saturday I live my life”, He truly wants to give us unlimited blessings – a different one every month if we are ready for it! Jesus follows up that thought when he said, “He who believes in Me, out of your belly will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) Meaning that LIFE comes from knowing and believing in all the blessing, favor, anointing and presence that God is freely offering us. Why would we not want to follow Him to the ends of the earth – He has everything we need to LIVE! His blessings are unlimited, His presence pulls us in and brings change to our lives. We can come out of that dry, dusty riverbed we have been living in and experience the full-on wetness of journeying with the Lord in the Four Rivers. Changes are instant and imminent – are you ready to move forward?
Verses Used:
*Genesis 2:13
*Exodus 33
*Isaiah 66
*John 7:38

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/25/the-four-rivers-the-river-of-anointing/feed/ 0 The second river is the River Gihon--the river of anointing. The River Gihon branches off the River Pshon - favor and blessing stay within God's anointing and presence. King David's son, Solomon, was anointed king at the river Gihon with oil, The second river is the River Gihon--the river of anointing. The River Gihon branches off the River Pshon - favor and blessing stay within God's anointing and presence. King David's son, Solomon, was anointed king at the river Gihon with oil, to symbolize the presence of God in his reign. Since Solomon did not ask for riches, but wisdom, God chose to bless Solomon - gifts come from blessing and His presence. Each of us has an anointing to be something or have something that God can use- the ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher or the gifts of faith, prophecy, miracles, etc. God anoints us to do His work as we stay in His presence, which can be found as we seek God in our private times, and more importantly, in the House of God as we come together in corporate worship, connecting ourselves to God. The anointing carries us onward and we need the presence of God to do what He is calling us to do, to handle the pressure of that call at times, and to anoint the ideas He gives us so they come to pass. The C3 church is not just a cool place to come worship & learn about God, the presence and anointing of the Lord have to be here or it would all come tumbling down like a house of cards. We need the anointing to fulfill the visions we receive while in His presence! Isaiah 66 says the oil of joy replaces mourning,that praise relieves heaviness. Peace comes out of His presence, it changes our hearts and minds as the Holy Spirit goes to work, making us different. Joshua gave us the greatest example of how going into the Temple, into the presence of God, set him apart from the rest of Israel, who stood outside their tent doors and watched the one man brave enough and wise enough to get literally into the presence of God. Because of Christ's anointing to die on the Cross, we can now freely go into the House - the Presence - of the Lord, worship, serve and fulfill His call that is unique to each one of us. We don't naturally know how to get into God's presence, we have to choose like Joshua to get ourselves to church and connect in worship and the Word. In Revelation 22:1-5 the apostle John writes about what he saw there in Heaven. He speaks of an angel showing him a pure, clear river running thru the main street, which had trees growing on either side. These trees were for the healing of the nations, and bore a different fruit once a month every twelve months. There is so much here - the river begins at the Throne of God, runs where everyone has access to it, and the fruit of it's trees is not for us, it is for others, since God wants everyone to come into His Kingdom! He is a river without limit or end, He does not want us to segment off our lives into "Sunday I go to church, Monday through Saturday I live my life", He truly wants to give us unlimited blessings - a different one every month if we are ready for it! Jesus follows up that thought when he said, "He who believes in Me, out of your belly will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38) Meaning that LIFE comes from knowing and believing in all the blessing, favor, anointing and presence that God is freely offering us. Why would we not want to follow Him to the ends of the earth - He has everything we need to LIVE! His blessings are unlimited, His presence pulls us in and brings change to our lives. We can come out of that dry, dusty riverbed we have been living in and experience the full-on wetness of journeying with the Lord in the Four Rivers. Changes are instant and imminent - are you ready to move forward? Verses Used: *Genesis 2:13 *Exodus 33 *Isaiah 66 *John 7:38 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 34:49 The Four Rivers – River of Increase http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/18/the-four-rivers-river-of-increase/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/18/the-four-rivers-river-of-increase/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:49:04 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=560 In Genesis 2, we get our first view of the garden God planted as the dwelling place for man. He called it “Eden,” meaning “paradise” or “place of delight.” Verse 10 tells us that the garden was watered by a river that flowed through and out of the garden, then dividing into four branches. Those four rivers were named Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates.

While we believe that Eden was a real place, it is also representative of the human heart. Each of us has the responsibility to tend the garden of our heart – the garden of who we are. The four rivers represent principles that God has given to help us cultivate good fruit in the garden of our lives. The first river, Pishon, represents increase and expansion, a principal that Jesus taught repeatedly. To experience increase in our own lives we must believe that God is our source of all things, learn how to get into God’s flow, and avoid the things that cause us to get out of the flow.

Today we live in a society filled with self-help gurus. As a result, we often think we can will ourselves to success if we just find the right book to read. But the river comes from God and we can’t will or self-help ourselves into the life He brings. If we try to make it in our own strength, there will come a point when our human strength will fail us. When difficulties come, when we can’t take one more step, we must look to the God of the River of Increase to be the source of whatever it is we need. Whether it’s strength, peace, joy, forgiveness, grace, patience, wisdom….whatever it is you think you’re out of, God has it and wants to give it to you. We only need to plant our lives by His river and let Him be our source.

We all know that water is an incredibly powerful thing. Rowing against a strong current will quickly tire you out and make it virtually impossible to reach your destination. But, as humans, we often seem bent on rowing against God’s flow – trying to get to our destiny under our own power. The Holy Spirit is God’s river. He flows into our hearts and wants to branch out into every area of our lives and spill over onto others. But we have to get into the flow.

You don’t need to look hard to find examples of people who have fought their way to the top but have not found happiness. Rowing against the river of God will never get you to a place of contentment. We each must decide to turn our boat and stop fighting God’s flow. The river may take us to places we don’t understand, but we will find ourselves in a place of unending increase that will spill over and grow the Kingdom of God. So come on and jump in, the water’s fine.

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/09/18/the-four-rivers-river-of-increase/feed/ 1 In Genesis 2, we get our first view of the garden God planted as the dwelling place for man. He called it “Eden,” meaning “paradise” or “place of delight.” Verse 10 tells us that the garden was watered by a river that flowed through and o... In Genesis 2, we get our first view of the garden God planted as the dwelling place for man. He called it “Eden,” meaning “paradise” or “place of delight.” Verse 10 tells us that the garden was watered by a river that flowed through and out of the garden, then dividing into four branches. Those four rivers were named Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. While we believe that Eden was a real place, it is also representative of the human heart. Each of us has the responsibility to tend the garden of our heart – the garden of who we are. The four rivers represent principles that God has given to help us cultivate good fruit in the garden of our lives. The first river, Pishon, represents increase and expansion, a principal that Jesus taught repeatedly. To experience increase in our own lives we must believe that God is our source of all things, learn how to get into God’s flow, and avoid the things that cause us to get out of the flow. Today we live in a society filled with self-help gurus. As a result, we often think we can will ourselves to success if we just find the right book to read. But the river comes from God and we can’t will or self-help ourselves into the life He brings. If we try to make it in our own strength, there will come a point when our human strength will fail us. When difficulties come, when we can’t take one more step, we must look to the God of the River of Increase to be the source of whatever it is we need. Whether it’s strength, peace, joy, forgiveness, grace, patience, wisdom….whatever it is you think you’re out of, God has it and wants to give it to you. We only need to plant our lives by His river and let Him be our source. We all know that water is an incredibly powerful thing. Rowing against a strong current will quickly tire you out and make it virtually impossible to reach your destination. But, as humans, we often seem bent on rowing against God’s flow – trying to get to our destiny under our own power. The Holy Spirit is God’s river. He flows into our hearts and wants to branch out into every area of our lives and spill over onto others. But we have to get into the flow. You don’t need to look hard to find examples of people who have fought their way to the top but have not found happiness. Rowing against the river of God will never get you to a place of contentment. We each must decide to turn our boat and stop fighting God’s flow. The river may take us to places we don’t understand, but we will find ourselves in a place of unending increase that will spill over and grow the Kingdom of God. So come on and jump in, the water’s fine. C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 35:48 My Cup – The Cup of Greed 1st http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/14/my-cup-the-cup-of-greed-1st/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/14/my-cup-the-cup-of-greed-1st/#comments Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:40:37 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=527 Luke 11 introduces us to the next cup in the series: The Cup of Greed. This cup is introduced when Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee. The Pharisee gets edgy when Jesus does not wash his hands before the meal. You see, hand washing was one of the possible 1500 additions the Pharisees added to the law. It was a ritual meant for show, and Jesus knew this. The Pharisees meant well by adding to the law. Doesn’t that sound familiar? I meant well in adding all these additional rules and regulations to my worship and service to God. I really did! And yet, Jesus scolds them for adding to what was already perfect. You can’t make what God said better.

What is so wrong with washing your hands? Nothing, but that is not what made Jesus so angry. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for being so careful to clean the outside of the cup, while the inside was full of wickedness. God made the outside and the inside of the cup. He told them not to try to be holier than God. How can someone desiring to be so right, be so filled with wickedness? The Pharisees’ cup was full of greed. The cup of greed feeds itself with self-centered wickedness. Wanting to add to the law comes from figuring that it can’t be this easy to be righteous. There are man-made traditions that disguise themselves as part of the Light. Jesus is talking about religious deception. Religion hates freedom. The spirit of religion is exclusive, and Jesus called it wicked. God set out to destroy religious hierarchy. He replaced the law with a better covenant, the original covenant with God.

The cup of greed contrasts greatly to the cup of life. God wants to fill our lives. Our senses are a gateway to our inner self or to our cup. Jesus says the eye allows light into body. When you are filling the eye with good, then you are filling your cup with good. In John, Jesus says He is the light. When our vision is clear and good, the vision from the world tries to darken it. What we think on, touch, or see, fills our cup. As we allow little things, small deceptions, to creep into our consciousness and thinking, it can begin to fill us with the wrong stuff. When your principles are good, you are full of light. The problem with allowing non-biblical principles into our lives is that they are easy to justify. As soon as we justify our ungodly behavior, we are filling our cup with the wrong stuff.

In John 17, Jesus is praying to His Father, knowing that He is about to leave. He knows He will no longer be visible to the world. He is leaving Himself in us and sending us into the world in His place. If He didn’t send us, He couldn’t get into the world. As the Father is in Him, He is in us. Jesus did not come for the ones that already knew Him but for the ones that don’t have a clue. In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables. One is about the lost sheep, one is about the lost coin, and one is about the prodigal son. You can be lost in the world like the sheep; you can be lost in the house like the coin; you can leave the House and become entangled in the world liked the prodigal; or you can stay in the House with a religious attitude like the brother. How do we go into the world and not succumb to the world? When we have the choice to judge others, default to love. There is only one qualification for living a life full of God. The only way to distinguish us is by our fruit, and the fruit is love.

Our cup can be full of religious mess. We wall ourselves up with religion to protect ourselves from the world. Religion blinds us to the needs around us, in the same way the men walked by the beaten man in the parable of the Samaritan. The Pharisees could not distinguish between following rules and serving God. Our cups have to be filled with something. If we don’t allow God to fill our vessels, we are choosing to fill them with the world. Allowing other things to fill our vessels will not allow us to lead others to God. The only way to get the life of God into our vessels is to walk with Jesus and do what He says. We want to fill our cup, repent, and put everything else aside. Every other relationship is secondary to our connection to God. God wants to get that old stuff out and fill us with Him.

Verses Used:
Luke 11:33-39
John 17:11
Matthew 7:20
John 14:6

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/14/my-cup-the-cup-of-greed-1st/feed/ 0 Luke 11 introduces us to the next cup in the series: The Cup of Greed. This cup is introduced when Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee. The Pharisee gets edgy when Jesus does not wash his hands before the meal. You see, Luke 11 introduces us to the next cup in the series: The Cup of Greed. This cup is introduced when Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee. The Pharisee gets edgy when Jesus does not wash his hands before the meal. You see, hand washing was one of the... C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 32:02 My Cup – The Water 1st http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-1st/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-1st/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:11:32 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=515 We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to give us until we lose what we have, or, for turn of phrase, we empty our cup. That means we get rid of all the lies and tricks and influences of this world on our lives.

There are four instances in the Bible where “The Cup” is discussed:

1) The Cup of Water which represents Compassion
2) The Cup of Greed and Selfishness
3) The Cup of Sorrow and Suffering
4) The Cup of the Covenant

Each will be discussed in turn throughout the course of this series. Today, we will be looking at the Cup of Water. The Cup of Water is the manifestation of our faith. All too often, people come to church to get the experience without ever moving forward into a deeper relationship with God. The concept of the Cup of Water is where the challenge arises. Will you go beyond yourself to offer the water to others?

The Water is all that God has done in your life. You know what happens to water when it sits in a cup? It goes stale and grows mold and is undrinkable. Cups of Water are meant to be poured out. How do you pour out the water? You help others. Luke 10 paints a beautiful picture of how to give the Cup of Water. Luke 10 is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we all know the story. Poor man gets beaten up; twice he is passed by BY A PRIEST AND A PRIEST’S ASSISTENT!!! Yet, a man who is considered the enemy, stops and helps the beaten man. He sacrifices his time and resources to aid a man in need. That is giving the Cup of Water.

Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have those kinds of resources!” You have something, right? You may not be living your best life, but you are living. And the life you are living is desperately needed by those who are dying around you. Reach out. Help out! Pour out. Give your Cup, great or small, and watch as God’s water changes lives.

Verses Used:
Matthew 10
Luke 10

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-1st/feed/ 0 We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to ... We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to give us until we lose what we have, or, for turn of phrase, we empty our cup. That means we get rid of all the lies and tricks and influences of this world on our lives. There are four instances in the Bible where “The Cup” is discussed: 1) The Cup of Water which represents Compassion 2) The Cup of Greed and Selfishness 3) The Cup of Sorrow and Suffering 4) The Cup of the Covenant Each will be discussed in turn throughout the course of this series. Today, we will be looking at the Cup of Water. The Cup of Water is the manifestation of our faith. All too often, people come to church to get the experience without ever moving forward into a deeper relationship with God. The concept of the Cup of Water is where the challenge arises. Will you go beyond yourself to offer the water to others? The Water is all that God has done in your life. You know what happens to water when it sits in a cup? It goes stale and grows mold and is undrinkable. Cups of Water are meant to be poured out. How do you pour out the water? You help others. Luke 10 paints a beautiful picture of how to give the Cup of Water. Luke 10 is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we all know the story. Poor man gets beaten up; twice he is passed by BY A PRIEST AND A PRIEST’S ASSISTENT!!! Yet, a man who is considered the enemy, stops and helps the beaten man. He sacrifices his time and resources to aid a man in need. That is giving the Cup of Water. Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have those kinds of resources!” You have something, right? You may not be living your best life, but you are living. And the life you are living is desperately needed by those who are dying around you. Reach out. Help out! Pour out. Give your Cup, great or small, and watch as God’s water changes lives. Verses Used: Matthew 10 Luke 10 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 34:58 My Cup – The Water 2nd http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-2nd/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-2nd/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:10:27 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=517 We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to give us until we lose what we have, or, for turn of phrase, we empty our cup. That means we get rid of all the lies and tricks and influences of this world on our lives.

There are four instances in the Bible where “The Cup” is discussed:
1) The Cup of Water which represents Compassion
2) The Cup of Greed and Selfishness
3) The Cup of Sorrow and Suffering
4) The Cup of the Covenant

Each will be discussed in turn throughout the course of this series. Today, we will be looking at the Cup of Water. The Cup of Water is the manifestation of our faith. All too often, people come to church to get the experience without ever moving forward into a deeper relationship with God. The concept of the Cup of Water is where the challenge arises. Will you go beyond yourself to offer the water to others?

The Water is all that God has done in your life. You know what happens to water when it sits in a cup? It goes stale and grows mold and is undrinkable. Cups of Water are meant to be poured out. How do you pour out the water? You help others. Luke 10 paints a beautiful picture of how to give the Cup of Water. Luke 10 is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we all know the story. Poor man gets beaten up; twice he is passed by BY A PRIEST AND A PRIEST’S ASSISTENT!!! Yet, a man who is considered the enemy, stops and helps the beaten man. He sacrifices his time and resources to aid a man in need. That is giving the Cup of Water.

Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have those kinds of resources!” You have something, right? You may not be living your best life, but you are living. And the life you are living is desperately needed by those who are dying around you. Reach out. Help out! Pour out. Give your Cup, great or small, and watch as God’s water changes lives.

Verses Used:
Matthew 10
Luke 10

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/08/09/the-cup-the-water-2nd/feed/ 0 We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to ... We are beginning a new series today on “The Cup.” A cup is something that was built to carry something else. A cup’s purpose is always to be emptied so to be filled again. Jesus said in the New Testament that we cannot get that which He wants to give us until we lose what we have, or, for turn of phrase, we empty our cup. That means we get rid of all the lies and tricks and influences of this world on our lives. There are four instances in the Bible where “The Cup” is discussed: 1) The Cup of Water which represents Compassion 2) The Cup of Greed and Selfishness 3) The Cup of Sorrow and Suffering 4) The Cup of the Covenant Each will be discussed in turn throughout the course of this series. Today, we will be looking at the Cup of Water. The Cup of Water is the manifestation of our faith. All too often, people come to church to get the experience without ever moving forward into a deeper relationship with God. The concept of the Cup of Water is where the challenge arises. Will you go beyond yourself to offer the water to others? The Water is all that God has done in your life. You know what happens to water when it sits in a cup? It goes stale and grows mold and is undrinkable. Cups of Water are meant to be poured out. How do you pour out the water? You help others. Luke 10 paints a beautiful picture of how to give the Cup of Water. Luke 10 is the story of the Good Samaritan, and we all know the story. Poor man gets beaten up; twice he is passed by BY A PRIEST AND A PRIEST’S ASSISTENT!!! Yet, a man who is considered the enemy, stops and helps the beaten man. He sacrifices his time and resources to aid a man in need. That is giving the Cup of Water. Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have those kinds of resources!” You have something, right? You may not be living your best life, but you are living. And the life you are living is desperately needed by those who are dying around you. Reach out. Help out! Pour out. Give your Cup, great or small, and watch as God’s water changes lives. Verses Used: Matthew 10 Luke 10 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 46:39 Jesus Reveals Himself at the Feast of Tabernacles and the Pool of Siloam http://deansweetman.com/2007/06/13/jesus-reveals-himself-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-and-the-pool-of-siloam/ http://deansweetman.com/2007/06/13/jesus-reveals-himself-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-and-the-pool-of-siloam/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:29:06 +0000 Dean http://deanandjill.com/2007/06/13/jesus-reveals-himself-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-and-the-pool-of-siloam/ There were three main feasts in the Jewish tradition, and they were all connected to times of harvest. The feast of Passover celebrated Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The feast of Pentecost, which came fifty days after Passover, celebrated the handing down of the Law of Moses. The feast of Tabernacles, also called the feast of booths or shelters, remembered God’s provision during Israel’s forty years in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. Every year, people would come from all over Israel to the temple in Jerusalem and would build shelters around the wall of the temple. They would then live in these shelters for the duration of the feast.

John 7 tells the story of Jesus’ visit to the Feast of Shelters. He snuck into the festival on the last day to observe the sacrifice. The festival would end with a sacrifice on the altar. Once the offering had been given, a priest would fill a giant jar with water from the pool of Siloam. Siloam is translated as “sent” or “sent one”. Water in the Bible signifies life and the Holy Spirit. Another priest would bring a jar of wine. Wine in the Bible signifies the joy of life as well as sacrifice. The priests would pour the water and wine together over the altar after the sacrifice was given. The water of life mixes with the joy of life over the sacrifice, just as blood and water ran from Jesus’ wounds on the cross.

At this point in the festival, Jesus cried out to the crowd to come to him if they were thirsty. If they believed, come to him and out of their spirits would flow living water. Jesus was actually revealing himself as the Messiah at this point. His blood sacrifice brings living water – the Holy Spirit – who leads us to the greatest life we can get. In chapter 8, Jesus says “I am the light of the world,” referencing the time of the festival, on the last night, when giant lamps were lit on the altar and all attendees lit lamps of their own in response. He says “If you follow me, you will not wander in darkness.” Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah – both life and light.

He also revealed himself as the forerunner of the Holy Spirit. By promising to bring living water, Jesus was referencing the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1 – The word “earth” means atmosphere. Go into any and every place and bring me (Holy Spirit) and inhabit. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you receive POWER. Go into the World, but not in a physical sense. Go into the world with the Holy Spirit’s power. Go into the world and change the ATMOSPHERE. Take the Holy Spirit with you into your daily physical life. We are growing something in the natural just as much as the spiritual. We go from one glory to another glory as we let the Kingdom of God lead us. We need to create this environment at Church and in all of our worlds.

This week – our Holy Spirit Conference – will be so much bigger in the spirit than what we see in the natural. When we build in the natural, it makes way for God to move in the spirit. The small group (CCC Atlanta) that we started with began to grow a small atmosphere that the Holy Spirit could live and operate in. Now we have a bigger, more intense environment for the Holy Spirit to live in. We have conditioned our world to house Him. When we leave the “church”, the atmosphere follows us. As we move deeper into our understanding of the Holy Spirit, the bigger the atmosphere that surrounds us. As we add members to the church, the bigger the atmosphere as a whole. The atmosphere is where change happens. Changed physical reality is a SMALL manifestation of the larger more important change in the atmosphere. Changing and growing your Holy Spirit environment is the key to changing the hearts of people and revealing the Holy Spirit to the World.

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2007/06/13/jesus-reveals-himself-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-and-the-pool-of-siloam/feed/ 1 Plant in life by God’s river – The church mission to build God’s river http://deansweetman.com/2007/05/30/plant-in-life-by-gods-river-the-church-mission-to-build-gods-river/ http://deansweetman.com/2007/05/30/plant-in-life-by-gods-river-the-church-mission-to-build-gods-river/#comments Wed, 30 May 2007 18:29:25 +0000 Dean http://deanandjill.com/2007/05/30/plant-in-life-by-gods-river-the-church-mission-to-build-gods-river/ In Joel 2:28, God is beginning to pour out his latter rain: “Then after I have poured out my rains again…”

Water is a consistent theme in the Bible. Rain is caught in basins and forms rivers. Water equals life, and God’s rain and rivers equal divine blessing and abundant life.

When God rains down on us, we don’t want to waste it. We want to catch it all. The church acts as the catcher when God rains down on the earth. The rivers that are formed from God’s rain flow through the house of God. God wants this river to be a raging torrent to reach the world, and it is our job as the church to make this happen. When the church is flowing in the river, then the Spirit of God falls on all flesh.

This is why it is so important for us to become members of the house of God and serve it – to be missional in mindset and not consumers of the church. Just because you are saved and part of the family doesn’t mean you are a son or daughter of the house. Being a son or daughter requires relationship. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy … they will confound the wise…” When sons and daughters understand authority and submission, they are released to be a mouthpiece and receive wisdom way beyond their years.

Part of our job in building the house is to create this releasing environment. God wants to release you. This release comes from serving. When you come to Christ, you lower yourself – you become generous and serving. You submit to God and submit to others. The Bible says that the lowly shall be elevated to the mountaintop, and the last shall be first.

Psalm 1 talks about being planted next to the river. The Hebrew translation for this word is actually channel. Channels are man-made basins to catch and redirect water. See how God wants us to be part of his plan? God wants us to build the river. God wants us involved by creating a place for the latter rain to be caught. Then, people will start planting by the river and will prosper. Everything people need is in the water, and the house of God is the channel. The Bible says that a tree planted near the water will flourish, but a tree planted away from water will struggle to survive. We want the river to be wide, strong and well-built so that when God rains down – rains down his Spirit – we can catch it. That is why we are focusing so much on the Holy Spirit.

Rain in the Bible is equated to blessing. We are designed to be trees planted by the river. If we stay away from God’s river, we become malnourished and shriveled. Part of being planted by the river is being connected to the house of God.

The one word that describes us is “connect” – connect to God, connect to yourself, connect to others. Connecting up, connecting in and connecting out. This is part of being missional. It is not the call of God for us to be an island When the rain of God is caught and the Holy Spirit is allowed to move, it is easy to connect with God. We need to create that environment to bring people to God – an environment of faith and expectation. The church isn’t just here to get bodies in the seats. We are charged with keeping the river strong, flowing and pure, and fueled so people can feel the river in us and thus be drawn to God through us. God wants commitment. God told Gideon that he didn’t need a lot of people, but the ripe, committed people to accomplish the goal. The ones who are looking.

We don’t want to grow the church at the expense of growing people in God and planting them deeply by the river. We want people to discover their place in God’s house and in the mission. We want to produce, not consume. We serve the house of God – it doesn’t serve us. We want to play our part to make the river wider by serving, praying, submitting, encouraging. We want to build a river filled with servants that love to serve God and are willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill his purpose. We want an outpouring and we want to catch it.

We don’t want God’s rain to go to waste. This is part of our mission.

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