Text: Proverbs 3:4-10. When you give, let people know it is from God. Honor the Lord with what you have, not just with your salary. It does not matter how poor or rich you are. Tithe on what you have. Apostle Dale told about a pastor who tithed to Armada. Someone gave the pastor a check to pay off the church building. The Lord told Dale that the pastor was not going to tithe on the increase he had received. We are to tithe on all the increase. We are to trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5). The problem is in any area where we are holding back and not letting go and letting God take it. We need to diagnose ourselves and our lives. Where am I holding back? First, we should get rid of the plank in our own eyes. Do not lean on your own understanding. Do not put any faith in your own perspectives. Find out how to get rid of things. Stop the “whys.” In everything you do, acknowledge God (Proverbs 3:6). Keep the connection of divine guidance. If you do not boldly tell the truth, you are denying the truth. (Dale told about a meeting with an important person. He did not care what the man thought of him, so he told him about the Lord, and the man shared that he understood because he had experienced God’s protection in an international connection.) God will direct your path when you acknowledge Him in all your ways. God has you on His path. (Dale told of an unusual experience on an elevator in Washington, D. C.) Get alone with God and say, “I quit.” Write down all the roles you have, and tell God that you will only pick up the ones He tells you to pick up. Write down what God has done in your life. Count your blessings. Name them. You will see how God has been working and how He gets us to the path we are on now. DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES. Pride is worse than the devil. The more I acknowledge God, the freer I become. Jacob went to Laban and labored fourteen years for the wife he wanted. When he left with his posterity and prosperity, Jacob talked to Laban about his past, how he worked for all he had. He ended by saying to Laban, “and the Lord prospered me.” Whatever you do, acknowledge the Lord in it. Look for the Lord in everything you do. Fear the Lord in your business, relationships, and just walking down the street. (Dale shared how he asked the Lord to remove the people from in front of the monuments he wanted to photograph in Washington.) Acknowledge the Lord.
Trust in the Lord, Lean Not on Your Own Ways, and Acknowledge Him
Loving the Truth
We should value and apply truth and let go of what is not truth. What we believe must come from the Word of God. You have to answer for yourself. Am I grounded in the Word of God? There will be deceptive signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:10-13). People will perish because they do not receive the truth and are sold over to deception. How do we guard our hearts? God gives more grace (James 4:6). The more I put the Word in my mind, the more I have God’s pictures and thoughts. That is the natural way to renew our minds. However, it is by faith that the things that were not possible before, become possible. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). We are in pride when we exalt ourselves above God’s truth. Go to the Word to get your belief. How can you keep yourself from being deceived? Be humble. Be willing to change. Be willing to repent. People who reject God’s truth should weep and mourn in repentance. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. Psalm 51 is David’s showing his heart of humility and repentance, allowing God to move through him. The Lord can use anyone. Pastor Syd, Jon Fike, and Herb Baughman shared testimonies of God’s goodness in financial blessings.
Honor the Lord by Loving Truth
Pray for those who are affected by their loved ones who gave their lives for our freedom. In 1 Samuel 2:30, God says that He will honor those who honor Him. We can know what we honor by what we spend our time and money on. If you honor the Lord, you will honor His Word. If you honor His Word, you honor truth. The Word is the Book of Life. There are 1500 verses about civil government. Public schools were started so people could read the Bible. Children were taught from the Bible. The Word tells us how to handle things. We should go to the Bible to get truth rather than trying to prove that what we believe is truth. The Word of the Lord was rare because the people did not honor the truth (1 Samuel 3:1). We should honor and look favorably on the Word (Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 119:161, 162). We should not compromise the truth (Proverbs 23:23). What truth are you willing to die for? Truth will cost you something. You are compromising when you do not believe the whole truth of God’s Word. Other Scriptures that show the Word is to be valued are: Matthew 13:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. We are warned of a time when people will not look for truth but only for what they desire (1 Timothy 4:3). A Christian should not be a conspiracy theorist. Be wiser than children of darkness and do not be gullible. Think of truth. If people turn away from truth, they turn to myths. John 8:31, 32 tell us that the truth that we know shall make us free. What does the Word say? You must put the Word in you. Luke 8:4-8, 11-15 is the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. The seed is the truth. You may hear it and immediately reject it. You may get excited about it but then backslide. The seed may sprout but other things grow up and choke it out. Or the seed may fall on a good, honest heart which holds on to the truth and bears fruit. The one who endures bears fruit (1 John 2:3-6). Those who abide in Him ought to walk as Jesus did. He loved truth, and He gave His life for truth.
Obedience
Apostle Bruce is an adventurer. He rescues children and adults from slavery. He is currently working on his own TV series and a documentary. Dead people and dead churches need revival in America. Charles Finney said that revival is a new beginning of obedience. He encouraged us to be like his one daughter who is instantly obedient. One act of obedience can change lives and nations. He shared about his obedience to give over his network to God. In seven days it took off like it had not before. He went to Liberia to help a tribe get out of poverty. He discovered that their land has gold and diamonds, which can be used to help them and to advance the kingdom of God. How often do we say “no” to God? He rescues kids in Kenya. It is all about obedience. Go to your neighbors. Give money to someone in need. Disobedience puts us behind where we should be. We need preachers who speak truth. One act of obedience can take you on a journey. Apostle Dale and Bruce went to Ukraine years ago when they did not know the language well, so they prayed for direction, because the only map they had was a prophecy map from Jack van Impe. As a result of that trip, Bruce became Gloria Copeland’s personal protection. Do not be afraid to be obedient. Bruce’s life was changed by a slave boy at a crusade where there were twenty-five thousand people coming to the Lord a day. Because he rescued that boy, he is today rescuing and helping hundreds of others, and Bruce stopped doing crusade and went into rescuing slaves. In 2 Corinthians, we read that we have treasures to be released and revealed. We need to embrace the discomfort zone. God wants to speak through us. The act of obedience is to get the treasure out of us. God wants to use the treasure in you. Obey means to listen attentively and submit, to yield. Yield to God and listen attentively to Him. Do not substitute praying for obedience. The Bible is full of ways to obey, such as love your enemies, do good to those who use you, and bless those who curse you. Revival is renewed conviction of sin and repentance followed by an intense desire to live for God. We repeated a confession of faith.
Ministry of the Supernatural
Desire and expect the truth of God’s Word. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, that is worth selling everything else for (Matthew 13:44; Isaiah 55:1). Do not let go until you are satisfied. We want to be delivered. Bruce gave a word about CWI being like a fire truck slowly going up a hill. The fire truck represents a vehicle of rescue, which accelerates once it gets to the flat area. He saw CWI as having a ministry of rescue for this region. It is about salvation, demonstration, and orchestration. Throughout the service, Bruce operated in the prophetic and had words of encouragement and words of knowledge for people needing healing. God wants to demonstrate Himself.
We are living in Acts 29, the chapter that is still being written. Be obedient and listen. Do what He tells you to do. Take it out of the church [walls]. Ephesians 4 says that the five-fold ministry is to equip the saints to do the work and ministry. Everyone has a God-cause. The only way to do that is to be obedient. Grace and favor reign through righteousness (Romans 5:21). Stay in a place of God’s presence. Go treasure-hunting. Find people and release what God has for them. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word with boldness (Acts 4:29). Have the courage to step forth. A small group can do the work of ministry. All of us are joined and knit together, each one fulfilling his or her God-cause with humility, dying to self, and speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:11-16). God has a mission for you. He has miracles in your mouth and in your hands. Why don’t people operate in the supernatural and miraculous? Because they don’t! We are to go and lay hands on the sick. Get out beyond the comfort zone of the church. All things are possible to those who believe. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you. Bruce told of a time he was ministering in Pakistan to twenty-five thousand people, and the prime minister’s brother was there. He spoke in boldness anyway and released God’s power. God can do miracles through you. Learn the Word. Faith begins where the will of God is known. What stops us? 1) Doubt and unbelief. 2) Tradition. 3) Hardness of heart. 4) Believing that the gifts and the Holy Spirit stopped working with the death of the last apostle (cessationism). 5) Lack of understanding of Biblical truth about healing and prosperity. 6) Undeveloped faith, little faith. 7) Experience or lack of experience. Do not build your belief by experience, but by the Word. The pathway to greater words and the miraculous is to believe in Him and the works that He did (John 14:12). The greatest issue is fear. If you have fear, you do not have love, because perfect love casts out fear. We have power, love, and a sound mind. It is lifestyle and power evangelism. Bruce shared his testimony of becoming angry and weary in ministry to a place where he was thinking carnally instead of blessing his enemies. In Matthew 14:13 the word “ask” means to put a demand on or to command. It is taking authority over the enemy. Religion is wimpy. Jesus gave us the keys and authority. We should be the most joyful people in the world. In His presence there is fullness of joy. We are examples of Jesus Christ. When we get words of knowledge, it is God talking to us. We have all the tools. The devil is under our feet (Ephesians 1:19-22). We are more than conquerors. That means that Jesus fought for us, and we get the prize. You will not be afraid if you are in the will of God. Find God’s will through prayer and the Word of God. There must be a rising up of end-time warriors, who will walk in God’s grace, mercy, and ability. What stops us is unforgiveness (Mark 11:25), the root of bitterness, compromise, and anger.
Honor God with the Truth
The church should communicate truth and be salt. Find out what your school’s policies are. Communicate with your representatives. Fight against unrighteousness. It took eighty years of preachers’ (The Black Regiment) preaching truth in the early colonies before it was put into effect when the Constitution was written. We need to apply the truth to our lives. God’s principles work even for the unsaved. We must live by His principles. Eli, the priest, displeased God by honoring his sons more than he did God (1 Samuel 2:29). Eli knew his sons were sinning against God and His temple, but he did not stop them. God said that He will honor those who honor Him. If you want to be honored, you must honor truth. Honor means “weighty, of value, of great importance.” How do we honor God? We honor Him by honoring what He honors. God cannot lie. There is power in His Word. God made everything. In Isaiah 66:1, 2 God said that He will look favorably on one who is humble and submissive and who trembles at His Word, a person who hurries to keep God’s commands (Psalm 119:57-60). God’s Word is truth. We can rejoice at His Word like one who has found a treasure (Psalm 119:162). The entrance of His Word gives light to those who are humble and open-minded (Psalm 119:130). Buy truth, and do not sell it (Proverbs 23:23). Do not let money pull you away from what is truth. Bribes prevent justice. Do not allow money to buy and pervert justice and truth. How valuable is truth? Are you willing to stand alone for truth? As a church, we must be established on the truth. Truth will cost you something. You may have to choose between truth and family and your friends. How do we know if we have the truth? It is in the Word. If you find a verse, read the context of that verse and search for more than one witness in the rest of the Word. Make sure that what is being said is right in the Scriptures. Be a student of the Word. The deceived ones do not have the love of the truth in them.
Rwanda and Namibia on Assignment from God
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.
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.