The Lord’s Harvest Community Church

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
Excellence Beyond Expectation
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:5, “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”

Definitions:

• Liberality - Haplotes (hap-lot’-ace); singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty. The virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy. Not self-seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity. (Strong #: 572)

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

Key Points:
1. The Macedonians were a great example of giving because they gave,

• During affliction
• In spite of their great poverty
• With great joy
• Beyond their means.
• Freely
• They pleaded for the privilege of sharing their wealth with other believers
• They gave themselves to the Lord and to others.

2. Looking at the situation of the churches of Macedonia, no one would expect much.
3. The reality of our situation should not limit our abilities for excellence.
4. Reaching for excellence in the things of God is a result of our devotion to God himself.

This Week’s Challenge
Excel beyond expectation in EVERY area of your life.

 

 Excellence Beyond Expectation [25:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
Principle of the Tithe

Key Verse: Matthew 22:21, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Definitions:

• Tithe - a levy of one tenth of something
• Principle - a basic truth or law or assumption;
• Bethel - house of God

Scripture:

Genesis 14:18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:
“ Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all.

Genesis 28:18-22
18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Key Points:

1. The tithe was brought to God representative.
2. We tithe because,

• • We are blessed by God (Gen. 14:19).
  • We shall have the victory (Gen. 14:20).
  • We shall have a prosperous journey (Gen. 28:21).
  • It is a minimum and not the goal of your giving (Matt. 5:38-42).

This Week’s Challenge
Use your tithes and offerings as a standard for your Worship.

 

 Principle of the Tithe [31:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Oklahoma State Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, under the direction of State Overseer Elect Dr. Lester M. Cezar, will be having our 5th Sunday Fellowship Service.

September 30th @ 6:30pm

Antioch Baptist Church Ministries
2705 South Agnew
Oklahoma City, OK 73108

Pastor Juan P. Barrientez II, invites you to be the guest of The Lord’s Harvest Community Church as we “Embrace the Next Dimension“.

From the desk of Pastor Juan P. Barrientez II,

I believe God has an awesome journey ahead for the members, present and future, of The Lord’s Harvest Community Church. I believe God has called us to be a people of Purpose, Prayer, Power, Praise and Prosperity. God has given us the vision, “We Will Build Community in Christ, To Reach Our Community for Christ”. It is not by happen stance that you are connected to this ministry, because we are connected through our relationship in Jesus Christ, “We Do Life Together”. God has given us a clear mission,

• Discover -We are a church, where people can discover the love of God and enter into an ever-increasing relationship with him.
• Develop - We are a church, where members can develop their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and prepare for the ongoing work of ministry.
• Deploy - We are a church, where we deploy disciples into their destined mission field to continually gather The Lord’s Harvest.

We understand that as a church we are in our pregnancy stage, waiting for our birth March 23, 2008. The pregnancy stage is important because it is a crucial time in the development of a baby. Without the proper nourishment the chances are high for birth defects. Spiritually this same principle applies. If we truly are going to be and become the church God wants us to be, then we must humble ourselves, pray, and fast.

As the leader of this work, I am calling forth a corporate fast, which is outlined as following.

• Duration: September 12, 2007 – November 28, 2007 (12 weeks).
• The fast will be 7 hours (of your choice) every Wednesday.
• Water is permitted, but no food consumed during this time.
• During the 7 hours chosen, pray for the items listed on the corporate prayer list.

Prayer List
God’s Guidance –

• Pastor Juan would walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, as he leads this church into its purpose. (Ephesians. 5:18, Exodus 33:13)
• We individually and collectively would connect with those who need the saving grace of Jesus Christ in their lives. (Matthew 28:18-20)

God’s Provision-

• Financial Resources (Malachi 3:10, Exodus 35:20-35, 2 Corinthian 9:6-15)
  • Rent for a meeting place of our own. Furnishings and design representing the excellence that God has called us to walk in.
  • Monthly evangelistic efforts.
  • Birthday launch (Marketing campaign)
• Ministry partners (members) – who are willing to be trained, released into various areas of ministry, and invest their time- talents- and treasure into the vision and mission of this church. (Philippians 1:27-30, Acts 2:42-47, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:16, John 1:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30)
• Covenant Partners – willing to pray with and for us, and invest in the vision of the house. (2 Corinthian 8:1-7)

God’s Glorification – (2 Chronicles 7:14, Ezra 8:21-23)

NOTICE: If you are taking medication that requires you to take with food, or if you have any medical questions consult your physician.

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
Corporate Fast Proclaimed

Key Verse: Ezra 8:23, “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.”

Scripture Text: Ezra 8:21-23

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Definitions:

• Proclaim - To announce officially and publicly; declare. Made widely known; “their announced intentions”;
• Humble - marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
• Submission – the act of giving over or yield to the power or authority of another
• Seek - to go in search or quest of: to seek the truth. To try to find or discover by searching or questioning.

Key Points:

• Corporate fast is called by the leader, for the overall good of the people (church).
• Corporate fast should have purpose, Ezra and the children of Israel fasted for protection and a prosperous journey. In conjunction with fasting they,

• Submission - humble ourselves before our God
• Prayer - to seek from Him the right way
• Manifest God’s Power - The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him.

• Corporate fast expresses a singleness of mind and purpose (agreement - Matthew 18:18-20). They acted as one (we fasted), spoke as one (entreated our God), and was blessed as one (answered our prayer).

This Week’s Challenge
Submit to the proclaimed corporate fasting and prayer list

 

 Corporate Fast Proclaimed [28:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
Fasting

Key Verse: Daniel 9:34, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord God, and made my confession… “

Bible Study Passages:
1st Key Passage: Matthew 6:16-18

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

2nd Key Passage: Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

3rd Key Passage: Isaiah 58:3-10

3 ‘ Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

“ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

“ If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

This Weeks Challenge
Pray that our corporate fast will take us closer to God and fulfill our request.

 

 Fasting [32:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download