DeanSweetman.com » Spirit Nature http://deansweetman.com Sermons, Podcasts and Teachings to Live Your Best Life Sun, 20 May 2012 18:48:37 +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 » Spirit Nature http://audio.thec3church.com/podcasticon.jpg http://deansweetman.com/category/spirit-nature/ Spiritial Growth & Unity http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/29/spiritial-growth-unity/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/29/spiritial-growth-unity/#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:16:22 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=710 The book of Hebrews was written to introduce a new Jesus. Some chapters mention Jesus the man, Jesus God’s Son, Jesus the Savior, and Jesus the Christ; but this book was about Jesus the High Priest. A figure all members of that society recognized: Romans, pagans, unbelieving Jews, and also believers who followed Christ. They all knew, but why was that important enough to write about it in Hebrews? It was important enough because the Christians who were reading this letter should have already known something in this book. They were re-learning Algebra 101, and they should have been able to teach it.

The High Priest was responsible for many things, but it all boiled down to one main thing: he alone spoke to God for the people, and He alone heard from God for the people; now fast forward to 2012. Some Christians and churches still believe the pastor or priest talks to, and listens to God for them. Hebrews 5 says that’s a problem, we should be doing our own hearing and speaking. Jesus came to be the final High Priest, but when Jesus left the earth, He appointed a new priest – me and you. When Jesus left the Holy Spirit came to help us hear God’s voice so now we can go to God, one-on-one. We speak to Him in prayer, and He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. That only works if we pray, and we read, but do we?

Most of us now, and most of the Hebrews then understood that, so why is the message repeated for all of us to hear? The answer is, because we know it, but we run from it. We prayed, and trusted God for something – something big, or something small, it doesn’t matter – we trusted Him, and it all fell through. We may never know why, but at that moment, the fear, and doubt, and hurt crept in; and we stopped speaking, and we stopped hearing, and we stopped growing – or worse, we started sliding backward. Do we know we can still pray, of course. Do we know God is still there, yes, but we stop trusting Him with our lives and our futures.

Read Hebrews five; actually read chapters one through five, none of them are long so it will only take you a few minutes, but it’s a few minutes that can restore your hope, and trust, and confidence in God’s Word for your life; not the preacher, or the priest, or the reverend – you.

God’s Word is ALIVE – it can give you life. His Word is ACTIVE – it works today, and every day. The Word is POWERFUL – it is stronger than your worst problem. God’s Word is a SWORD – the sword cuts, and penetrates all the way to our heart. The Word is our JUDGE, and here it is critical to understand that John chapter one says, Jesus is the Word, which means He is the judge. But this Judge faced pain like we face, and has encountered sin like we do, but He won! So when we come before Jesus as Judge, we face a Judge Who has already been where we are – He was the priest, now we are the priest. So He offers mercy when we’ve done wrong, and He gives grace when we need help doing right. Talk to Him again and don’t be afraid; read the Word, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit’s voice.

You are the priest. Lay your wrongs on the altar, then receive God’s forgiveness and blessing at the altar, and let them begin a Hebrews 5 change in you.

Verses Used:
*Hebrew 5:5-14

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/29/spiritial-growth-unity/feed/ 1 The book of Hebrews was written to introduce a new Jesus. Some chapters mention Jesus the man, Jesus God’s Son, Jesus the Savior, and Jesus the Christ; but this book was about Jesus the High Priest. A figure all members of that society recognized: Ro... The book of Hebrews was written to introduce a new Jesus. Some chapters mention Jesus the man, Jesus God’s Son, Jesus the Savior, and Jesus the Christ; but this book was about Jesus the High Priest. A figure all members of that society recognized: Romans, pagans, unbelieving Jews, and also believers who followed Christ. They all knew, but why was that important enough to write about it in Hebrews? It was important enough because the Christians who were reading this letter should have already known something in this book. They were re-learning Algebra 101, and they should have been able to teach it. The High Priest was responsible for many things, but it all boiled down to one main thing: he alone spoke to God for the people, and He alone heard from God for the people; now fast forward to 2012. Some Christians and churches still believe the pastor or priest talks to, and listens to God for them. Hebrews 5 says that’s a problem, we should be doing our own hearing and speaking. Jesus came to be the final High Priest, but when Jesus left the earth, He appointed a new priest – me and you. When Jesus left the Holy Spirit came to help us hear God’s voice so now we can go to God, one-on-one. We speak to Him in prayer, and He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. That only works if we pray, and we read, but do we? Most of us now, and most of the Hebrews then understood that, so why is the message repeated for all of us to hear? The answer is, because we know it, but we run from it. We prayed, and trusted God for something – something big, or something small, it doesn’t matter – we trusted Him, and it all fell through. We may never know why, but at that moment, the fear, and doubt, and hurt crept in; and we stopped speaking, and we stopped hearing, and we stopped growing – or worse, we started sliding backward. Do we know we can still pray, of course. Do we know God is still there, yes, but we stop trusting Him with our lives and our futures. Read Hebrews five; actually read chapters one through five, none of them are long so it will only take you a few minutes, but it’s a few minutes that can restore your hope, and trust, and confidence in God’s Word for your life; not the preacher, or the priest, or the reverend – you. God’s Word is ALIVE – it can give you life. His Word is ACTIVE – it works today, and every day. The Word is POWERFUL – it is stronger than your worst problem. God’s Word is a SWORD – the sword cuts, and penetrates all the way to our heart. The Word is our JUDGE, and here it is critical to understand that John chapter one says, Jesus is the Word, which means He is the judge. But this Judge faced pain like we face, and has encountered sin like we do, but He won! So when we come before Jesus as Judge, we face a Judge Who has already been where we are – He was the priest, now we are the priest. So He offers mercy when we’ve done wrong, and He gives grace when we need help doing right. Talk to Him again and don’t be afraid; read the Word, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit’s voice. You are the priest. Lay your wrongs on the altar, then receive God’s forgiveness and blessing at the altar, and let them begin a Hebrews 5 change in you. Verses Used: *Hebrew 5:5-14 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 30:25 Easter 2012 http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/08/easter-2012/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/08/easter-2012/#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:39:45 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=695 Today, as we are celebrating and reflecting on the resurrection; we’re going to go back 2,000 years before the resurrection. Genesis 22 tells us about Abraham’s test of faith. At this time the world was Godless and broken. In all this, God found Abraham. God saw his heart and faith. God knew Abraham and knew he was a man of faith and put him to the ultimate test; the sacrifice of Abrahams only son Isaac. Abraham’s supreme obedience brought the provision of God at the last minute. As he held the knife in his hand that would sacrifice his son an Angel of the Lord came to him. The Angel ordered him to put down the knife. God had seen that Abraham feared God so much he had not spared even his son. Because of this supreme act of obedience and faith God gave him a promise he gave no one else. “I will do something through you which I have not done with anyone else. Abraham became the “father of many nations.” God’s plan to redeem humanity was already in the works.

I can’t help but see many parallels between Jesus’s death and resurrection and Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. Just as Jesus carried his own cross at his death; Isaac obediently carried the wood that was meant for his own death. Just as Jesus obeyed His father in the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity; Isaac obeyed his father even as the sword was over him. The place where Isaac was sacrificed, Mount Moriah, became the site of the Temple of Solomon. It is believed that the crucifixion was at the summit of Mount Moriah.

Abraham’s dream for years was a son. As his “dream” and heart were tested on Mount Moriah God proved faithful and provided true to his promise. Like Abraham, God puts dreams in our hearts. Our dreams can be tested. This testing can be painful at the time but through this testing comes endurance. Through endurance comes God’s provision. God will always provide! All Abraham had was belief and a promise. His only response to God telling him to sacrifice Isaac was “we will go to worship and we will return!”. Church, this should be our response when we go through our own trials and testing! We will worship and we will believe! This is all God requires. Today, Easter Sunday, represents a moment of remembrance of when God took the keys of Hell and rose to conquer death! All he requires for us to have access to this love is to “just believe”!

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/08/easter-2012/feed/ 0 Today, as we are celebrating and reflecting on the resurrection; we’re going to go back 2,000 years before the resurrection. Genesis 22 tells us about Abraham’s test of faith. At this time the world was Godless and broken. In all this, Today, as we are celebrating and reflecting on the resurrection; we’re going to go back 2,000 years before the resurrection. Genesis 22 tells us about Abraham’s test of faith. At this time the world was Godless and broken. In all this, God found Abraham. God saw his heart and faith. God knew Abraham and knew he was a man of faith and put him to the ultimate test; the sacrifice of Abrahams only son Isaac. Abraham’s supreme obedience brought the provision of God at the last minute. As he held the knife in his hand that would sacrifice his son an Angel of the Lord came to him. The Angel ordered him to put down the knife. God had seen that Abraham feared God so much he had not spared even his son. Because of this supreme act of obedience and faith God gave him a promise he gave no one else. “I will do something through you which I have not done with anyone else. Abraham became the “father of many nations.” God’s plan to redeem humanity was already in the works. I can’t help but see many parallels between Jesus’s death and resurrection and Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. Just as Jesus carried his own cross at his death; Isaac obediently carried the wood that was meant for his own death. Just as Jesus obeyed His father in the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity; Isaac obeyed his father even as the sword was over him. The place where Isaac was sacrificed, Mount Moriah, became the site of the Temple of Solomon. It is believed that the crucifixion was at the summit of Mount Moriah. Abraham’s dream for years was a son. As his “dream” and heart were tested on Mount Moriah God proved faithful and provided true to his promise. Like Abraham, God puts dreams in our hearts. Our dreams can be tested. This testing can be painful at the time but through this testing comes endurance. Through endurance comes God’s provision. God will always provide! All Abraham had was belief and a promise. His only response to God telling him to sacrifice Isaac was “we will go to worship and we will return!”. Church, this should be our response when we go through our own trials and testing! We will worship and we will believe! This is all God requires. Today, Easter Sunday, represents a moment of remembrance of when God took the keys of Hell and rose to conquer death! All he requires for us to have access to this love is to “just believe”! C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 27:24 Making Disciples http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/01/making-disciples-2/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/01/making-disciples-2/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:28:12 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=691 Next to John 3:16, one of the most familiar verses to a believer is what we know as The Great Commission. In Mark 16, Jesus tells the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” This moment is also recorded in Matthew 28, which says “Go and make disciples of all the nations….” Why did He give us this charge? Why do we plant churches? Why do we build gyms? Why don’t we just collect more people into our own sanctuary and be a happy group?

First we must truly understand what Jesus is asking us to do. Obviously, we want to lead people to Christ, but making disciples requires more. Christians are born (again), but disciples are made. Disciples want to move forward in their walk with God, continuing to allow the Spirit to change them into the image of the One who saved them. Discipleship is a passion that makes things happen. Disciples produce abundant fruit for the Kingdom. Being born again doesn’t guarantee that we will become disciples. Far too many people sit too long, not using their God-given gift, content to be fed by the Pastor. When this happens, the gift will die. Church is not a place to just sit and be fed. If the gift dies, you dry up and find yourself living life by going through the motions. Our vision should be to have people challenged to use their gift in order that they be encouraged and produce fruit.

Jesus charges the disciples to go, but many who heard Him speak never left the borders of their own communities. To “go” simply means to move within your borders. We should never think that because we haven’t been called to sell everything we have and move to another country, we haven’t been called to “Go.”

When Jesus said, “Go into all the world…,” He used the Greek word cosmos. We translate it “world,” but in the original language it means to go into all the cultures of the world and bring the Kingdom culture. Historically, we know that when Greeks armies went into a territory to conquer it, they didn’t just go with soldiers. They went with artists, merchants, architects, and business people and would literally transform the culture into Greek culture by introducing Greek ideas and practices. Similarly, Jesus asks us to go into the cultures of the world and bring the transformation of Kingdom culture. We are to overlay the world’s system with a Kingdom system. That’s what the Great Commission is all about and each of us is called to undertake it.

Because the Kingdom is bigger than any one gift or ministry – it transcends those who carry it. The Kingdom spreads and replicates itself. Once the Kingdom is released by those who are sent (Apostles) it keeps going in the lives of those who are transformed by its coming. The Kingdom is not ours to keep. The Great Commission tells us that there are things that distinguish one who carries the Kingdom (vs. 17-18). These are things God wants to develop in each of us.

Those who carry the Kingdom will dominate demonic activity in the world – whether by casting out actual demons or by the act of bringing light into dark places. Satan works through deception and division, both of which leave people in darkness. We are called to bring the Light of the World into the darkness and bring people back into Truth.

Jesus also said that those who carry the Kingdom will speak in new tongues. 25 times in the New Testament the gift of speaking in tongues is mentioned as both prophetic language and prayer language. When believers run out of words, they can pray in their prayer language – a language not understood by man, but understood by the Spirit that transcends the human mind and human thinking. Praying in the Spirit connects us to God spirit-to-Spirit. Only through that spirit-to-Spirit relationship can we bring the Kingdom to others.

Then Jesus mentions two signs that have been greatly misinterpreted. First, He said those who bring the Kingdom will be able to “handle snakes with safety.” Who was the original serpent? Satan. If we are going to bring the Kingdom, we will need to use the spiritual gift of discernment to dismantle the deception of the serpent who has put scales over the eyes of those who do not yet believe.

Jesus also says those who bring the Kingdom will not be harmed by poisons, meaning that the poisonous deceptions of the world will not affect the true believer. The poison that sits in the heart of man will be challenged and extinguished by the power of God. Millions daily drink the poison of the deceive and the only answer for that poison is the Love of God expressed through those who will are willing to allow that love to flow in them and through them.

Finally, Jesus says that those who carry the Kingdom will “place their hands on the sick and heal them.” Today the world is full of people in need of not only physical, but also spiritual, mental, and emotional healing. As God sent others to meet us in our place of need, so are we to meet others in their place of need and trust that God can and will use us in their lives.

The call of the Great Commission is a great privilege. Answering it will not only insure that we each find our own best life, but that we naturally help others find theirs as well.

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/04/01/making-disciples-2/feed/ 0 Next to John 3:16, one of the most familiar verses to a believer is what we know as The Great Commission. In Mark 16, Jesus tells the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Next to John 3:16, one of the most familiar verses to a believer is what we know as The Great Commission. In Mark 16, Jesus tells the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” This moment is also recorded ... C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 28:02 Rise and Build, Next Generation, Part 4 http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/18/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-4/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/18/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-4/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:48:15 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=687 Luke 18 is a record of Jesus telling several short parables that center around the theme of faith. These short stories tell us many things that, if we pay attention, will change the way we look at faith. Jesus begins with the story of an extremely unjust judge whose hard heart cannot stand in the way of the persistent faith of a poor widow. The next story, of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, shows that repentant faith is more honorable before God than well-behaved self-righteousness. Jesus also speaks of a rich man who does not mind keeping laws, but cannot manage to trust God to provide for his daily needs.

During His teaching, Jesus is approached by parents bringing their children to Him hoping He will bless them. Rather than being upset by the interruption, Jesus embraces the children and holds them up as examples of faith. The chapter ends with Jesus healing a blind beggar along the road, telling him, “Your faith has healed you.”

What is this abstract thing we call faith? Quite simply put, faith is confidence. Confidence that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. It is confidence that God knows and sees more than we do and so knows what needs to happen in every situation if we will trust Him with it. In addition, it is confidence that God always has our best interest at heart and will never lead us where He cannot keep us. Hebrews 11, another great chapter about faith, defines it this way: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (NLT)

Faith connects us with the power of God as we abandon confidence in ourselves and our own abilities and place our confidence completely in Him. In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks the question, “When I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?” Let’s begin anew today and commit to being one that He finds faithful.

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/18/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-4/feed/ 0 Luke 18 is a record of Jesus telling several short parables that center around the theme of faith. These short stories tell us many things that, if we pay attention, will change the way we look at faith. Jesus begins with the story of an extremely unju... Luke 18 is a record of Jesus telling several short parables that center around the theme of faith. These short stories tell us many things that, if we pay attention, will change the way we look at faith. Jesus begins with the story of an extremely unjust judge whose hard heart cannot stand in the way of the persistent faith of a poor widow. The next story, of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, shows that repentant faith is more honorable before God than well-behaved self-righteousness. Jesus also speaks of a rich man who does not mind keeping laws, but cannot manage to trust God to provide for his daily needs. During His teaching, Jesus is approached by parents bringing their children to Him hoping He will bless them. Rather than being upset by the interruption, Jesus embraces the children and holds them up as examples of faith. The chapter ends with Jesus healing a blind beggar along the road, telling him, “Your faith has healed you.” What is this abstract thing we call faith? Quite simply put, faith is confidence. Confidence that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. It is confidence that God knows and sees more than we do and so knows what needs to happen in every situation if we will trust Him with it. In addition, it is confidence that God always has our best interest at heart and will never lead us where He cannot keep us. Hebrews 11, another great chapter about faith, defines it this way: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (NLT) Faith connects us with the power of God as we abandon confidence in ourselves and our own abilities and place our confidence completely in Him. In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks the question, “When I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?” Let’s begin anew today and commit to being one that He finds faithful. C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 31:32 Rise and Build, Next Generation, Part 3 http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/11/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-3/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/11/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-3/#comments Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:44:27 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=683 When we get our financial affairs in order in the natural, we position ourselves for breakthrough in the supernatural. I’m encouraging you to think about how you can challenge yourself in the upcoming Rise and Build campaign. Many people doing their part, giving small and large, have built our church. Giving above and beyond the tithe takes faith. In 2 Kings 4, the widow is told by Elisha to go and get all the vessels she can, not just a few. When it came time for her to pour her small portion of oil into the large vessel that would merely soak up the last of her oil, it took faith to believe that the oil would continue to flow.

Oil in the Bible is a metaphor for the Spirit in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Oil was used to burn for light, to cook, even for healing. Oil was always used in making their lives better, and just as oil was critical to their lives, the Holy Spirit is critical to our lives. Everyone is able to minister in the Spirit, and it is through the Holy Spirit that we find the miraculous. It is also through the Spirit that we can challenge ourselves in giving. There is story after story of people challenging themselves in the natural in giving with supernatural results.

I want to take a moment to present an opportunity for ministry especially for Easter in relation to the story of the widow’s oil. In verse 4, Elisha tells her to gather empty vessels, go into the house, shut the door and start to pour the oil into the empty vessels. The Spirit can move anywhere (marketplace, street, hospital) but some miracles are meant for the house (the church). All around our lives are empty vessels needing to be filled. If someone is struggling in his or her marriage, they are empty; if someone is battling cancer, they are empty; if someone doesn’t go to church, they are empty; if someone is facing financial hardship, they are empty. Think of empty vessels around you and determine how you can pour the oil of God into their world. Let their desperation embolden you in reaching out to them to bring them into the house.

Lastly, make sure your oil isn’t flowing in the wrong place. It is great to give to causes but don’t put giving to something that can heal naturally before giving to something that can heal supernaturally. It is time to start believing the word spoken over your life. Set aside time to consider what you can do.

Verses Used:
*2 Kings 4:1-7

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/11/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-3/feed/ 1 When we get our financial affairs in order in the natural, we position ourselves for breakthrough in the supernatural. I’m encouraging you to think about how you can challenge yourself in the upcoming Rise and Build campaign. When we get our financial affairs in order in the natural, we position ourselves for breakthrough in the supernatural. I’m encouraging you to think about how you can challenge yourself in the upcoming Rise and Build campaign. Many people doing their part, giving small and large, have built our church. Giving above and beyond the tithe takes faith. In 2 Kings 4, the widow is told by Elisha to go and get all the vessels she can, not just a few. When it came time for her to pour her small portion of oil into the large vessel that would merely soak up the last of her oil, it took faith to believe that the oil would continue to flow. Oil in the Bible is a metaphor for the Spirit in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Oil was used to burn for light, to cook, even for healing. Oil was always used in making their lives better, and just as oil was critical to their lives, the Holy Spirit is critical to our lives. Everyone is able to minister in the Spirit, and it is through the Holy Spirit that we find the miraculous. It is also through the Spirit that we can challenge ourselves in giving. There is story after story of people challenging themselves in the natural in giving with supernatural results. I want to take a moment to present an opportunity for ministry especially for Easter in relation to the story of the widow’s oil. In verse 4, Elisha tells her to gather empty vessels, go into the house, shut the door and start to pour the oil into the empty vessels. The Spirit can move anywhere (marketplace, street, hospital) but some miracles are meant for the house (the church). All around our lives are empty vessels needing to be filled. If someone is struggling in his or her marriage, they are empty; if someone is battling cancer, they are empty; if someone doesn’t go to church, they are empty; if someone is facing financial hardship, they are empty. Think of empty vessels around you and determine how you can pour the oil of God into their world. Let their desperation embolden you in reaching out to them to bring them into the house. Lastly, make sure your oil isn’t flowing in the wrong place. It is great to give to causes but don’t put giving to something that can heal naturally before giving to something that can heal supernaturally. It is time to start believing the word spoken over your life. Set aside time to consider what you can do. Verses Used: *2 Kings 4:1-7 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 27:01 Rise and Build, Next Generation, Part 2 http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/05/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-2/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/05/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-2/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:32:27 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=670 Christ is asking us to lay down our lives, and pick up a cross. We all know what the cross meant to Christ, but what does the cross mean to us? It means surrender. On the cross Jesus surrendered all His rights. He died and the temple curtain separating God from the people was torn in two. When that happened God didn’t escape, mankind was allowed in.

“If anyone wants to follow Me, let him lay down his life, and pick up a cross.” For us, a cross is symbolic, the surrender isn’t. How do we give up everything? God doesn’t want our house, He wants the right to tell us to hold a D-Group there. He doesn’t’ want your Ford (Lexus maybe), He wants the right to say, “Haul a load of groceries to the Quinn House in it.” That willingness is the key; remember a key has one function: Locking or Unlocking – whatever is powerful, or valuable; like an engine or a vault.

God has the powerful to give; you have the valuable to release. What power do you need? What of value are you willing to give? In 2 Kings 4 the Shunammite woman gave her food, and her home, God gave her a new life – a child, but then it all seemed lost when the child died. When it looked like everything good had been lost, God raised the child from the dead and gave her back what she needed most, a life.

So what about our everything, are we willing to give? What does God have, is He willing to give? God gave His Son, He is all in. Are we?

Verses Used:
*2 Kings 4: 1-7
*Matthew 16:24

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/03/05/rise-and-build-next-generation-part-2/feed/ 0 Christ is asking us to lay down our lives, and pick up a cross. We all know what the cross meant to Christ, but what does the cross mean to us? It means surrender. On the cross Jesus surrendered all His rights. Christ is asking us to lay down our lives, and pick up a cross. We all know what the cross meant to Christ, but what does the cross mean to us? It means surrender. On the cross Jesus surrendered all His rights. He died and the temple curtain separating God from the people was torn in two. When that happened God didn’t escape, mankind was allowed in. “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him lay down his life, and pick up a cross.” For us, a cross is symbolic, the surrender isn’t. How do we give up everything? God doesn’t want our house, He wants the right to tell us to hold a D-Group there. He doesn’t’ want your Ford (Lexus maybe), He wants the right to say, “Haul a load of groceries to the Quinn House in it.” That willingness is the key; remember a key has one function: Locking or Unlocking – whatever is powerful, or valuable; like an engine or a vault. God has the powerful to give; you have the valuable to release. What power do you need? What of value are you willing to give? In 2 Kings 4 the Shunammite woman gave her food, and her home, God gave her a new life – a child, but then it all seemed lost when the child died. When it looked like everything good had been lost, God raised the child from the dead and gave her back what she needed most, a life. So what about our everything, are we willing to give? What does God have, is He willing to give? God gave His Son, He is all in. Are we? Verses Used: *2 Kings 4: 1-7 *Matthew 16:24 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 26:26 Rise and Build, Next Generation http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/26/rise-and-build-next-generation/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/26/rise-and-build-next-generation/#comments Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:59:16 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=666 What is the difference between a Son of the House and a Servant of the House? That is an excellent question. The answer is spread throughout the Bible. One of the main answers is, in a sense, another question. Are you a Son? Well, how is your fruit? I.e: what do your actions say about you?

2 Kings 4:1-7 contains a story of a woman who was a Daughter of the House. Her husband (called a “son” of Elijah in the story) had just passed away, leaving her and her two sons in deep debt. This Daughter of the House ran straight to the answer: God. She sought out Elijah, her husband’s spiritual father, for advice; she accepted his advice, and, what is more, she obeyed it. That is the first and most prominent fruit of a son or daughter; they obey the Father. And when they obey the Father, His blessing falls upon them.

The house of God thrives on the obedience of the Sons and Daughters. Without Sons and Daughters, the House grows old and stagnant and stale. Nothing new happens; there is no fresh outpouring of the Spirit, for the House is old and set in its ways. Sons and Daughters bring fresh life and energy to the House; they bring faith in their obedience. And who is it they are obeying? The Fathers of the House.

Paul writes in I Corinthians that there are plenty of teachers in the House but not enough Fathers. People flock from teacher to teacher; they listen as long as the teacher says things they like. If the teacher starts getting too deep or too personal they leave in search of a new teacher. People do not want to sit under a Father. Fathers bring correction. Fathers bring discipline. Fathers do not say what the people want to hear. But it is fathers that build the sons and daughters.

Think about that for a moment. Who is speaking into your world? Are they the type of person you want to be in five, ten, even twenty years? Then they are your father or mother. Sit. Listen. And learn from them (and take the bumps and bruises of the ego that come with it). God is speaking through these people. He, first and foremost, speaks through His Word. Then, He speaks through His Spirit. And, finally and most often, He speaks through the people He has places around us. The longer we sit and listen, the more of their spirit we catch and the more of God we hear.

So, as we gear up towards a new Rise and Build campaign, take a moment to think. What is God saying to you? Are you listening to the Fathers and Mothers in your world? Are you ready to obey what it is they are saying? If the answer is yes, then you are a Son and/or Daughter of the House.

Verses Used:
*II Kings 4:1-7
* I Corinthians 4:15-16
*II Corinthians 3:1-4

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/26/rise-and-build-next-generation/feed/ 0 What is the difference between a Son of the House and a Servant of the House? That is an excellent question. The answer is spread throughout the Bible. One of the main answers is, in a sense, another question. Are you a Son? Well, how is your fruit? I. What is the difference between a Son of the House and a Servant of the House? That is an excellent question. The answer is spread throughout the Bible. One of the main answers is, in a sense, another question. Are you a Son? Well, how is your fruit? I.e: what do your actions say about you? 2 Kings 4:1-7 contains a story of a woman who was a Daughter of the House. Her husband (called a "son" of Elijah in the story) had just passed away, leaving her and her two sons in deep debt. This Daughter of the House ran straight to the answer: God. She sought out Elijah, her husband's spiritual father, for advice; she accepted his advice, and, what is more, she obeyed it. That is the first and most prominent fruit of a son or daughter; they obey the Father. And when they obey the Father, His blessing falls upon them. The house of God thrives on the obedience of the Sons and Daughters. Without Sons and Daughters, the House grows old and stagnant and stale. Nothing new happens; there is no fresh outpouring of the Spirit, for the House is old and set in its ways. Sons and Daughters bring fresh life and energy to the House; they bring faith in their obedience. And who is it they are obeying? The Fathers of the House. Paul writes in I Corinthians that there are plenty of teachers in the House but not enough Fathers. People flock from teacher to teacher; they listen as long as the teacher says things they like. If the teacher starts getting too deep or too personal they leave in search of a new teacher. People do not want to sit under a Father. Fathers bring correction. Fathers bring discipline. Fathers do not say what the people want to hear. But it is fathers that build the sons and daughters. Think about that for a moment. Who is speaking into your world? Are they the type of person you want to be in five, ten, even twenty years? Then they are your father or mother. Sit. Listen. And learn from them (and take the bumps and bruises of the ego that come with it). God is speaking through these people. He, first and foremost, speaks through His Word. Then, He speaks through His Spirit. And, finally and most often, He speaks through the people He has places around us. The longer we sit and listen, the more of their spirit we catch and the more of God we hear. So, as we gear up towards a new Rise and Build campaign, take a moment to think. What is God saying to you? Are you listening to the Fathers and Mothers in your world? Are you ready to obey what it is they are saying? If the answer is yes, then you are a Son and/or Daughter of the House. Verses Used: *II Kings 4:1-7 * I Corinthians 4:15-16 *II Corinthians 3:1-4 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 31:09 The Tithe (part 2) http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/12/the-tithe-part-2/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/12/the-tithe-part-2/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:06:56 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=658 The tithe is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and we see the Old Covenant bringing forth the New Covenant with relation to the tithe. In Genesis 14, Abram mobilized 318 trained men who had been born into his household to go to war. Victorious, Abram then goes into “the King’s valley” to meet the king of Sodom. Melchizedek “king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High” meets Abram there and brings him bread and wine and blesses him. Out of this communion Abram is moved to give 1/10 of all his spoils to Melchizedek, in the time before Moses and the Law (5000-6000 years before Christ). I believe that Melchizedek is Jesus appearing to Abram in a theophany (a manifestation of God to man), and out of Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek his response was to give him 1/10 of his spoils.

We again see Melchizedek in Psalm 110, still hundreds of years before Christ, and he is also referenced in the New Testament as Hebrews 6:20 refers to Jesus as “our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek”. The link between Jesus and Melchizedek is made with special note to his lack of lineage (important in Biblical times) as he remains “a priest forever” in Hebrews 7. Under the Old Covenant, the priest was the mediator between the people and God. The old system was abolished through Jesus’ sacrifice. When we bring our tithe, we are we are not tithing to the power bill or the water bill – we are trusting Jesus Christ, our high priest.

Tithing and giving is as much about discipleship as it is about anything, and this is a growth moment for us. In Matthew 16, Jesus says “I will build my church” and in Matthew 28, he tells us to “go and make disciples”. Believers are born into the kingdom; disciples are made. Being a disciple includes: absorbing teaching, living that teaching, and living to see the fruits from obedience. Paul is called a “master builder” not for building structures but for building people. We are called to disciple others – this isn’t the Dean and Jill show – there are people for you to disciple! When we come into alignment with the Word of God, blessing flows.

Abram was so self-assured about the abilities of his 318 men that he saw himself as a king, enabling him to be victorious and go to “the King’s valley”. These men were “born” into his household similar to the way we are born into this house. Being born into this house doesn’t only include people who got saved here; it is any of us, as we are all adopted into the family of God by which we can cry “Abba Father”. Abram could do more with these men born into his house than he could with thousands of hirelings. When you are a hireling, you are not invested and secure – when the heat is turned up, you run and the first storm you see wipes you out. When you are on the periphery you are an easy target; wolves look to pick off the sheep from the herd by choosing the ones on the edges. This is why relationships are so important at C3. Relationships undergird the structure we have here and when you make this your house, you have connection, you have fellowship, and you have protection. The Word of God transforms your thinking. It’s not hard to get blessed when you do what the Bible says – put God back in the center of your life. Tithe and see what God will do.

Verses Used:
*Genesis 14:14-20
*Psalm 110:1-4
*Hebrews 7:1-6

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/12/the-tithe-part-2/feed/ 0 The tithe is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and we see the Old Covenant bringing forth the New Covenant with relation to the tithe. In Genesis 14, Abram mobilized 318 trained men who had been born into his household to go to war. The tithe is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and we see the Old Covenant bringing forth the New Covenant with relation to the tithe. In Genesis 14, Abram mobilized 318 trained men who had been born into his household to go to war. Victorious, Abram then goes into “the King’s valley” to meet the king of Sodom. Melchizedek “king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High” meets Abram there and brings him bread and wine and blesses him. Out of this communion Abram is moved to give 1/10 of all his spoils to Melchizedek, in the time before Moses and the Law (5000-6000 years before Christ). I believe that Melchizedek is Jesus appearing to Abram in a theophany (a manifestation of God to man), and out of Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek his response was to give him 1/10 of his spoils. We again see Melchizedek in Psalm 110, still hundreds of years before Christ, and he is also referenced in the New Testament as Hebrews 6:20 refers to Jesus as “our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek”. The link between Jesus and Melchizedek is made with special note to his lack of lineage (important in Biblical times) as he remains “a priest forever” in Hebrews 7. Under the Old Covenant, the priest was the mediator between the people and God. The old system was abolished through Jesus’ sacrifice. When we bring our tithe, we are we are not tithing to the power bill or the water bill - we are trusting Jesus Christ, our high priest. Tithing and giving is as much about discipleship as it is about anything, and this is a growth moment for us. In Matthew 16, Jesus says “I will build my church” and in Matthew 28, he tells us to “go and make disciples”. Believers are born into the kingdom; disciples are made. Being a disciple includes: absorbing teaching, living that teaching, and living to see the fruits from obedience. Paul is called a “master builder” not for building structures but for building people. We are called to disciple others - this isn’t the Dean and Jill show - there are people for you to disciple! When we come into alignment with the Word of God, blessing flows. Abram was so self-assured about the abilities of his 318 men that he saw himself as a king, enabling him to be victorious and go to “the King’s valley”. These men were “born” into his household similar to the way we are born into this house. Being born into this house doesn’t only include people who got saved here; it is any of us, as we are all adopted into the family of God by which we can cry “Abba Father”. Abram could do more with these men born into his house than he could with thousands of hirelings. When you are a hireling, you are not invested and secure - when the heat is turned up, you run and the first storm you see wipes you out. When you are on the periphery you are an easy target; wolves look to pick off the sheep from the herd by choosing the ones on the edges. This is why relationships are so important at C3. Relationships undergird the structure we have here and when you make this your house, you have connection, you have fellowship, and you have protection. The Word of God transforms your thinking. It’s not hard to get blessed when you do what the Bible says - put God back in the center of your life. Tithe and see what God will do. Verses Used: *Genesis 14:14-20 *Psalm 110:1-4 *Hebrews 7:1-6 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 32:38 The Tithe (part 1) http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/05/the-tithe/ http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/05/the-tithe/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:38:33 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=653 The tithe is found in both the Old and New Testaments. We see Abraham paying Melchizedek the High Priest a tenth of what he took as spoils of war, along with the first communion. People in those times learned to give their tithes of crops abundantly into the storehouse, a literal building that could hold food and seed in case of famine. In modern times, we pay our tithes to the local church – not a TV ministry, not a parachurch organization, but to the (store) House of God. If we have not learned yet that tithing is not an option for us as Christians, how can the church be “chief upon the mountains” as the bible declares? Tithing brings honor to God, brings blessing into our lives, and causes God to throw open the Windows of Heaven – it is the only time we are allowed to test God! He is saying to us, “Try it! Put Me to the test, I want to blow you away with My generosity as you learn to be generous!”

We are called to respect the altar of God – back in the days when priests offered sacrifices for the people, there was an increase of bribery as folks wanted to get rid of their lame, crippled and diseased cattle or sheep, and paid the priests to offer those on the altar, as if God were blind! Malachi was a prophet to the priests who had a lot to say about honoring and respecting the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, as you can read in the verses noted above. God’s principles don’t change, He will always bless you if you put Him first. If we have all our bills in front of us and wait til they are paid up to pay our tithes, we will never manage the 10% because the bills always seem so insurmountable. But if we line them up and put the tithe at the head of the line, we will find that supernaturally, the money is there to pay the rest! The priests (pastors) are responsible to tell the people that God is righteous and deserves the firstfruits of our labor, as Malachi aptly points out. We will miss out on a huge life blessing if we allow that 10% of our paycheck, disability or unemployment check (whatever we are getting as income, as opposed to monetary gifts from others) to go unpaid to the local church, the storehouse of blessing.

Tithing is probably the scariest thing we will ever do as Christians! It is easy to get saved, but it sure it hard to trust God with our money. Only 6% of the church in America tithes, according to Barna Research Group. This proved true several years ago, when Ps. Phil asked me what I had given in an offering. We discovered we’d given the same amount, and in a group of over 100 people, each of us had contributed 1/3 of the total offering taken that day. The 6% had prevailed, sadly. We are promised a return on our tithes and offerings, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times over what was given. No bank has ever given me that much of a return! What God can get through our hands and into others, He will get to us so we can do it again. If we are on food stamps, share some with others – there are always areas where we can give to people.

We have to learn that God sees our heart, He knows how much we make, and He is asking us to repay Him for the blessing of being able to work, or being able to draw a check due to disability, unemployment, etc. We want everyone in this church to thrive, and tithing is foundational to making that happen. We must look at our hearts, decide to give the Lord the honor and respect He deserves, lay our tithes on the altar, and watch the miracles unfold! I can’t wait to share more about this and tell you great stories of many who have tithed and received new jobs, raises, bonuses – all because we took a chance and risked loving God with our whole hearts.

Verses Used:
*Numbers 18:26
*Malachi 1:6-8
*Malachi 3:8-10

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2012/02/05/the-tithe/feed/ 0 The tithe is found in both the Old and New Testaments. We see Abraham paying Melchizedek the High Priest a tenth of what he took as spoils of war, along with the first communion. People in those times learned to give their tithes of crops abundantly ... The tithe is found in both the Old and New Testaments. We see Abraham paying Melchizedek the High Priest a tenth of what he took as spoils of war, along with the first communion. People in those times learned to give their tithes of crops abundantly into the storehouse, a literal building that could hold food and seed in case of famine. In modern times, we pay our tithes to the local church - not a TV ministry, not a parachurch organization, but to the (store) House of God. If we have not learned yet that tithing is not an option for us as Christians, how can the church be "chief upon the mountains" as the bible declares? Tithing brings honor to God, brings blessing into our lives, and causes God to throw open the Windows of Heaven - it is the only time we are allowed to test God! He is saying to us, "Try it! Put Me to the test, I want to blow you away with My generosity as you learn to be generous!" We are called to respect the altar of God - back in the days when priests offered sacrifices for the people, there was an increase of bribery as folks wanted to get rid of their lame, crippled and diseased cattle or sheep, and paid the priests to offer those on the altar, as if God were blind! Malachi was a prophet to the priests who had a lot to say about honoring and respecting the Lord of Heaven's Armies, as you can read in the verses noted above. God's principles don't change, He will always bless you if you put Him first. If we have all our bills in front of us and wait til they are paid up to pay our tithes, we will never manage the 10% because the bills always seem so insurmountable. But if we line them up and put the tithe at the head of the line, we will find that supernaturally, the money is there to pay the rest! The priests (pastors) are responsible to tell the people that God is righteous and deserves the firstfruits of our labor, as Malachi aptly points out. We will miss out on a huge life blessing if we allow that 10% of our paycheck, disability or unemployment check (whatever we are getting as income, as opposed to monetary gifts from others) to go unpaid to the local church, the storehouse of blessing. Tithing is probably the scariest thing we will ever do as Christians! It is easy to get saved, but it sure it hard to trust God with our money. Only 6% of the church in America tithes, according to Barna Research Group. This proved true several years ago, when Ps. Phil asked me what I had given in an offering. We discovered we'd given the same amount, and in a group of over 100 people, each of us had contributed 1/3 of the total offering taken that day. The 6% had prevailed, sadly. We are promised a return on our tithes and offerings, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times over what was given. No bank has ever given me that much of a return! What God can get through our hands and into others, He will get to us so we can do it again. If we are on food stamps, share some with others - there are always areas where we can give to people. We have to learn that God sees our heart, He knows how much we make, and He is asking us to repay Him for the blessing of being able to work, or being able to draw a check due to disability, unemployment, etc. We want everyone in this church to thrive, and tithing is foundational to making that happen. We must look at our hearts, decide to give the Lord the honor and respect He deserves, lay our tithes on the altar, and watch the miracles unfold! I can't wait to share more about this and tell you great stories of many who have tithed and received new jobs, raises, bonuses - all because we took a chance and risked loving God with our whole hearts. Verses Used: *Numbers 18:26 *Malachi 1:6-8 *Malachi 3:8-10 C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 22:16 The Vine – Final http://deansweetman.com/2011/12/04/the-vine-final-2/ http://deansweetman.com/2011/12/04/the-vine-final-2/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:41:38 +0000 Dean http://deansweetman.com/?p=611 As we conclude the series on the Vine, it is important to remember that Jesus was using this as His last opportunity to speak to his friends, the 11 disciples that came with Him in the midnight hour up to the Mount of Olives and the garden of Gethsemane there. What would you say to your children or close friends if you knew you were going away and would never see them again? The weight of these words is enormous, these are Jesus’s final instructions to those He called his closest friends. They are meant for us today, offering grace, hope, love and the way to JOY on the earth – ABIDE IN ME and let My Words abide in you, and you can ask for ANYTHING, because of the love God has for us and we for Him. I have told you these things that your JOY may be the fullest possible joy. (vs. 7 & 11) There is grace if we are away from God, knowing that if we just ask, He will graft us back into the Vine – allow us back into the family of God if we just ask and submit ourselves to Him again. “You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you.” (vs 3)

Branches that disconnect from the vine change color and become lifeless. (vs 6) Living as if we don’t need Jesus is futile, as EVERY other “life source” we attempt to follow to find peace of mind will have to bow before Christ at the end of time. When we choose to abide, remain and stay in Christ and His Word, God then desires to give us the things that we want, need, hope for. This is a relationship where we love Him, He loves us, and we do awesome things for one another – ours is to obey, His is giving us great joy and an abundant life here on earth. All that Jesus received from the Father He passed down to us. (vs 10-11) God is as interested in our carnal lives as much as our spiritual lives. We don’t need to do “goofy things” to feel spiritual, which is why we don’t prophesy over the cashier at Walmart, but when we become so connected to God that everday life becomes extraordinary, we become one with Him. Normal, joyful, blessed – we have every answer to every problem when we’re connected to the Vine.

This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Lay down your lives for your friends. We are no longer called servants, God wants to call us friends! (vs 12-15) Jesus is declaring His love for His disciples, explaining that He is more than their teacher, He is their friend and loves them like a brother. It is an emotional moment, He wants them to see that everything they have comes by obeying His Father. Anything that doesn’t come from Christ is nothing in our lives as well. The family you want, the children you desire, these only come through Christ. If you will discipline your children at a young age, they won’t be big trouble as teenagers – you take care of what needs to be done, don’t bring them to me in 10 years and ask me to fix your teens if you didn’t follow through on our childcare worker’s helpful advice to deal with temper tantrums at age 5! You don’t want to become the branches that are cut off and burned, and neither do they – there are choices involved all through our lives that keep us connected.

You did not choose me; I chose you…go and produce fruit that will last. (vs 16-17). Everyone has a God-purpose – He chose you and needs you to help those who are in your world. Stay in Christ, produce good fruit, remain in His love, His teaching, His word. Every pain, every disappointment, every temptation Jesus knew and carried to the cross to be taken away. Even going to His death, He spoke positive, encouraging, life-giving words so that we could have joy in this life on earth. Through horrific times, joy comes by being connected to Jesus and staying in His Word, allowing the Father, the Master Gardener, to prune us which actually gives us more strength to keep bearing great fruit. These words gave Steven the ability in Acts to be martyred for his faith and helped the early church in the first 40 years overcome extreme persecution by the Romans. When we stay connected to the Father’s House and keep that a priority, we will find all the help we need to have an abundant, joyful life in the Vine!

Verses Used:
*John 15:1-17

]]> http://deansweetman.com/2011/12/04/the-vine-final-2/feed/ 0 As we conclude the series on the Vine, it is important to remember that Jesus was using this as His last opportunity to speak to his friends, the 11 disciples that came with Him in the midnight hour up to the Mount of Olives and the garden of Gethseman... As we conclude the series on the Vine, it is important to remember that Jesus was using this as His last opportunity to speak to his friends, the 11 disciples that came with Him in the midnight hour up to the Mount of Olives and the garden of Gethseman... C3 Church in Lawrenceville, GA USA clean 21:47