Kings Generation

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Thursday, 29 July 2010

The Breakfast of Champions: Follow-Ship

Good morning, Champion
Would you get your leader a glass of water?
2 Samuel 23: 14-17 (NIV)
At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
Let's stay on the theme of being a good follower.
King David is known as one of the greatest leaders in history; his courage, integrity and passion caused "mighty men" to gladly follow his lead. Much is recorded concerning his leadership skills and abilities, but here we see recorded the incredible potential of some of the men who were following him – their follow-ship is nothing short of incredible, and amazes me.
In this account David makes a casual statement about the best glass of water he had ever tasted. I don't believe he was hinting – his surprised reaction later tells us this clearly. It was just a casual statement, that's all, but to his followers it became a mission – even when it was potentially "mission impossible". They then sneak off and risk life and limb to get a glass of water for David their leader, talk about getting carried away! Some may think this was right of them, some may think this was wrong, but the fact is it is an amazing picture of the desire-based commitment that David's followers had to his leadership. Maybe that's why they won so many battles together?
In this account we also see the picture of what made David's leadership so easy and desirable to follow. He sees what they have done, the risk they took not for God but for him, and he chokes up and then uses what they have brought him for an offering to God. He says "Guys, this is too expensive (cost to much) for me to drink".
Sadly, in many churches in our land, there are followers that would not go to the church kitchen to get their pastor a glass of water, and even smirk when he is having a coughing fit! Again I want to put to you, successful church is not just about good leaders but good followers – when there are both in the church any battle can be won.
Hope this challenges you – it does me!
Andy
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Wednesday, 28 July 2010

The Breakfast of Champions: Do we Empower the leaders in our life?

Good morning, Champion
Churches need good leadership and good follow-ship
Joshua 1:16-18 (NIV)
Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"
A lot of emphasis these days is put on the need for good leadership in the church, but the reality is the church does not just need good leadership and good leaders but also good follow-ship people that can follow well.
It's easy to point the finger at leaders that have made mistakes or not led well, but what about followers taking responsibility for how well they have followed leadership? I think this is a really interesting thought that has the potential to produce a whole lot of good and very healthy, effective churches – if we dare to think about it.
In our text this morning we read about some great followers – the followers of Joshua. This is the second time Israel had been given an opportunity to inherit the land God had promised – as you know the first time did not go so well. Why did it all go wrong that first time when Moses was leading? If you read about that account the problem was not actually with the leaders (Moses, Joshua & Caleb) it was with the followers. They were the ones that caused the nation to not enter in. This time, under the leadership of Joshua, things are very different. He had followers who were for him and for the vision that was given to him, followers who were sold out for the journey of God that was before them. I believe it was their good hearts and great attitudes that caused this second attempt to gain the promised land to be a success.
Just as leaders are meant to empower followers, so also followers have the potential to empower their leaders. It is a powerful thing for a leader when his or her people come alongside them with a 'we can do it' attitude. Read it again: these guys were even willing to take care of the negative followers themselves to make sure that success happened.
We are all leaders in life but we are all often followers too. How good are you at being a follower? Do you empower the leaders in your life and give them courage to go for it like Joshua's followers did? Good question, right?
God bless,
Andy
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Tuesday, 27 July 2010

The Breakfast of Champions: Breakfast of Champions: Tuesday 27th July

Good morning, Champion
Who is chasing who?
2 Kings 2:1-2 (NIV)
When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
I believe one of the greatest gifts that God gives to us are great relationships: some that are for friendship, that walk alongside us; others are for mentorship, sent to empower, challenge and inspire.
I also believe that many people sadly do not get from this second group of God-arranged relationships what they could because they have no chase or pursuit in them. Why? Often because they see things the wrong way round – they want be pursued rather than pursue, they always want to be followed up rather than follow.
In this morning's text we read about Elisha pursuing the prophet and spiritual leader Elijah. He knew that God had put into Elijah what he needed in his life, and he was not going to deal with that in a polite manner – he went after Elijah. When you read through this account it looks like he is almost stalking poor Elijah; as you read on you hear Elijah turn and say to him another two times, "What do you want? What must I do to shake you off?" Even the large company of prophets following Elijah turned three times to Elisha and said, "Leave the poor guy alone!", but he could not and would not be put off.
What a lovely picture of a man taking a God-ordained relationship in his life seriously. He knew who and what he needed and would not let up. Hey, you can call him a nutter or desperate, but read the end of account: he got what he wanted. Not just that – he got a "double portion" of it. Champion, please understand: Elisha getting a double portion was all about the spirit of pursuit that was in him – he would not have got anything if he had waited politely for Elijah to call him.
One thing that surprises me as I watch and work with leaders is the lack of determined pursuit in people's hearts. You meet with people and they tell you what they want and how bad they want help and assistance, then nothing? No further calls, emails, no pursuit. It's time to look at things more correctly – it is not the job of your Elijah to chase you, it's your responsibility to go after them. Every great leader will make time for those they see are serious – are you serious? How are you relating to the leaders you have been given and the ones you desire input from? Are you in hot pursuit or are you sitting there waiting for them to pursue you and chase you up? Chances are they never will because they are in hot pursuit themselves – they are pursuing God but I know they can always make room on the bus for someone who REALLY means business.
God bless,
Andy
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Monday, 26 July 2010

The Breakfast of Champions: Breakfast of Champions: Monday 26th July

Good morning, Champion
Worship is a due response
Luke 17:15-16 (NKJV)
 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
When I close my eyes and think of this lone leper, returning to thank Jesus for what He had done for him, I get a lovely picture of it simply being what we call worship. Yes, he was a Samaritan and that meant he was the least likely of the ten to ever worship Jesus for who He was, but that makes it even more powerful. Jesus deserving worship is not a cultural thing but an "everyone who has had their lives changed by Him" thing. I have been challenging you to give God due response in your lives – worship, like faith, is a exactly that: a due response, something that He deserves. He is not only due our worship but the best of it.
Remember, worship is 'worth-ship' (the placing of your worth on someone or something). When you take time in your day to worship God you put your worth on Him; and yes, He so deserves it! A great key to remember is that we do not worship Him firstly for what He does, but for who He is. If you only worship Him for what He does your worship life will be like a rollercoaster. It will be up and down according to the varying situations of your life. But if you worship Him firstly for who He is you can have consistency in your worship that only ever then increases when He does you good in one way or another.
God loves your worship because it is something you choose to give away. It can't be snatched or demanded, rather it is freely given from one to another. Every human has worship in them to give away and you see many give it to differing things and people on a daily basis. Some give their worship to football teams, and others to cars or pop stars. It is good for us to enjoy other things but to always make sure that the best of our worship (our greatest shout of adoration) is reserved for our King, Jesus.
Today, give God what He is due. Give Him your worship; don't just give it because He has done something for you, give it to Him for who He is.
God bless,
Andy
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What's On @ Kings Church

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Night of Honour-Kings Church

Honouring the hero's of our city.

2020 Plus with Mal Fletcher-Kings Church

You cant afford to miss this morning.

What's On @ Kings

Andy Elmes - Breakfast of Champions

Good morning, Champion

God’s word is waiting for you to respond

Responding correctly – or being responsible: 'response – able' – even affects our relationship and experience with God’s Word (the Bible). You can choose to treat the Bible like any other old book and get nothing more than information from it, or you can treat it like God’s ever-living Word, relevant to every situation you may face, and get the revelation and wisdom for life from it that God wants you to have. God’s Word was always meant to be responded to. Remember what James said of our response to God’s Word: "Don’t just be a hearer of it but a doer". When we respond with faith to what we read we activate its incredible potential in our life and daily destinies.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many ‘Amen’s’ in the Bible?

Amen is a Hebrew word. It is itself simply a statement of response. Amen means, "so be it", "it is sure", "yes I agree", or if you’re from Portsmouth, "bring it on right here, right now". It’s an activating statement. Like the phone call that activates the potential of your newly-delivered credit card so it is with your ‘Amen’ to what you read. The Bible requires a response from you, when you read it, if you want to release what’s in it for your life and situations.

Today, don’t just read the Bible – have a conversation with it. When you read a promise of God that is applicable to your situation release that promise with a response: "Yes, Father, in Jesus name that promise is yes and amen to my life too." There are over 8,000 promises that are 'yes and amen' to you but they remain words on the page till you release them with a faith-filled response. Today, read the Word and release your response: AMEN – "so be it, it is certain, bring it on!"

Make the decision to respond to God, to respond to the people God has given you, and to respond to His word as living truth waiting to be activated for your life. If the lepers had not responded to Jesus' words and instruction, but just sat there and listened, nothing would have happened. It was when they responded by doing what He said that their miracle was released.

God bless,

Andy

Monday, 19 July 2010

Untitled

http://www.greatbiglife.co.uk/breakfast-of-champions : Web address for Andy Elmes Breakfast of Champions for those looking to sign up to it.

Andy Elmes - Breakfast of Champions

Good morning and welcome to a brand new week – with God on your side anything can happen!

RSVP – power of response

Luke 17:11–17 (The Message)

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

In this account we can learn some great lessons concerning the power of response in our lives, and hopefully be challenged concerning developing our personal response-ability.

In this passage we see three responses, and all are amazing:
1. Jesus’ response to the need of these ten men: Leprosy had taken away their lives and shut their world down both physically and socially. Jesus steps in and miraculously gives them their lives back. Jesus responded to their cry for help.
2. The response of the one who returned: He was a Samaritan, which meant that, out of the ten that were healed, he would have been considered the least likely one to come back to say thanks. You can hear the gratefulness and passion in his words of thanks.
3. The lack of response from the nine: They had all received miracles that day from Jesus, but only the Samaritan said thanks.

Think about the figures for a minute. Only 10% of the miracle responded in a way fitting with what had happened. Only one in ten responded appropriately for what had happened to them (basically, given their lives back).

Were they evil men? I don’t think so. I think they just swiftly got back into their previously normal lives that their illness had separated them from and forgot to respond correctly by coming back to Jesus and saying thanks. They understood what it was to respond when in need (they called out to Him, “Master, have mercy on us!”) but they just forgot to respond correctly when God answered their cry. Always make sure you say thanks.

Let’s make sure that we are responsive to God when we should be. Also, in our other relationships and in life, being responsive will always bring increase into your world and make things that you have more fruitful.

My observation and experience has been that God and life give “stuff” to responsive people. Let’s make sure that today we are responding correctly to the people and the situations that we should be.

Bless you and have a great (responsive) day,

Andy

Thursday, 15 July 2010

Andy Elmes: Breakfast of Champions

Good morning, Champion.
What fuelled David’s charge can fuel yours!
1 Samuel 17:48-49 (NKJV)
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
This is the bit of the story that we all love, right? The moment when David takes off, running at his giant! Notice how it says he hurried to meet the giant. He did not skip nicely, or walk slowly with fear-filled steps – he ran with great confidence. Let’s look at what he knew – it was what he knew that fuelled his run, and when you know it too it will fuel yours.
1. He knew that the covenant he had with his God was bigger and more powerful than the threats coming out of Goliath's mouth. The years he had spent on a hillside tending sheep had given him ample opportunity to bask in the bigness of God and get a revelation concerning the powerful covenant he had with Him.
2. He knew that God was enabling him in life once again and it was all he needed to win. He remembered the times when God had empowered him when he needed to defeat lions and bears. He knew that the same God that gave him the goods for them would give him the goods for this current problem.
3. He knew that whatever God had for him next in life was on the other side of Goliath and he would have to go through him, because there was no way around him. David knew that what the king had promised as a reward was the other side of this Goliath but I think he under-estimated how much was actually on the other side of this victory. It was after David defeated Goliath that his life went to a new level in God and he stepped into what God had for him next. It was not long after this fight that he became king of Israel! What God has for you next – that next level – is the other side of the giant you need to slay today. Get hungry for what God has for you next, Champion, and realise it’s the other side of your present giant. That will fuel your charge!
So remember these things as you take off running at the giant that stands in your way today. You have a covenant – in fact, you have a better covenant with God than David (yours was established in Christ). God guided the stone David threw; with you He is in the hand that's throwing it! He is empowering you for your present victories as He did your past ones. Finally, what God has next for your life is the other side of slaying this present giant, so get it done.
Whether it is – a habit, a fear or a situation that wont budge – look it in the eyes and run at it, Champion!
God bless,
Andy

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Andy Elmes : Breakfast of Champions

Good morning, Champion.
Giants can be moments of opportunity, get optimistic!
1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV)
Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
So, as we saw yesterday, David turns up and finds a giant of a man called Goliath threatening and mocking the armies of Israel and, more insultingly, their God, who was also his God. They may not have taken this personally but David did – he made it his problem but also his opportunity. I think David was a bit of an opportunist; he asks the men, "OK, what is the prize in this fight? What does the winner get?" When we back up just one verse we see that there were indeed some great opportunities for the person who dealt with the giant problem that Israel had.
1 Samuel 17:25 (NIV)
And it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.
· Great riches from the king (not just riches, great riches).

· A princess to marry: that would lift you instantly in your social circle, you would become a prince overnight!

· Tax-free living for your dad and his household (I personally like the sound of this one!).
David must have thought, "Wow, what a great deal, all that for giving that giant 'a slap he wont forget', it’s a deal!"
Again, remember – unlike Saul, David was not afraid and was in a position to think about possible opportunities because he knew that God was with him; and if 'God is for you who can be against you', right? (Romans 8:31)
Unlike the rest of the armies of Israel, who were frozen by fear, David was in a 'covenant-based calm' that enabled him to see that this was not about great opposition but great opportunity. Think for a minute, Champion: what benefits will there be for you when you deal with your next giant? Be like David, see what others who are frozen by 'covenant-forgetting fear' cannot, get up and run at that giant that is in the way of you and some real great benefits!
God has anointed you to 'slap the living daylights' out of your giant, so what are you waiting for?
God bless,
Andy

Read this....it might just help.

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

What's On @ Kings Church

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Andy Elmes: Breakfast of Champions

Good morning, Champion.
Giants don’t go away – you have to slay them!
1 Samuel 17:32 (NIV)
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine [giant]; your servant will go and fight him."
Our thought this morning is taken from the classic account of David and Goliath – this is one of those stories that every kid who went to Sunday School learnt about, right?
In this part of the story David, who was a shepherd boy not yet a king, has turned up on the battlefield to bring food supplies from his father to his brothers. He turns up and finds a stand-off between the children of Israel and the Philistines. More specifically, a giant of a man named Goliath is standing mocking both Israel and God, and inviting the best man that Israel has to come out and fight him. When you read the account you see that he had been doing this for over a month, with the same threats and the same invitation: “Come out and fight me – whoever wins gets everything”. No one wanted to fight him; in fact, when he came out they all hid – including King Saul who I believe was the man who should have sorted him out.
Then along comes David, a shepherd boy who in the opinion of others had no experience to deal with this rather large problem. They did not know he had trained when no one was watching, taking on lions and bears. David is more than willing to remove this obstacle or road block of a person, simply because he knew what he had in God.
We are going to talk a bit about slaying Giants this week. We may not have to deal with a physical giant but we all have to deal with non-physical ones, sometimes on a weekly basis. God wants you to have victory over every giant that comes against you in your life and will enable you to take them out, as He did David.
Facts you need to know about your giant:

1. They are not going anywhere, no one is coming to take them away – you have to deal with them, Champion! They will stay where they are, mocking you and not letting you past till you slay them.

2. Israel knew the name of this giant, they knew his name was Goliath. When you know the name of your giant that is evidence itself that you have let it stay around to long.

3. When you desire to live in the destiny God has for you face the fact that you will always be slaying giants of one sort of another – they can be anything from fears, habits, insecurities or differing situations.
Rise up, Champion, it’s time to face the facts about the giant that is standing in your way today. He is going nowhere, so you need to look him in the eyes, rise up and run at him knowing who you are in Christ. Go ahead and slay him, then you can get ready for the next one!
Victory is yours in Christ.
Andy

There is a Rambo inside of you all.