Gene English showed pictures and shared about his recent mission trip to Rwanda and Namibia, Africa. As part of the trip, he attended a Global Teen Challenge Conference in Rwanda. He also was looking for properties that could possibly be used for future Teen Challenge sites. While he was in Rwanda, he visited the Genocide Memorial, commemorating the death of the over one million people of the Tutu tribe, who were killed by a rival Rwandan tribe. Namibia also suffered much slaughter, but theirs was due to apartheid. A fruitful harvest requires a fruitful witness. We need to get past being afraid of rejection when we talk to strangers about Jesus Christ. We get comfortable, but we need to know that God is going to give us the words to speak when we step out to share Christ. We need to think about the lost. How is God going to use me to reach the lost? Remember where you were before you came to Jesus. We can see the goodness of God. You begin with the Word of God. Then you see that you are the righteousness of God. Your mind gets renewed by the Word, and you begin believing and confessing the Word. Your thinking changes. We are commissioned to reach the lost. We need to be faithful witnesses. The process may be ugly, but the result is good. Matthew 9:38, 38 tell about praying for the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest. Intercede for the lost (Psalm 2:8). Cry out for them. Gene told about Isaac Watts, who was an atheist at that time, confronting a Christian woman. She had three sons, and the first one heard from God to go to the mission field. He was killed, and her second son heard the same call to go. He went to complete the work the first one started, but he was killed. The third son also was called to complete his brothers’ work, but he, too, was killed. When Isaac Watts confronted her in the market place, he asked her, “How can you love that God? Don’t you regret it?” Her answer was, “Yes, I regret- that I don’t have another son to send to finish the work!” Ask God, “How can I be used by You today?” Let’s purpose to reach the lost for the kingdom of God. Pray that you may have a love for the lost. Are you casting out seeds? Are you multiplying? How can I build bridges? Ask God to stir up your gifts.
Rwanda and Namibia on Assignment from God
Authority of the Believer: Being Made Righteous
Review: The earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:10); God gave the earth to man (Psalm 115:16); Man has been made to have dominion over God’s creation (Psalm 8:3-9). Pastor Syd compared it to the fact that their house belongs to him (Pastor), but his sons may do what they want in their own rooms within certain guidelines. God owns the earth and gave authority over it to Adam, but Adam gave it to Satan. Jesus took the keys away from Satan when He went into hell after His crucifixion. Through Adam’s trespass, death reigned, how much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). Jesus is seated to the right hand of God, interceding for us. If we do not have a sense of righteousness, we will not reign. If we mess up and ask forgiveness, God has no remembrance of it. His righteousness is on you and fills you. A king reigns through his words. On Christ, the rock, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19). Because you know the Word, you may think you are doing it, but you must act on it by speaking and believing it. Speak the Word to your problems. Speak the way it is going to be. Jesus became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). He sees me like Jesus, without sin. He says, “That’s My son, in whom I am well pleased.” Do not allow condemnation and Satan to beat you up. We can have boldness in the day of judgment, because of God’s love (1 John 4:16, 17). There is no fear in love. Jesus always lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24, 25). We need a consciousness of righteousness. Jesus is our defense attorney and our judge. Tell the devil how it is going to be. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:10). God is for us (Romans 8:31). He will grant us what we need to walk in victory (Romans8:32). If God gave His all to buy you, He will do all to keep you. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:33-39).
Our God Is Faithful
Dr. Panicker shared about living in Kenya when they had no church support and during a time of famine. They fasted and prayed for a month, declaring that they would not lack. A man from Morocco blessed them, and a woman they did not know came with two boxes for them. It was at a time when they had no food, and the boxes were filled with all the food they needed. They wanted to send their son to school, but they had no money. Dr. Panicker went to the headmaster to ask him to keep his son there for two weeks and at the end of the two weeks he would have the money for him. He was impressed by the Lord to go to the headmaster after just one week. The headmaster informed Dr. Panicker that someone had come in the first day he came with his son and paid for the whole year. Our most precious times are as we sit at the feet of the Lord. Prayer is talking and listening to God. Do we truly pray, or do we assume that God will do this or that? Are you always engaged with the Father? We talk and listen to the Lord. Daddy God will minister to your every need. Learn to talk to the Lord in prayer. We need silence with Him, too, to hear His voice. If you do not walk with Him, you will not talk with Him. Be inspired to pray and pray for the American church-goers to read the Bible. Jonah was called to the city of Ninevah, which was Assyrian, but he was afraid to go. God’s heart was broken by all of its sin. He had a heart for the people of Ninevah. God’s character is love, mercy, and holiness. He knew He had to punish the people, so He called Jonah to warn them to repent. Jonah tried to escape God’s call for him to go to warn Ninevah, so he ended up spending time in the belly of a fish. Jonah did obey God and warned the people of Ninevah to repent and turn to God. Assyrians were fighting the Jews, but the people believed God and proclaimed a fast. God touches the hearts of the wicked, and this happened in Ninevah. The wicked king was afraid of God’s judgment, humbled himself by stepping down from his throne, repented, and cried out to the Jewish God, declaring a fast of food and water, even for the animals, and Ninevah was spared. Prayer has the power to humble the proud. Much of the American church is a coffee-club. When your belly is full, it is easy to sleep and hard to pray. God listens to the cry of the wicked, because His character is love, mercy, and holiness. We say “no” to “political correctness.” Another city was Sodom in Genesis 18 and 19. Ezekiel (16:49-50) referred to Sodom and Gomorrah as arrogant, overfed, unconcerned, haughty, not helping the poor and needy, and detestable (morally disgusting). It takes both prayer and action. The righteous are bold as a lion. God destroyed Sodom. Why did God destroy Sodom and save Ninevah? Sodom did not repent, and it was burned. Ninevah repented and was spared. [Dr. Panicker had said in 2012 that it was wrong for the United States to invade Iraq. Some countries need a dictator because the people are not able to handle the responsibility. In Iraq churches were protected and even built under the Iraqi dictator, but that all stopped when he was killed.] In 2012 the president of Uganda brought his nation’s people together. He repented and called the people to come together to God. Dr. Panicker read the prayer of repentance that the Ugandan president prayed asking for God’s forgiveness of many sins, such as idolatry, witchcraft, shedding innocent blood, and pride. Our national leaders need to repent. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
Authority of the Believer
Our purpose is to rule and reign on the earth. Adam brought death, but Jesus brought life and righteousness (Romans 5:17, 18). Our battles are with evil spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). God demonstrated His power by seating Jesus over every dominion now and in every age (Ephesians 1:20). The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act was passed in North Carolina, but there is opposition from LGBT. This group comprises only 1-3% of the U. S. population but is using financial forces and businesses to force NC to change this act. In Mississippi it is legal for religious organizations to deny services to someone who functions contrary to their beliefs. Governor Wolf has a “Bathroom Rule”, HB 1510 and SB 974, that will mandate public use of bathrooms to both sexes, as a person may self-identify his/her sex. Why is the church silent about these important issues? 1. Relativism. 2. A moral code that is wearing away. 3. Fear of being labeled a hater. (Evil wins because of our silence.) 4. Need for moral approval. In Genesis 19 Lot knew the city was dangerous, and he knew the culture he lived in. (It is the same spirit as the LGBT.) He compromised by offering to give his daughters to the evil men. The men accused Lot of acting like a judge, which the present day agenda does, too. If you do not participate with them, they assert pressure on you, which is what the men did to Lot, when they wanted the men (angels) who were staying at Lot’s home. In Lot’s case, the angels caused the evil men to become blinded. Guard yourself against what is sin. Do not wink at it. Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus said that He would build the church on the revelation of who Jesus is (Matthew 16:16-19; 18:18-20). The keys of the kingdom are binding and loosing. When you use Jesus’ authority, the kingdom of God is established. A king reigns with words. The same spirit that Lot dealt with is the spirit in this nation. We must stand for righteousness. The amount of babies aborted is equal to all of the men, women, and children west of the Mississippi River and all of Italy! We must be salt and the light on the hill. Offering message: To prosper in your soul (3 John 2), yield to the Lord Jesus. We can have confidence to know that we have heard from the Lord. God loves an obedient heart. There were two testimonies of God’s prospering- one pay raise and one who led someone to salvation. Pastor Syd encouraged us to make a righteous choice for president.
The Authority of the Believer: What’s Our Purpose?
In Genesis 1:26-28 God told Adam, man, to have dominion. In Revelation 22:1-5 God speaks about the future, saying that we are to reign forever and ever. We are here to take dominion. Our purpose is to reign and take dominion, and worship to God is the fruit of our taking dominion. Revelation 5:9, 10 says that He has made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on the earth. This is also stated in Revelation 1:6. Death reigned by Adam’s trespass, but we are to reign in life (now) through Jesus Christ. We are in training. We need to pay attention as to how we are to rule and reign. How does a king reign? He reigns with his words (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Job 22:21, 22, 26-28). He reigns by delegating authority (Luke 9:1-42). We see this in a policeman. His power is in the courts, the law, and his gun. His authority is because of his power. The kingdom of God is in us. It is where God is exercising authority and His will is being done. It is the coming of His kingdom that allows His will to be done. The disciples were to preach the kingdom of God. Jesus delegated His authority (Luke 10:20). We have been given authority over the enemy (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16). We restore divine favor, which is the ministry of reconciliation. We are authorized to take this message to others. Fill yourself with the Word. Expect what you speak to be fulfilled. A king reigns by his word, and we reign by preaching God’s Word and that the kingdom has come. (There was explanation concerning last week’s service, finances, and prayer needs in the CWI body.)
Tithes and Offerings
This service was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. The Word benefits us only when we hear and do what it says. We are to give God our best. The tithes, the first tenth, belong to Him. What we give beyond that is an offering (Malachi 3:8-12). Second Corinthians 8:9 is in the context of giving an offering. You cannot sow your tithe, because that belongs to God (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). You sow when you give what belongs to you. Our needs are met by our giving. Pastor Syd shared how the Lord blessed him and his family in multiplication when he was obedient to sow the only money he had, which was four dollars. Larry Hostetter gave a word that we make God too small. We prayed for those who need miracles in their lives. An offering was taken to bless Pastor Syd and Jen. Karen Burrows shared a testimony of how the Lord provided for her to go to Andrew Wommack’s pastors’ conference when she was obedient to sow her $192 in coins. There was ministry to those people who need jobs.
The Authority of the Believer
Texts: Psalm 8:3-8; Hebrews 2:6-18. Originally God gave the authority on earth to Adam. After Adam sinned by disobeying God, the authority was given over to Satan. Satan could have given Jesus the authority over earth (Luke 4), but Jesus knew how He was going to get the authority back to man. After Adam’s fall, man became lower than angels. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said that all authority of both heaven and earth was given to Him and He gave it to us. His will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven (the Lord’s Prayer). He gave us power to bind and to loose (Matthew 18:18-20). We have authority over angels. What did Jesus have to do to get that authority back to us? Hebrews 2:6-18. He had to die spiritually. He became sin so that we might become His righteousness. Jesus knew that He was going to be separated from God. Separation from God is death and hell. Jesus experienced spiritual death for us. Not everyone will die. Those who are alive with be caught up with Him. Jesus said that if anyone keeps His word, he will never taste death (John 8:44-53). He is talking about spiritual death. Concerning when Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus said that He is the resurrection and the life, and that whoever believes in Him, though he may die, he shall not die spiritually (John 11:20, 26). Jesus went to hell. He had to become sin for us, because there was no sin in Him. Our sin would send us to hell, if He had not gone there for us. Jesus was born again from death and hell, and we need to be born again, too. Jesus died and was made alive again in the Spirit. God raised Him up, so His soul was not left in hell, nor did it see corruption (Acts 2:22, 23; Acts 13:33). A separation came, and Jesus had to be born again. Before the resurrection, Jesus is referred to as the only begotten Son of God, but after the resurrection, He is referred to as the firstborn from the dead among many brothers (Colossians 1:18). Through His death He might destroy the devil (when He went to hell and came out of it). Satan never had power of physical death. God did. The power of spiritual death is the fear of death. As soon as Adam and Eve fell, fear of death came. That fear is the fear of being separated from God. Isaiah 11:2 tells about the seven spirits that were upon Jesus. Revelation 1:4-18 again notes that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, and that He made us kings and priests to God the Father. He was dead, but now He is alive, and He has the keys to hell and death. We have His authority if we have made Him our Lord and Savior. We are victorious. We reign in life by Jesus Christ. Pastor Syd closed by reading the Ephesians prayer (Ephesians 1:17-23).
The Authority of the Believer
[Pre-sermon notes: Jesus defeated the enemy and shed His blood for our victory. We have been healed. Light immediately dispels darkness. Declare health over your body. When we look at Him, His wisdom comes to us, and then we give heed to it. The church is compromising if we vote for someone who is not a Christian. This nation is at the tipping point, about to fall to a sudden and extreme drop. Take a stand. Vote for righteousness.] Sermon: text – Psalm 8. God told Adam to subdue, have dominion, and rule the earth and everything that is on it (Genesis 1:26-28). This is demonstrated in Genesis 2:19 when God commissioned Adam to name the animals. In Luke 4:5, 6 Satan tempted Jesus by telling Him that he would give Jesus the authority over all the kingdoms of the earth, if He would worship him. How did he get that authority? Satan is a fallen angel. Adam gave the authority that God had given him to Satan when he disobeyed God (Romans 5:17). Jesus came to restore the authority over the earth back to man. In Psalm 8:5 in the KJV it says that God made man a little lower than the angels. The same Hebrew word translated here as “angels” is translated “Elohim”. This word is used over 2600 times and never translated angels anywhere else. The correct translation is that God made man a little lower than Himself. In Hebrews 1:1-4 it says that Jesus bore a more excellent name than angels. In 2:6-8 it says that God made Jesus a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 1:5-14 we find that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation. The saints inherit salvation. Are you giving your angels anything to do? Do you give them orders? Speak to your angels using the (Word of God) commands that God has already given them. You pray to God in Jesus’ name; you can talk to and thank Jesus and the Holy Spirit but you only pray to the Father. The authority has been given to us in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18-20), whereas Adam’s authority was just on earth before he fell (Psalm 8). Our purpose is to take dominion with the authority Jesus gave us, to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptize, and teach what He taught. The saints will judge the world and angels (1 Corinthians 6:1-3). God will confirm His Word with signs, wonders, and miracles. God originally made man a little lower than Himself and higher than the angels. Since Adam fell and gave his authority on earth to Satan (a fallen angel), unredeemed man became lower than the angels. Redeemed men (those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) are lower than God but restored higher than any angel.
The Authority of the Believer
God has established strength from the mouth of babes and infants (Psalm 8). When Psalm 8:2 is repeated in Matthew 21:16, instead of “strength”, the word “praise” is used. There is a connection between strength and praise. In Psalm 8:4 the word “angels” is translated “God” other places in the Word, so God made man a little lower than Himself. When we look up into the heavens, we see what God has put in place. We are the reason for creation. We are not insignificant. We are the apple of God’s eye. Man is to have dominion and to rule with authority over the works of God’s hands. The Lord remembers us and will bless us. May He give you increase to you and your children. He gave the earth to man. Dead men do not praise God, but we will (Psalm 115:12-18). He talks about authority and praise and worship together, because they are linked. Genesis 1:26-2:19 tells us that He made us in His likeness. We are three parts, just like the Trinity. We are to have dominion over the earth and all that is in it. God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to multiply. He told them that they had complete authority. They were to subdue it because they had full authority. To have dominion over something is to rule and reign. Our authority came from God because He created everything, including us. Genesis2:19 says that God brought the animals to Adam for him to name them, showing that he had authority. With authority comes responsibility. Jesus did no miracles until He was baptized. Jesus had to operate in faith, just like we do. Satan immediately tried to make sure Jesus would not use His authority to take back the earth from him, but Jesus did not take his bait (Luke 4:1-7). Temptation is not sin, but it can be by what we do with it. Adam chose to give his authority away. Satan got the authority from Satan, not from God. Jesus came to get back man’s authority from Satan. Satan wanted Jesus’ worship. See how worship and authority are tied together? God gave the authority to man, then man gave it to Satan. God created Satan as an angel to glorify God. He did not create him as the devil, but Satan chose to turn against God. Romans 5:12-17. Death reigned from Adam to Moses. The overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness is the blood of Jesus. We reign in life through Jesus Christ now. Reign means to rule, have dominion, and to have authority. Jesus was a man like us who had to walk in faith. He emptied Himself and came in the likeness of man. John 14:12; Matthew 28:19, 20. Stay where God wants you to be. That authority is yours.
Our Witness and God’s Power
Pastor Syd showed pictures and told of his trip with Apostle Dale in the Ukraine. He reported on his travels there and his time with Apostle Dale at a Bible School of over 500 students, some of whom were from Russia. They preached to pastors and cell group leaders. Apostle Dale preached a powerful sermon about the church and the country. Our hearts should be stirred up to pray for Apostle Dale and what he is doing in Ukraine. The church there can change that nation. Pastor Syd told about the importance of chaplains who go to the front lines to minister. He told about a movie on Netflix called Winter on (or of?) Fire, which is a documentary of what happened in Ukraine two years ago. Pastor Syd also went to Istanbul, Turkey. Much of the New Testament happened in Greece and what is now Turkey. He showed a map where the different churches were that Paul started or preached at. Now only about .2% (about 2,000) of Turkey’s people are Protestant. It is a problem when comfortable becomes more important than the kingdom of God. Is our testimony touching those around us? We are to be witnesses to what God has done in our lives, where we live, and then beyond (Acts 1:7, 8). When we share our testimony, it releases and enacts the power of the Holy Spirit. If we are not fishing, we are not followers. There was a physical flood (Genesis 7:11, 17), and now we need a spiritual flood of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by water. This year (2016) is critical as far as electing officials at all levels. There are 469 Congressional seats for reelection. There are 7,383 legislative positions through the states for reelection. There are 36,000 municipal, township, and other offices to be filled. We need to fill these positions. We need to be salt by words and actions. We need to come together. We are to be the Good News. God’s power is available now because He poured out His Spirit. It is the power to save. Give your testimony and the power of God will be there. Offering message: Philippians 4:10-20. Our God does supply your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. What is important is the fruit that comes from the gift. Shannon Flynn shared about her mission trip to Kenya.
Peace, A Mind Stayed on God
(There was a word given about not fearing when you face “a Red Sea” while trying to get into your “Promised Land.” Trust Him, walk in the anointing. The Blood of Jesus is before you. Put Him on the throne of your heart, so He can lead and direct you and bring you through.) (There was a miracle anointing service.) Texts: Isaiah 26:3 and Philippians 4:6-8. God will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him, because that person trusts in God. If you are not in perfect peace, your mind is not stayed on God. Peace is more than a cessation of war. Peace is goodness in your life. God’s plan is for you to have peace. The safest place to be is in the will of God. If you lose your peace, it is a sign that things are not okay. What does it mean to have your mind stayed on Him? It is like jamming a chair under a doorknob, so that the door cannot be moved. Peace is when you do not waver, ever! You will encounter things. Look at them with the lenses of a mind stayed on Him. When you are distracted, look at the distractions through the lens of God. Recognize who you are in Christ. Do not be worried and care-filled. Would it help to worry? BUT, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. It is an opportunity for prayer and praise. It is not enough to just rebuke and resist the devil and his thoughts. You must replace those thoughts with prayer, praise, and the Word. Fill your house with praise. The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard, keep, and garrison your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Deal with fear quickly, or it will grow. Praise the Lord. Whatever you are dealing with, think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praiseworthy. Filter your mind so certain thoughts do not enter your mind. Even if it is true, is it honest? Is it true, honest, and just…? Do we keep our minds on Him? What is negative may be your imagination. Take every thought captive and make it come into obedience to Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). Make God’s Word your filter. God is a rewarder of the those who diligently seek Him. Do not waste your time on assumptions. Imagine the victory and God’s Word. How are you using your imagination? Fill your mind with the Word.
Prayer
Job 22:20-30 (Amplified Bible). Pray people into their calling. We need to show up in person. Job prayed for his friends. God wants us in His perfect will. He is holy. We must put away unrighteousness. The love of money is the root of all evil. Only God is to own and control you. Make the Almighty your gold and the Lord your precious silver treasure. Intercessors lift up their faces to God. You will fulfill your vows. We shall decide and declare a thing, and it shall be established for you. You must put a guard on our mouths. If you do not like the things in your life, change your heart and your mouth. The Word of God must be in your heart and in your mouth. You need the unction of the Holy Spirit. He lifts up and saves the humble person. He will even deliver the one for whom you intercede who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness and purity of your hands. You are free to do the will of God. Call people to the place of grace. The intercessor who will stand with clean hands and a pure heart will be dynamic. We are to exercise ourselves with a conscience void of offense (Acts 24:16). We have to choose not to be offended. Philippians 1:10 tells us to be without offense until the day of Christ. Psalm 119:165 says, Great peace have they who love the Word and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 24 is about the King of glory. The prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working (James 5:13-16). We are to have clean hands and a pure heart, be righteous, and pray earnestly. If anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and another person brings him back to God (converts him), you save a soul from death. We have the ability to convert a sinner from death. The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous.
As Christ’s Representatives, We Need to Change
Matthew 16:13. God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf. It takes a yielded life, dependent on Him. It is up to the body of Christ to make a difference for this country. All of powers of hell will not prevail against the church. Where do we see the church in the earth today? Where are you individually as a part of the body? Where are we as a church in the workings of what Jesus is doing today? We are the temple of the living God. The Spirit of the living God lives in you. How are you functioning today? 1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. This is who we are supposed to be, what the church is supposed to be. We are the household of faith. Judge yourself, where you are. We are to examine ourselves whether we are in faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Christ is in you. Are you holding to your faith? Are you showing faith? Our lives are to be lived in relationship with the King of Glory. Glory means the revealed nature and manifestations of God. The glory of God and intimacy with God change us. We must change and be transformed to Christ in us. We represent Jesus on earth. Are people seeing Jesus in us? If you had known Me, you would have known the Father. He who has seen Jesus, has seen the Father (John 14:7). Can we say: When you’ve seen us, you’ve seen the Father? We need to change. We are to be imitators of our Father, walking in love (Ephesians 5:1, 2). We need to know God intimately, esteeming and delighting in one another. Selfishness is in the church, and it will keep us from expressing our love for the Father. We should be living our lives to glorify the Father. Are people experiencing the love of God when we show up? Do people think of us as faithful? Are we a sweet fragrance to people? We are called according to His purpose. We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:26-30). To be conformed, we must be jointly formed and have corresponding moral qualities. Am I in agreement with what I know? If not, I need grace to change. Allow the change to happen to you, so you can resist Satan. I am transformed when I keep my eyes on Him. We present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2). We represent God. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to put on Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). We must put Him on and keep Him on. If I want to walk in the Spirit, I cannot walk in the flesh. We need to clothe ourselves with the praises of His people. How much should we be thankful? We must have a rejoicing spirit. People should see the glory of God on His people. We put on the new man and put off the old one (Colossians 3:8). The glory of the Lord will change us. If you do not like your thoughts, repent and ask forgiveness (1 John 1:9). The church must abide in God (John 15:7). It is a lifestyle. We need to be alive with the life of God. We are under the control of the Holy God. Press in to know Him. God is raising up a reflection of Himself.
The Attitude of Our Hearts to the Word of God
We are to come under the Word of God, the authority of God. Gene read many Scriptures that tell us who we are, if we are under the authority of God. We need a right response to the Word of God and a willingness to receive the Word. Text: James 1:18-22. We are to be doers of the Word. When we come to the Word of God, we need to come with a submissive heart. Be eager toward the Word of God. James tells us to be swift to hear the Word of God. Be an eager hearer. Believers have a right response that involves three attributes. The first is willingness to receive the Word with submission. We enter with a submissive heart to the Word. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word. James also tells us to be slow to speak and slow to wrath. Anger builds barriers. Not only do we come to the Word with a submissive heart, but secondly, we lay aside and lay apart all filthiness and wickedness and receive the Word with purity. We have to cast off works of darkness (Romans 13:12). We can compare it to taking off smelly, dirty clothes. We need to be cleansed, or filthiness will make us “stink” and unable to hear because we “have wax in our ears”. We need purity of heart, so we can hear and receive the life we need. The third attribute of willingness to receive the Word is humility (James 1:21). We pray that we can live out the truth that we receive.
Jesus I AM – Feb 14
John 10:10. Jesus is the Life-Giver. He said, I AM the life.” We have the “Son” in us. The Word was with God. The Word was God. All things were by the Word. Jesus is the Word. The Word was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:1-4). Our tongues were made to create. Our words create our world. Death and life are in the power of our tongues. We are producing either life or death. Speak life to your possessions. Value God’s Word. Jesus said, “I AM the living water” in John 4:10, 13, and 14. The water that He gives is a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Jesus said, “I AM the bread of life.” He is the living bread of heaven. The bread of life is the Word of God. When we speak, we should be speaking life. The words that Jesus spoke are spirit and life (John 6:63). Jesus said, “I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25, 26). Do you believe Jesus can resurrect the dead parts of your life? In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” There is only one way to God, the Father, and that is through Jesus, the Son of God. In Acts 3:12-15 Peter called Jesus the Prince of life (the Prince of Peace). The life-robbers in men’s lives are: 1. The traditions of men (The way you thought your whole life.) 2. Condemnation (There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.) 3. Legalism (The law. We are set free by the Spirit of God. 2 Corinthians 3:6). 4. Sin (Colossians 3:1-5). [We watched the video by Toby Mack about speaking life.] We speak life to the darkest, deadest parts of our lives. Speak hope, life, and love. The Life-Giver is inside of you. Encourage yourself by what God says about you. Be a good believer in the Word. The Word washes His life in you. Feed on the Word of God (Joshua 1:8). Jesus spoke the already written Word, because He valued it. We are to be spiritually-minded (Romans 8:6). We default to something and that tells us who we are. If you default to the negative, repent. Say, “I am a child of the living God. Help me.” The book of 2 Corinthians tells us how to live out the New Covenant. We are born from above. Jesus never leaves us. Speak life. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord (Ezra 7:10). We are called to be strong believers. All of heaven is attracted to the Jesus in you. We are separated to the Lord. Moses said that he would not go without God presence. I want to be aware of God’s presence with me always. [We practiced speaking life to the others in the congregation.]
Wrestling With God in Travail
LaVere reported on the increase of born again believers and churches around the world, especially in China. The vision for the end-time harvest has already started. In Matthew 21:28‘s parable of the two sons, one said he would not go, but he went, and the other one said he would go, but he did not. Which one are you? God wants to do in America what He is doing elsewhere. Mission work may look different. We must be awake in this harvest. Where is your focus, your drive? The widow in 1 Kings 17:9-16 was under the command of God to take care of the prophet, Elijah. He told her to take what looked like her last meal and to provide for him first. Her obedience and yielding to God’s command and will brought supernatural provision for her and her son for a long time. Do you know that you are under the command of God? He has a plan for your life. We are under God’s command. Satan tries to keep us from seeking God and to get us into fear. In Genesis 32:1, 2 An angel told Jacob what to do. He was under a command of God. When he heard that his avenging brother was coming toward him, he was afraid. Jacob wrestled with a man, who was God. God touched the socket of Jacob’s hip, and Jacob told God, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” God told him that his name was to be Israel instead of Jacob. Jacob prevailed, which means overwhelmed, such as when David cut off Goliath’s head. He said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” How can man prevail over God and win? How can a man talk to God that way? Romans 15:4 says that the Scriptures were written for our learning, that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. The Word is our example, so we can understand our purposes (1 Corinthians 10:6). GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH ONE OF US (Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8-10; Psalm 139:16). We have to find His plan for us and for the end-time harvest. If you are saved, you are called according to His purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:9). If you are not called, you are not saved. There is a balance between God and man. Isaiah 45:9-12 says “Woe to him who strives with his Maker!” Does that statement conflict with what Jacob did with God? Jacob was striving, but in Isaiah 45:11 the Bible says, “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.” One striving, as in verse 9, is against God and His will for your life; the other is striving with God to be able to fulfill His word to and will for you. We can strive with Him for the things He has already commanded us. God had made a covenant with Jacob where he had the vision (Genesis 32:1, 2). He won what God had already spoken. The Word is even above the name of Jesus. In John 1:1 all of God was involved in creation. The God of creation became man. Jesus was the Master of creation. He incarnated Himself in the Word. The Word is living. Jesus is the Word. You have a personal covenant with God. There is a difference between the promises and the covenants of God. God cannot prevail against the Word He has spoken. God has made a covenant with you. Find out God’s plan for your life. Meet and fellowship with Him in order to hear His voice. What He says will work. Do what the Father says and does. There is a corporate plan for the body of Christ. Ask, “What is God’s plan for the church and this community? What is God saying for us to do?” Seek God corporately. God will speak. Individuals, seek God with all your hearts, and find out what the covenant is. Nothing can stop God’s will when we line up with Him. You are not free to do what you want to do. You are not your own. You were bought by Jesus’ blood (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 1 Peter 1:18, 19). You will limp after God’s test for you to fulfill God’s plan. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. DO NOT MISS GOD!
Serving Jesus – Jan 31
Text: Matthew 25:31-40. We serve God by serving one another. Serving other believers is horizontal service, and vertical serving God is worship. Romans 12:1 tells us to present our own bodies as living sacrifices to God, which is our reasonable service. We should be worship and service- minded. The church should be overflowing with serving people. Serving the church includes the service you do for your own family. There should be no lack in the church. SERVICE means to wait on, to serve. Where am I serving the Lord? Am I serving Him? Talk to the Lord about what you should be doing. If you are not serving, you are not loving. Galatians 5:13 says that we are called to freedom, the freedom to serve one another through love. Secret serving is openly rewarded. The churches of Macedonia first gave of themselves to the Lord and then to others by the will of God (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). God gave the Levites to the Israelites as a gift to serve the people, which was service to the Lord (Number 18:6, 7). Now we are priests and are to serve each other and God. What is my service to the Lord? You can serve, but if it is working to earn something, it will cause you to burn out, or instead, you can serve as unto the Lord. The women whom Jesus healed served Him (Luke 8:1-3). Peter’s mother-in-law was healed and immediately served Jesus. Dorcas, a widow, was known for serving others. She became sick and died, but Peter raised her from the dead, so she could continue serving others and God. Serving others is a commandment, and Jesus said that if we keep His commands and abide in His love, His joy will be complete in us. It is a joy to lay down one’s life for his friends. This may literally mean dying for someone else, but it can also mean first putting others’ wants and needs before ours.
Pastor Syd: Pride has a root of fear, because you see yourself alone and do not see yourself with God (Psalm 131). Pride keeps you from getting out of your comfort zone. Jesus is all that matters. The Spirit of God is not limited to a certain structure. He can minister through anyone. Ask the Lord to use you. First Corinthians 12 is about the gifts of the Spirit. We can say and believe that Jesus is Lord. There are different gifts and ministries, but the same Spirit, different ministries, but the same Lord, different workings, but the same God. The gifts benefit all. There are three revelation gifts, three power gifts, and three speaking gifts. They are distributed to each one as God wills, but we have to cooperate with Him. Do not receive His grace (empowerment) in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). They are for someone else. The body is made up of many parts, but it is one body. God has placed the parts in the body as He wills. We care about each other and want to see everyone grow. God has placed apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and variety of tongues in the body. We are to earnestly desire the best gifts, the greater gifts. The best gifts are the most advantageous gifts, the ones that are needed right now. The gifts work because of love (1 Corinthians 13). We are to earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14). If I ask, I receive. Pastor Syd shared about being filled with the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is praying in tongues to God. If I want to be built up, I want to know what I am praying for. We must yield to the Spirit. It is the overflow of the Spirit. Prophesying to people is for edification, to build them up. If I come to you speaking in tongues, it needs an interpretation. I can pray to the Lord in the Spirit and with the understanding, and then I pray it out in English. This is how you will walk out the mysteries of God. Pray in tongues, and it will help you to get answers in a test or with a problem in school. Flow in the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues until you know what to do. All things must be done for edification. If two or three give a tongue, there must be an interpreter. If two or three give a prophecy, others must evaluate. All can prophesy, one by one, so the others can learn and be encouraged. You may be compelled to use your gift, but you can shut it down. Be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. It is to be done, but just done in order. What if?… is a question you may have. Sharing a word or tongue at CWI is a safe place, and Pastor Syd is our safety net. Do not give in to fear. Step out in faith, even if you sink. Be willing. Tell God He can use you. Do not be so concerned that you might be wrong. (Pastor Syd talked about a meeting with Pastor Bob, when Syd gave a tongue and interpretation. It encouraged others to do the same.) The church is the body ministering to each other. Jay Stoltzfus: The move of God in CWI in 2006 and the sermons that Pastor Dale preached so touched Pastor Jay with God’s anointing. God wants to re-establish that move in those who were at CWI at the beginning and those who have come since then. God wants to propel the church forward and reattach the parts to move forward and to stir up excitement. God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones (Ezekiel 37). God needs a person. He is waiting for a man to agree with Him. Speak to the dry bones. As Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, they came together, and they lived and stood as a great army. There may be people you are speaking to that are like dry bones. That might be you. Speak to yourself. It is possible for the dry bones to come to life. We need to be willing, not dry bones. Be fired up. Believe that God has something for you. (There was ministry to those who were at CWI at the beginning of it.) Do not stop prophesying to the dead bones. Speak to them. They will come alive. (Various people in the congregation shared testimonies.) Jay: It takes action to keep the fires stirred up. We will pick up steam as we go.
Retune Your Sensitivity
God wants to use CWI in God’s healing ministry. Expect God to use you in praying, healing, and giving words. It is harvest time. We all reap the harvest. We represent Jesus, not being ashamed of the Gospel. The Greater One lives in us. We are anointed. God crowns us. Be sensitive to His leadership. He still loves people. We must be yielded and willing. Faith comes by hearing the Word. We carry Jesus. We should reveal Him. We walk by faith. Faith pleases God. No devil can stop your doing God’s will. His name is above every other name. Let the glory of God shine through you. You have what it takes to change this nation. This is your appointed time. Stand up and do what you have not done before. Our nation needs us to show Jesus and the answer to all the problems. We are the answer, because we are the body of Christ. We carry the Spirit. Romans 8:26-30. Christians should reflect the love of Jesus. We should be like Jesus. He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Our assignment is to do the will of God for us. We were called to do what we cannot do in the natural. We are called to do the supernatural, because we are not of this world system. We are called according to His purpose, which is to get people saved. We are to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is His will. We are predestined, called, justified, glorified to do His way. The anointing comes from the head (Jesus). (Psalm 133:1). In the CWI “house” people should see a house of prayer, the generator and power house of intercession. Prayer will propel you into what He has prepared you for. This world needs to see the real Jesus in the church. We need each other. God is in us. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:14-18). We represent Jesus. He is love. We are to be in love. He who fears has not been made perfect in love. He is aligning us to conform us to Him. We are being made into His image. Where are we headed? We need to know our destination, so we can plan our journey. Cooperate with the vision of this house (CWI). We all must operate in the sensitivities. We have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren (1 John 3:14). God’s grace is enough. Do not hold back the goods to those who are in need. We are not alone. One broken link in the chain can stop everything. Love in deed and in truth. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things. We must do it His way. Have the right attitude in what you do. Have a right heart, and give from a right heart. Repent! God wants us, individually and corporately, to clean up the church. Check up on your heart. Our hearts must be connected. Rightly divide the Word. We are desperate without Him. If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. We ask. We receive, because we keep His commandments, obey, and follow His plan. Prayer makes a difference in a region. We need to know what we are called to do. We are possessed with the Holy Spirit. There are some things we need to clean up in our lives. Those things can cause us to lose our sensitivity. Meditate on the Word of God (1 Timothy 1). What is God saying to us? CWI’s assignment is to change the world. Do your part. The end (aim, purpose) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. All things are possible to those who believe. Together as one we are in agreement with Him. We will not settle for what the devil wants to do. We must come together as one, moving with sensitivity, and a pure heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We are a pattern of mercy. Love never fails. Stay full of love. Paul tells Timothy, I want you to walk in victory and whatever God has called you to do (1 Timothy 1:15-18). The good warfare is having faith and a good conscience. We sometimes do not see the fulfillment of a prophecy, because we are in a war. We have to do our part. By ignoring their conscience, their faith has shipwrecked. An exercise for us to do: Acts 24:16 Say: “I strive to always have a conscience void of offense toward God and men.” Other Scriptures: Titus 1:15; Romans 9:1; Psalm 139:24; 26; Mark 4:9. We need to hear the Holy Spirit, but we will not hear Him if we have a polluted conscience or if we are distracted. What stops the sensitivity is offense. What deep things are in me? (There were words about an umbrella that is being expanded over this (CWI) house; increased and changed influence; higher level of flow of revelation; dimension of truth being released to open hearts; price that comes with responsibility; more things to be responsible for; watchmen on the wall; the voice of authority will increase with a new level of power and demonstration; your words will carry more weight than they did in the past; things will change many times and almost immediately, like speaking to the tree or mountain; the tongue’s power is for blessing or curse; God has held back because of His mercy when we have cursed. We become responsible because of what He has shown us. Watch your words. Hold your tongue, if you need to. Out of your bellies will flow rivers of living water upon the people. His life will spring forth from our lips. The authority has changed. The anointing has risen. Speak to the atmosphere. Speak to the things that distract and hold back. Use your voice to be heard, in faith and authority. I will take you into the place of the dream, and when you wake, it will be as though you have already done it. Walk it out one day at a time. Release and don’t hold back the words I lay within your heart. Bring forth My blessing and speak My Word over the circumstances over this region. My Word will prevail, and it will not fail. You’ve know that I would confirm My Word. It will accomplish what I please. There are some things that I please to do. There are some changes that must come to pass. Prepare yourselves to be a voice to speak the things that will bring change and bring in the harvest.) With responsibility comes authority. (There were personal words: a relationship that has been going through things- pain, destruction; God is healing that. Fear because of pain in your body; that is not the truth; put it in its place; you don’t have the spirit of intimidation; the pain and inflammation is a strategy to get you to doubt; you will see the hand of My power in this hour; what which was on your family will not come on you. More children in this hour; prepare yourselves to teach and minister; they won’t know anything; to help their families to raise My children. Intercessors: believe for a harvest of children; they will watch how you raise your children. Lady concerned about her husband’s well-being; God is working underneath the natural; God is still flowing and showing who He is; God will take care of the situation and give you your heart’s desire; don’t underestimate what I can do if you will be obedient to Me to do what God shows you to do, God will be able to take care of your front door, because you watch God’s back door. A couple is to get ready for another child; make the adjustments in your heart; it’s the season and time for new life to come; prepare; be open and willing because it’s going to come.) A pure heart, a clean conscience, and sincere faith. Pastor Syd: The more you wait on Him, the faster He can accomplish what He wants.
Rocky – The Mystery of the Body of Christ: Working Together Ron – You Are Not Here, But There
Offering Message (Jay Stoltzfus): Philippians 4:10, 19. Believe God to receive more. The blessing is not just for us but for the people we are ministering to. Pastor Jay shared how God turned an $8,000 mistake into a $20,000 blessing. Pastor Syd Ropp: Those who hear the Word and keep it are blessed (Luke 11). Be careful how you hear and do it. Ask, seek, and knock. How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Daily ask the Father to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Sermon Message (Rocky Veach): God is building His body on the earth. We are to do His will. Matthew 17. The key words are “mystery” and “workings”. The church is a mystery, a secret society, but we have made it common. There are more than 30,000 denominations. The real church is mysterious, and it will overcome. We are to know Him. We are to love. There is only one church. Rocky shared his testimony about a small church near his grandmother’s house. He was drawn to that mysterious place at the age of four. The Lord drew him; it was a mystery, and that is what drew him when he was eighteen years old. The church is the force that restrains. We must know God and recover the church, one person at a time, one church at a time. The church is “the call”. The church is about the call to follow Jesus Christ together, to come out into public together. It is not a building. We just keep doing church. Jesus paid the price. Is Jesus in the body? What are we gifted to do? What have You called us into to do? Solve problems in the spirit realm with God and come to Jesus. The mindset of Jesus is found in Acts. Jesus shows how to teach people the mystery of God. Jesus used the word “church” at a place of iniquity, a place where the fallen angels had come down and corrupted mankind (Matthew 16:13). He came to tell them how to stop the mystery of iniquity. Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, and Peter said that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Right now being an agnostic is the thing. That just means people who have some knowledge, wisdom, and religion, but are without God. Many people will fall away from the faith, if they do not have the Word in them. God works through the Word. It works in the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Be in the Word all the time. Truth in your life enables you to detect deception. There are many wrong spirits in the church today. We should want what is God’s will. God deliver me from me. We should want the mysterious church, the church that is led by the Spirit of God. We should not do what we want to do. With faith all things are possible, so that we can be the real church. The remnant church is the underground church. The underground church in China is not free to worship, but they are sending out missionaries. They are willing to take the land and die if needed. (He talked about The Heavenly Man and The Underground Church.) Help us. We want to do God’s will. Deal with your heart first. We must have the Word, the Spirit, and the body of Christ. This is the mystery of godliness, the mystery of faith. Who do you say Jesus is? Jesus was saying that He was the man to help mankind and to stand in the gap for us. We must hear from God. We are built to succeed spiritually and militarily. We have the keys in Him, but we must think like God. In Revelation 1:9 John was in prison because he was a Christian and shared the testimony of Jesus Christ. We should be out in the world to preach the truth. There can be trouble when you preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep going in following God’s call. Follow Him and trust in Him. Be a Joshua, Caleb, or a David. John was in the Spirit. It is like we are not really here, but we are there (Revelation 1:10). “We’re not really here, but we’re there.” The Bible says we are Jesus! As He is, so are we. We are His body. He raised us up together. It is a mystery, because we do not know how that can be true. God was in Christ. We should speak the Gospel. It is powerful and mysterious. God spoke to John that He is the beginning and the end. John turned to see the voice Who spoke to him, and he saw seven golden candlesticks. He saw the glory of God and the anointing of God. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). The first thing John saw was the church before he saw Jesus. What God fulfills, He does through the real, mysterious church. Our job is a high calling. His grace is a burden of responsibility that works by faith. We should let His grace work through us. When we are in Jesus, there is a revelation of the church in Him. God wants us to come back to Him. God is calling you. Answer your call. What is the way You are showing me? When we see You, we shall be like You. Ron Cohn: The way the Father sees things if that we are no longer here, but there. We are to see things eternally, not temporally. As you have walked life facing problems and care, you realize now you are no longer here, but there. As you walked in the earth, and Satan tried to get you to stare, you realize now you are no longer here, but there. As you walked in the earth, sometimes weather that was bad, and weather that was fair, you now realize you are no longer here, but there. When things seemed short, and there was not enough to share, you realize now you are no longer here, but there. The day that you gather around the throne, and there’ll be no care nor fear, you will no longer be there, but here. Bob Hawk: God wants to activate the stirring of the healing anointing in the CWI body. We will need to step out in uncomfortable situations. Jesus taught, preached, and healing. God anointed Jesus, and He healed all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). Act on what you believe. Think, if the house was burning, you’d get everyone out. We are to take out the good news. We need to help others. There are places we need to be for divine appointment and assignments. Walk out of your comfort zones. Separate yourself so you can know your sonship and the maturity that He is calling you to. Maturity is walking by His Spirit and listening to God’s voice. He will show us what to do, if we pay attention to Him. We have to lay down the sin. He has instructed us. Our part is to submit and obey to His voice. Things are subject to change very quickly in this nation. His healing virtue shall flow from your hands. Lay your hands on the sick, and they will recover in the name of Jesus Christ. God has called you to Himself. Ask, seek, and knock. God wants to visit us as a church. There is a spiritual fire in you. Expect to receive the tangible presence of God’s healing power and for signs following. Step out if you hear a word. He has anointed us to be His hands. It is the hour.