Satan takes a truth and very subtly turns it into a lie like he did with Adam and Eve. In 2 Cor. 11:3-4 Paul was concerned that the believers would put up with a different Jesus, gospel, and spirit. False faith can look like faith, but it doesn’t work like faith. There is an interaction between the power of the tongue, the unity of God, and true faith. Believing and speaking (2 Cor. 4:13) won’t work if your “faith” isn’t God’s faith or if God hasn’t spoken to the other person involved. It’s God’s faith operating in you. Mark 11:22-23 accurately translated means “Have God’s faith.” That means we possess God’s faith. If we have faith the size of a mountain, it won’t move a grain of sand, but if we have a mustard seed size of God’s faith, we can move a mountain. Listen as LaVere explains the Logos and Rhema (word). Rhema is the witness of the Spirit communicating to us (1 John 5:4-8). We have that witness if we believe in the Son of God. Just because it’s in the Word, doesn’t mean it’s God’s word to you. In God’s unity we can know what is God’s will. Just as He witnesses to us that we’re born again, He can witness to us about anything we can overcome. Jesus only did what He heard and saw His Father do. That’s what we need to do, too. Gene English shared concerning the offering. Chester Petersheim shared about the recent mission trip, changing the country of Honduras.
True Faith False Faith
Offerings and Tithes
Gene English shared during offering. Sydney Ropp had message. 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9. We are priests, and we give spiritual offerings. What makes our offerings acceptable to the Lord? 1) When we give to the LORD. 2) When we give our best. 3) When we give with thankfulness. Tithes are included with offerings, but offerings are not tithes; both are used in worship. Tithe means tenth, like a sheep owner counting and every tenth one went to the LORD. You are not sowing seed with your tithe, because it belongs to the LORD. The tithe existed before the law (Gen. 14:17-18; 28:10-20), during the law, and after the law. Giving the tithe is acknowledging God as your source. It’s a covenant with God and a covenant of prosperity. Look for the covenant: if I do this, God will do this. The first-fruit is different from the tithe. Tithing brings a blessing. Give to the LORD- first. (Other Scriptures: 2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Chron. 16:29; Mal. 3:6-7; Lev. 27:30-34; Heb. 13:15; Heb. 6:20-7:7; Heb. 8:1-2, 6; Luke 20:20-25; 1 Cor. 16:1-2)
The Love of God- Part 1
God wants your love to flow through you to others. The first commandment is to love God, and the second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:28-31; Gal. 5:13-14). If you’re having a sin or habit problem, look at your love-walk. John 13:34-35 tells us that the new commandment Jesus gave is that we are to love our neighbors as Jesus has loved us. Where our love-walk breaks down is that we don’t love ourselves as God loves us. Husbands are to love (agape) their wives (Eph. 5:28). Agape is a God-like and selfless love, which looks for nothing in return. Phileo love responds to love. The husband is to initiate love. Marriage problems are a husband problem. The wife responds to the husband’s love. If the husband doesn’t love his wife, he does not love himself. Wives need to build their husbands’ self-esteem and learn how much God loves them. Read 1 Cor. 13:4-13 putting your name in the place of the word “love”. You have a choice to step out in love or be selfish. Emotions come after choosing to walk in love. The love of God is in you if you are born-again. The first commandment (in 1 John 3:23) is that we should believe on the name of Jesus Christ and love one another. Jesus Christ first loved us, and if we say we love Him, but don’t love our brother, we’re liars. He wants us to love each other so we can experience the love of God.
The Co-Witness (The Inner Witness)
Offering Message by Gene English: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse. Speak the Word to receive from God. Read the “all” references in these Scriptures: Mal. 3:10; Ps. 103:1-3; Luke10:27; Proverbs 3:4-5. Sermon by Sydney Ropp: John 14:16; 16:13-15. Decisions determine direction, and direction determines destiny. Live by being completely led by the Holy Spirit. How are we led by the Spirit? We know God’s voice. When won’t you hear His voice? 1) When you’re not born-again; 2) When you’re not following Jesus, because you have one foot in the world and one in the church; 3) When you haven’t obeyed what He has already told you to do; 4) When you have known or unknown sin in your life, and your heart is seared and hardened; 5) When you are not submitting to Him; 6) When you’re trying to hear from the wrong place (from your senses, instead of your spirit). Rom. 8:14 All those who are led by God’s Spirit are sons of God. Always make sure what you think you’ve heard lines up with the Scriptures. God speaks to us through our spirits, not through the flesh. He speaks to us through His Word, angels, visions, dreams, other people, through His Spirit, by the inner witness- His Spirit testifying with our spirit, when you have a spirit of peace, and it seems like the right thing to do. Watch what you submit to, and make sure it’s not the devil, but trust in the Lord. Be led by the Spirit of God, the umpire of peace. Pay attention to what He is leading you to do, and don’t quench the Spirit.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 6 – Seeking the Glory of God
Text: John 7:37-39. If we aren’t seeing God move, it’s our hunger that is the problem. Love for people will pull down God’s power. Our hunger and thirst should be centered on Jesus. Promote and present Jesus to His glory! Go into the promised land and let go of the things in the past. When Jesus was here on earth, the Holy Spirit wasn’t given, because He was not yet glorified. Deut.8:14 warned the Israelites that they would forget the Lord and would take credit for their prosperity. Watch that you don’t think that you did what the Lord did. Be humble and give God the glory. Now that Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit empowers us to do greater works. Glorify God in your temple (body). Jesus had to go away to give us His Holy Spirit (John 16:7). It’s a sin to think that God hasn’t come through for you. Live for Jesus. You’re accountable to Him, not to the world. The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) says, “For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory”. Are we thankful? Don’t forget you are forgiven. To Him be the Glory!
Let No One Despise Your Youth
Text: 1 Tim. 4:12-16. You can be an example of the Word in your conduct, love, faith, and purity. People are watching you, and they will notice a difference in you. 1) Minister to the Lord through people. 2) Be humble in serving. 3) Show faithfulness to people. 4) Be and stay teachable. 5) Don’t allow offense in your life. Bible examples of young people who made a big difference are Samuel and David. Samuel ministered to the Lord by serving Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-19). His obedience to the Word changed him. David didn’t take offense when his father “forgot” about him when Samuel came to anoint the next king (1 Samuel 16:12-18). He also was very gifted, and it was apparent that the Lord was with him, as Saul’s servant perceived. He was faithful in that he kept tending his father’s sheep even after he was serving King Saul in the palace. There are times of preparation that will propel us later in life and for the battles ahead. David had to be properly trained to face the lion and the bear. Even when he lost everything in Ziklag, and people close to him wanted to kill him, he strengthened himself in the Lord. If it worked for David and Samuel, it will work for you. Don’t waste your youth.
Praise Away Your Burdens
Pastor Vitaliy Kozachencko (Odessa, Ukraine) gave a “now” word about God’s visitation (repentance, miracles) for the U. S. church (Joel 2:1, 28, 29). We must say, “Yes, Lord.” Sermon: We must lay aside weight and sin, run with patience, and look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:12). God wants to pour His Spirit on the whole church. He needs us to pray and pay the price for the next generation. He sets us on a path. Are we going to walk it out? Don’t stop thinking about God’s plan and will. When you have a burden on your back, you’re looking down, and all you see is your feet. Confess your sin to God and your pastor. Burdens hinder us in our race. Instead, LOOK UP TO JESUS! Keep running the race. Praise will get rid of the burden! Pastor Vitaliy tells of a woman in Ukraine dying of cancer who was healed through Jesus and praise to Him. KEEP PRAISING! KEEP MINISTERING TO GOD! In 1 Cor. 15:58 we are told to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and that our labor is not in vain. We have changed; we have lost our fire and passion. Pastor Vitaliy told of a man who for years stood in a grocery store in Ukraine, passing out flyers that said, “God loves you”, and on the other side was a prayer for salvation. At a pastors’ conference, there were three pastors who received salvation as a result of that man’s faithfulness and labor. (Listen for the rest of the story.) Does what you do and does what you have, serve the Lord? Be faithful to finish your race.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 5
Text: John 7:37-39. We are a spirit living in a body and having a soul. When our spirit leaves our body, we’re dead (James 2:26). Your mind is part of your soul. God doesn’t speak to you through your body, but through your spirit (Prov. 3:5). Learn to listen to your heart, because that’s where you’re expected to live. God’s Word doesn’t do you any good unless it’s in your heart. The shield of faith quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and the sword of the spirit is the Word of God prayed (Eph. 6:16, 17). We must keep (guard) our heart, because out of it springs the issues of life. Sanctify your heart for Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). The easiest evangelism is “glowing with the love of Jesus”. Your body has a voice. Your soul has a voice. Your spirit has a voice. The Word of God feeds your spirit, because it is alive (Heb. 4:12). God wants your spirit operating correctly. Receive in your spirit first, and then the soul can proceed (Luke 1:45-47). What’s in your heart? When your life is led by the flesh, it will never be satisfied. You have to control the flesh. Instead, yield to and give into the Spirit and go with your heart. The mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 4
(LISTEN TO THIS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.) Text: John 7:37-38. Are you hungry for Jesus and His Holy Spirit? Seek Him and eternal things. One of the first steps of directing your hunger and thirst is to check your priorities. Out of those who believe will flow rivers of living water (the Holy Spirit). The Spirit is poured out when Jesus is glorified. He wants to flow through you. Some people are perishing now in sin, and Jesus came for them (John 3:16). Don’t give up on people. First you must believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because the world can’t receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). After salvation there’s more, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 20:19). Tell people how to be born-again (Rom. 10:9, 10). When you’re born-again, you have the Spirit, but it’s not the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is for you, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for power and service to others. After salvation, ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13). Some haven’t heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6). You are a spirit and God is Spirit; yield to Him, allowing Him to flow like a river out of you. Study the Bible for yourself, reading Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19. Praying in the Spirit will bring you peace, bless others around you, and change you. Let the Holy Spirit have His way in your life. (There was ministry for salvation, being filled with the Spirit, and receiving a fresh in-filling.)
Pastor Demeke Shares
Pastor Demeke shares briefly about miracles happening.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 3
John 7:37-39. Do you want the truth? You must get into the Word yourself. Don’t compromise, stay comfortable, or be lukewarm, but be hungry and thirsty for the Word. Take a drink of the Holy Spirit and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Come to Jesus and make sure your life is right, cutting off what shouldn’t be there. Be passionate about Jesus and don’t be afraid of what God asks you to do. In Acts 8:5 the people heard Philip preaching, and they saw the miracles he did. Simon the Sorcerer was saved but then wanted to buy the ability for people to receive the Spirit from him. Is there enough power in your life for people to want? Be hungry for God.
CWI’s Unique Purpose
(This was the last church service held at Greenfield. Next week’s service will be in Landisville, Saturday night, 6:30 PM.) Text: 1 Peter 2:1-10. Pastor Dale shared about some past churches that he and others pastored. Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and we are living stones building a spiritual house for a holy priesthood. People in personal revival can become a holy nation. Keep your eyes on Jesus and be in communion with Him. CWI’s peculiar, unique, and distinct purpose is to be a strong “Word” church with a pastor who is sent out frequently as an apostle. Numerous people shared testimonies of how God changed their lives while they were at CWI in the Greenfield building.
Guatemala Mission Team
The team that went to Guatemala shared testimonies of their ministry time there. Those sharing were Gene English, Lynzee Hershey, Josh Yoder, Levi Lapp, Nicole English, and Eddie Bondarencko.
Testimonies
Offering Message: Texts: 1 Peter 2:5; Ex. 35-36:7; 40:34-35; 1 Chron. 29:3-20; 2 Cor. 8:6-11; 2 Cor. 9:6-12. Physical offerings carry spiritual significance. We are to give cheerfully, with delight, honoring God, and He graces us for our work, honors us, and enriches us. Sermon Message: Luke 4:16-19; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14-16. Pastor Sydney shared his testimony of opening a door to destruction at a very early age and his deliverance and victory in Jesus Christ from the wound of rejection. Be constantly led by the Spirit in your home. Take captive memories and thoughts and bring them into obedience of Jesus Christ. There is victory through Christ Jesus.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 2
Text: John 7:37-39. The promise of power is the Holy Spirit, whom we can receive after we are born-again (John 3:16; Acts 2:33; John 14:16-17). We have to ask for the Holy Spirit to live in us and be hungry and thirsty for Him (Acts 2:1-6, 11). Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). When He came, they began to speak in tongues and continued as the Spirit gave them utterance. They all heard them speaking in his own language. It was tongues and interpretation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t force you to do anything. We can be refilled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10:44-46 the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the Word. The Jews were astonished that the Gentiles spoke in tongues and magnified God. You don’t need interpretation when you’re praying personally. Obey the Lord. Follow after love (1 Cor. 14:1). Desire spiritual gifts and be thirsty.
Hunger for the Holy Spirit Part 1
Offering message: 1 Peter 2:5; Phil. 4:16-18; Mal. 1:6-9. Don’t give because of compulsion or need, but give unto the Lord being led by the moving of the Holy Spirit. If your offering carries no value to you, it carries none to God. What you don’t value and give in faith doesn’t bless you. Sermon message: In John 7:37-39 Jesus said that the believers should receive the Holy Spirit. He was not yet glorified, so the Holy Spirit had not been sent to us on earth. When the Holy Spirit came, He came to reside in us, just as Jesus had resided on the earth before He sat down beside the Father. Most people don’t know what belongs to them and have false ideas about the Holy Spirit. (Pastor Dale compared hunger for the Holy Spirit to learning to eat and appreciate sushi.) The Holy Spirit gives you power (Acts 1:8). If you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit, appreciate your victorious living. Luke 11:11-13 tells us to ask for the Holy Spirit (after you are born-again John 3:16) – the first infilling and then a refilling on a frequent basis. John 14:16-17 says that He is the Helper. To build yourself up, pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). The Spirit and the Word only help you when you apply them and put them to action. Discipline yourself in spiritual matters and pray in the Holy Spirit and with the understanding (1 Cor. 14:13-15; Acts 9; Acts 19; Acts 2:1). You have to turn on praying in tongues. Ask God for more and receive His power today.
Submission to God Part 5 – Staying In Your Place
Text: James 4:6-10. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. We submit to Him, and the devil must flee. Rebellion is opposition to [the one in] authority and is as the sin of witchcraft. Get the rebellion out of you, repent, and submit. In Esther 1:1-22 we learn that Queen Vashti did not submit to the king and lost her place as queen. Esther submitted to the king and to her uncle and turned around the situation for the Jews. God has placed each one of the parts in one body as He wanted (1 Cor. 12:18), and when people leave the place where they are to be, the body doesn’t function properly. Stay in the place where God wants you, and don’t move because of offense or “choice”. You lose grace when you’re not in the place God wants you to be. There was an imperative for people to be their prescribed place (2 Chron. 30:16 and 35:10; Rom. 11:13; Eccl. 10:4). The angels who didn’t keep their own positions God has kept with eternal chains in darkness (Jude 6). (See also Rev. 12:7-9). Submission is shown in the Biblical relationship of marriage, even though our culture doesn’t present the wife as needing to be submitted to her husband. Lucifer has no repentance because he got into pride and got out of his place. Don’t exalt yourself, but submit to the authority over you, even if you think the person isn’t fit (Ps. 75:4-7). Don’t leave your place, and don’t be moved by your flesh, but submit to God. You can fall to such a place that you can’t come back, because it is gone. Choosing your place in the body should be because it is where God tells you to be.
Are You Thirsty?
Text: John 7:37-38. If you are thirsty, came to Jesus and drink. In 2 Chron. 17:1-6 and 18:1 we see that Jehoshaphat strengthened himself in the Lord, but after he prospered, he got into pride and allied himself with the evil king of Israel, Ahab. Don’t allow God’s blessings to cause you to disdain why you were blessed in the first place. Put yourself in remembrance and stir yourself up. (Pastor Dale shared how he was born-again, filled with the Spirit, and called to the ministry.) The Gospel changes lives. The people left Jesus, so He asked the disciples if they were going to leave, too. You will be tested when Satan brings accusations against you for receiving from God. But, when you are thirsty and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, rivers will flow through and out of you (John 7:38). God will work where hearts will receive Him. Eph. 5:18 tells us to not be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It means to keep being filled, and it’s a command. Being filled with the Holy Spirit will bring life to the Scriptures for you and is like being born-again all over again. Acts 19:2 Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Get in the river and be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues. (Pastor Dale and others ministered for those who were thirsty to receive the Holy Spirit.)
Hindered
We need to apply faith to every aspect of our lives, whether it’s for healing or for direction in a church move. Likewise, we must discern if any hindrances are from the devil or if the Lord is stopping certain movement. In Rom. 1:9-13 Paul speaks about the hindrance that was keeping him from getting to the people in Rome. Again in Rom. 15:22 he tells how he was “much hindered”. Kenneth E. Hagin relates how he had his greatest fight for three years against demonic forces when he was starting Rhema Bible School. In 1 Cor. 16:9 Paul said that when a great door opened for him, he had many adversaries, and in 1 Thess. 2:17-18 the Bible says that Satan hindered them. Some things are just demonic. When Satan hinders, it’s to kill, steal, and destroy. On the other hand, sometimes God hinders, but it’s to bring life (John 10:10). In Acts 16:5-10 the Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia. His “open door” led to a prison where he and Silas prayed and praised God, and then they saw all the doors open (Acts 16:11; 2 Cor. 2:13-14), and people were saved. It’s about salvations. Let God’s peace rule your heart (Col. 3:15) and don’t be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11-14). Know these three things concerning decisions: See deliverance; know the devil is mad because he hates progress; and be guided by God’s peace and Spirit.
Victory in Jesus Christ
Text: 1 Cor. 15:57-58; 2 Cor. 2:14. God gives us the victory through Christ Jesus, so be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the Lord’s work. Keep your eyes on victory. The Word can’t be bound, and God always leads us into triumph in Christ. Don’t submit to fear and terrorism. Ps. 91 is a powerful chapter to stand on. Run to the Lord when you’re in trouble. Great victories come from great battles. Make the Lord your dwelling place. Even though Jesus’ death on the cross looked like terrible defeat, there was a wonderful victory on the other side of the cross. JESUS IS LORD! That’s our position of victory (2 Cor. 4:5). We either bind or loose (Matt. 18:18-20). You have to take victory by agreeing. Walk in victory and pray that our faith does not fail (Luke 22:31-32). (Pastor Dale shared an update on the changes to the plans for where we meet.) Walk in faith and keep your eyes on Jesus.