Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all you wo ae weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Do current events surrounding your life ever make you about whether you’ll be able to put food on the table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head? 

Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

Our identity, authority, and dominion as children of God today, is directly tied to our passion and zeal to follow Jesus into His purpose. Those who believe Jesus is in charge follow His lead without any doubt. 

Matthew 5:5-7 (NLT)

• What should I Ask for? DESIRE! 
• What should I believe? Believe He wants to give you desire! 

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

• We’re designed by God to follow what we focus on and are passionate about.
• The THING that has your attention, is the God you will follow! 

Joshua 5:13-15 (NKJV) 

Joshua is facing Jericho and its impregnable walls; but before he deals with Jericho, Joshua must answer the real question of, “Who’s in Charge” if he’s going to get understanding for HOW to move Jericho out of the way.  

To answer, “Who’s in Charge,” there are two questions that will help you determine the correct answer: 

1. Whose side are you on? (Not who’s on your side?)

Joshua 5: 13-14 

1. Have you taken your shoes off?

Why does God ask Moses and Joshua to take their shoes off? 

• Many are saying: “I’m on the Lords side,” but they haven’t taken their shoes off. 

Ruth 4:7 (NKJV) 

If a man dies, it was the obligation of the closest relative to marry the widowed woman if there is not an heir (a son): 

Deuteronomy 25: 7-10 (NKJV)

Can you recount times when “you know you were right” about a disagreement? 

If we truly believe that God is in control, there is something to be said about us giving up our right to be right. It’s the kind of WORSHIP God is looking for in our hearts! 

Life will not work unless God is in charge! 

A Few Questions to Answer Today: 

• Who makes your decision for you? 
• Who’s in charge of your marriage? 
• Who’s in charge of your future? 
• Who’s in charge of your finances? 

What is the first thing that Jesus did after the Last Supper?

He washed the disciple’s feet. 

Isn’t it interesting that for Jesus to have washed the disciple’s feet, they had to take their shoes off?

• What’s your decision today?  
• Who’s in Charge of your life today? 
• Whose Side Are You On? 
• Will you take your shoes off? 

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?

The more we allow Jesus to have access to our hearts and minds, the more powerful our testimony becomes so He can enable us to win.

Acts 14:3 (NIV) 

Since Jesus’ Cross, this is how His Bride and children demonstrate their dominion and authority in this earth.

Revelation 12:11-12 (MSG) 

• Our ability to OVERCOME the challenges in our lives is the direct RESULT of the KIND of TESTIMONY we CARRY. 
• Our VICTORY is a direct result of the ONE we give CHARGE to in our lives
• Being productive and wanting to be associated with good fruit is wired into our DNA. Which is why we’re going to evaluate what our focus should be on to support the passion we have to be associated with good fruit. 

John 15:8 (NKJV) 

• What is the root cause of blessing in your live? 
• What’s the root cause for why you can and or cannot keep a job?

Matthew 7:17-18

This helps us understand that if we have a good root in our lives, we will have good fruit.

Matthew 12:33 (NKJV) 

Three facts that you have “what it takes” to testify and win:

• Jesus is the root – John 15:5 (NKJV) Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) 

• We are the branches. – John 15:4 (NKJV)
  Galatians 5:23- 23 (NKJV) 

• Key word for all believing fruit carriers: Abide! 

• People who stay in a committed relationship with Christ regardless of the circumstances carry the best fruit.

• The Father is the vinedresser – John 15:1 (NKJV) 
• At New Life it is our hope that some of the fruit that you take away with you today is a sense of hope, renewed faith, safety and fulfillment among our Church family. God owns all of that! 

Isaiah 5:1-7 (NKJV) 

Luke 20:13 (NKJV)

Mark 12:6 (NKJV) 

• Jesus is telling this story and He is talking about Himself. 

Matthew 21:38-40 (NKJV) 

Have you ever gone through a real challenge and others at the same time were watching you closely? 

• We’re not here to produce anything. We exist to carry the fruit of Christ as we abide in His Spirit. 

Are you still attempting to produce “Good?” 

• Then you aren’t abiding in the Vine. 
• You will carry wild grapes that reveal self-will. There’s no testimony in self-willed living.

So, what is obvious about fruitfulness? 

What is God expecting from you? 

What fruit are you carrying? 

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?

The expectations we put on ourselves and others often set us up for spiritual attacks that impact our passion and focus as believers. These expectations can undermine the health of our relationships around us.

• How many of you are going from one bad relationship to another?
• How many of you are facing financial struggles?
• Our expectation will either facilitate a blessed life or the curse of financial ruin.

Bitterness is multi-faceted. It includes with its objective: Addiction, lust, immorality, anger, resentment, hate, jealously etc.

Hebrews 12:14-17 (NKJV)

Three things that every believer needs to know about bitter roots:

1. Bitter roots DECEIVE  | 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)

All sin exists today because of a root of bitterness toward God, it’s what Satan    gives us when we listen to him. Why? Because he was offended with God when God gave humanity the privilege of being “like Him.”

Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

Bitterness will convince you God has forgotten you or is holding out on you.

Bitterness will manipulate us to say God said when God didn’t say.

2. Bitter roots DEFILE | Hebrews 12:15 (NKJV) 

Satan wants to stain us with sin. | Hebrews 12:16 (NKJV), Genesis 25:29-34 (NKJV)

Bitterness is what our fallen human nature feeds on. | Genesis 25:34 (NKJV), Genesis 28:6-9 (NKJV)

Bitterness never leads us to God, only away from God! | Ruth 1:20 (NKJV)

3. Bitter roots DEPRESS

Hebrews 12:16-17 (NKJV)

Bitterness in our heart hinders the way we think; it corrupts our heart.

How many people have given up their families, their businesses and their God given destinies for a moment of pleasure?

CONSEQUENCES follow us instead of blessing all because of a lie. | Deuteronomy 29:18 (NKJV)

When we chose to go our own way instead of following Jesus, we become bitter. Our words are bitter. Our attitude is bitter. We’re easily offended. We become self-proclaimed judges. | Psalm 69:21 (NKJV)

Jesus was tempted in all points and His last temptation was with bitterness.

We’re all going to taste bitterness in life. However, we have the choice of whether we going to drink it. | Exodus 15:23-25 (NKJV)

If the waters in your life are bitter, the moment you allow the Tree of Life into your life, your attitude and your words will become sweet!

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?

Know God is in charge and you can TRUST Him with where He has planted you. 

What does it take to have Good Roots? 

Proverbs 12:3 (NKJV)
Colossians 2:6 (NKJV)
Romans 11:16 (NKJV)

Those who Stand are: 

• Planted

Ephesians 3:16-18 (NLT)

If you’ve ever mismanaged God’s finances

• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower to surrender

If you have mismanaged your marriage

• Root yourself in Christ
• He’ll show you how to study your spouse
• Join a small group for support.

Where you know there is bad fruit in your life

• Don’t allow discouragement in, 
• Get empowered! 
• Repent and Pray in the Spirit! 
• Take Root again. 

Psalm 92:13-14 (NKJV)

Those who Stand are: 

• Watered

Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) 

• FEAR is evidence you aren’t being WATERED! 
• When we’re planted in Christ, we are fitly joined with other members and whatever we do prospers!

Ephesians 5:26-27 (NKJV)

• As members of the Body of Christ, FOLLOWING what we Hear Jesus say as we PRAY in the Spirit and are Connected to His Body is how we WATER our Good Roots. 

Warning! Another wants to water you with words too: 

Revelation 12:15 (NKJV) 

Those who Stand are: 

• Fertilized

Luke 13:6-9 (NKJV)  

• How Do We Get FERTILIZED? Jesus pours on the Manure. 
• You have what it takes to STAND when the STINK comes! 
• Manure doesn’t smell good, but it does make things grow and become beautiful. 

2 Kings 19:30 (NKJV) 

2 Kings 18: 13-14 (MSG) 

• Anytime the enemy convinces you that he will leave you alone if you do what he says, he is lying to you. 

2 Kings 18:25 (MSG) 

2 Kings 19:6-7 (MSG) 

2 Kings 19:30 (NKJV) 

C.S. Lewis wrote- “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?