“The Road to Greatness-A Matter of Love”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White, Pastor
Text: John 14:15;Luke 2:1-7
Occasion: Sunday Morning Service
Date:Dec. 25, 2011

TEXT:
The Birth of Jesus
1–5 2 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6–7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. The Message

“The Road to Greatness It’s A Matter of Love”
Jesus, the second person in the trinity leaves His throne in glory and shows up as a child in a stable on the backside of Bethlehem.

I. His birth was a miracle of love.
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died.” Rom. 5:8

II. His life was a model of love.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,and became obedient unto death,even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:8

III. And all He ask as a memento of our love for Him is that we obey. "The litmus test of our love ought to be our love for one another."
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34 NIV

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

“Even Greater Still”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White, Pastor
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:1-10
Time: Sunday Morning 11 AM Worship Service
Date: December 31, 2011

I Corinthians 2:1-10 NIV

2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him” 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. NIV

“Even Greater Still”

Solomon was determined to Restore the Foundation
What is the hope of “2012”?
I. We Must Trust in Our History with the Lord
>Our personal history with the Lord has the greatest impact on our future.
>What we have come to know about Him will influence our tomorrows.
>Our yesterdays help us build trust for our tomorrows with Him.



II. We must trust the Master's motives
>The Master has a Divine purpose for our lives.
>Everything that has happened to us has been
a part of His plan.
>It is His desire that we prosper and He give us a hope and a bright future.

III. We must Trust in His promises
> He promised that our later will be greater than our
former.
> He promised us if we seek the Kingdom of God and
all of His righteousness, all things will be added
unto us.
> He promised that greater things than these shall we do


Eph 3:20-21

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
KJV

“I’m Breaking The Cycle”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: John 15:1-11
Time: Sunday Morning Worship - 11AM
Date: January 1, 2012

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of God a wilderness,and rivers in the desert. Behold, I will do a new ting, now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness.” Isa 43:18-19

“I’m Breaking The Cycle” Isa. 43:18-19

How are you going to break the Cycle?
I. I’m going to focus on the fact that
I'M NOT THE SAME PERSON THAT I WAS!
“I’m a survivor, now”


II. I’m going to focus on the fact that THIS AIN’T THAT!
“Different warfare, new weapons. I’m dressed for battle.”

III. We must focus on the fact that TOMORROW AIN’T HERE YET. Joel 2:28
“….it shall come to pass afterward,that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” KJV

“From Membership To Discipleship”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: Mark 10:17
Time: Sunday 11AM
Date: January 8, 2012

Mark 10:17-27

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 The disciples wee even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
NIV

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
and Jesus replied, “Keep the Law.”
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
and Jesus replied, “Keep the Law.”
3 Obstacles that Hindered the Rich Ruler
From Moving From Membership to Discipleship


I. He didn’t mind keeping the Law but he was
unwilling to suffer for the cause of Christ.
II. The second thing that kept this man from becoming a disciple is he wanted some other response and resisted Jesus’ answers.
III. Finally this ruler couldn’t become a disciple because his allegiance was to the wrong thing.
“I’d Rather Have Jesus than Silver or Gold”

“Even Greater Still- Keys to A Miracle”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: John 2:1-11
Date: January 15, 2012

John 2:1-11
2:1 ... there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the wedding. 3 And when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus said ..., "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the headwaiter." And they took it to him. 9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now." NASB

“Even Greater Still: The Keys to A Miracle”
What are the 5 principles operative in a miracle?

I.THIS MIRACLE IS IN RESPONSE TO AN INVITATION. JOHN 2:1,2

II. Intercession creates access and opportunity for the miraculous to transpire. John 2:3,4

III. Miracles are birthed in the embryo or womb of obedience. John 2:5

“Greater Together”

Text: Genesis
Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Occasion: Greater Faith Baptist Church Leadership Retreat
Date: September 17, 2011

By the end of the session participants will be able to:
>Articulate the biblical mandate for teamwork
>Identify three barriers to teamwork
>List three reasons why we should support one another in ministry
>Identify three characteristics of a Godly Leader.
>Identify specific strategies to build personal, ministry and kingdom capacity

Notes:
> The Barriers of Serving
> The Benefits of Teamwork: Gifts and strengths of team
> The Characteristics of a Godly Leader: List
> Building Personal Capacity
1. What does God want from me?
2. Where do I believe God wants me to serve? (Ministry Focus)
3. What does God want me to do to bring Him glory?
4. Set GOALS and seek God about how to reach them
> Building Capacity in Ministry:
1. Ministry Need
2. Ministry Resource
> Building Kingdom Capacity
1. What does god want in this church?
2. What do we believe God wants us to do? (Ministry Focus)
3. What do we want to accomplish for God's glory?
4. Set GOALS - then seek God about how to reach them

Living A Victorious Life - Disciple Making

Presenter: Dr. Leah E. white
Text: Matt 28:19-20 NIV
Date: October 16, 2011

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:19-20 NIV

Living A Victorious Life - Disciple Making
A. The Mandate: We are called to becoming disciple-makers
IT’S NOT AN OPTION!!! (Luke 6:12-19;Luke 9:1-6;Luke 9:10)
B. The Authority of Jesus: Matt 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. NIV
C. The Mission of Greater Faith Baptist Church:
We are a church committed to become a lighthouse for Jesus Christ by loving and serving the Kingdom of God through making and empowering disciples. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 KJV

D. Our Vision:
The Greater Faith Baptist Church seeks to become the lighthouse of Jesus Christ where men, women, boys and girls find hope, joy, peace and wholeness that empowers them to become all that God created them to be through the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, relevant ministries, powerful worship, opportunities for discipleship and education, as well as service and stewardship. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29:18
E. Our Motto: “A Church Committed to Making Disciples By Becoming A Lighthouse for Jesus”
F. Our Theme: "From Great to Greater" John 14:12”
G. Our Emphasis:
Greater Service: September and October
Greater Stewardship: November and December

“Instruction for a Turnabout"

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: Psalm 119:64-67
Date: Sunday, October 30, 2011

Psalms 119:64-67 The Message
When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders. The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me. I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning! I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, ... counsel.65-72 Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; ...I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word. You are... the source of good; train me in your goodness.

Instructions for a Turnabout
A. Regardless of where you are on the journey of life, don't forget that God has been and is good.
> In reviewing his life, David sees only the goodness of God.
> “Even in affliction and trials, God has been good.”

B. Allow Our Failures Help Us Discover Our Areas of Success
>We must admit our failures and seek to learn from them.
>We must view our failures not as just doing things wrong but opportunities to do things right. David said,

C. Finally, We Must Allow Our Failures To Make Us Less Judgmental of Others - David confessed,
>We need to realize that each of us has had a “before”.
>The truth is our Failures have made Us Better Witnesses of God’s Grace.

"Better For It"

Speaker: Rev. Christine Robertson
Text: Psalm 119:71
Date: September 4I Need You …In the Valley,2011

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statues

"Better For It"

Psalm 119:7

1. Things That Make Us Better
a. Attack though finances
b. Attack from unscrupulous co-workers
c. Attack because of health issues
d. Attack (sneak) from those close to us only
e. Feelings of depression and despair
2. These Attacks Allow You to
a. Embrace the plans God has for us
b. Take a “chill pill”
c. Leave a legacy of worship and praise
3. What Legacy Will You Leave
a. A legacy of Stick-to-it-ness
b. Legacy of worship and praise (like David)
c. Legacy of listening to the voice of Jesus
4. God's Lessons
a. Best learned in affliction and tears
b. Best learned on the pathway to pain
c. Best learned while the power is off
d. Best learned in the coldness of trial
e. Best learned when we find ourselves in the valley where we have been devalued, discredited and disrespected)
5. I Need You …In the Valley
a. We can fertilize our lives
b. I need you like the ocean needs the rain
c. I need you like the clouds need the seas
d. I need you in the morning
e. I need you to direct my path for every step I take
f. I need your mercy and your grace

**It Is Good That I Have Been Afflicted**

“Lessons From A Messy Situation”

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: Genesis 21:9-15
Date: November 6, 2011

Gen 21:9 “But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."... 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.” NIV

Lessons From a Messy Situation

The Mistake that We Make Is We:
> Let Fleshly Desires Overrule Good Sense.
> Listen to Those Who Are Unfamiliar with the Word of God.
> We often Blame Others For Things We Bring Upon Ourselves.
> We Shirk Responsibility For the Sake of Keeping the Peace.

How Do You Know That You’ll Come:
>Out of your wilderness
>Out of your mess
>Out of your situation ?

I. Remember, God will never leave us alone.
Gen. 21:14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.

II. Not only will He not leave you alone. But secondly, He will hear your cry.
Gen 21:16 "And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. 17 God heard the boy crying, ...God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.” NIV

III. God will restore everything that you lost.
Gen 21:18 “Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water... He lived in the desert and became an archer. “ NIV

"Not Again"

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White, Pastor
Text: Gen. 22:1-13
Time: Sunday Morning Worship 11AM
Date: Nov. 13, 2011

Gen 22:1-14
Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham! “And he said, "Here I am." 2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 3 So Abraham...went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you." 6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!“And he said, "Here I am, my son .“Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" 8 And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar ... he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!“
So he said, "Here I am." 12 And He said,"Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The LORD Will Provide;... NKJV

"Not Again"
>What happens when we find ourselves here again?
>What do you do when you find yourself repeating what you don’t want to do?
>What do you do, what conversation do you have with yourself when you find yourself revisiting the past?

I. REMEMBER, THIS IS A NEW YOU!
And it came to pass after these things,… vs. 1a)

II. REMEMBER, THAT THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING!
(God did tempt (test) Abraham….. vs. 1b)

III. REMEMBER, GOD WILL PROVIDE!: (And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket……And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day,… vs. 13-14)

"The Road To Greatness"

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White, Pastor
Text: Matthew 23:1-13
Occasion: Sunday Morning Service
Date: December 3, 2011

11 (L)But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 (M)Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.


TEXT:
4:1 I beg you-I, a prisoner here in jail for serving the Lord-to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these. 2 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another.
4 We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5 For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us.
TLB

The Road to Greatness
Why is being called a “SERVANT” the highest honor? I’m glad you asked. “The Road of a Servant is the Road to Greatness.

I. First being a servant is about obedience.
Jesus said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

II. Secondly, the road to greatness is not only paved by obedience, but it's paved by our service to others.
Jesus reminds us, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.“ Matt 20:28 NIV

III. The road to greatness must be paved with openness.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,“ declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:8-9 8 NIV

"The Road To Greatness" Pt. 2

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White, Pastor
Text: John 14:10-12
Time: Sunday Morning 11 AM Worship Service
Date: December 11, 2011

John 14:1-12
14 “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”5 Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”
6–7 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”9–10 “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.
11–14 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.


2 Chron 2:1-6
2:1 Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself. 2 He conscripted seventy thousand men as carriers and eighty thousand as stonecutters in the hills and thirty-six hundred as foremen over them.
3 Solomon sent this message to Hiram king of Tyre:
"Send me cedar logs as you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in. 4 Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on Sabbaths and New Moons and at the appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.
5 "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. 6 But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple

"The Road to Greatness" Pt. 2 (You Can Do It)

Solomon was determined to Restore the Foundation
I. Jesus commanded it to be so.
He said we should do greater things and He’s not a man

II. We were created to do it.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works , which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

III. Finally, we know that we can Do It because we have Confidence.
Phil 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” KJV

"The Road To Greatness" Pt. 3

Speaker: Dr. Leah E. White
Text: John 14:9-14
Time: Sunday Morning Worship - 11AM
Date: December 18,2011

9-10"You've been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don't understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, 'Where is the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren't mere words. I don't just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.
11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

"The Road To Greatness" Pt. 3 John 14:9-14