A.J. Dummitt A.J. Dummitt

“Show Us the Father”JESUS Series Week 3
John 14:6-11 (KJV)6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Today we are going to look at a discussion that Jesus has with Phillip when they were wanting to know how Jesus was going to solve everything that was wrong in their world. Jesus often spoke of “the Father” because the people with whom He was speaking could not understand how a human being could come from God. So when Jesus in human flesh is referring to the Father – He is talking about the Almighty, Eternal, OmniPresent Spirit that we know is God! That Spirit was what overshadowed Mary, that Spirit is what filled and directed Jesus through life on Earth and that Spirit is the same spirit that we receive when we are filled with the Holy Ghost – and it is that Spirit that will raise us up whether dead or alive to be with Him for eternity!
Jesus explains to Phillip – that if you have seen the person of Jesus Christ…You have seen the Eternal Spirit of God because they are one and the same! Like Colossians 2:9 says,
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
 
Jesus had already explained to some Jews in John 10:30 I and my Father are one.31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
 
Phillip says – Show us the Father… Jesus says – I already have. The Jews couldn’t understand how a MAN could be GOD Jesus said -if I don’t do the WORKS of GOD, and you have no evidence or proof that what I am doing is a GOD THING – then don’t believe me – BUT… If I do the WORKS OF GOD and you have evidence and proof that what I am doing is A GOD THING – then believe me!
Our world wants to see a better way… They want to see GOD…the HOPE beyond this life!…1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (KJV)14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Keep in mind that what Jesus told Phillip was accurate – when we see Jesus – we are seeing the only image of the invisible God.Colossians 1:15-18 (ESV)15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
We know that GOD IS LOVE – Jesus showed us that…in everything He did and every word He said… He was the visible display of LOVE for all to see!
He showed

Lose Your Mind“Mind Set” – Part 4 (Lose Your Mind)
Text: Philippians 2:5 / 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Philippians 2:5 (KJV)5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Get the Mind of Christ, lose the old way of thinking
In order to find your mind in Christ, you first have to TURN TO GOD, and turn away from your old way of doing things. Realizing that there is more to life than what you have currently found, you take a step of faith by Repenting of Sin and Turning to God, then you are baptized in Jesus’ Name to wash away the stains from the past, and God will fill you with His Spirit – the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the prerequisite to having the Mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
 
Romans 12:1-3 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Ephesians 4:17-24 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.20 But ye have not so learned Christ;21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Lawrence Peter said, “Since the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, does that mean only left-handed people are in their right mind?”
“Yogi” Berra (1925-2015) quipped, “Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” In his book, Berra took credit for this one. This quotation is also sometimes rendered as: “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”
 
1 Peter 1:13  “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Luke 10:27  “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
1 Corinthians 15:22  “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
Get a FOCUSED MIND – Filling your mind with Christ
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Beware, the god of your imagination is an imaginary god. The Christ of your imagination is not the Christ of the Bible. Make certain you believe on the Jesus of the Bible.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall n

Peace of Mind“Mind Set” – Part 3 (Peace of Mind)
Text: Colossians 3:2-5 / Phil. 4:6-9
Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV)2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Philippians 4:6-9 (NASB)6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all [a]comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [b]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, [c]dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
You can’t have a positive life with a Negative mind.
Write out your 2 biggest worries…
Really over exaggerating for some…and others of you are like…you left a lot of things off that list!
So let’s talk about WORRY and the MIND, and how you can have PEACE of MIND!
Your life will always move in the direction of your strongest thoughts. This is good if you have your mind SET on GOD and things above…not so good if you are focused on other things!
Any time you’re: Afraid—Anxious—Worried— It Compounds the issues at hand.
We have a little almond shaped portion in our brain called the — Amygdala —Whenever you are afraid, this is in full alert mode.
Amygdala—Helpful Part of the brain Wired for Survival—Responsible for fear.
When your brain senses Danger— the Amygdala kicks in sending strong doses of Adrenalin to your body!
The Problem is that our Amygdala is not objective —It is hard wired to protect us.
The Amygdala needs help from Prefrontal Cortex—the Logical part of our brain. Noise at night—Amygdala tells you, you are Going to die—Prefrontal Cortex reasons what it could be.
Jesus didn’t say: Let your hearts be troubled! (Do not…) Angel didn’t say: Glory God in highest—Stress/anxiety on earth. Paul didn’t say: Be anxious about everything!
Phil 4:6-76 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
All we can do now is PRAY?
Why is that our LAST OPTION? It should be our FIRST OPTION!!
Prayer is powerful! Boldly go before throne grace…
Not only does prayer move the heart of God. Prayer changes the chemistry in your brain.
A few decades ago—Neurologists believed brain didn’t change after adolescence.
Neuroplasticity — We have learned that our brain is continually changing—thoughts change brain.
Neurotheology — Also known as Spiritual Neuroscience
Studies relationship between: Brain & Belief in God. Prayer changes brain.
“It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan.” Dr. Caroline Leaf author of Switch On Your Brain
Just as toxic—Negative thoughts—Hurt brain. – Pre-programming us for unhealthy thinking and living
Prayer heals—Renews the MIND –
Romans 12 – Do not be conformed to the patterns, thought processes or the WAYS of this world, but be TRANSFORMED (be MADE DIFFERENT)…how is that possible – by the RENEWING of your MIND!
God’s Word renews your mind, and Prayer Transforms your thinking about God, about reality and about what is and is not possible!
So then, Why do we worry? Panic? Anxiety?
Many different reasons…we are xperiencing an Amygdala Hijack.

Jesus is Enough!
 
Text Matthew: 17:1-8
17 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
 
Mount Hermon- Tallest mountain in all of Palestine, over 9000ft tall
Peter, James, and John- the inner circle of the apostles
Luke 9: Traveled, fell asleep, woke up in a start so this story happened at night- One thing to see a bright light, but to see Jesus clothed in garments shining
 
English word Behold
Greek word- idou– means Pay attention to this- interpreted- Behold
Matt 17:3-Mosses and Elijah were there- Both had mountain top experiences
Moses received ten commandments up on Mount Sinai in Ex 19
Elijah was up on Mount Carmel, called down fire from heaven and it consumed the sacrifice, and the water

Why did God choose Moses and Elijah:
Moses- I think it is because Moses represents the Law- wrote first five books of the Bible, often called the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
He was considered the giver of the Law

Elijah- He was considered the foremost of the prophets

So in Moses and Elijah you have both the Law and the prophets
Did you know that Jesus was the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets
Matt 5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Then Peter sees Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah and thinks that Jesus is their equal
This is where we see God respond with a voice from heaven
What caused God to speak from heaven?
When Peter suggested that Jesus should share His glory with someone else
Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not give to another neither my praise to graven images.
Matt 17:5 God Presence appears in form a cloud- second important thing to notice
Matt 17: 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
God uses a cloud several times in the Bible to indicate his presence:
The Exodus from Egypt- cloud by day, fire by night
The inauguration of the tabernacle- Shekinah glory of God
The inauguration of the temple
Ezekiel’s vision 1:5
John’s vision in Revelation chapter
Matt 17: 5b The Voice of God spoke –
Matt 17: 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
This passage tells us three things:
Voiced Divine approval on Jesus- “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased- Approval was not focused on Moses, not on Elijah, But the focus was upon Jesus
Directed authority to Jesus- Hear Ye Him! Not Moses, Not Elijah, but listen to Jesus alone
Called for Obedience to Jesus alone, Not Moses, Not Elijah
You see, the disciples distracted by the presence of Moses and Elijah, they were taught about Moses and Elijah, and they missed the point that was right in front of them! JESUS IS ENOUGH
 
Telegraph Illustration: Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse code operator.
       Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled

Set Your Mind“Mind Set” – Part 2 (Set Your Mind)
Text: Colossians 3:2-5
Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV)2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Psalm 150:1-61Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
2 Chronicles 20:18-2218And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 19And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 20And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Psalm 103:1-5 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
If you want to make the enemy look SMALL, then make God look BIG with your praise.
PRAISE DOESN’T CHANGE GOD’S POWER, IT CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE! (It sets our MINDS on things above)
Magnify the Lord in praise!Psalm 34:1-41 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
•YOU CAN SET YOUR MIND THROUGH PRAISE…
If you LAUNCH THE WEAPON OF PRAISE TO GOD – you will live in victory!
THE WORSHIPPER’S ALPHABET (by Raymond Woodward)
•You can talk about your ANXIETIES, or you can praise the Advocate, the All in All, the Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, the Altogether Lovely, the Amen, the Anointed, the Apostle of our Profession, the Author of Eternal Salvation, and the One who is Alive Forevermore.
•You can talk about your BITTERNESS, or you can praise the Banner, the Bearer of Sin, the Beginning and the Ending, the Beloved, the Buckler, the Branch, the Bread, the Blessed Hope, the Bridegroom, the Bright and Morning Star, and the One who is Before All Things.
•You can talk about your CONCERNS, or you can

“Mind Set” – Part 1 (Strongholds)
Text: Colossians 3:2-5 / 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV)2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Spiritual warfare cannot be fought by just repeating someone else’s actions or phrases; we must understand with our MINDS what we are doing and why we are doing it if we are going to be effective!
Satan has three main weapons against the church:
The most obvious weapon is an active one called SIN.
The second weapon is a passive one called ACCUSATIONS.
Satan is described as the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:6-12, Zechariah 3:1, Rev. 12:10) Even though Jesus said He would never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b), Satan screams that we have been forsaken because we are too bad for God to love or use.Hebrews 13:5b (KJV) for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Hebrews 13:5b (AMP) for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let [you] down, [relax My hold on you]. Assuredly not!
Satan uses accusations to generate anxiety strong enough so that we will come out from under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6) – that’s why Peter admonishes us to cast all our care upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7).
1 Peter 5:6-8
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Satan’s objective is to paralyze us like an animal that has fallen into a trap (1 Peter 5:8-9); we know when this weapon has been successful because despair and fear take over.
The third weapon is the most dangerous because it lies dormant until activated!
The church in general is aware of the first two weapons because of Bible teaching and because their effects – spiritual death or paralysis – are visible motivators to get help.
The third weapon – STRONGHOLDS – is like an unseen landmine waiting to detonate.
Satan’s treacherous character as a deceiver (John 8:44, Rev. 12:9). The MIND is the access gate Satan uses to get at your spirit!
Ed Silvoso: “A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.”
The Bible teaches us to forgive our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) – it’s a must! If you are incapable of forgiving a particular person, you should suspect a spiritual stronghold in your mind.
The Bible tells us that he who finds a spouse “finds a good thing” (Proverbs 18:22) and that we are to become one flesh (Matthew 19:4-6). If you are powerless to change your feelings toward your spouse and feel hopeless, then you should suspect a spiritual stronghold in your mind.
The Bible tells us that we must live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). If you are unable to shake the creeping influence of worldly pleasures and priorities then you should suspect a spiritual stronghold.
Any time the will of God is clearly spelled out but reality tells a different story in your life and anytime you are powerless to change the reality perceived by your mind and anytime you h