Resurrection Life Church

121315 | The Wonder of Christmas | Allen Hickman

Where has our wonder gone?  Remember being a small child and being amazed at a beetle on a blade of grass.  The little spots on it’s back were so perfectly round and the colors were so vibrant and clean they didn’t even look real.  Did you ever stare up at the stars at night and get overwhelmed with the immensity of the sky and number of stars that blanketed the expanse?  If not, then I ask where is your wonder, if so I ask have you lost that wide-eyed wonder?

We have seen and done so much that it take much more to “wow” us.  Smart phones took our breath away when they first came out but now they have become a staple of the American lifestyle and work life.  Those who lived during the time where kerosene was the only way to light up a city, business or a home were amazed at the invention of electricity.  Now it’s not even a thought, it is expected in every part of the American life.

What about the wonder of Christmas?  Have you lost it because of the familiarity of the story?  You have heard it thousands of times.  Over and over it’s the same thing and it’s difficult not to take it for granted.  You can not let the miracle vanish along with the other amazing miracles God has done through out history.  May this Christmas season God restore to you the wonder of Christmas and may your eyes be wide with wonder and awe once again.

120615 | An Unexpected Revelation | Allen Hickman

The miracle of the birth of Christ is not just that Mary was a virgin but the revelation of Emmanuel, God with us.  The Shepherds and Wisemen had an unexpected revelation of God coming to earth.  The Wisemen actually traveled for two years before they were able to see the miracle.  They continued to follow the star until the reveal of the the true King.  God doesn’t work the way we think He should or how we expected Him to.  Most of the time it’s unexpected but always right on time.

Why was Jesus born into the world at the time in history when He was?  Many have speculated and made much conjecture as to what they think but no one truly knows except God Himself.  We do know this, it was right on time.  It may have been an unexpected revelation for us but not for God. 

The Wisemen keep their eye on the star and followed it until the end.  Even when it was easier to give up and go back home they keep moving forward.  In the book of Matthew it says that “when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”  The star had revealed the Son! 

May this time of the year be a time where the unexpected revelation of the majesty of Jesus change not only your perspective of the holiday season but your life.   

112915 | The Hope of Truth and Love | Jacob Hickman

Life is not always what we think it should be.  Sometimes people don’t do what we want them to do.  God doesn’t even do what we want Him to do.  When Jesus was anointed by the prostitute in the city of Bethany the men that were eating with Jesus expected Him to respond a certain way and He did not.  He with the hope of truth and love.  When He did the men began to judge not only the woman but Jesus as well.

The hope of His truth and love will always set us free to be the men  and women He has called us to be.  When we begin to compare we will lose our contentment.  The woman new who she was and what she had done.  She brought what she had as poured it out as an offering to the lover of her soul.  She had been forgiven much and thus loved much.  The opposite of her were the self-righteous, pious and proud men starring at her in disbelief that a “woman like her” would even be in theirs or Jesus’ presence.  Jesus does see things they way we do.  His perspective will always lead to hope.

As you celebrate this season of hope may you be reminded of the truth and love of God that He has shown all of mankind through Jesus and may we give that same hope to the world around us.

112215 | The Greatest | Part Two | Allen Hickman

There should be a distinct difference between how people who call themselves Christian and the rest of the world.  We live by a different set of rules than they do.  However, it is not an “us against them” mentality.  It is a “I am not my own I have been bought with a price.” mentality.  I lay my life down for Jesus and others because I am in love with God and want to do what pleases Him and not what my selfish desires want.

Unfortunately we (Christians) are taking our “life” cues from the world around us instead of what God, our creator has told us to do.  Many take their cues from the world because we can see the result immediately but God’s results are not always seen immediately. 

We must learn how to separate ourselves.  Not to live in a commune separated from the world around us.  No, to separate our way of thinking, living, behavior, etc...  Second we must learn to saturate our life with the truth of God and His word.  When we do we will think His thought, move in His ways and simple do what God would do.  And third we have to see, envision and have God’s perspective on everything.

If we want to be the greatest, then we will never be. However, if we seek Him and His righteousness all the rest will be given. 

111515 | The Greatest | Part One | Allen Hickman

“Who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God?”  This a question that Jesus’ disciples asked Him.  A question that they thought was relevant to their life.  However, Jesus gave them an answer that was completely opposite of the current culture.  “The greatest in the kingdom of God will be a servant of all.”  That not only went against the current culture but against their selfish and fallen human nature.  It is no different today.   

In order to be true followers of Jesus we must do as He did.  He was a servant to all so must we be.  Servants don’t get to choose when they serve.  You are not a servant if you serve when it is convenient.  We don’t put parameters on our service, the Master does and as servants we simple do what He ask.

Being a servant is not something we have to do but more of something we get to do.  It is truly an honor and privilege to serve others.  We serve others not because it’s a commandment but because  the love of God has been put inside of us and now it is simply part of our new spiritual nature that is manifested in the physical.

You want to be the greatest?  Don’t concern yourself with it.  Serve other in love and it will just happen. 

110815 | The Circle Maker | Part Four | Allen Hickman

Prayer takes faith and faith that is used is faith that grows.  However, faith that is not used dies.  The faith that we have will always affect others.  And the faith that we don’t have will affect others as well.  Many Christians think that no action has no consequence, but God has called us to action and if we don’t move when He speaks our inaction will have repercussions on others.

When we walk in faith God gives us a testimony and a story to be able to tell others that will encourage and strengthen them.  If you want that “big story” then draw “big circles” around the ”big things” in life that God calls us to pray for.

When David won the victory over Goliath  it empowered ALL of Israel to run toward the enemy and have victory over their oppresor.  David didn’t know that his actions would have such great impact on the rest of the men but because of his faith in God it gave others the faith they needed  to overcome and become victors.

Circle makers are people of faith.  People that trust that God will take care of them and will answer the prayers of faith that they pray.  Circle makers always have a story to tell and one that generations will tell as well.

110115 | The Circle Maker | Part Three | Dan Finley

Prayer is a weapon against our enemy. But it’s not to be used to defeat him because he has already been defeated by and through Jesus and His resurrection from the dead.

Prayer is an offensive weapon and not a defensive one.  It is the power of God in and through us as His children in the spiritual realm when we function, speak, and act as such.  Satan and all of Hell realizes the power of prayer and they are in a constant military mode. If we are to be true “Circle Makers” we must be prayer warriors and not prayer prisoners, one who is in bondage to religious rules and regulations.  We see prayer as an opportunity to change our world for the better and to glorify God.

God has called us to be warriors and has given us the armor that we need to be the ones that “run to the battle line” and wreak havoc in the kingdom of darkness.  The breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, and much more are all at our disposal as prayer warriors.  We do wield these weapons in our own power but, as we humble ourselves and commit ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God, He empowers us through prayer to change the destiny and paths of those that the enemy has targeted for destruction.  We can then and only then be true Circle Makers.

102515 | The Circle Maker | Part Two | Allen Hickman

To be a Circle Maker, prayer has to be a lifestyle, one of being the will of God instead of just doing His will. We have to be willing to look foolish, to take the risk of building God’s kingdom instead of our own. Without taking the time to be in His presence, the only vision we have is our own. Our eyes can only see so far, and the risks we take for our own vision don’t go the distance either. Being in the presence of the Lord strengthens your vision to see what He sees. Our faith grows in Him and so do our prayers. Pastor Allen takes the time in Part Two of the Circle Maker series to convey the importance of the time we spend in the presence of God and its effect on our vision, confidence, and peace, which in turn affects our lifestyle of prayer.

101815 | The Circle Maker | Part One | Allen Hickman

Prayer is the weapon in our arsenal that can and will move the hand of God to change our world. Prayer is about the body of Christ connecting with God in such a way that we are able to hear His heart and He shares His secrets with us. When He does, we stand firm on what He has spoken and will not be moved no matter what the enemy says or brings our way. Pastor Allen begins this series on prayer with an animated and passionate message that we hope stirs you to the place where you will circle those things in your life and world and stand your ground until God answers!

082315 | All Dressed Up | Part Two | Allen Hickman

David was a giant killer. However, David didn’t start out that way. There was a journey God took him on that made him a giant killer. David as a young boy had learned a few principles about God that were more than head knowledge but principles that were learned from trusting God in every situation in his life.