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Published: Dec. 27, 2015, 2:38 p.m.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

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Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

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Freedom Church exists to lead people into a NEW LIFE of freedom in JESUS.

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Message Title: \u201cCrossing Over\u201d

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Immediately after this\u2026 Matthew 14:22 (NLT)

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Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.\xa0Matthew 14:22 (NLT)

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Calling

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Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.\xa0Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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However, he has given each one of us a special gift\xa0through the generosity of Christ\u2026 Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.\xa0Their responsibility is to equip God\u2019s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.\xa0Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God\u2019s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won\u2019t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching\u2026 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.\xa0Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT)

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Your calling will always be connected to the body of Christ\u2026 the Church.

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You didn\u2019t SIGN UP\u2026 you followed a CALL.

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After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23-24 (NLT)

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Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.\xa0Matthew 14:23-24 (NLT)

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Commitment

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When we know JESUS has called us\u2026 we can trust HIM even when the path doesn\u2019t make sense.

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Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. James 1:2-4 (MSG)

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You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don\u2019t try to get out of anything prematurely. James 1:2-4 (MSG)

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Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 (MSG)

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What God wants to do through you, will always begin with what He wants to lead you through.

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About three o\u2019clock in the morning\xa0Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.\xa0When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, \u201cIt\u2019s a ghost!\u201d Matthew 14:25-27 (NLT)

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But Jesus spoke to them at once.\xa0\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid,\u201d\xa0he said.\xa0\u201cTake courage. I am here!\u201d Matthew 14:25-27 (NLT)

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Confidence

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Then Peter called to him, \u201cLord, if it\u2019s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.\u201d \u201cYes, come,\u201d\xa0Jesus said. Matthew 14:28-29 (NLT)

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So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.\xa0Matthew 14:28-29 (NLT)

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Commitment to the calling\u2026 will always breed confidence.

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But when he saw the strong\xa0wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. \u201cSave me, Lord!\u201d he shouted. Matthew 14:30-33 (NLT)

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Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.\xa0\u201cYou have so little faith,\u201d\xa0Jesus said. \u201cWhy did you doubt me?\u201d Matthew 14:30-33 (NLT)

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When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. \u201cYou really are the Son of God!\u201d they exclaimed. Matthew 14:30-33 (NLT)

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Clarity\xa0

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\u201cIt\u2019s time to step out of the boat into a place of uncertainty\u2026 because your uncertainty is the only place I move!\u201d

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After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret.\xa0When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.\xa0They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. Matthew 14:34-36 (NLT)

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But now, O Jacob, listen to the\xa0Lord\xa0who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, \u201cDo not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cWhen you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty,\xa0you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression,\xa0you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cFor I am the\xa0Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. \xa0You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you\u2026\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cYou have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God\u2014 there never has been, and there never will be.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cI, yes I, am the\xa0Lord, and there is no other Savior\u2026 From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.\xa0No one can undo what I have done\u2026\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cI am the\xa0Lord, your Holy One,\xa0Israel\u2019s Creator and King. I am the\xa0Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cI called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)

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\u201cBut forget all that\u2014\xa0it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. \xa0See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. \xa0I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.\u201d Isaiah 43:1-19 (NLT)