Hebrews 6:12 “that you do not become slothful, but follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Apostle Dale told of being 23 years old and speaking to a group of influential Christians in Washington, D. C. The Lord told him to speak on Hebrews 6:12, and he told the group, “Stop following parked cars.” There was a handicapped woman at the meeting. She felt something happening in her body and when Dale told her to do something she could not do before, she bent over, and everyone was amazed. She had had a metal rod in her back. A homosexual man was delivered, and another man was filled with the Spirit. Be a follower, but ask yourself, “Who am I following?” Do not be slothful, lazy, living without motivation. The source of a lack of motivation is caused by not following or by whom you are or are not following. If you lack self-motivation, stick close to someone who has it. Not everyone is a leader. You can tell a lot about people by the books they read, whom they associate with, and whom they are following. If you are not evangelizing anyone, you are not following Jesus. Focus on Him. Be a follower of Jesus. Follow people who get results. Following means obedience and conformity. If you want a greater prayer life, get close to someone who prays with results. Be like Elisha with Elijah. Joshua was in the background with Moses. You inherit something when you are a descendant; you are following someone. You did not work for what you inherit, but you followed the person. God is not into the styles and fads of the church. Do not follow fads. Patience is the ability to stay constant under pressure. Fads change. Do not keep looking for the “new thing”. Find people who are full of faith and patience. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. If faith is not in what you are doing, it does not please God and others. You are healed to heal and blessed to be a blessing.
Who Are You Following – March 29
Worship Makes You Whole” (“One Out of Ten Worships God – March 22
In Luke 17:12-19 we read of ten lepers who cried out to Jesus. They yelled, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest, and as they went, they were cleansed. “Cleansed” here means cauterized; their wounds were cauterized, burned to close the wounds up. It was stopping the disease. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, glorified God and worshiped and thanked Jesus, and he was a Samaritan. If He told them to go to the priest, why would He not expect them to keep on going? The others were healed. The one who was healed realized Who was responsible for his healing. Jesus did not say they others were not healed. They were, and they still did not glorify God. Are we glorifying God when He blesses and heals us? He was made whole (sozo), which means wholeness, health, soundness, salvation. The praise secret is to glorify the Lord. Be the one out of the ten. The first key of worship is to turn back and remember and write down what God has done for you. Turn back to Jesus. The second secret is to use a LOUD voice, use your mouth to praise the Lord ALOUD! Glorifying God is not listening to worship music or watching other people worship Him. Use your own mouth and praise Him. The man who was healed used a loud voice at Jesus’ feet. You cannot doubt and shout at the same time. Apostle Dale told of rescuing Gene Olon after he was beaten up in Romania and twenty-five percent of his brain was dead. The atmosphere when he was with him was so heavy, but the breakthrough came when he praised the Lord. In Luke 18:38-43 a blind man cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Did you notice both the lepers and the blind man greeted Him similarly and pleaded for mercy, not for healing? Apostle Dale told of a time he needed money to pay for the motel room when he was in sales and how God came through for him. Apostle Dale worship the Lord and praised Him aloud. Worship is not music. It comes out of your heart. Glorify God. Sickness never glorifies God. Worship is an act of your heart.
Marriage – March 15
In our marriages we can get caught up in the moment, but we need to ask ourselves, “How important is this?”, especially in the light of eternity. The role of the husband is to be the love enforcer, and the wife is to be his helper. (Ephesians 5:22-28) There are four things to remember and to do that will answer every question about marriage. Pastor Syd was able to teach about two of these. #1) How we should relate to one another is love, as Christ loved the church (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:2). Love is more important than faith. #2) There is one law under the New Covenant, and that is, as believers, to love one another (Matthew 22:35-39; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 3:23-24; John 13:34). Believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another just as He has loved you, even more than you love yourself. Jesus laid down His life. The sign that you are a believer is how you honor and prefer others. Love your enemies. Home should not be a place to flesh out. If you do not want to be “fleshy”, renew your mind as soon as you get up in the morning. Love is a choice. You choose to love, even when you feel hate. We were Christ’s enemy, but He chose to love us. Choose to love. The feelings will come. Love is not a feeling. Sex is not love. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:3-8). You can choose to walk in love. Do not act like you feel, but base yourself on the Word.
Marriage – March 8
Genesis 3:11-24 tells of God’s cursing the serpent, the woman in childbirth, and the land that man would take care of, after Adam and Eve sinned. Genesis 1:28-31 is about God’s creating man in His image. The unsaved still live under the curse of the law. With faith, all curses can be broken. Man’s original role was to work and keep watch over the land. He was to nurture, plant, work, and care for (Genesis 2:4-15). God told the man not to eat of the tree of good and evil. Eve had not been formed or created at that time. The right to name the animals took authority. There was no helper for man, so God took one of Adam’s ribs and made woman. Women’s role before the fall was to be a helper and an aide. Both Adam and Eve had equal authority before the fall. God formed the male and fashioned the female. Man was to watch over the garden, and it was up to him to take authority. Eve stepped out of her “aide” role. Adam did not protect her, but chose to follow her rather than to follow God, which was idolatry (Genesis 3:1-9). God called to the man, because he was to be the responsible one. The role of the husband is to be the head of the home. He is to protect his wife. The role of the wife is to be his helper. Adam did not try to stop Eve. He followed her rather than God, which was idolatry. Husbands, how will you answer: “Why didn’t I do what I was supposed to do?” Wives, how will you answer: “Why didn’t I operate in the role God created me for?” The wives should only read Ephesians 5:22-24. Husbands should only read Ephesians 5:25-33. The husband’s role is to love his wife, take leadership, and ask himself: “What would love (Christ) do?” Wives, Christ compares you to the Church. You should ask: “How should I (the Church) respond to Christ (my husband)?”
Marriage That Reflects Christ – March 1
Our thinking and beliefs sometimes can filter what we hear in a way that changes truth. It is extremely important that we hear correctly and use the Word correctly. Heed how you hear. We need to compare Scripture with Scripture. If we just read Galatians 3:28 out of context and without comparing it with other Scriptures, we can distort what God is saying. Lord, show us truth. In 1 Peter 3:7 husbands and wives are said to be co-heirs. There is rank in the home, but there is also equal value to each of the married pair. In James 3 we find there are four kinds of wisdom: godly, earthly, sensual, and demonic. Romans 1:18-32 gives a description that easily could be for the time we are in. It tells about people with darkened hearts, trading truth for lies, being ungodly and unrighteous, being wise in their own eyes, worshiping and serving the created things rather than the Creator, not glorifying God, being unthankful, not using their bodies the way God intended them to be used, being disobedient, etc. Hollywood wants to make homosexuality seem natural and normal. A darkened mind will believe sinful ways are truth. We will look at marriage from the standpoint of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:24-32, 22-24, and 33).
Marriage That Reflects Christ – Feb 15
There are so many wrong beliefs about marriage, many from our society. Many people are not as interested in truth as much as they are in knowing that what they believe is true. For example, when Pastor Syd became filled with the Spirit, everything that he believed before needed to be looked at to determine if it was correct. Does it line up with what the Word says. We need to love truth. Lord, show us truth, and we will get rid of the pre-conceived ideas. Allow the Spirit to take the Word and bring it to life in your marriage. A humble person acknowledges that my perspective maybe isn’t right (2 Chronicles 7:12-14). Seeking the Lord starts at home. What happens in the home impacts the church and then the nation. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The singular cause for the decline of this nation comes out of the home. We need to turn from our wicked ways. The home should reflect Christ and the church. The marriage unit has always been the last wall to fall before judgment takes place in a nation. The marriage unit is critical for the church to be what it is called to be and for our nation to survive and be effective. The second important point is that every question and concern about marriage can be answered in Christ’s relationship with the Church. How should I respond to my wife in this situation? The answer is, “How would Christ respond to the Church?” The marriage unit reflects Christ and the Church. Some Scriptures are misquoted or taken out of context. For example, people sometimes take Galatians 3:28 out of the context of the rights to things of the kingdom in verses 19 – 4:7. It can be taken and misapplied and opens the door for the enemy to do more harm. The idea of marriage being 50/50 is not Scriptural. Our marriages should reflect Christ and the Church. Homosexual relations are wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10). Satan does not care if he gets a woman in the ditch on one side or the other: “under a man’s thumb” as seen in some repressive religions or as seen in the Women’s Lib movement, which is bondage packaged as freedom and is geared at breaking down the leadership of the man. God wants women free. Ephesians 5:22-33. Keep thinking and reflecting Christ and the Church. Anything that is not truth is bondage, because the truth sets us free. Sin is pleasurable for a season, but then comes the bondage. Determine to structure your marriage as the Word says it should be. If we need to change something, we will.
A Heart After God – Feb 8
Text: Joshua 5:13-6:1. Even though the Israelites knew they were going to the Promised Land, they still had to fight to take it. Even those who believed Joshua and Caleb’s report had to go through the wilderness. The victory at Jericho was the beginning of taking back what the Lord had for them. It took obedience and faith with a willing heart. Jeremiah 33 is about God’s covenant to David, stating that David would never fail to have a man sitting on the throne, and that is Jesus. We have been grafted into the house of Israel. Joel 2:28-3:21 is about God’s promising the Holy Spirit and His pronouncement of judgment. Amos 9:11-15 is God’s declaration of restoration. This is the time when the harvesters overtake the sowers. Brother Ron Cohn: encouraged us to go up to a new level. He shared about the two swords mentioned in the Bible. There is the sword of the enemy, of death, of darkness, and of conflict without solution. The other sword is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. This Sword of the Spirit will bring life or death, death if you lack experience and discipline and use it as religion. The degree of your effectiveness in this world and success as a child of God will depend on how disciplined and trained and skillful you are in using the Word of God. It is a sword. You need to know how to use the Sword so that it severs, separates, brings healing, and ministers. God placed cherubim at the east gate of the Garden of Eden and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:23-24). The flaming sword is a type of the Spirit and the Word of God. The typologies of the Spirit in the Bible are oil, water, wind, and fire. Typology means sketches, outlines, hints. The Gospel books are transition books. The New Testament from Acts to Revelation has only some typologies. The flaming sword turned eight ways. We are to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Do not seek experiences. You will have experiences because you serve God. Seek the Word, the Sword of the Spirit.
Prophetic Conference – The Gifts of the Spirit – Feb 7
Sermon texts: 1 Corinthians 12:28-13:2; 1 Corinthians 14. All members of Christ’s body are unique and express different things. We need to respect and receive from them and their differences. Apostles lay the foundation, and then prophets come, then teachers, and after that, in the perspective of time, miracles. Apostle Dale shared about Ron Cohn and how the visions that God showed him brought about a woman’s healing in Dale’s church. A special speaker, Ron Bruce, came to Pastor Dale’s church in Titusville. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit Ron had a “tongues check” (to see who spoke in tongues), and as strange as it was, a “dragged to church husband” got saved as a result. The Holy Spirit moves through His body in different ways, and just like parents love all their children even though each one is different from the other, we need to love one another in the body of Christ. Follow after charity, desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Prophecy has the greatest capacity for blessing the church, because it contributes to body life. It is important to be in family. Paul says to let all things be done. Do not be afraid to let go of your “form”. Let go of the flesh. You have to desire spiritual gifts. You can have as much of God as you want. The best gift is the one you need at the time. Desire calls for a gift. Why did Jesus use a miracle to get a place prepared for the Last Supper? It is written, “With great desire, I have desired to eat this meal with you.” Daniel was called, “Oh man of great desire.” Be passionate. Even better than desire is love. Love first, and then desire. There will always be things missing in your life if you do not have the prophetic. Prophecy edifies, exhorts, and comforts. Concerning women prophesying: Paul was responding to a letter previously written. The comment about not allowing women to speak in a meeting (1 Corinthians 14:34-35) was not Paul’s view, but the view of the people who had written to him. Paul’s response was in verses 36-40. He was saying, “Let all things be done”, including women prophesying, but let it be done decently and in order. Acts 2:17-18 states that daughters and maidservants will have the Spirit poured out on them. (There was ministry to Apostle Dale and the congregation concerning the USA, the Landisville Campgrounds, and Apostle Dale’s commission. There was a time of prayer after the declaration of 2 Chronicles 7:14.) (At the beginning of the service Jay Stoltzfus shared visions that the Lord gave him this week: angels with a large container of oil, fire- some people are not ready for it, and light- the glory of God.)
Prophetic Conference – Feb 6
A word was given about the need to surrender to God. Pastor Syd shared about how they raised on his childhood farm. By changing the atmosphere with more oxygen for the ostrich eggs the mortality rate extremely improved. A prepared heart, praising God and without unforgiveness, changes the atmosphere. A prepared heart brings life and allows us to go from glory to glory. Communion was served: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (examine yourself, be in unity, and forsake all to follow Jesus). Pastor Syd told of a hurt that he had because someone said he did not have a good-enough singing voice. That hurt stifled the Spirit. Dennis See prophesied over Pastor Syd: laser-focus fro God; out of old into new. To the congregation: launch out to the deep and unfamiliar in worship; get off the edge and get thirsty for the real; do not keep doing things the same way, but move with the Spirit. Brother Cohn “interpreted” the Spirit’s moving with the congregation.
Prophetic Conference – Feb 5
We are to attend to His words for they are life and health (Proverbs 4:20-24). Sin stops us from moving forward with God. Anything that we do not operate in faith is sin. There is a place where we can be that we soar above what is happening. We have the mind of Christ. We trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. We acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He shall direct our paths. God loves you and have directed your course, but you must be quiet so you can be led by Him. (Prophet Bob and Ron Cohn ministered to Laura and Peter Andrews and Jon Fike.) The prayer of agreement is powerful. You should have a spiritual covenant partner, if you do not have a marriage covenant partner. The Word and the Spirit together work unity.
Prophetic Conference – Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom – Feb 4
There are three keys for navigating with victory: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Daniel 2:1,19. God gives wisdom to the wise, and He gives knowledge to those who have understanding. You are important to the Body of Christ. Prophet Bob shared how his finger “exploded” when he jammed it on frozen logs. That finger hurt and took his attention. We hurt as a body when a member hurts. God is bringing unity to the church. Open up your heart. Proverbs 9:10 says the knowledge of God is understanding. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You have to press in. The church has the commission of going to all parts of the world. We are to exhort, edify, and comfort. God wants to increase the insight in us. We are to have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus(Hebrews 10:19-25). When we take care of others, He takes care of us. We are to be provokers of love and good works, laying down our lives by prayer, getting wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. The way of the Spirit is life. Think of ways to motivate one another to love and good works. We should bring influence into this area. When revival hits, every devil manifests. We are about to slip into some new things. You have to move. Call out for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. It is harvest time! Your assignment: Get creative in your thinking and ask yourself, “What is the gift in that person?” (Perry Miller was spoken over and then anointed for prophetic ministry.)
Prophetic Conference – Translation, Transformation, and Transfiguration – Feb 3
(Prophet Bob gave a word.) My God loves me so much that He will not let me stay where I am. Are you where God wants you? Man wants comfort, but God wants obedience. Comfort is the siren-call of destruction. Are we ignitable? A revival spirit comes when man talks about heaven. Consider the eternal things of God. Humble men want God to be seen, not themselves. God is searching man’s heart. Teach me Your ways. Show me Your paths. You may be in the will of God and be totally out of comfort and be in danger. Darkness can increase either by evil or by the increase of light. Satan’s darkness will be seen as darker because of the glory of God. The more glory of God is present, the darker and obvious the darkness is. If you cannot see darkness, you need an increase of light in your life. Ninety percent of Brother Ron’s prayer life is spent in tongues. There are two sins of America and the church: 1) pride, and 2) the church has lost its awe of God. Only when a man knows that he does not know anything does he know anything. God knows everything. Show us Your perspective of earth. Pray the Ephesians 1:17-23 prayer in the first person. Sing and make melody in your heart. You allow the world to serve you and glorify God. Keep a pad and pen with you, writing down His thoughts. The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (Proverbs 20:15). These three words will change your lives: translation, transformation, and transfiguration. 1) Translation: We have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated (conveyed) into the God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). “Translation” means moved from one place to another. We are dead! We need to stop being afraid of man and of dying. Ask God: “Is there anything in my life that does not please You?” 2) Transformation: We are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2). Living sacrifices do not stink! Under the Old Testament the sacrifices had to be dead. Man’s sacrifice is a stench in God’s nostrils. Transformation means getting your mind renewed, changed from glory to glory. The Spirit of God is deposited in us for a return. “Father, do not let Your investment in me fail.” 3) Transfigured: Means to undergo a change. Mark 9:2 says that “after six days” Jesus took three of His disciples on a high mountain. Be a fool for God so He can set you free. It is like chewing a cud. (Brother Ron shared more connections.) The order of the church is: translation, transformation, and transfiguration. During the last days man will run to and fro because of knowledge. It will be because of a lack of imagination. Jesus laid down His glory. After 6,000 years, the church will undergo a transfiguration. John saw it on the Island of Patmos.
Prophecy Conference: First Evening – Silence – Feb 2
(Song: Lord, roll me out to get the lumps out of me.) Everything that is done by the Spirit should honor the Lord. The greatest thing is to be alone with God. God made us in His image. Carry a pencil and paper to write down what He speaks. God has a voice. When someone refuses to get alone with God, they are saying that they do not want to invest in themselves. Silence does not mean God is not speaking. The problem is that He is trying to get us to listen. God’s nature is to reveal Himself. Brother Ron shares many revelations that God has given him about silence. Silence is the invitation to hear the voice of God. It is not silence people fear; it is hearing God that they fear. Silence is the teacher calling people to serve. Hitler was a preacher, but he preached the wrong message. He studied mannerisms and how to influence people, but it was demonic. Silence does not shout from the stage, but whispers from the side. Silence invites participation. Silence is the dessert. God had to keep Jesus’ death and resurrection a secret. Why did God send a flood? Satan was trying to produce a different DNA of mixing angels and humans, which would have prevented Jesus from coming through man. Stay in the Word, and let it wash you, and it will change you by the level of consecration. Silence brings about discovery. Silence’s twin brother is solitude. Silence is when your heartbeat matches God’s. Silence is a canvas where God paints His thoughts. Silence helps the mind focus and the heart soar. Silence brings worlds together. Silence asks for permission to speak. God wants to know if you can be nudged. God never walks in the shadow of Satan. Satan only counterfeits what is real. David had five stones, because he planned to kill Goliath and his four brothers. If we are silent in these last days, we enable man to speak. A sign gives information and points you to something. Do not walk by what you see, but by the Spirit. Spend time with the Spirit, not quenching or grieving Him. There is a sword coming, trying to quiet the preaching of the Gospel. America is sick and weak. We need to wake up and do something about it! We are only alive if we stay connected to God. There are no coincidences in God’s kingdom. If you are walking with God, you will look different. Brother Ron shared different connections confirming God’s voice to him.
Prepare Your Heart – Feb 1
When Israel was returning to Jerusalem, the Babylonian king sent the captives back with provisions. Those who went back were those people whose hearts God had stirred (Ezra 1:5). In Ezra 7:9b, 10 Ezra had prepared his heart to study the Word, to obey it, and to teach it. You should not ignore a stirred heart. Take the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) with praying out the Word, praying at all times in the Spirit (tongues) with a posture of prayer (Ephesians 6:17-18). Yield to the Holy Spirit and push away the clutter. We need boldness. Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you. Stay alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. The power for this area to be changed is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything. Do not despise prophecy. Test prophecies. Hold onto what is good in the prophecy. Treat the Lord’s Word as precious. Stay away from every form of evil, because it dilutes the power of God in your life. Esteem and hold onto what God has said. Ask, “Father, how can You use me?” (We spent time in prayer.)
Prepare Your Heart – Jan 31
Offering message: Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive. Giving 1) obeys God’s laws, 2) submits to God’s lordship, 3) exhibits God’s heart, 4) illustrates His salvation, 5) recognizes God as your source, 6) widens God’s smile, 7) advances His kingdom, 8) in faith releases God’s power, and 9) is an act of worship. Sermon message: The CWI Prophetic Conference could be called a Revelation or Power or Speaking or Holy Spirit conference. God wants us to prepare our hearts to be stirred up and to receive from Him, so we can go out to others. When Israel was returning to Jerusalem, the Babylonian king sent the captives back with provisions. Those who went back were those people whose hearts God had stirred (Ezra 1:5). We should be stirred up and willing. In Ezra 7:9b, 10 Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Lord, to do His will, and to teach His ordinances. The gracious heart of God will be on you. Prepare your heart with only His agenda. Do not stifle Him. God’s truth, wisdom, and understanding will come into you and flow out of you when you get into His presence (Psalm 73:13-16). His power in us is to flow out of us to others. We need singleness of purpose to expand the kingdom. We need boldness. Psalm 126:1-6. We need to see the lost and to be “salty” people. Let the compassion of God fill you as you pray and want His agenda. Use the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) praying (Ephesians 6:17-18). Pray at all times. Pray in the Spirit. Stay alert. Pray for all the saints in the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 is the core Scripture for this conference. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in everything. Do not despise prophecy. Test prophecies. Hold onto what is good in the prophecy. Treat the Lord’s Word as precious. Stay away from every form of evil, because it dilutes the power of God in your life. The gifts of the Spirit are for each as He wills. (The rest of the service was spent in prayer.)
Repentance – Jan 25
What did Jesus begin, end, and preach throughout His ministry? It was repentance- repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Christ knew that something new was about to be released through Him. God made provision for sin under the Old Covenant through patiently waiting to give judgment and through atonement (to cover) by animal sacrifice. The sins of the people were only covered, but not removed. All sin needs to be judged. Are today’s churches dealing with sin? You determine whether you will go to heaven. Jesus knew that remission (to release the sinner from his sins), not just covering, was coming through Him. Christ purchased us with His redemption. He is now in us. Now we have a reconciled (fixed) relationship, and we can call on the sacrificed Jesus Christ. When people repent, they can be reconciled to God. It is impossible to walk in God’s blessings without repentance and reconciliation. God wants us to repent of sins. Matthew9:13 says that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. God wants all men and women to be saved. In Luke 15:7, the parable of the lost sheep, God rejoices over one sinner who repents. This should bring us more joy than anything, because this is God’s heart. God’s plan has been to reconcile the world to Himself. We are reconciled through God only (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). We all have the ministry of reconciliation. Each of us must do what we are called to do. We are all part of the same body. Do what you are called to do. The ministry of reconciliation is for us wherever we are, and we do it with the Word of God. The Gospel is good news, worthy to be declared. Romans 1:16 tells us that the Gospel is the power of God. The Word in me is powerful. How do we lead others to repent? We do it by showing the goodness of the Lord (Romans 2:4). People must understand that relationship with God is good. They must see His goodness in us. We are God’s magnets to pull them to God. We draw near to Him first. (Shane shared an experience of this at his job.) Is what I am doing showing God’s love and who God is? We always have to be ready for the hope that is in us. What have I done with the ministry of reconciliation? Lead people to repentance by exposing them to the goodness of God. Guard your heart with all diligence.
Repentance – Jan 24
David was restored to God when he repented. There always is a consequence for every sin. Christ paid the price for our sin, and if we sin, we should be reminded of that price. What did Jesus begin, end, and preach throughout His ministry? It was repentance- repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. In Luke 24 His last words were repentance and remission of sins should be preached in all nations in His name. God’s perspective of us when we repent and ask for forgiveness is that of joy. He loves when we repent. When your children disobey, do not bless them until they repent. God made provision for sin under the Old Covenant through the priesthood and through atonement (to cover) by animal sacrifice. The sins of the people were only covered, but not removed. All sin needs to be judged. Jesus Christ paid for our redemption, so that now when people repent, there is remission (removal) of sins from their hearts. Then there is reconciliation with God. In other words, it’s redemption, repentance, remission, and reconciliation with God. You are restored to a personal relationship with God. He told us to preach repentance of sins. In Matthew 9:13 He said that He came to call the sinners to repentance. Only one-third to one-half of the pastors believes that the Bible is inspired by God and that it is infallible. People need to hear the truth to even know they need to repent. First John 1:9 tells us to confess our sin. In Luke 15:7, the parable of the lost sheep, God rejoices over one sinner who repents. This should bring us more joy than anything, because this is God’s heart. There has to be repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Do we have a sense of urgency to see people repent? We have access to what Jesus did for us. God wants to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). We have the ministry of reconciliation. Ministry (work, service, calling) is done by us through the word of reconciliation, but first it must be strong in us. Ed Cole in his teaching told of an eight-year old who received a ten-year old’s heart. The younger girl had a dream of the image of the man who killed the older girl that was retained in the heart of the dead child, which was used to arrest the man. We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power to salvation (Romans 1:16). What are you doing with that word of reconciliation? The best thing we can do is fulfill what God has for us to do. The Gospel is good news! Take the Gospel and talk about it with love, so others can hear about God’s goodness. How do you lead people to repentance? Lead people to repentance by exposing them to the goodness of God (Romans 2:4). People need to see the God’s goodness by seeing the goodness of our relationship with God. Romans 10:13-15 says that the Word needs to be preached and shared. Come back to God’s presence. It is the truth that will change peoples’ lives. Sin is ugly and will not go away without repentance. It is easy to submit to love. (Shane shared an experience of this at his job.) Is being right worth compromising the integrity of Christ? (Shane shared how his son asked what sin is and as a result, he received Jesus Christ into his heart.) Small kindnesses open doors to the Gospel. Are you ready to share it? Are you like the ten spies or the two spies? Too often we get our eyes on what we are going through and not on what we are going to. You will have challenges, but God has made a way through it. God promises victory. How would others report on your life? People have the right desires but are looking at the wrong places and ways to get them. God can use you where you are. (Shane told God’s revelation to Shane of his anger at Him after his wife had two miscarriages. At the same time his wife was being ministered to at the Landmark. Three months later she was pregnant. God showed him that it is not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit.) We have experiences that hurt, but He shows us the way to victory. People must repent and see the value of a relationship with God and a life overcome by the goodness of God. If you have a lack of appreciation of what God has done for you, go to God and tell Him your heart. He wants to bring restoration and joy to you.
Offering message by Karen Burrows: Malachi 3:10-12 tells us that if we bring in all the tithes into the storehouse, we can prove God that He will 1) open the windows of heaven, 2) pour you out a blessing, and 3) rebuke the devourer for your sake. Both 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 9 build on that. When you give, give to the Father, because every good gift comes from Him.
A Heart After God – Jan 18
Psalm 110:1-3; Isaiah 1:18, 19. God is our Source. Money reveals your heart. Where are you putting your money? The source is not your money. How are we to eat the good of the land and have a heart after Him? The answer is by seeking first His kingdom and by willing and obedient. A perfect heart is wholehearted. Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 19:1-10 contrast two different people with two different kinds of hearts, one not willing and the other one willing. Are we trusting God for our finances? If we put ourselves last, He will put us first. It is covetousness to think, “I can’t believe they spent that much on that.” If we surrender and submit ourselves to God, we will not need to hear from the Lord to give something. Do you have a willing heart? In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 God was talking to the rich. That’s us! See yourself as rich, because He has made you rich (2 Corinthians 8). He gives us richly all things to enjoy. To fully enjoy all things, do good, be rich in good works, be willing to share, and be ready to give. See that the work of God gets accomplished. It is God’s will that you have the good of the land. Be willing and do His will.
A Heart After God – Jan 17
Offering message: 3 John 2; Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 36:11; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 118:24, 25; 1 Chronicles 4:10. God gives us the power to gain wealth, and He has pleasure in our prosperity. God’s prosperity adds no pain with it. Sermon message: How can we have a heart after God? He wants us to get in line with Him. Isaiah 1:18 and 19 say that we will eat the good of the land if we are willing and obedient. He is your Source, and He wants you to be blessed. Our being willing and obedient ties in with seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. A heart after God is a willing heart. Money reveals the heart. Each one of us must examine his or her own heart. Covetousness blocks blessings. Where your money is, there your heart will be. Matthew 19:16 tells of a rich ruler to whom Jesus told to sell all his belongings and give to the poor and follow Him. He went away sorrowful. Jesus said, “How hard it is for who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-31 says that those who leave houses and family for His sake will receive 100 times more now. You can desire to do things for Him but not really be willing. In this country we are self-sufficient and do not depend on God. In Luke 19:1 Zacchaeus gave half his goods and restored four-fold whatever he took. Jesus did not have to ask him to do that because Zacchaeus had a willing heart. God looks at your heart. If you are willing, it is the same as doing it. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac showed God his heart. We must be both willing and obedient. A lot of times money is not the problem, but it is a lack of faith and willingness. Get willing, and then you will get the vision and the faith. God is not against our having riches, but we are not to trust in them (1 Timothy 6:17-19). In fact, He became poor that through His poverty we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). He richly provides us with all things to enjoy. We can have full enjoyment by doing good, being generous, being willing to share, or in other words, seeking first the kingdom of God. We read of the Corinthians giving an offering willingly (2 Corinthians 8, 9). Ask God for finances to give where you want to give. It is okay to exhort to give. He who sows bountifully, reaps bountifully. Each person should give as he purposes in his heart. Are you willing in your heart? We should give because we love God. Be moved by compassion, not because of need. God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you may have sufficiency and abundance. Give yourself willingly to Jesus.
A Heart After God – Jan 11
Pre-sermon message: In Ezekiel 36:25 God said that He would give us a heart of flesh and would give His Spirit in us. He has done that since Jesus came. Your harvest field is where you are placed. Go! If you are not fishing, you are not following Jesus. Am I a follower or a fan of Jesus? We do not want to be a church that has lost its saltiness, thinking we do not need Jesus and not having a heart for the lost. Be a person who cares. Listen and pray for the lost. Show Jesus’ love to them and disciple them. Sermon message: Psalm 110:1-3 says we are to make His enemies His footstool by putting the enemy under our feet by using His authority. We are to rule and reign in the authority of His name. We are also to be willing volunteers. Isaiah 1:18-19 informs us that we are to be both willing and obedient in order to eat the good of the land. Obedience means listening with the intent of understanding and doing. All of God’s blessings belong to us, but it is up to us to do what is needed to receive them. Pastor Syd tells of a Hell’s Angel who became gloriously converted but didn’t understand how to convince his friend of Jesus’ goodness. Forcing his friend into praying the sinner’s prayer did not change his heart, because he was not willing and his heart was not right. To receive salvation requires both a willing heart belief and a confession of faith. Be sowers of compliments, compassion, and life. What is the perfect heart? Is it not a heart which goes after God whole-heartedly? God through Samuel said that He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). His eyes go to and fro looking for those whose hearts are perfect, whole-heartedly, completely willing, completely given to Him. He shows Himself strong to those whose hearts are perfect toward Him. In 2 Chronicles 15:16 and 16:9-12 it is recorded that King Asa was wholehearted for the Lord his whole life yet he made mistakes. God judges our hearts. We can make mistakes and still have a whole heart toward Him. Likewise, you can do the right things but have a wrong heart. In 2 Chronicles 25:2 Amaziah did what was right but not with a perfect heart. Be full of mercy. Mercy comes before judgment. Do not judge the other person’s heart. Pastor Syd was feeling condemned about never being brave against something, and the Lord reminded him of a time he chased a wolf who was eyeing their chickens for his dinner. Let God comfort you when you have been too hard on yourself. Samuel told Saul that he was foolish and that God wanted a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:13-). Check in your heart: Am I willing?” Psalm 37:3, 4 says to delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. David was humble and grateful. David asked God to restore the joy of His salvation and uphold a willing heart in him (Psalm 51:12). We do not want hardened hearts (Psalm 16:5-11). Have a heart after God.