The five-fold ministry is to equip the saints to do the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). We as the body of Christ need to do what we are called to do. As Shane obeyed God’s direction to go to missions in Russia, the Lord revealed more of what that entailed. Be in the place where you are to be, and He will reveal more to you. Church life is to be the place of true life and joy. What expectation do you bring when you come to a church service? If a part of the body is hurting, it affects the other parts. It is the same in the body of Christ. Psalm 133:1 tells how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Paul talked about trying to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). There is one body, one Spirit, and we were called in one hope of our calling. John 17:11 and 18-21 again stresses the importance of the unity of the believers. Jesus prayed for His disciples, including us, to be one. Ephesians 5 is about unity in marriage. The body of Christ is fitly joined together (Ephesians 4:16). Ed Cole, who ministered mainly to men, said that everything God does is according to a pattern and based on a principle of God’s kingdom. Look for patterns of identification, involvement, investment, and increase. Each one has a specific role to play in the body of Christ. When someone is persecuting us, do we see that person as God sees them? Do we see their need for salvation? Increase is for God’s glory. When one member suffers, the others suffer, too. Prayer is based on covenant. Religion is based on works. Believers should come together, each one doing his or her work. What are we expecting God to do when we come together? Weeds need to be taken out by the root. Get rid of bad things at the root. Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He attacks the roots of your identification in Christ. Christ places people in the body as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:18). We need to pray for the ministry of reconciliation and reconciling the world to Christ. The world will know that we are Christ’s disciples if we have love for one another (John 13:34-35). Division comes at kingdom, city, and house level. Reconciliation comes by repentance. Right now the USA seems divided in many ways, including division in the church. There are bigger things at stake. Some people identify greatly with sports. Satan will use what you identify with to get access. We have to judge ourselves. There is so much at stake. Do not be so preoccupied with your own affairs that you do not see the bigger picture. God wants unity, but not at the expense of compromise. There are hand-off areas, such as priorities. Look at experiences in light of truth. When the church was in one accord, there was increase and miracles. Remain faithful. You will not miss out when you are in His will. LOVE is the key to unity. People are messy, but without people there can be no increase. Keep the big picture for a big family.
Unity in the Church
To Know God
When God gives an assignment, it is not contingent on finances or natural conditions. Just be obedient. (Gene had a PowerPoint presentation of his trip to Siberia’s and Russia’s Teen Challenge Centers.) The authority of God must take a high priority in our lives. We need a submissive heart, approaching God with purity and a heart of humility and teachability. What is the most important thing in my life? Gene answered, “To know God.” Paul said that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:20, 21). Where is your passion level for your relationship with God? Gene commented that his wife, Kathleen, gave her life to reflect God to reach him. The psalmist said in Psalm 73:25 that there is none he desired beside God. Desire to know Him more. Do you want to know Him or just to know about Him? We have a choice to serve God or Satan. Lucifer was once a beautiful praiser and worshiper, but he decided he did not need God, and in fact, wanted to be above Him. He got into pride. There are times in our lives when we walk in pride and other times we want to please God. Revival starts in our hearts as we desire God and to know Him. It takes our stepping toward Him. Luke 10:27 tells us to love Him with all our heart, strength, mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Deuteronomy 6:5, 6 is the Scripture that Luke’s word was taken from. The Jews wore on their foreheads and arms a reminder of their love for God. Do you yearn for God? See the world through the desire to know God more. We are to seek His face and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). Can we filter everything out of our lives, and just love Him?
Gifts of the Spirit
Sermon: The teaching on the gifts of the Spirit is found in 1 Corinthians 12. The gift of tongues is not the same as praying in tongues or praying in the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit benefit others. Praying in tongues or in the Spirit is your spirit praying to God. It spiritually builds up the person who is praying (1 Corinthians 14:2-4, 14; Jude 20). When you pray in the Spirit, you speak mysteries, because it is praying in the spirit realm, which affects the natural realm. Praying in tongues opens the gate to the gifts of the Spirit, and it helps you become more sensitive and built up in the Spirit of God. The gift of tongues is speaking to people and must be interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:6). We are to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. Ask the Lord to use you in the spiritual gifts. All things are to be done for edification. Do not be afraid to step out in moving in the gifts of the Spirit. The Bible tells us to be eager to prophesy and not forbid speaking with tongues. The gifts have not passed away and neither have the five-fold ministry gifts (1 Corinthians 14:29-33, 39; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31). Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will come to an end, when the “perfect” comes, meaning when we are face to face with Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). We are to all speak in tongues and prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5). Offering message: Matthew 6:25-34 tells us to seek God first, and then the other things hinge on that. Ask Him for your needs. Pastor Syd testified about how the Lord provided great increase immediately after he and Jen prayed specifically this week. Rely on God.
The First Principle of Faith
Mark 11:12-24. Jesus spoke to the fig tree and cursed it loudly enough His disciples heard it. They remembered what He had said the next day, when Peter noticed it was dead from its roots. Many translations say that we are to have faith in God, but the correct translation is that we are to have the faith of God, or more exactly, faith the way God has faith. God created by speaking words. It was not faith in God that had to do with the fig tree miracle. It does not say, “Believe in God.” It was faith in what He said. Jesus immediately increased the level of what to believe for from a fig tree to a mountain. What are we to believe in? We are to believe that those things that we say shall come to pass. Jesus responded to the fig tree. We are to answer circumstances that “talk” to us by speaking and believing what we speak. Romans 4:16 and 17 are about calling the things that be not as though they were. It is NOT calling things that are as though they are not. That is denial, not faith. Jesus taught by: 1) the examples in His life, 2) examples from circumstances in parable form, and 3) by His teaching. Jesus’ examples are: 1) SPEAK TO THE PROBLEM, even small things. 2) HE SPOKE THE END RESULT, the desired outcome. 3) THE ANSWER BEGINS IN THE UNSEEN REALM, the spiritual realm. Go to the roots. The words that you speak and that you believe in, make things happen, good or bad. 4) NEGATIVE WORDS ARE A CURSE. We do not want to curse ourselves. You have to believe what you say, mean what you say, and say what you mean. Jesus took a circumstance to teach a parable. He went from a fig tree to a mountain. He wanted Peter to see how faith in your words can move mountains. We can apply this principle of faith to our desires. There are no limits to your faith. Use your faith for everything you desire. You can only receive from faith for those things you desire that are scriptural. What you say shall come to pass, the result being either life or death, because both are in the power of your tongue. You will eat the benefit of it. James three calls the tongue a rudder. 5) EXPAND YOUR FAITH TO THE MOUNTAINS. Seven lessons from Jesus’ teachings: 1) WHOSOEVER WILL SAY CAN USE FAITH. 2) SPEAK TO THE PROBLEM. Use your words. Speak to your wallet, or whatever is lacking. 3) SPEAK THE END RESULT. Do not speak denial, but affirm the Word of God so faith can come. Confession unto faith comes before confession of faith. 4) DO NOT WAVER. Stay the course, without doubting. Apostle Dale told of how he used his words when he was poisoned by a chef in Armenia. After being violently sick and getting a terrible rash, he spoke to his body. Shortly afterward he ministered to a Muslim man in Turkey who was burned with boiling water on his chest. Apostle Dale slapped the man so hard he fell to the floor. When he got up, he was totally healed, twelve Muslims were born again, and later Apostle Dale realized that the rash all over his body was gone! 5) BELIEVE IT IN YOUR HEART. Faith is not a product of intellect. Reasoning is not faith because reasoning is not in a person’s heart. It must be heart faith. 6) BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY WILL COME TO PASS, AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM. 7) DESIRE. When Apostle Dale wrote down his answered prayers, he saw that the common denominator was desire. 8) Recognize that when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE IT NOW, AND YOU WILL HAVE IT. Apostle Dale told of being in bed with severe asthma. He realized that healed people do what healed people do, so he shuffled out of bed and decided to go for a run, since football season was coming. He quoted the Word, gained strength and breath, and ran for eight miles! [He had a word for Kyle.]
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Praying in the Spirit
Offering message: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. Our souls should be prospering (3 John 2). Be cheerful when you give. Grace is God’s ability and empowerment on your behalf. God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. God want to bless you so you can excel in every good work. He will supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruit of your righteousness. Generosity causes thanksgiving through us to God. Sermon: 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. Praying in the Spirit is not the same as the gift of tongues. The Corinthians were using the spiritual gifts. You cannot say and mean, “Jesus is Lord!” except by the Spirit of God. We need to desire the gifts of the Spirit coming through us. God works it, we do not. It is as He wills, supernaturally, to minister to someone. People, who are ministered to by the gifts of the Spirit, will magnify and glorify God. We allow our comfort zone and fear to stop us from operating in the gifts of the Spirit. Do not discount that God can use you. Earnestly desire the best gifts, which are the ones that are needed at the time. You do not get the gift if you do not earnestly desire it. The better way of walking in the gifts is love. Faith works through love. Perfect love casts out all fear. It takes courage to stand out and use the gift, when you might possibly miss it. Paul exhorts us to desire spiritual gifts and above all that we may prophesy. We speak to God in an unknown (to us) language. He speaks mysteries in the Spirit. When we pray in the Spirit, it is in a tongue to the Lord, not for or to people. When a person prophesies, it is to edify, exhort, and comfort. Praying in tongues is prayer to God alone and edifies and builds up the praying individual. In a public setting, speaking out in tongues, which is for men to hear, must be interpreted and equals prophecy. The tongue may be interpreted by the same person or someone else. If you pray in tongues, not to be heard in a public setting, your spirit prays, but your understanding is unfruitful, so you can pray for the Spirit to give the understanding (in English). Praying in the Spirit means praying in tongues. When you do not know what to pray for, praying in the Spirit goes past your wisdom and understanding (1 Corinthians 2:6-12). The gift of tongues must be interpreted [not translated]. God may give several the interpretation for a given tongue. Jude 20 tells us to build our spirits up. How do you strengthen your spirit? You do not listen to the flesh. You get the Word into you, and you pray in tongues. Your soul follows after your spirit-man or your flesh. Which one are you going to feed? If you feed the Spirit, the soul follows. If you feed the flesh, the body follows. Attach a new habit, like praying in the Spirit, with an already established one. Pray in the Spirit often.
Trust and Desire
Psalm 1:2 tells of a person who delights in the law of the Lord. Look at the Word, and you will delight in it. If you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). God gives you desires in your heart. Sometimes desire comes masked as anger at injustice. Anger at a situation is actually a desire for justice. The Lord told Apostle Dale, “I have called you to be Harry Hopkins.” Harry Hopkins saved western civilization and England by stopping Hitler. He was a failed social worker, went through a divorce, and was literally homeless when Roosevelt took him into the White House. Kennedy was ambassador to England and was trying to sabotage the communication between Churchill and Roosevelt, because he believed Hitler was going to win. Roosevelt became suspicious that he was not being told the truth, so he sent Harry Hopkins to Churchill and asked him to accommodate Harry. Harry responded to Roosevelt that Churchill had the situation handled and that we should fight this war and maintain a trusting relationship between Churchill and the United States. Harry had trust. The Lord said that Apostle Dale is Harry Hopkins. Do not ever underestimate what God will do in your life, the value of a child, or the investment of your time and tears. Have fun with God. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act to bring it to pass. Andrew Wommack came to their church in Corey, Pennsylvania in 1993. Andrew told Dale that he needs to dream bigger. Apostle Dale thought that what their church did by having Andrew there was big. Now, if he could change anything, he would dream bigger. When he was dreaming about playing football, it did not seem like a sacrifice to run his trap-line in heavy leather boots or to lift weights. He was obsessed with football and winning. It is not wrong to dream bigger. Of course, we are talking about righteous things. Dream bigger about your business, children, or vacation. The things that perk in you are there because God put them there. Many millionaires did wonderful things with their money. Do not be afraid to follow your dreams. When Proverbs 18:1 is translated rightly, desire is a positive thing. Desire allows you to make choices of priority so you end up with what you desire. Apostle Dale shared about his desire to play football and his focused work to fulfill that dream, even though he had obstacles. Desire takes over and will purify your intentions and priorities. Let God’s desires grow in you. You get rid of the impediments, and you find yourself with people of similar dreams and read books about your desire. Offering: God is a giver. We give from a heart of love. Austin and Cathy Ginder shared about becoming involved in foster care – what it entails, why it is needed, how it works, and how you can help.
Seasons-2
Prophet Tim ministered prophetically in song. There are many seasons that we go through. We need to understand the season we are in. In the times of expectancy, between the sowing and the reaping, there is a time when fear tries to arise, like a couple right before they are getting married. Tim shared about the seasons in the church his parents pastored and then he pastored. There were waves of people coming and going. In the new season that we are in, we need to walk through with the same trust in God that got us to where we are. Using a box of tissues, Tim demonstrated how he took the prophetic words given to him and allowed himself to package the picture of his life, which was not really God’s package. Because of it, he missed God’s desire for him. Decide to align with His desire for the next season. We are here with purpose. Can I go forward in the purposes of God? May we not get weary.
Prophecy: Get Ready for the Coming Harvest
Prophet Tim Byler prophesied in song and taught prophetically to the CWI congregation about the coming harvest. We are responsible for the atmosphere for the coming harvest. When Joshua went to Jericho, as the first conquest after the years in the wilderness, God told the Israelites to burn everything but to take the metals that were the gods of the people of Jericho and to spare the household of the harlot, Rahab. The metals were consecrated for the tabernacle, and Rahab let go of her past life. The way we used to reach people does not work now. We need to not touch their sin, but love the people, and let God bring the conviction. We cannot treat the coming harvest by “burning their houses” and “confiscating their idols.” We need to see what God sees in the people who will be coming. The enemy will try to use what we see, so we must see what God sees and values in them. There is a caution: Because we judge what we see, our atmosphere internally goes to warfare against what is not to our standard. Harvesting and working with the people who are coming will be hard work. Sinners see the church as their opposition. We are not going to address their sin, but to love them, love justice, and walk humbly before our God. We need to open our hearts. Most have been abused at a very young age. We need to see God in the situation, rather than just seeing the situation. We can be the church that loves the unloved. Oswald Smith said that no one has the right to hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once. Tim shared how he just talks to people and shows love. Twelve guys came to Jesus as a result of his talking to one man. Do not let someone’s sin offend you. We are commanded to love. Let God work out the requirements. God is putting in front of us people no one wants. Everyday you can change the atmosphere for those unloved people. Ask for compassion for the lost and to see the beauty inside each person. God will send the desperate, hurting, and unloved. We will show them who God is and the value, hope, and beauty in them. Show mercy and grace. You have no right to a harvest that you have judged. There was a time of repentance and commitment to see the people who are coming as Jesus sees them. Let us hear the cry of the hurting, sense their desperation, and move with compassion. God, set us free so we can set others free. The spirit of the evangelist is rising in us. He had prophetic words for Pastor Demeke and Pastor Syd and Jen. Count the ones who walk in. Do not judge when someone shifts. Some will not be able to walk with the pastor through this.
Seasons-1
Our challenge is to see beyond what we can see, do, and understand. The body of Christ goes through seasons. We know about sowing and reaping, but it is in the in-between seasons that we can get hit with all kinds of things that could bring on fear. There are other seasons: preparation for sowing, the season between the sowing and the harvesting, the time after the reaping that requires dealing with the harvest so it does not go bad. Prophet Tim prophesied over the CWI congregation, Pastor Syd and Jen Ropp and various other church members. He prophesied a re-awakening and a remnant of those who fear God’s name. He spoke that we are to go after those no one wants and that CWI is going to be a drawing place of needy people. It is going to be a house of healing, mercy, and love.
Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, and Revival
Text: Joel 1:14; 2:1-3:21. What was for the Jews is for us, since we are grafted in. We are to call for repentance. Pray for the bigger picture, God’s picture, to be developed. Real change comes when it comes to our hearts. Even though we have sinned, the Lord restores us. Keep a long-term perspective. Pastor Syd and Jen had missionaries from Ephesus, Turkey visiting them this week. They shared about the many Muslims who experienced dreams of Jesus appearing to them, and then they, the missionaries, lead them to Jesus. A neighboring land-and-shop-owner had a dream of Jesus ten years ago, and he gave his life to Jesus through the missionaries. A student at the university in the city got saved, and when the missionaries asked what his father would do when he told his about his conversion, the student said he did not know. In the meantime, the father had a dream about Jesus’ saying to him, “Follow Me.” He said he would, but that He had to tell his wife. The same night his wife had a dream about Jesus’ saying to her, “Follow Me.” She said she would, but that He had to tell her husband. In the morning they struggled with how they were going to tell the other, and after doing so, they prayed, “You will have to tell our son.” God is so good! Pray for your neighbors to have dreams of Jesus. The Lord told Pastor Syd in June that in three months he would be going to Ephesus at the end of September. Pray for hearts to be prepared. We are to be witnesses here at home, in our region, in similar cultures, AND to the uttermost places in the earth. (We spent time in corporate prayer.)
A Biblical Perspective on Racism
There is really one race, the human race, but there are many ethnicities. The problem of racism cannot be fixed by government or other natural means. There is currently more focus on racism, which brings fear and makes it more of an issue. [What you fear, you empower.] Racism is a sin issue. People need the love of Christ. We are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God set apart the race of Jews to be priests, but Jesus made us one in Him. Galatians 3:28 says that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, or male nor female. All have equal rights to the kingdom of God. Prejudice can be based on ethnicity, race, or income. The problem is based on sin. It must be addressed at the root. Jesus died for each person. We need to focus on bringing the Word. See people as God sees them. Our instruction on how to walk in these times is found in Philippians 2:3,4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.God is not a respecter of persons but a respecter of faith. Prejudice is also a result of selfishness. We are to honor everyone (1 Peter 2:17), forgive those who have wronged us with words and attitudes of prejudice, love others without hypocrisy, detest evil, cling to what is good, look for truth, serve the Lord, and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21).
A Biblical Perspective on Racism (full service)
(Tongues and an interpretation were given: God’s heart is for us. He raised us up to be His warriors. Will you take up the challenge to do His Word? Will you take up the challenge to speak to others about Him?) (Levi Lapp shared about an upcoming mission trip to Guatemala in December.) Sermon: There is really one race, the human race, but there are many ethnicities. The problem of racism cannot be fixed by government or other natural means. There is currently more focus on racism, which brings fear and makes it more of an issue. [What you fear, you empower.] Racism is a sin issue. People need the love of Christ. We are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God set apart the race of Jews to be priests, but Jesus made us one in Him. Galatians 3:28 says that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, or male nor female. All have equal rights to the kingdom of God. Prejudice can be based on ethnicity, race, or income. The problem is based on sin. It must be addressed at the root. Jesus died for each person. We need to focus on bringing the Word. See people as God sees them. Our instruction on how to walk in these times is found in Philippians 2:3,4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.God is not a respecter of persons but a respecter of faith. Prejudice is also a result of selfishness. We are to honor everyone (1 Peter 2:17), forgive those who have wronged us with words and attitudes of prejudice, love others without hypocrisy, detest evil, cling to what is good, look for truth, serve the Lord, and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21).
Foundations of a Godly Nation
Psalm 127:1 tells us that unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. The same principles for a godly government apply to a godly individual, home, family, and business. People must ask for God’s aid. It is both an individual and corporate choosing God’s help and doing His will (Joshua 24:15). Those who were composing the constitution could not agree on it until Ben Franklin reminded them that they depended on prayer to God to give them the Declaration of Independence and to win the war. After praying, the Constitution was written. Apostle Dale is working right now on helping the Ukrainian government draft a constitution based on Biblical principles. Our nation’s government was founded on Biblical principles. William Penn, for whom Pennsylvania is named, had a frame of government. A government of integrity is one that is whole and morally complete. Only a small percentage of pastors preach and actually believe the Word. People have to want a government of integrity. The essential first steps are to establish the vision (a nation that looks like what wants it to be), the goal (a self-government requires that people live by God’s ways), and the authority. We answer as individuals, families, civil governments, and church governments. The existence of government is God’s idea and plan. God works through nations. The empowerment of government is from and of God through Jesus Christ. The effectiveness of government and the blessings of the nation are linked to the degree of our obedience to God’s commands. We understand the nature and role of God from Revelation 21:6; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 103:19. The nature of God is that He is sovereign, the Creator of all things, the sustainer of all life, and the supreme authority. He has created and delegated man’s authority over the earth and equipped man with skills. The nature of man is that he is sinful from birth, depraved, and does not naturally do what is right, except the Spirit of God moves in him. The purpose of government is to enact justice, to praise those who do good, and to punish those who do evil. The purpose of the law (1 Timothy 1:9) is to establish the framework for those things having to do with justice and was made for law-breakers, those who think they are above God’s law. The natural tendency of government is to consolidate control and power to violate God’s purpose (Genesis 9:1; 11:1-9) and to replace God. The components of Biblical justice (Isaiah 59:14) are truth and mercy. The requirements for maintaining a republic are responsible citizens and integrity in office. There is a need to build in safeguards (Isaiah 33:22) because the nature of man is selfish and greedy and because of the concept of accountability is God’s idea. There is a need to biblically educate (Proverbs 22:6; Joshua 4:19-24). Parents must biblically train up their children, and fathers must continually affirm God’s blessing and His role in their lives. We must understand the need for prayer (Psalm 127:1; 1 Kings 8:54-60; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is the Lord who raises up a nation, a family, a business, and an individual. The building and maintaining of a government of integrity is spiritually-achieved. How intently do we desire a government of integrity? It is all about the focus on the souls of men. Satan tries to get us away from doing the work of God. Change can come when we repent of and confess our sins. Then we can have lives of integrity.
Desire Spiritual Gifts
Texts: Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12. Seek and set your minds on what is above. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Keep the perspective of what is important. The heavenly things are the real things. Do not be unaware of spiritual gifts. Speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, no one can call Jesus Christ accursed. The Holy Spirit gives the gift, the person ministers it, and the Lord completes the work. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one to produce what is beneficial to all. We are to earnestly desire the best gifts. The Holy Spirit comes in you when you receive Jesus as your Lord. The Holy Spirit comes upon you for you to minister to others. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you to minister to others and for you to be a witness. The word of wisdom is for the future. The Holy Spirit tells you something you do not know in the natural when He operates the word of knowledge. The gift of special faith, God’s faith, goes beyond your own faith, which you have by the hearing of the Word. There are the gift of healings, workings of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues (not the same as your prayer tongues), and interpretation of tongues. The gifts of the Spirit are not activated by peoples’ wills but by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Other than different tongues and interpretation of tongues, the other seven gifts operated in the Old Testament. The gifts of the Spirit are grouped into the revelation gifts, the power gifts, and the speaking gifts.
Contentment
Pre-sermon notes: There is a spirit of man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding. We have authority to bind and loose and have the spirit of seeing and of knowledge. Why was it necessary for not one bone of Jesus’ body to be broken? 1) Jesus had to be fully dead when the Roman soldiers checked Him. 2) It would have violated the Word. 3) The Word had to be fully fulfilled.
Sermon: Contentment in the Spirit is not wanting anything but God. Seek God first, and then other things will be added to you. The lack of contentment in the body of Christ gives Satan a great opening into our lives. God wants our lives full and joyful. Unforgiveness and sin are other doors for Satan, but discontentment is a big one. Discontentment is unrest, apathy, a loss of passion for God, an unbalanced focus, and a critical, judgmental, and fault-finding spirit. Let God inspire (being God-breathed) and teach you. Enjoy Him. Proverbs 11:1 tells about the abomination of false balances. Contentment affects everything in you, such as your attitude. Do not look to the world for confirmation. Balance is very important. Learn how to combine the spiritual and the natural. Adam was operating in both the spiritual and natural realms simultaneously. There is redemption for animals. They were innocent in the curse brought on by Adam. Jesus is the last Adam, and He will redeem the creatures. Discontentment comes through people and situations to show you what you do not have. Contentment shows you what you do have. There is no such thing as blind faith. Walk by faith, seeing faith. Discontentment is a task-master and is ungrateful. It makes you a slave. Contentment is grateful and appreciative. Be spiritually-minded. Would to God that we had been content (Joshua 7:7). Possessions do not make you godly. Gaining is not godliness. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:1-6). Paul said that whatever state he was in, he was content (Philippians 4:11). It is not the things that you have that produce contentment. Possessions do not equal contentment. God is the source of our joy, not possessions. To be content is to be satisfied- sufficient, raise a barrier (archeo). Put up a barrier of contentment. Discontentment is self-serving and is about me. Our joy is because of God, and then we bring it to other people. Joy is spiritual. We cannot expect others to make us happy. Godly contentment serves God and others and brings you into the rest of God. Prepare your life for God. Jesus is your source (Philippians 4:19). Discontentment drives you to long for something else. Contentment keeps you on course and will ensure the growth and maturity of the fruit of the Spirit. God is our Shepherd, and He has already supplied all things. He daily loads us with good things (Psalm 68:19). He took the weight of sin, guilt, and darkness off of us. Now we can carry the weights of the benefits of God that lift us up. There is no lack in heaven. He is our provider (Matthew 6:9).
Fasting and Prayer for Change
God wants the Body of Christ to be in unity. We need to be built up by reading the Word and Christian books and listening to teachings and sermons. Chapter two of Zephaniah is a call to repentance, seeking God, seeking righteousness, and seeking humility. It may be that we will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger. [We watched Kenneth Copeland ministering at the 2016 Southwest Believers’ Convention. He spoke about a great outpouring, great reconciliation between God’s people and between nations, a great move of God, and great change coming to North America. There will be changes in the people and in the mechanical structure of this planet. God has heard the heartfelt prayers of His people. We are to rest in Him, pray, hold fast before Him, pay attention to the Spirit, and pray in the Spirit. God is moving now, and things will not look like it looks now. The awakening is here. There will be change between now and the political conventions. God’s people who harken and follow Him can walk in the most prosperous times. For those who refuse Him, it will get worse and worse. More is coming that is disastrous. Walk by faith and the disaster will go around and over you. Stay in the Word. Stay in love. Stay in faith. He loves us. Walk in His love. Do not allow strife in your house. It is the most dangerous serpent. Serve God with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things, and you will walk free. The angels get excited when they can work for the Creator, but they only do what we have faith for. Stay in the love of God. Prayer changes things.] The United States is the only country started by people who loved God. Pastor Syd read Isaiah 58-60:5, which tells about the restorer of the wall and building up foundations and fasting and praying. We should be fasting for our nation, for the church, and for the unbelief to be driven out. Be real in your fasting and do it without strife. Prayer and fasting is for today. Paul told the Gentile churches to do it. Joel said that the result of prayer and fasting would be His pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. It was what was happening in the upper room before Pentecost. It is a time of putting God before yourself.
End Time Prophecy
Pastor Syd read through the book of Zephaniah and Haggai. The book of Zephaniah is about the day of the Lord, a call to repentance, judgment on the nations that do not wholeheartedly worship the Lord God, and the faithful remnant. Haggai is also about the shaking of the earth and the glory of God’s house. Zephaniah got a word from the Lord. The day of the Lord is about the destruction and gloom against the nations that worship false gods. It will be a day of great shaking. Hebrews 12:25-29 warns us to not refuse God and Jesus, and that there will be a shaking. What cannot be shaken will remain. What cannot be shaken? It is God’s kingdom. We are to have grace, so that we may serve God with godly fear. God is a consuming fire. Other Scriptures referring to the shaking and day of the Lord are found in: Isaiah 13:13; Haggai 2:6, 7; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-13. The believer will not be caught unaware (1 Thessalonians 5:2-5). We are to earnestly desire the coming day of the Lord. We wait for the new heaven and earth. Therefore, we are to be in peace, bring salvation to the lost, be on your guard, and grow in grace and the knowledge of God. The day of eternity begins on the great day of the Lord. The books of Revelation and Isaiah are books of prophecy, but the events are not written in chronological order. To better understand this period of prophecy, read what Jesus taught about end times, because His teaching is more in chronological order, and then go to the other books of Isaiah and Revelation. The earth will burn and melt away. There is a call to repentance. Bend yourselves together. Yield to the Lord. We still have time at this moment. Seek the Lord, righteousness, and humility. Perhaps you will be concealed on the day of the Lord. Seek God. Ask God what He wants you to do each day. Seek righteousness. Seek to help people to be right with the Lord. Repent for yourself, your church, the universal church, and the nation. Pride and arrogance bring woe to the cities. Think carefully about your ways. God said His house was in ruins, while the people were living in finished houses. The temple was not being rebuilt. We need to honor God with our finances. They should be for God’s purposes. Check yourself. Think about your ways. Am I honoring Him with my time and things? The people obeyed God’s instructions and feared Him. We must hear and do the Word. We cannot walk in our own ways and expect God to bless us. Be strong. Work. Do not quit now. Do not be afraid. God will shake the nations. The gold belongs to Him. In Habakkuk 3:16-19, Habakkuk expresses his confidence in God. Yet will I praise and triumph in the Lord even in the worst of times. I will rejoice in the promises of God. He enables me. Set your mind of things above.
Foundations
Offering sermon: Pastor Syd shared the testimony of giving his firstfruit and reaping a blessing for a new vehicle, and his children sowing a hamster and being given a puppy. God will do what He said He would do. God wants to be the central theme of your day. (There was a word given about coming back to the true and living God, seeking Him, praying for Donald Trump, repentance, revival, and a move of God.) Sermon: Schools in America were started to teach people how to read the Bible, and then the Bible was used to teach other subjects. We have let drop the responsibility for education and government. We must bring change from the inside. Pastor Syd read the Declaration of Independence. Many of the fifty-six signers were Christians. Now the agenda is to remove the how and why of whom we are. We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, according to the Declaration of Independence, but that right is falling away. What rights does the baby in the womb have against abortion? Although the main concern was taxation without representation, there were other abuses that the signers had concerns with, such as religion. For them to stand up and to think they would win against England was like Hawaii taking on a war against all of the U. S. government. How did the colonists do it? There was no way other than by divine help! They were willing to fight for something they believed in. Be thankful for the freedoms we have. Our nation was founded on the rock, but it is now in the sand. We need to pray for and act on what we have been entrusted with. Talk to your representatives and Senators and encourage them. Pastor Syd shared about swimming in the Green River in Utah where there was quicksand in the bottom. If he would have stayed in the quicksand, he would have sunk into death. Our nation is now in quicksand. The time and season we are in is one of praying and acting. Be a person of prayer. Ask God what we are to do, and be willing to obey. Focus and desire God above everything else. Make God the central part of your day. Be the church outside these walls. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4, setting your mind on things above, on those things that have eternal impact. Set your mind of His thoughts. Be moldable to His desires, and then He will give you the desires of your heart. Ask God what is important to Him.
Wisdom
Text: Proverbs 4:1-13. Proverbs four tells us to not forget the Father’s words, which means to meditate on them. Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom and in getting wisdom, get understanding. Receive wisdom and live long. Wisdom and knowledge are the stability. Satan tries to distract Christians. Do not let him distract you from what is important. What is the most important thing? The wisdom of God is the most important thing. It is our responsibility to get wisdom. Wisdom is not intelligence. We are not limited if we are not intelligent. Spirituality by wisdom is attainable. In all your wisdom, get understanding. When you do something in obedience you do not understand, understanding will come. Apostle Dale told of an older mentor who went through five beach-heads in World War II. As a new recruit, he was desperate and thought it was wisdom to watch and do what the man did who had already gone through a beach-head before. The man said, “Somebody’s gonna make it, and it’s gonna be me!” He went to the front of the boat and carried his knife when they hit the beach. Then he used the knife to cut off the backpack. Walk by God’s wisdom, not your own intelligence. Find wisdom from somebody who has been there. Build on the rock foundation (Matthew 7:24-29). Be like a wise man and follow what a wise man is doing. Following the Word of God, works. Hear and implement the Word, because that is wisdom. Act on God’s Word, and understanding will come. Pride of being right is pride in making others wrong. You can be right but not be wise. Wisdom is how you apply knowledge and make it effective. Whatever the cost- time, money, or whatever- get wisdom. There is a cost to wisdom. Wisdom is hard work. It is not intellectualism. Before wisdom comes desire (Proverbs 2:1). Wisdom is available to you if you desire it. Pray for wisdom. Copy Jesus.
Work With the Lord
Our fathers are symbolic of God, the Father. God is the example of a father. Be an example of the Father’s heart. The mark of ministry is working with God (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2). We are not to receive God’s grace in vain. Look, now is the acceptable time. Now is the season. Are you working together with Him? Are you on the job? We do not receive the ministry in vain when we work with Him. We are God’s co-workers (1 Corinthians 3:9). If you do not show up, it slows down what needs to be done, and it affects others. Be faithful. Faithfulness to God is huge to Him. Do as unto the Lord, and value what the Lord values. Work with the Lord. Concerning the gifts of the Spirit, we speak under the inspiration of God. There are different gifts, different administrations, and different activities. Desire the gifts of the Spirit. It is how we work with Him. The Spirit gives the gifts. Jesus administrates them. God brings about the results. God works it. Some Biblical examples of men working with God: Elijah had to go to the brook to be where he would be fed and get water (1 Kings 17). Philip worked with the Lord by obeying to go over to the Ethiopian eunuch’s chariot (Acts 8:26). We work together with God by being obedient. If you need a miracle, there is an act of obedience that goes with it. We have to be listening and acting when He prompts us. Let God bring the result. Cornelius and Peter worked with God to bring about salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-48). We must work with the Lord. Mark 16 tells us to go, preach, teach, and baptize. That is working with the Lord.