Fellowship Baptist Church

The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus (Week 1)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Exodus 25:8-9; 34:29-35; 40: 34-38; Leviticus 10:1-3; Numbers 15:32-36; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14
 
Every year, thousands of people set out to read the Bible in its entirety; every year, a large percentage stop when they get to Leviticus, a book that lays out in embarrassing detail the limits of God's law for the Israelites.What can we learn from this strange book? Join us as we seek to understand its place in the larger narrative of the Bible, and learn how it speaks to us today.
The Burden of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus
Week 1
I. Introduction
A. Author
B. Date
C. "Priestly" v. "Holiness" sources
D. The Big Themes
--- 1. Be Holy, As I Am Holy
--- 2. Holiness Looks Weird
 
II. The Positioning of Leviticus
A. Moses and the Law
B. The Tabernacle and God's Moving In
 
III. Outline of Leviticus 
A. The Five Offerings (1-7)
--- 1. Sweet Savor Offerings (1-3)
--- 2. Non-sweet Savor Offerings (4-5)
--- 3. Law of Offerings (6-7)
B. The Priests (8-10)
C. Holiness in Daily Life
D. Holy Days
E. Laws and Prophecies for the Promised Land
F. Dedication and Devotion
 
IV. Key Concepts
A. Sacred Space
B. Holiness on a local scale
 
V. What is Leviticus?
A. A Law Code
B. A Guide for Living
C. A Safety Manual
 
 
Illustration #1: Moses horned statue by Michelangelo

Easter at Fellowship: Real Stories. Real Hope. (His Story is My Story)

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Romans 5:6, 8 & 12; 6:4 & 23; 10:9 & 13; James 1:15; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
Listen to real-life stories of people who have experienced for themselves a life-changing relationship with God through Jesus. We know these stories will speak to your soul and bring you renewed hope for the future.When we think of the Easter story, we are so moved by what Jesus did for us. The Easter story actually applies to us more than we think. The Bible says that Jesus became sin for us. This means that Jesus was our substitute or, we could say, His story is our story. Easter is the story of how Jesus came to take our place!
 
Easter at Fellowship
Real Stories. Real Hope.
 
His Story is My Story
I. The Sin
II. The Substitute
III. The Resurrection
 
 
Illustration #1: Peter Barker
 
Illustration #2: Liuzzo family (from left to right: Jordan, Tony, Jen, Morgan & Logan)
 
Illustration #3: Logan Liuzzo at Graduation
 
Illustration #4: Jesus on trial
 
Illustration #5: Jesus on the cross
 
Illustration #6: Jesus buried in a tomb
 

The Lamb of God

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 26:17-28 (Romans 6:23; Genesis 3:21; Exodus 12:13; Isaiah 53:6-7; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 26:17-28; Revelation 5:6; 21:27)
 
Communion is such a special time for believers. It was Jesus that taught us the meaning and the practice of communion before He went to the cross. He met with the disciples for the purpose of celebrating the Passover, but then He introduces Himself as the Lamb of God. He was going to be the Passover lamb that would take away the sins of the world.
Communion is our time to remember that Jesus is the one that came to "take away the sins of the world." He is God's Lamb! He was the perfect and final sacrifice. He is our hope that changed our story for the glory of God.

Seeking God: Answering questions about Prayer - Part 3

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 7:7 & 9-11; 8:8; 17:20; 19:26; 27:46; James 4:2; 5:16; Romans 8:28-29; 10:13-15 & 17; John 14:13-14; 15:7-8; Mark 11:23-24; 16:15; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 9:5-6; 26:28; Psalm 76:6; 77:14; 145:18-19
 
When it comes to prayer, we all have questions.
What does it mean to pray without ceasing?
How important is fasting?
How do we develop a burden and passion to pray more?
What does it mean to pray through scriptures?
God desires for us to understand prayer. All of these questions, and more, can be answered in God's Word. This study will address the questions that lay heavy on our hearts when it comes to our prayer life.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."Answering questions about prayer - Part 3"
XIII. Am I supposed to pray for what I want or just to be able to handle whatever He decides?XIV. How do you know when you have prayed in God's will? How long should you pray about someone or something? Pray without ceasing?1. we are instructed to pray and keep on praying2. sometimes God answers by giving us something different...something better (something good)3. pray until God says no
XV. Why does the Bible say,"Whatsover ye shall ask in my name, believing you have received it, it will be given unto you." If that does not happen, especially when it comes to healing?--- A. what does this actually mean?--- B. how do we properly apply this?1. will this glorify God?2. What is my motivation for asking for this?3. Are you asking in humility?
XVI. It is God's will that all come to repentance and none be lost - why do prayers go unanswered? What is freewill versus predestination?1. sometimes it falls on our lack of obedience to share the Gospel like we should.2. sometimes God reaches in to convict them and they resist
XVII. Jesus said that we will have tribulation in the world. So, why should we expect to get our of tribulation by prayer? If all goes well for us, how could we relate to the lost and those suffering or suffering loss?XVIII. How does prayer affect how God sees our situations? (Example: I am hurting...does my telling Him, enlighten Him?1. everyone will have difficulties, saved and lost, because of the cursed world2. we are instructed to seek God when we go through trials, tribulation, adn sickness.3. we bring God glory through our trials as we seek Him
XIX. Is praying scriptures or promises more beneficial when asking for something?1. Jesus did it2. it helps us line up our prayers with God's desires3. it brings glory to God4. it is how we claim God's promises5. it stirs up your heart and allows us to pray with confidence
 
 
 
Illustration #1-3: Prayer + Worship at Children's Hospital for Logan Liuzzo

REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God — God’s plan for the revived.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Ephesians 3 (Ephesians 2:5-10; 3:1-5 &14-21; 6:10-12; John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58)
 
God has given us the instruction for us to seek Him through prayer and personal time with Him. For us to deny ourselves through fasting and for us to spend time with God through Bible reading and personal worship.
The question is, what is the point of all of this? God has us here for a reason. God has a plan for our families and for His church.  It is an incredible and powerful plan that goes deeper than we could imagine. God has a great plan for His revived people! Are you ready for God's plan for the revived?
 
REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful GodGod's plan for the revived.
God's plan for His revived church (this is what God wants us to know)I. What God wants to do in youA. God desires to strengthen usB. God desires for us to be stableC. God desires for us to be satisfied
II. What God wants to do through youA. God desires TO DO great things through usB. God desires for us to desire moreC. God desires for our generation to bring Him glory

Seeking God: Answering questions about Prayer - Part 2

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Acts 1:14; Psalms 133:1; Luke 11:1; James 5:13-14; Matthew 6:6 & 16; 26:41; 1 John 1:9; Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:18; 8:8
 
When it comes to prayer, we all have questions.
What does it mean to pray without ceasing?
How important is fasting?
How do we develop a burden and passion to pray more?
What does it mean to pray through scriptures?
God desires for us to understand prayer. All of these questions, and more, can be answered in God's Word. This study will address the questions that lay heavy on our hearts when it comes to our prayer life.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."Answering questions about prayer - Part 2"
IX. With Jesus talking so much about private prayer, like go into your closet…is there a Biblical reference to "corporate" or public/group prayer?1. corporate prayer brings unity2. corporate prayer teaches others to pray3. corporate prayer ministers to those in need4. corporate prayer leads to corporate praise (it brings glory to God)
X. As a mature Christian who truly loves the Lord, why do I not have a strong, passionate desire to designate a time of prayer to God each and every day? I feel like I "talk" to Him all throughout the day, but I am having trouble disciplining myself to have a daily prayer time.keep these reasons in mind:1. we do this to set aside time with God2. we do this to set aside distractions3. we do this so we can be real and honest with God
XI. How important is fasting?keep in mind our flesh is:- corrupt- weak- at war with the Spirit1. fasting is resisting our flesh2. fasting is telling your flesh "NO"3. fasting is how we amplify our prayers4. fasting is part of the Christian life
 
Illustration #1: Corporately praying over Logan Liuzzo 

REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God — Seeking God through personal worship.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Colossians 3:16 (Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 30:12; 31:3; 47:1; 63:4; 98:4; 134:2; 138:2; 150:1-6; Colossians 3:1-2 & 16; Ephesians 5:19)
 
When we seek after God, we will see God work!
We will experience God when we read His Word. We will witness God work when we fast and pray! This leads us to respond....we praise God! We brag and glorify God!
But there is another response...we worship! Worship is a powerful way to seek God. On Sunday, we will not only study what it means to seek after God through personal worship, we will also put this into practice.
 
REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God
Seeking God through personal worship.
I. Music directs our affections towards GodII. Music puts our mind on GodIII. Music is an outlet for personal worship
 
 
Illustration #1: Thrive Church Micro-Service

REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God — Seeking God through His Word.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Hebrews 4:12 (Genesis 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:12; 11:3; John 1:1-4 & 14; Matthew 8:5-7 & 13; Mark 4:37-39 & 41; 5:8; Revelation 3:20; 19:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 55:11)
 
There is a story in the Bible where Jesus confronted a man that was possessed and controlled by a "legion" of demons. The demons were fearful of Jesus because they recognized who He was. To cast out the demons, Jesus spoke! He simply told the demons to leave and they had to leave. 
There is power in the words of our God! The words of God bring conviction, breaks bondage, stirs our hearts, and changes lives. God has given us a powerful tool in our lives. He has given us His written Word.  We hold in our hands and get to read the powerful, life changing, Words of our mighty God!
Do you want to be revived in your heart? Seek Him through His Word and you will experience the life given power of our great God!
 
REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God
Seeking God through His Word.
 
Through His Word...
I. We experience His presence
A. His Word brings us into fellowship with Him
B. His Word brings us under His authority
 
II. We experience His power
 
III. We experience real change
A. it reaches the heart
B. it brings conviction
 
 
Illustration #1: Students at Camp during invitation

Seeking God: What does it mean to pray for God’s will? - Part 2

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 7:7; James 4:2; Philippians 4:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Psalms 27:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:26-28
 
Do you know what it means to pray according to the will of God? The Bible tells us to do this, but does this mean that we don't pray and ask for our hearts desires? Should we just pray, "Your will be done."
We should pray according to God's will, but this might not mean what you think.  When you understand God's will, when it comes to prayer, it opens up the power of prayer in a big way.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."What does it mean to pray for God's will?" - Part 2
II. What does it mean to pray for God's will?Our prayers must line up "according to" His purpose1. God's will is for you to ask2. God's will is for you to ask for your heart's desire3. God's will is to strengthen your faith through answered prayer4. God's will is for us to trust Him even if He does not answer in the way we ask
 
Illustration #1: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (before)
Illustration #2: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (during)
Illustration #3: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (after)

REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God — Seeking God through prayer.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 5 + Acts 12 (Matthew 5:1-2 & 5; 6:5-8; 7:7; Acts 1:8; 10:9, 19, 30-31, 37-39 & 44; 11:21; 12:1-9 & 16; James 5:15; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:26 & 28; Deuteronomy 1:30; Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 4:18)
 
Have you ever prayed and you felt like nothing was happening? You are in a tight spot...you pour your heart out before God, and nothing changes or at least, it seems this way.
The truth is, prayer is powerful and prayer makes a difference. God works through prayer in ways we can't see! God works through prayer to do what man cannot do! Just like the song says, "Even when I don't see it, You're working!"
God taught us some really important principles concerning prayer. One of them is that He hears and works through our prayers! To help us understand this God gave us a visual in Acts 12. When we seek God through prayer, God responds in big ways!
 
REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God
Seeking God through prayer.
 
When we pray....I. We are inviting God into our circumstances
II. God goes to work in ways we can't see
III. God does what man cannot doA. the power of prayer goes beyond our reachB. the power of prayer brings hopeC. the power of prayer breaks bondageD. the power of prayer opens doors
IV. God builds our faith through answered prayer

Seeking God: What does it mean to pray for God’s will? - Part 1

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - I John 5:14-15 (1 John 4:18; 5:13-15; 2 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:31; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 3:20-21; James 1:5; 4:2; Matthew 7:7 & 9-11; 14:28; Philippians 4:6-7; Luke 18:27)
 
Do you know what it means to pray according to the will of God? The Bible tells us to do this, but does this mean that we don't pray and ask for our hearts desires? Should we just pray, "Your will be done."
We should pray according to God's will, but this might not mean what you think.  When you understand God's will, when it comes to prayer, it opens up the power of prayer in a big way.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."What does it mean to pray for God's will?" - Part 1
II. What does it mean to pray for God's will?
What is His will?It must line up according to:1. His purpose2. His desire--- God desires for us to desire to see him do great things!--- God's desire is to do great things through us!!!3. His pleasure
This is God's will for your life right now:1. God's will is for you to ask2. God's will is for you to ask for your heart's desire3. God's will is to strengthen your faith through answered prayer

REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God — Seeking God through fasting.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 6:5-15 (Philippians 3:3 & 19; Romans 7:18; 8:8; Matthew 5:6; 6:6-7 & 16; 26:41; 17:20-21 Galatians 5:16-17; Luke 9:23; Colossians 3:2; Jeremiah 29:13; James 1:22)
 
Can you feel it? Can you feel the spiritual condition of the world around us? To be honest, it is not just the condition of the world around us, but the condition of our own hearts. Is it possible that we could be so used to going through the motions of the Christian life that we have slowly adapted to a powerless and passionless life? Are we missing something? Could God be shaking us right now to awaken His people to the life, passion, and power that we were created to live out? What if we stopped, listened, and responded?This world might be in a mess right now, but God is not finished! We might be broken, but our God is still faithful! God greatly desires to REVIVE His people to the power and purpose that we were created to accomplish. Together, let’s take a journey to seek God and ask Him to Revive our hearts!
If prayer is so powerful, why don't we pray more? Have you ever thought about this? We often blame the Devil when we are not doing the things we know we should be doing. But the Devil often gets blamed for things he did not do.
The Bible tells us that we have opposition that pulls us away from spiritual things....things like prayer and reading our Bibles. The real opposition is us...our flesh. But there is good news! God has given us a spiritual exercise to counter our flesh, it's called fasting. A word mentioned more than practiced.
If it is in the Bible, we need to know why and we need to obey it. In this episode, we will study what it means to seek God through fasting.
 
REVIVE: Broken people seeking a faithful God
Seeking God through fasting.
 
Our flesh is...
1. corrupt
2. weak
3. at war with the Spirit
 
I. Fasting is resisting our flesh
A. fasting is confronting our flesh
B. fasting is telling our flesh "NO" (it's a spiritual discipline)
 
II. Fasting is how we amplify our prayers
A. fasting puts our focus on God
B. fasting is coming to God with a heart of surrender
 
III. Fasting is part of the Christian life
 
Types of fast:
1. absolute fast: abstaining from all food
2. partial fast: abstaining from a particular food
3. liquid fast: abstaining from all solid foods
4. alternate fast: refraining from Netflix, social media, screen time, playing video games, etc.
 
Keys for fasting:
1. have a plan
2. pray about doing it
3. remember: it is about your heart and desire
4. just start