The Great Awareness Church

Author: Ray Lane

  • The Danger of Pride

    The Danger of Pride

    This Sunday, we continue our series on “The Last Instructions of Jesus” with the 7th and final letter, the letter to the lukewarm church. There will be powerful insights, and I truly think EVERY Christian should be there or at least check it out online. There are some things I will share that will blow you away because they blew me away when I first realized the depth of what I was reading. In these letters, we see all the types of Christians and people that we meet. And here, in the final letter, we get to the lukewarm Christian. Possibly the toughest to point out because they look like good Christians. Yet they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Lukewarm Christians hurt the flock, which is why Jesus says he will “vomit them out of His mouth” Revelation 3:16.

    Among other things, we will discuss the danger of wealth and pride. One of the downsides of a church that preaches Success theology (that Jesus will help you become successful and live your best life now) is that those who have money equate their success with proof of their godliness. The thought that creeps in is, “God is blessing me, so I must be doing things right.” And the problem is, they become prideful and hard to reach. Their success is proof, in their minds and the church affirms it more often than not, of their godliness. The lukewarm Christian looks good, gives money, is loved and respected, and has all the outward trappings of a saint. But is actually living a life that is all about them-Jesus is their co-pilot; they are the pilot. And that is a bad place to be. If wealth equates to godliness, then the Apostle Paul would have been a billionaire, but he wasn’t. He had precious little earthly wealth. Success is NOT proof of godliness. That doesn’t mean you can’t be rich and still be godly, but it is VERY hard. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get to heaven.

    That is harsh, but the more I learn, the more I see Jesus was right. Wealthy people are revered, almost worshiped, and that leads to pride very easily. It leads to a form of godliness, you look good, but are devoid of the power. Jesus says to this church, to these Christians, “I stand at the door and knock” Revelation 3:20. Why is Jesus having to knock to get into this group of Christians’ hearts? Why is He outside? Because if we are not careful, the busyness of life, the endless distractions, the drive to keep up with the Joneses, to have things (pushed by ads every second), will cause us to stay too busy and distracted to let Jesus in. To spend time with Him. The power of a Christian’s life is Jesus. YOU MUST spend time with Him EVERY day. Not just a song in the car, but opening that Bible, reading what it has for you that day, and spending time in prayer with Jesus. If you want true power, if you want TRUE success, which is never measured by money, then spend more time with Jesus each day. He truly is the answer.

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. This Sunday, we continue our series on “The Last Instructions of Jesus Before He Returns” with the seventh letter, the Lukewarm Church. Come in and find out how to have a better relationship with Jesus Christ. It is NOT work, but a relationship. Let’s get YOUR relationship thriving! If Jesus Christ is coming soon…WHY NOT GET READY?! There is NO downside. Please join us this week…we will have coffee and donuts for you! Be there or be square! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA. If you can’t make it, check out the sermon on Monday on our website, www.thegreatawarenesschurch.org. 

    All the sermons in this series are up there. Enjoy!

    Also, my book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again)”. You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words before He comes again. If you have been following our sermons, you are getting a gist of the book, but this book expands and develops these thoughts. Order today, I truly believe it is a book that will grow your faith and relationship with Jesus. So click on the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus

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  • How’s Your Relationship With Jesus?

    How’s Your Relationship With Jesus?

    “My sheep hear My voice, and I KNOW them and they FOLLOW Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28

    This verse is often used to support the fact that once you are saved, you are always saved. But we need to look carefully at the conditions…. We must hear His voice AND follow Him, and He needs to KNOW us. The key to Heaven and an abundant life is a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. Over and over again in Scripture, Jesus warns that in that day, at that final hour, many will come to Him, saying Lord, Lord, and He will tell them, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” 

    Many claim that those people whom He says it to were never really Christians, but Revelation 3:5 warns us that He can blot them out of the Book of Life if He does not know them. WOW! That is Jesus speaking, not me. This was a direct letter from Jesus, given to John in a vision, while He was on Patmos in prison. Here He is warning the “Dead Church”, Christians who do not know Him. Christians who said a prayer years ago that was void of repentance, or who got sprinkled at birth, and who are living their lives NOT for Jesus, but for themselves. If you have been taught by “success theology” that God’s purpose is to make you happy, then it is likely you are not fully living for the Lord. When we see God as a cosmic Santa Claus and the church as His elves to help us live our best life now, when the focus is us- instead of Jesus, we are in danger of missing the boat.

    God’s purpose is our HOLINESS, not our happiness. He wants to grow us to be more like Jesus. He wants us to have a relationship where we are one with God and the body. The image often used in Scripture is of a marriage, with Christ as the groom and us as the bride. So I ask you, how is your relationship with God? Is it full of trust and love and honesty? Or is it more about what is in it for you? Join us THIS Sunday at 10:30 as we explore what a healthy relationship with Jesus looks like. It is going to be awesome! 10:30 AM, Eastern Standard Time at 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or online at our YouTube channel @thegreatawarenesschurch. If you tried to log on last week and it messed up, try again this week! Hopefully, we have worked out the bugs. Don’t miss this week’s message!!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. This Sunday, we continue our series on “The Last Instructions of Jesus” with the fifth letter to the Dead Church. Come in and discover how to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It is NOT work, but a relationship. Let’s get YOUR relationship thriving! If Jesus Christ is coming soon…WHY NOT GET READY?! There is NO downside. Please join us this week…We will have coffee and donuts for you! Be there or be square…

    900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. See you there!

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  • Don’t Despise the Little Things

    Don’t Despise the Little Things

    “For who has despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10

    It feels like we are at a turning point in this country, and the angst and the anger is brewing up into something big. Good or bad, I sense, and I feel a lot of people sense, that something big is about to happen. And we can get so focused on the fight in front of us that we can forget something vital: God delights in the small things as well.

    I am writing today to remind you of these small things…don’t despise them. Don’t forget them. Dinner and a movie with your girl (or guy), holding hands in the theater. Simple things. Cuddling on a couch and watching a movie. Walking in the park holding hands. Playing peek a boo with a child or grandchild. The reason grandchildren are such a delight to us older people is that we have learned how precious life is, how quickly they grow up, and we stop our incessant focus on the issues of the world, and for a moment, we just enjoy the beauty of that little person- learning to walk, talk, and play. It’s beautiful. Stop and drink in these moments-you must!

    It’s about to be fall, beautiful leaves and colors will be all around us, great weather, and blue skies. Drink these things in. They may seem like small things, but they are precious. They make us alive. Take in a sunset, the sun glistening on the water. Enjoy these things. The weather here in GA has been amazing. I have had the top down on my convertible for 2 weeks, LOVE driving with the top down on a sunny day. As I am writing this, I am at my desk at home and Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” is on, just listening to easy 70’s mellow rock. Good stuff. My typical Saturday morning, for many years now, is sitting in a chair with my coffee, watching the sun rise, and listening to that 70’s mellow rock music. Just simple, being in the moment type stuff!

    I challenge you this week to find some time to enjoy something simple – the simple pleasures that bring you peace and joy. Take a moment to appreciate it. Your soul will thank you. And if you want my take on the whole Charlie Kirk situation, listen to it here from my sermon this past Sunday. Click on the link here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOQQjFEQ29c&t=36s

    Be blessed!

    Brian

    P.S. If you liked that Charlie Kirk piece and want to hear the entire sermon, or any of my sermons, go to our church website, www.thegreatawarenesschurch.org. Prove yourself faithful in the little things that God has already put in your life, and then you will be ready for bigger things. That is how it works! Have a blessed week!!!!se join us this week, we will have coffee and donuts for you! Be there or be square….900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. See you there!

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  • Faith Is A Muscle

    Faith is like a muscle; the more you exercise faith, the stronger it grows. The more you will be ready for greater things. Conversely, the more you compromise, the weaker your faith will be. Compromise, at its core, is taking back control from God and trying to assert control over your life because of lust, fear, or any number of other sins. It is we who make excuses to do what we want or what we think is best, regardless of what the Bible says.

    In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments”. Love God, Love others. We compromise when we make excuses to do what we want to do, instead of what we know is right. As Christians, we get convicted by the Holy Spirit; we know when we are doing something wrong. We then get met with a small test: do we obey the Spirit, and hence obey Jesus’ commands, or do we make excuses and do what we think is best? Let me give you a simple example…. A waitress gives you back too much change, and you notice. Now you have a choice…to do what is right and give the extra change back or to keep it. You did NOT sin, you did nothing wrong, the waitress made the mistake. But it gives you an opportunity to exercise faith or not. If you keep it, you may tell yourself things like, “Well, the restaurant doesn’t need the money as much as I do”, or even better, “Wow, this is God blessing me.” I promise you, God is not going to steal to bless you. That is whacked.

    But that is a compromise. We make up excuses for doing what we want to do. Instead of doing what we know God wants us to do. This goes from cheating on taxes to surfing the internet on the company time for personal gain, to sleeping around before marriage, and so much more. Compromise is everywhere, and by and large, there is very little difference between the Christians and the non-Christians because of it. But toe the line, be the man or woman of integrity where your words match your actions, and watch as not only you grow, but your influence grows as well.

    This Sunday, we continue our series on “The Last Instructions of Jesus” with the third letter, the compromising Church. It is going to be powerful, and you will be blessed if you go. I hope to see you there. Until next week, be blessed!!!

    Brian

    P.S. Christians in America have the same divorce rates, the same stress levels, depression, anxiety, etc. This SHOULD NOT be. The root of it comes from compromise when it comes to sin. This Sunday, we will be discussing the Compromising Church and going over how to be strong and have integrity in this crazy world. IT is going to be amazing! If Jesus Christ is coming soon….WHY NOT GET READY?! There is NO downside. Please join us this week, we will have coffee and donuts for you! Be there or be square….900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. See you there!

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  • Is God With You in Tough Times?

    Is God With You in Tough Times?

    Almost anyone who has been a true Christian for any length of time will tell you the answer to this is YES. Tough times happen, not because God is mean, but because life happens. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” John 16:33

    Did you catch that? Be of GOOD CHEER. Meaning, don’t get all down when bad things

    happen, because God WILL work good in them. Romans 8:28 states that “He works ALL things for good” for those who love Him. So, taken together, it really means NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN TO A CHRISTIAN. Because even if something bad does happen, God will work it for good. Hmmm….so there really is nothing to worry about? Just like Jesus said in His sermon on the mount…Not to worry. Interesting.

    You see, we need to see things from a heavenly, not an earthly perspective. God is concerned with our holiness, not our happiness. He wants to make us more like Jesus. In tough times, that is when you grow more like Jesus, not on the mountaintops. Our flesh wants everything to be perfect all the time…but that is not realistic in a fallen world, and when life doesn’t go perfectly, enter the monsters of stress, fear, and worry. But if you put your faith in the Lord, if you know that no matter what, everything will work for your good, then you can live the day in Love, Joy, and Peace. And that is just a better place to be. Christians should be the people who are calm in the storm, the people on the boat getting the women and children off first, the people who are solid under pressure and can be counted on in a pinch…and that only comes from building your life on the solid rock of Jesus.

    So, how is your relationship with Jesus today? Have you spent any time with Him? I challenged my church last week to spend 5 extra minutes in prayer, just being still and letting God, not us, speak. And to spend a few extra minutes reading the Bible each day, not a podcast, actually reading the Bible and hearing from God. 1 chapter a day starting in Matthew or 1 Proverb a day. Just a little bit more reading and a little bit more prayer-it doesn’t take much, and watch that relationship rekindle quickly with Jesus. True friends can pick up right where they left off. You have a friend in Jesus. Check in with Him, touch base. YOU will be the one who gets blessed!

    Have an awesome week!

    Brian

    P.S. This Sunday, we will tackle the Second Letter of Jesus found in Revelation and discuss the Rapture like you have never seen it discussed before! The End times do not have to be scary; you just need to be ready. This Sunday at 10:30 AM, we will start getting you ready, and the message will bless you tremendously. Be there or be square….

    900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. See you there!

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  • Are We Near The End Times?

    Are We Near The End Times?

    As I talk to Christians, as you listen to different preachers, it is becoming more and more clear
    that most Christians are beginning to feel like we are near the end times. I actually am sure of it
    and one of my sermons over the next few months will be what God revealed to me about it.
    BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY. My question I have for you
    today is, if you do feel we are near the end, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?

    What are you changing in your life and actions to get ready for the coming of the Lord? Are you
    still continuing on every day in apathetic living because you feel like you can’t do anything
    about it so what’s the use? That’s exactly where the devil wants you, on the sidelines. The fact
    that Jesus may be coming soon should motivate us to love more, witness more, live for Jesus
    more. The early disciples believed that Jesus was coming back while they were alive, and they
    lived with an edge-and they CHANGED THE WORLD!!!! You may say, but Brian, I am not
    some great guy who can change the world. Well, with the exception of Paul, the rest of those
    disciples were local yokels. Fisherman, no one of import. But they lived with the faith and
    expectation of seeing their Lord again and that challenged them to reach everyone they could.

    Start where you are-we must be faithful where God has placed us. That workplace, your family,
    your friends, they are your mission field. Start there. Obey God and LOVE on those people-the
    way God loves you. The Great Commandment is Love God, and Love others. Focus on God
    first and foremost, get His love flowing and overflowing in your heart and pour it out on the
    people around you. Then watch as God honors your faithfulness with more doors opening.
    Remember, results are NOT your responsibility, yours is to center on Jesus, open up to the Holy
    Spirit in you, and let Him guide you into obedience and love. It is an easy yoke, Jesus does the
    work through the Holy Spirit but you MUST focus on God. Build that relationship, spend time
    with Him in the morning and through the day. That is loving God. Then out of that relationship,
    that fountain, you will be effective in touching others with His great and powerful love. You
    CAN do it.

    This is a call to relationship, not a call to works. What are you waiting for? Get alone with God,
    get a consistent quiet time going, get praying for other people, and refuse to be afraid. The Great
    Commission in Matthew 28 ends with Jesus saying, “And surely I am with you always, even to
    the end of the age.” If you are saved, you have the Holy Spirit, GOD HIMSELF inside you, and
    you move forward in the power and authority of the Lord. So get alone with God, re-connect to
    the Spirit, and then obey His prompting and love those around you-and watch your fruitfulness,
    love and peace grow. Until next week-remember, Jesus loves you, and there is nothing you can
    do about it! Peace!

    Brian

    P.S. Get ready for the launching of the Great Awareness Church August 3 rd ! If you are in
    GA, I would love for you to be there as my personal guest. If not, please check our sermons
    out online once they are posted. Until then, please check out my Youtube channel
    below….and subscribe-thanks!
    https://www.youtube.com/@TheGreatAwarenessChurch

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