Jordon Gilmore

The Courtroom Analogy

• Imagine life as a courtroom where believers serve as witnesses.
• Our credibility is shaped by integrity. When our words and actions align, our witness is strengthened.
• If our lifestyle contradicts our testimony, it weakens our influence for God’s kingdom.

What Makes Someone a Witness?

A witness is someone who has:

• Seen something
• Heard something
• Experienced something
• Has a unique perspective on truth

This experience becomes our testimony.

Types of Spiritual Witnesses

• Eyewitness: Shares personal experiences of God’s work.
• Character Witness: Demonstrates God’s goodness through lifestyle and example.
• Expert Witness: Testifies to specific areas where God has been faithful (provider, healer, deliverer, etc.).

Testimony Often Comes Through Trials

• Many testimonies come from difficult seasons we didn’t choose.
• God uses hardships to create stories that encourage and strengthen others.
• Our testimony is not optional—it is part of our calling.

Biblical Foundation for Being Witnesses

Acts 1:8 – The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses everywhere.
Acts 22:14-15 – God reveals Himself so believers can testify about what they have seen and heard.
Isaiah 43:10 – God declares, “You are my witnesses.”

The Power of Testimony

Revelation 12:11 teaches believers overcome the enemy through:

1. The blood of Jesus
2. The word of their testimony

Testimonies are vital in spiritual victory and advancing God’s kingdom.

Four Truths About Being Key Witnesses

1. You Are Under Witness Protection

• Our identity is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).
• God protects and preserves us as we share our testimony.

2. Christ Overrules Objections

• The enemy accuses believers of unworthiness.
• Jesus intercedes as our advocate (Romans 8:33-34).
• Our testimony is valid because of Christ, not personal perfection.

3. Guard the Authenticity of Your Witness

• Actions and character matter.
• A damaged lifestyle can weaken credibility.
• Believers should pursue integrity so their lives support their message.

4. Stick to Your Testimony During Cross-Examination

• Life challenges and doubts test our faith.
• Like Jesus and Paul, believers must stand firm in truth.
• Faith remains steady regardless of circumstances or outcomes.

Willing vs. Reluctant Witnesses

• Some eagerly share their testimony.
• Others hesitate due to fear, shame, or doubt.
• Regardless of willingness, believers are still called to testify.

Final Takeaways

• Every believer has been “served” with the responsibility to testify about God’s goodness.
• Our life journey—both victories and struggles—brings glory to God.
• True success is faithfully representing Christ wherever God places us.

Joshua Boyd

Sometimes as I’m praying and meditating about upcoming sermons, the Lord drops a phrase in my spirit, something I wasn’t thinking about but I know is the Lord. My first thought typically is “how is that an entire message?” It requires some digging in the Word to get all of the ingredients together for the meal.

Today’s message is the outcome of a single phrase: “let your yes be yes”. Of course, this comes from Scripture. Turn to Matthew 5. This is Jesus first time preaching in public. History has labeled it the Sermon on the Mount. God the Father’s instruction to the Son to speak these words as the first message isn’t by chance, but by design.

Think about it, there has been no new spoken word from the Lord for 400 years so you know the first new Word to be spoken is important. God wanted His people to know how He works and how we should live with each other. It wasn’t a change to the Law but a deeper understanding of it and an introduction to the Kingdom of God and how it works.

In present times, we hear the word vow associated with marriage. But while we might not use the word regularly, we words we say fall under the definition of a vow: promise, swear, giving your word.

The books of the Law say this:

Numbers 30:1-2

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 2 A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.

Leviticus 5:4

4 “Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt.

In His first sermon, Jesus expounds the Law this way:

Matthew 5:33-37

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Anything other than a simple yes or no, is from the evil one. “I promise I’ll never do that again”. “by god next time he does that, I’m going to…”

We finished the series Speaking from the Heart which taught us the importance of our words in staying in agreement with the Father. In the same way, the Father keeps His Word, keeps His promises and expects the same of those made in His image.

Let your yes be a simple yes and your no, no.

Jordon Gilmore

Key Scripture

Exodus 20:17

• Unlike earlier commandments that prohibit actions, this commandment targets thoughts, desires, and heart posture
• It addresses how we:
  • View ourselves
  • View others
  • View what we have and what we lack

What It Means to Covet

• Coveting = an unhealthy desire or lust for what God has given to someone else, or has not yet ordained for you
• It begins in the heart, not behavior
• Often fueled by comparison, which steals joy

Why This Matters Today

• Covetousness is deeply natural—even visible in children
• Social media intensifies it:
  • We covet what others display
  • We also project images designed to make others covet
• This commandment forces heart-level examination in both directions

What Overflows from a Covetous Heart

• Envy and jealousy
• Discontentment and complaining
• Misaligned prayers driven by comparison
• A violation of Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself

Two Guardrails Against Coveting

Humility (When Receiving Praise)

1 Peter 5:5–6

• God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble
• We don’t seek exaltation—God does it in His time

Contentment (When Wanting More)

• Hebrews 13:5 — Be content; God is present
• Philippians 4:11–13 — Contentment in plenty or need
• 1 Timothy 6:6–8 — Godliness with contentment is great gain
• “I can do all things” is about contentment, not self-promotion

Three Common Ways We Encounter Covetousness

1. Through Ambition

• Ambition can be healthy or sinful
• The key question: Why do I want to advance?
• Kingdom ambition produces prayer and gratitude—not resentment

2. Through Discontentment and Envy

• Discontentment = dissatisfaction with where God has placed us
• Leads to envy when we overvalue others’ blessings
• Two root problems:
  • Wrong perspective — we can’t see clearly
  • Wrong valuation — undervaluing what God has given us
• Jesus’ warning (Luke 12:15)
  • Life does not consist in possessions

3. Through Scarcity & Domination Thinking

• Belief that life is a zero-sum game:
  • If you win, I lose
• Leads to unhealthy competition, control, and fear
• Philippians 4:19 — God supplies all needs from His riches
• God is limitless, not scarce

Heart-Level Diagnosis

Covetousness often reveals:

• Distrust in God
• Ungratefulness
• Misplaced ambition
• Wrong perspective and valuation
• Fear that there isn’t “enough” to go around

Jesus: The Ultimate Example

• Tempted with power, riches, and glory
• Resisted covetousness because He knew what He already had:
  • A perfect relationship with the Father
• True contentment flows from valuing God above everything else

Final Takeaways

• Run your race—don’t measure your life by others
• Guard your ambition, perspective, and desires
• Root out covetousness before it takes hold
• Seek first the kingdom
• Trust the God of more than enough

Joshua Boyd

Core Truth:
The key to a blessed life is obedience.
The key to obedience is the tongue.

This message ties together the Law, faith, and daily Christian living—showing how words shape obedience and outcomes.

God’s Word Was Meant to Be Spoken

• Scripture (Old & New Testament) remains fully relevant—God does not change.
• Jesus fulfilled the Law; He did not eliminate it.
• The Ten Commandments are called the “Ten Words”—spoken directly by God.
• God gave His Word in written form so it could be remembered, repeated, and obeyed.

Obedience Brings Blessing

• “Obey” appears 321 times in the Old Testament; 75 times in Deuteronomy.
• Moses repeatedly emphasized obedience because it leads to life and blessing.
• Obedience is fueled by keeping God’s Word in our mouth and heart.
• Example: Nehemiah—God’s Word was spoken into his heart, producing faith and action.

The Word Is Near You

Deuteronomy 30:11–15

• God’s command is not distant or unreachable.
• It is on your lips and in your heart—so that you can obey it.
• Obedience is a daily choice between:
  • Life or death
  • Blessing or disaster

We love the promises—but the path to them is obedience.

Righteousness vs. Blessing

• We are made righteous by faith in Jesus, not by obedience.
• But blessing still flows through obedience.
• Christianity is different: Jesus did the work we couldn’t do.
• Yet our daily choices still matter—and words guide those choices.

Faith Is Spoken

Romans 10

• Faith “says” something—and also knows what not to say.
• Salvation itself comes through:
  • Believing in the heart
  • Declaring with the mouth that Jesus is Lord
• Faith stays alive through spoken Word.

The Shield of Faith

• The enemy attacks first with thoughts.
• Thoughts become words; words shape belief and direction.
• The shield of faith stops fear-filled thoughts before they reach the mouth.
• Speaking God’s Word aloud protects the heart and redirects life.

Speaking the Word Builds Faith

• Faith is visible—and audible.
• You can hear whether someone is in faith by what they say.
• Feeding fear (news, projections, worst-case scenarios) weakens faith.
• Speaking Scripture strengthens faith and brings peace.

Speaking in the Spirit

• New Testament gifts include speaking, prophecy, and tongues.
• Tongues:
  • Build up the believer
  • Speak mysteries directly to God
  • Bypass the mind and align with God’s will
• Romans 8:26 — The Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how.
• Paul prayed in tongues often—and it fueled revelation and strength.

Words Determine Direction

• Words either advance God’s will or the enemy’s.
• Faith-filled speech produces life; fear-filled speech produces bondage.
• Change doesn’t start by “trying harder”—it starts by changing words.

God Listens to Faith Talk

Malachi 3:16–18

• Those who feared the Lord spoke often to one another.
• God listened and recorded their words in a book of remembrance.
• The difference between righteous and wicked is revealed by speech.

Final Takeaway

The key to a blessed life is obedience.
The key to obedience is the tongue.

When we honor God’s Word by keeping it in our hearts and on our lips, obedience follows—and blessing flows.

Jordon Gilmore

Podcast Notes — Law of Christ (Part 6B): Do Unto Others (Stealing & Truth)

Series Context

• Law of Christ series uses the Ten Commandments as a mirror, not a means of salvation.
• We are saved by faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law.
• The law remains holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:7, 12).
• Ongoing question: How am I doing in this area when I hold my life up to God’s Word?

Focus Commandments (Exodus 20:15–16)

• You shall not steal
• You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

1. You Shall Not Steal — A Heart Issue

Jesus’ Teaching

• John 10:1, 10:
  • The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy
  • Jesus comes to give abundant life
• Stealing is the opposite of God’s nature and God’s intent.

Stealing Goes Beyond Money

• Material possessions
• Time (dishonest work habits)
• Energy (draining others selfishly)
• Credit (taking recognition that isn’t earned)

Where Stealing Starts

• External actions reflect internal heart posture.
• Violating “do unto others” begins in the heart long before behavior.

Matthew 15:18–19

• From the heart come:
  • Evil thoughts
  • Theft
  • False witness
• Behavior reveals what has been planted inside.

Replacing Thief-Thoughts with the Word

Common thoughts that lead toward stealing—and their scriptural counters:

• “I’m tired of waiting; I’ll take what I want.”
  → Galatians 6:9 — Don’t grow weary; a harvest is coming.
• “I need this more than they do.”
  → Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:8 — God supplies every need.
• “No one will notice.”
  → Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13 — Nothing is hidden from God.

Practice:

• Recognize harmful thoughts.
• Cast them down.
• Replace them with Scripture to keep the heart healthy.

2. You Shall Not Bear False Witness — Preserving Truth

What False Witness Means

• More than lying—it’s giving false testimony, especially about others.
• It corrupts justice and destroys trust within community.

God’s System for Establishing Truth

Deuteronomy 19:15

• Truth is established by two or three witnesses.
• This principle:
  • Forms the basis of justice systems
  • Runs throughout all of Scripture

Examples

• Deuteronomy 30:19 — Heaven and earth called as witnesses
• 1 Corinthians 15:6 — Over 500 witnesses to the resurrection
• Revelation 11 — Two witnesses in the future tribulation

Why It Matters

• False witness perverts God’s design for truth.
• One lie multiplies and erodes trust over time.

Key Principle

• Not just “don’t lie” — “In all things, be truthful.”

3. Our Words Partner with God

• Testimony reinforces truth in others’ lives.
• Revelation 12:11 — We overcome by:
  • The blood of the Lamb
  • The word of our testimony
• When God works in us and we testify, we partner with Him in establishing faith.

Closing Challenge

• Guard what fills your heart.
• Speak truth intentionally.
• Model integrity for the next generation.
• Don’t just avoid falsehood—actively tell the truth.

Joshua Boyd

Series Focus:
Continuing the series on speaking from the heart—understanding that words are not cheap; they carry power whether spoken intentionally or not. God accomplishes His will through His Word, and our words matter most when they align with His.

A New Year, A Wise Perspective

• God’s mercies are new every morning, but new years give us moments to reflect and refocus.
• Psalm 90:12 — “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
• Wisdom grows when we recognize life’s brevity and steward our time intentionally.
• We don’t redeem time by regret, but by aligning with God’s plan moving forward (Ephesians).

Words Direct the Course of Life

• Whatever fills the heart eventually comes out of the mouth.
• James: the tongue is the rudder of the ship and the bridle of the horse—small, but direction-setting.
• Real change doesn’t start with actions alone, but with identity and words.
  • Don’t start with “what I’ll do,” start with “who God says I am.”
  • Actions follow words that shape belief.

God’s Word Produces Results

• Isaiah 55:11 — God’s Word always accomplishes its purpose.
• Throughout Scripture, God spoke seeds before fruit appeared.
• Jesus is the Word made flesh—God’s spoken will becoming tangible reality.
• God’s Word releases the Spirit’s power; speaking God’s Word invites the Spirit to move mightily.

The Power of the Trinity at Work

• God operates through:
  • The Father — His will
  • The Spirit — His power
  • The Word (Jesus) — His action
• The Spirit is like fuel; the Word is the spark.
• Psalm 138:2 — God has exalted His Word and His Name above all things.
• The more we exalt God’s Word in our lives, the more power we will see.

Faith Requires the Right Words

• Israel missed the Promised Land because their words were rooted in fear.
• Joshua and Caleb entered because their words were rooted in faith.
• Faith must be spoken to be effective—belief alone is not enough.
• Healing, provision, and victory are received when God’s will, Spirit, and Word work together.

A Word for Our Church in 2026

Simple phrases to speak consistently this year:

1. Multiplication
   • Genesis 1:28; Acts 6:7
   • God’s blessing includes growth and increase.
2. Fruit That Abounds & Remains
   • Philippians 4:17; John 15:16
   • Not just numbers, but lasting discipleship.
3. Serving Families
   • Romans 12:11
   • A church where families serve, not just attend.
4. A Place of Our Own
   • Exodus 15:17
   • A God-prepared place—not a burden, but a blessing.

Final Encouragement

• These phrases are not mantras, but God-given words to be spoken in faith.
• When God’s will, Spirit, and Word come together—and we speak in faith—the Word becomes flesh.
• This principle applies personally, in families, workplaces, and the church.
• Ask God for your word. Speak it. Believe it. Watch it produce fruit.

Jordon Gilmore

Message Focus

• A pause in the Law of Christ series to reflect on God’s preparation
• Transitioning from 2025 into 2026
• Theme: God uses seasons of preparation to ready us for what’s next

Key Scripture

Philippians 1:6

• God finishes what He starts
• We are all in process until Christ returns
• Whether or not we hit our goals, God is still working

Reframing the Year

• We often measure years by:
  • Goals accomplished
  • Resolutions kept
  • Vision boards fulfilled
• New question to ask:
  • What did I face that I didn’t plan for?
  • How did God prepare me through it?
• Disappointment over unmet goals can blind us to hidden preparation

Preparation Is God’s Pattern

• God prepares us not just for next year—but for:
  • Future assignments
  • Generational impact
  • Long-term fruit
• 2025 may have been preparation for something far beyond 2026

Biblical Examples of Preparation

1. Moses — God Places the Gift First

Acts 7:23–36

Core Truth

• God already places the good stuff inside us
• Preparation is about shaping character, not creating gifts

Moses’ Preparation

• Gift present early: justice & deliverer’s heart
• Problem: lacked character, patience, confidence
• 40 years in Midian taught him:
  • Spiritual counsel (Jethro)
  • Responsibility (husband & father)
  • Shepherding (leading people)
• God refined what was already inside him

Takeaway

• Failing to submit to preparation is one way we rob God
• Gifts require development to carry their weight

Illustration — The Yo-Yo

• Wanting the gift without learning the process leads to frustration
• God teaches steps before success
• Skipping preparation results in burnout and disappointment

2. David — Preparation Is Humbling

1 Samuel 16–18

Core Truth

• Preparation is often:
  • Undignified
  • Hidden
  • Humbling

David’s Journey

• Anointed king → sent back to the fields
• Defeats Goliath → still not king
• Serves Saul → becomes Saul’s enemy
• 15 years of preparation before the throne

What David Learned

• Respect for God-ordained authority
• Trust in God’s protection
• Accountability
• Faithfulness without recognition

Key Insight

• God often prepares us outside the spotlight
• Social media makes waiting harder—but waiting builds depth

3. Paul — Preparation Produces Boldness

Acts 9

Core Truth

• Faithful preparation leads to confidence and boldness

Paul’s Process

• Dramatic conversion on Damascus Road
• Then three years of preparation
• Developed:
  • Confidence in calling
  • Boldness in message
  • Wisdom to address his past

Takeaway

• You can’t step out boldly if you haven’t been prepared quietly

Final Takeaways

• God has already placed gifts inside you
• Preparation can feel slow, humbling, and unseen
• Faithful preparation produces confidence when the time comes
• Don’t resent your season—learn from it

Joshua Boyd

Key Text: Luke 2:1 — “And it came to pass…”

1. Words Are Never Just Introductory

• Scripture doesn’t use filler language.
• “And it came to pass” signals something generated, not merely reported.
• The Bible is God’s living Word, carrying power and purpose.

2. Speaking From the Heart

• Jesus: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
• What fills our heart shapes what we say—and what we say shapes our lives.
• Words spoken in faith (positive or negative) drive real outcomes.

3. “It Came to Pass” = Genomai

The Greek word genomai means:

• To come into existence
• To be made or completed
• To generate or cause to be

When Scripture says “it came to pass,” it implies creation in motion.

4. Words Plant Seeds

• Speaking God’s Word is sowing seed—first into our own hearts.
• We can’t give what we don’t have in abundance (peace, healing, salvation).
• Words begin processes that later bear fruit.

5. Prophecy Was Seed-Planting

• Genesis 3:15: Promise of a Savior spoken immediately after the Fall.
• Isaiah 7:14: A virgin will conceive.
• Micah 5:2: The Savior will be born in Bethlehem.
• Luke 1–2: The fulfillment—Mary, Joseph, Jesus.

These weren’t predictions only—they were mechanisms God used to bring the Savior into existence.

6. God Speaks, Time Responds

• God knows the end from the beginning.
• When He speaks, it’s already “done,” even if time passes before manifestation.
• Mark 11:24 — We believe we receive when we pray, not when we see.

7. Genomai in Action (New Testament)

• Matthew 6:10 — “Thy will be done (genomai).”
• Matthew 8:13 — “As you have believed, so be it done.”
• Matthew 8:26 — Jesus speaks peace; a great calm comes to pass.
• Matthew 9:29 — “According to your faith be it done.”

Faith-filled words generate results.

8. Our Responsibility Today

• God works through spoken faith—not wishful thinking.
• Start with God’s Word (Scripture or a personal promise).
• Speak it consistently, even before specifics appear.
• Generic words lead to specific fulfillment—just like Mary.

9. Application

• Speak peace into chaos.
• Speak healing over sickness.
• Speak God’s future over your children, work, church, and relationships.
• Words mixed with faith produce visible fruit.

Bottom Line:
The Word spoken becomes flesh.
God generates His will through words—and He invites us to do the same.