Searching for a Faith That Works, Bill Vanderbush – SOZO EP0012

Searching for a Faith That Works, with Bill Vanderbush

Have you ever been seeking advice from a pastor or a counselor and posed a question framing it with, “a friend of mine struggles with…” and it was really about you?

Yup. I did that… in this interview. This talk became my own personal sermon and it was extremely helpful (and I am sure it will assist you in your faith journey with God as well). In this interview I wanted to get at the heart of what God would want my faith journey to look like.  I’d also like to stop sabotaging myself and running away from God in fear.

Bill Vanderbush pastors Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration Florida right outside Disney World. I had previously interviewed Bill Vanderbush about a book he coauthored with Ted Dekker called The Forgotten Way. Check that Interview out here! He also tours about the country speaking at conferences.

Bill Vanderbush Spoke at Accelerant Conference

Bill came to Green Bay Wisconsin on May 17th through 19th, 2018 to speak at the Accelerant conference held at Elevation Church!

burning-bush

Accelerant: a substance used to aid the spread of fire.

The intention of the Accelerant Conference is to take an existing flame, Christ in you, and turn in into an inferno. So that you, the burning bush, will “burn faster and brighter and hotter and better than ever before. The purpose isn’t to start or spark a revival but to sow into an existing move of God that we recognize is happening”. – Bill Vanderbush (Conference speaker)

It was said of Jesus that he would baptize (“immerse”) us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus once said, “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!” (Luke 12:49)

What did he mean by this?

Well, knowing Jesus, if he wanted the world on fire, then this HAS to be a really good thing!

As you seek God, may your heart be filled with expectancy (Not Expectations!) of what God might do to bring transformation in your life. Yes, I know it takes courage to actively move toward change. But you can trust the Changer (Jesus) to move you into something far better than you’ve ever known before!

Searching For a Faith That Works with Bill Vanderbush Interview Show Notes

How do we stop sinning and living a life pleasing to God?

How do we cultivate a close relationship with God and other believers?

What is the difference between Scripture and the Word of God?

Why do people (I) self-sabotage?

What do you say or pray for someone who seemingly has no spiritual hunger?

What does it mean to be under the jurisdiction of the New Testament?

Scriptures we discuss:

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT)

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Years ago after reading that verse about looking for teachers to suit their desires. I had the thought that what our ears itch to hear is something hard. Some rules that we can keep or some hoops to jump through so that our ego can be involved in our own salvation.

It seems that the truth of the Gospel is that we rest in the finished work of Christ we don’t add anything to it. Jesus, whose name means “I AM Salvation” is the author and finisher of our salvation. Jesus leaves no one out. He left no sin out. It is our choice to embrace this new life Jesus offers us and get established in his love and the Fathers embrace. To fan into flames the love of God within us.

As Paul wrote to Timothy,

“I remember your genuine faith . This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:5-7)

Encountering God, Prophecy, & Awakening with Aaron Peterson – SOZO EP0008

the-seer-anointing-aaron-petersonEnjoy this interview/convo I have with Aaron Peterson about prophecy and the current Awakening that is exploding in this world. People are waking up to who Jesus really is and our brilliant new identity in him!

Aaron is the author of The Seer Anointing and one of the pastors at Elevation Church in Green Bay, WI. The Seer Anointing is an amazing book and Aaron and I plan to do another interview just about this book in the near future. (Which you can now listen to here!)

ELEVATION Church Green Bay

Elevation Church WI

Location of Elevation Church: 2605 S Oneida St Green Bay, WI 54304

Elevation Church WI Map

What is Prophecy?

As Aaron says, “Prophecy isn’t all the hooky spooky, heebie jeebie stuff you might be thinking. It’s a relationship with God that’s more than a monologue.” Prophecy is first about realizing that you already hear God better than you think. How do we then honor His voice better? How do we tune into his voice and enjoy this relationship with God like never before? Prophecy is about hearing the loving heartbeat and thoughts that God has for you and for others. It’s all about encountering and truly knowing God as a dear friend.

“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2 

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” NASB
“For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” NLT – Revelation 19:10

I am really excited about what God is doing in his family in this Great Awakening we are in! Elevation Church Green Bay seems to be a hotspot for this Awakening.

Other Questions I ask Aaron:

Why are you a Christ follower?

What does Jesus mean to you?

What is one of your most wonderful encounters with Jesus you have had? (Aaron shares a really deep encounter he had with Jesus and his grandfather.)

Dealing with harassment from the enemy and SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

Is what we often call stress or anxiety actually an attack from the enemy?

How would you define sin and how does this interfere in our relationship or fellowship with God?

What is our identity in Christ.

Remaining Humble

What about confessing our faults to each other as a way of being humble? The Bible even says that Elijah was a man just like us. How do we stay small in our own eyes instead of getting an entitled mentality? How do we remain a humble servant like Jesus modeled?

Do you believe that no one is more special or important than another?

But instead of taking anyone else down a notch, doesn’t this mean that we honor one another?

Creating a culture of honor.

THE GREAT AWAKENING!

Are we in one now? Or at the beginnings of one?

From glory to ever-increasing glory in this relationship with God!

Let’s talk about the heresy of Cessationism.

“Jesus died on the cross to give us a great inheritance as the children of God.”  – Aaron

What is that inheritance? How do we partner with and align ourselves with Holy Spirit to make sure people are getting the full inheritance that he died to give us?

Encountering God

How important is it to encounter God for ourselves?

Many have linked these real encounters with God with the word mystic… do you think that is a fair assessment or use of the word?

mys·tic
ˈmistik/
noun

1. 1.
a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.

The Greek word mysterion was used by Paul a great deal about our understanding of Christ. It seems it was one of his favorite words.

Our Mystic Journey with Christ

“If the things going on in the church aren’t going to freak people out, what are we doing?  What are we gathering for? To encounter God? Are you willing to accept the risks with that? Are you Okay with the consequences of a real encounter with God?” – Aaron

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2018

When and Where is this happening?

Why do you call it this?

Who is this conference for?

Do you have to be a prophet to come?

What does prophecy mean?

 

I think there are many who fear that people might be using “prophecy” in a way that is harmful, to perhaps manipulate others, as an ego trip of the prophet himself, or giving words that conflict with the revealed word of God.

What do you say to those who say that the role of prophet is not for today? That we have the complete finished Word of God so there is no need for prophets?

Finally, we talk about experiencing the Joy of the Lord – one of the three pillars of the essence Kingdom of God – “…Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

So what about Holy Laughter? (btw, here is my blog I reference in the convo with Aaron: https://daniellovett.com/2015/08/03/conversion-of-charles-finney/)

P.S. I had previously interviewed Ryan Kibbe, the senior pastor of Elevation Church WI. Listen to that HERE!

Building the ARC, with Ryan Kibbe – SOZO EP0005

Elevation Church WI

What a refreshing conversation!

I kick off this episode by asking Ryan Kibbe, pastor of Elevation Church in Green Bay, his most embarrassing memory. His response is hilarious!

Before we go any further, please take a moment to connect with Elevation Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElevationChurchWi/

Elevation Church WI

The conversation begins with us talking about Ryan’s friendship with Bill Vanderbush who I interviewed in Sozo Episode 0003. Bill was an influence and contributor to Ted Dekker’s book The Forgotten Way and is a regular speaker at the Kingdom Culture Conference and also at the upcoming FREE Accellerant Conference at Elevation ARC facility in Green Bay on May 17th through May 19th. (Visit Elevation website for details)

Ryan Kibbe’s quote is featured on The Forgotten Way website:

“The Forgotten Way is as important to this generation as C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity was to his generation.”

Here is a video put out by Ted Dekker featuring Ryan Kibbe:

Pastor Ryan Kibbe from TED DEKKER on Vimeo.

In This Interview:

Ryan and I discuss topics such as what it mean to be “in Christ“?

“You are royalty! You are amazing! You are the Light of the World!”

Do you see yourself this way? Are you operating in your true identity?

Ryan answers the question, “What is the purpose of the church?” We unpack what the New Testament and Jesus says about our Apostolic mission as believers and about the five fold ministry to equip the church to do the work of the ministry changing atmospheres wherever we go.

THIS is why Elevation Church is Building the ARC (Apostolic Resource Center). A place to Come, Get Equipped, and Go!

Location: 2605 S Oneida St Green Bay, WI 54304

Elevation Church WI Map

Come to learn your identity in Christ. Get Equipped to discover your particular purpose and function in the body of Christ. Go be ministers of reconciliation in this world  and transform the world in your own spheres of influence.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Ryan and I also talk about the church wounds that have caused many to neglect meeting together, or even giving up on church entirely. How do we refrain from taking offense? How do we embrace the forgiveness that will bring healing? As a believer, you have been given authority by Jesus to forgive and bring healing to the world!

Ryan Kibbe

Enjoy this conversation with Ryan Kibbe! I trust it will help you learn how to fully enter into and engage a growing community of faith. We want this for you! Jesus wants this for you! The benefits are worth the risk!

I pray that you will come to fully experience the essence of the Kingdom of God in your life and home which is defined by Scripture as:

“Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit”!

More about Elevation Church Green Bay:

A New Building Space of Elevation Church Apostolic Resource Center (ARC)

Elevation Church Green Bay
Elevation Church 2605 South Oneida Street GB WI

Elevation Church Green Bay Sanctuary