Fellowship Baptist Church

Dealing with Life's Jericho

Pastor Dave Liuzzo (Executive Pastor) - Joshua 6 (Joshua 1:5, 9, 11 & 13; 2:14; 6:1-10, 15-16 & 20; 2 Peter 1:4; John 10:27; James 1:19; 1 Corinthians 15:57)
 
Everyone of us have a Jericho in life, whether we think so or not. It's the walls in life that prevent us from experiencing victory.
Sometimes getting to victory doesn’t always make sense. But in the end…if we don’t quit walking the walls WILL fall, and victory will be won.
 
Dealing with Life's Jericho
Joshua 6
I. The Wall
A. Represents the problem.
--- 1. Problems have layers.
--- 2. Problems create limitations.
B. Represents the past.
 
II. The Walk
A. Required obedience.
--- 1. To follow the leader in the midst of confusion
B. Required silence.
--- 1. In order to focus.
--- 2. In order to listen.
 
III. The Win
A. The walls fell flat.
B. The war was won.

Death to Life

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Romans 6 (Romans 5:20-21; 6:1-7, 11-12 & 14; 10:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21; 1 Peter 2:24; Genesis 3:17-18; Philippians 3:13)
 
What does the empty tomb mean for us in our daily lives?
 
Yes, it means that Jesus died and He rose again. It means that Jesus conquered death and sin. This is all true, but this means so much more! This affects every day of our lives. This offers victory for us in our daily struggles. This changes the direction in our lives. This gives hope to things that seem hopeless.
 
The empty tomb is way more than an Easter story. The empty tomb changed everything! If you are ready to move on from some of your past mistakes or you simply need some encouragement, take a listen! This message is for you!
 
 
Death to Life
Romans 6
I. The cross represents who we were.A. We were guilty.B. We were condemned.
II. The burial represents how we were changed.A. We are free from sin.B. Our past is buried.
III. The resurrection represents who we are.A. We are made new.B. We are to live a new way.
 

Faithful God :: Faithful to Provide

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Exodus 13-15 (Job 14:1; Psalms 37:39; 107:6; Exodus 13:18; 14:1-4, 8-16, 18 & 21-31; 15:1-3; 1 John 4:18)
 
Have you ever ran out of resources and options in life? You hit a spot where you have nothing left that you can do. This can be scary!
Keep this in mind; God never leads us to fail! If you are following God, then know that God does not lead us to fail! God is faithful and He always has a plan!
You might not know or understand the plan, but He is at work. Whatever you face and whatever you might need, know that our God is Faithful to Provide!
 
Faithful God :: Faithful to ProvideI. Understand where the situation came from.II. Keep moving forward.III. Wait on God to open the door.IV. Don't lose faith in the midst of the journey.V. Rejoice in the deliverance of God.

FORWARD >> Forward with a Plan

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Ephesians 4 (Ephesians 4:1-12 & 16; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 11:1; Psalms 32:11; 37:23; 98:1-2 & 4; 149:1 Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Romans 10:17; John 9:4; 15:15; Acts 9:15; Mark 16:15; Matthew 16:18)
 
We are all growing in the Lord, or at least, we should be...
Jesus called the disciple to "follow Him" and they began a journey. Their lives were changed. Through this journey with Jesus, they grew in their faith, worshiped God, developed deep friendships, used their gifts to serve Jesus, and they changed lives.
We are also on a journey. We are always taking next steps, because we never arrive. What are the spiritual steps that we taking as believers? What are the spiritual steps that we lead others to take as they follow God?
Jesus had a plan to make disciples! As we move forward, we must move forward with a plan!
 
FORWARD >> Forward with a Plan
Ephesians 4
Step 1 >> We worship together on Sundays.Our purpose and plan:1. To build lives through preaching.2. To encourage each other through worship.
Step 2 >> We grow together in groups.Our purpose and plan:1. To build relationships through fellowship.2. To help each other through teaching each other.3. To care for people through connection.
Step 3 >> We serve together on ministry teams.Our purpose and plan:1. We help them discover their spiritual gift.2. We all serve the Lord in ministry.
Step 4 >> We go together on a mission.Our purpose and plan:1. We help people find Jesus.2. We help people follow Jesus.
 

Faithful God :: Faithful in His Character

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Exodus 7-12 (Hebrews 9:22 & 27; 13:8; James 1:17; Galatians 6:7; Exodus 7:17-18 & 22-25; 8:1-3, 16-17, 19, 24-28 & 32; 9:3-5, 8-9 & 22; 10:12, 19, 21 & 28-29; 11:1 & 4-6; 12:3-5, 7, 11-13 & 29-33; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:10; John 8:12; 1 John 1:29)
 
Our God does not change! His love will never change for us. His desire to save us and to be with us is constant. This is why Jesus came to die on the cross. He was displaying the character of His love. 
This is just as true with the justice of God. God is faithful through His character of being a just God. He will not ignore sin. God is faithful to deal with our sin. This is a powerful and important principle to understand.
God displays how He is faithful through His character in the life of Moses so we can fully understand the faithfulness of our great God! 

FORWARD >> Forward with Conviction

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Daniel 3 (John 1:3; 3:3; 8:32; 17:17; Matthew 7:26-27; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12; Daniel 1:8; 3:12, 16-19, 23-27 & 29; Psalms 139:14; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:15)
 
There are things that change and need to change in life. The same is true in church life; styles change, methods change, programs and processes change.
There are also some things that do not and cannot change. God's Word does not change! It is vital that we have deep conviction when it comes to what we believe. Truth does not change and truth will persevere. If we are to move forward, we must move forward with conviction!
 
FORWARD >> Forward with Conviction
Daniel 3
I. We must stand for truth!
II. We must share truth!
III. We must reach the lost through truth!

Faithful God :: Faithful through our Difficulty

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Exodus 4, 5 & 6 (1 Peter 5:8; Proverbs 16:7; Exodus 4:18-23 & 27-31; 5:1-2 & 4-23; 6:1-3 & 6-8; Matthew 7:7; Genesis 1:26; 2:7-9; 3:8-9 & 21)
 
Because we live in a cursed world and we have Satan as our enemy life can be very difficult. If we stand for God and truth we will face resistance.
Moses experienced extreme opposition when he stood before Pharaoh. God was faithful through his difficulty by explaining to him His name.
There is power and comfort in the name of our God!

FORWARD >> Forward with a Mission - Part 2

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Acts 9 (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5; Matthew 4:19; 5:16; 28:20; Acts 9:13-20, 22 & 26-27; 11:25-26; Luke 11:1; 22:31; Mark 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 11:1)
 
Have you ever wondered how so many people end up falling out of church or end up going back to their old life styles?
We all know people that were excited to serve God one minute and missing the next. Our mission is to help people find Jesus, but that is not the whole mission. We are also called to help people follow Jesus.
What does this truly look like in our everyday lives? God's plan for this is simple and amazing and we get to be part of it! If we are to move forward, we must embrace this mission that God has given us!
 
FORWARD >> Forward with a Mission - Part 2
Acts 9
What is our mission?
I. We help people find Jesus.
 
II. We help people follow Jesus.
 
How do we help people follow Jesus?A. We share life together.B. We teach truth.C. We train them in ministry.
 

Faithful God :: Faithful through our Doubt

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Exodus 3 & 4 (Exodus 3:4-14 & 18-21; 4:1-4 & 12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 3:16; 1 Peter 1:16; James 1:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 1:8)
 
Do you struggle with doubt? So did Moses! It's an amazing thing to experience the grace of God as we battle with doubt in our lives. God is faithful through our doubt!
 
Faithful God :: Faithful through our Doubt
This is how God confronts our doubts:1. God promises to be with us.Excuse #1 - "I won't know what to say."
2. He promises to give us the words to say.Excuse #2 - "What if they don't believe me?"
3. He promises to work through us.Excuse #3 - "I'm not good at speaking."
 

FORWARD >> Forward with a Mission - Part 1

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Acts 9 (Galatians 1:13; Acts 9:1-14 & 17-18; 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 5:16)
 
Are you living with purpose? Do you feel fulfilled in life?
We were created by God with purpose, but that does not mean you are living it out. We are on a mission and when we embrace it, that is when we truly are fulfilled in life. This mission is simple and very achievable if we apply the plan that God has given us in scripture.
Are you ready to embrace the incredible mission that God created for you? Are you ready to live the incredible, fulfilling life that God has for you? It is found in Acts 9 and it is very exciting that God allows us to be part of it. We must move FORWARD with a mission!
 
FORWARD >> Forward with a Mission - Part 1
Acts 9
What is our mission?
I. We help people find Jesus.
 
How do we help people find Jesus?
A. We step into their lives.
B. We treat them like family.
C. We help them to see.
--- 1. Help them see their identity.
--- 2. Help them see their value.
--- 3. Help them see their purpose.

Faithful God :: Faithful to Lead Us

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Exodus 3 (Psalms 23:1-4; 37:23; John 10:27; Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-5; 13:21; 24:17; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 12:9; 1 Kings 18:38; Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 12:29; 1 John 4:13; Philippians 2:13; Acts 2:2-4; Colossians 3:15; Isaiah 40:28-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Matthew 25:23)
 
It is easy to feel lost in life. We come to a place in our lives where we don't know what to do or what step to take.
Good news!
God is faithful! He is faithful to lead us every step of the way. God has promised to lead us and He will never let us down.
The question is, How does God lead us? How does God direct us? We learn some fascinating truths of how God leads us through the life of Moses. 
Do you need direction in your life? God is faithful to lead us in every situation.
 
Faithful God :: Faithful to Lead Us
How does God lead us?I. God speaks to us in unusual and simple ways.II. God leads us through conviction.III. God leads us through our steps of faith and obedience.
 

FORWARD >> Forward with God's Love

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - John 13:33-35 (John 3:16; 13:33-35; 15:13; 1 John 1:6-7; 3:1; 4:8-9 & 12; 1 Corinthians 13:4 & 8; Romans 5:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 10:24-25)
 
If someone had to describe you, what would they say?
We are often described by the dominant characteristics that stand out about us. Our identity comes from what we do or how we act and live. 
In John 13, Jesus was preparing to leave the disciples and He was giving them some last instructions. Jesus was teaching the disciples about their identity. He was speaking to them as the family of God and what they represented. Jesus commanded them that the world would know that they were His by the love they lived out towards each other. Not just any love, but God’s love!
This love would change the world if the world could experience it through us! Do you live out God’s love? Are you ready to embrace the identity that God has called us to live? We must move Forward with the love of God!
 
FORWARD >> Forward with God's Love
John 13:33-35
I. Our love is to be a reflection of God's loveDefining God's love:1. love is patient2. love is kind
II. God's love should be the DNA of the churchA. love must be provoked by each otherB. love must be experienced through each otherC. love must impact the world
III. God's love is to be our identity