Offering Message: I Cor. 15:57 God gives us the victory through Jesus Christ. There’s always more grace. Move forward in God and be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Sermon Text: 2 Cor. 5:7 We walk by faith and not by sight. We don’t ignore our circumstances, but we look at faith and the promises. In 2 Cor. 4:16-18 the inward man is being renewed daily. Don’t look at your light affliction, but look at what is not seen. Don’t look at the problem you have today, but look at the promises. It’s not enough to turn away from temptation or a problem. It’s important what you turn and look at. In 2 Kings 4, the barren woman was given a prophetic word and as a result of God’s promise to her, she gave birth to a son, but the son died. She spoke words of faith when she told her husband and the prophet that he was well, although he really was dead. She was stubborn and wouldn’t speak death over him, but spoke words of faith, and God raised the child from the dead. Verse 27 says that her soul was vexed within her. That same expression is used in describing Samson and Jesus. Samson failed. Jesus didn’t. When she released her faith, she remained steadfast to what she said. DON’T WAVER IN BELIEVING. Decide not to quit. Lazarus was sick, but Jesus delayed coming to him for two days (John 11:3-44). The first time Jesus didn’t say that Lazarus was dead, but that he was sleeping. He didn’t want to speak death, and He was looking at the glory of God. He was looking for a live man in the tomb. Look for the good and positive in people. Rom. 4:17 says that Abraham was made a father of many nations by God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. God will honor your word if you don’t break it. Looking at your problem causes your faith to waver. Don’t let your faith waver. Look up! Face the impossibility and look at God. Repent if you messed up, and ask for His forgiveness.
What Are You Looking At
The Intent is to Get People Saved
Offering Message: Matt. 5:23 and 24. God will speak to you in your time of offering and worship. If you bring your gift and remember that someone has something against you, leave your gift, reconcile yourself to your brother, and then offer the gift. Bare your heart before the Lord. God speaks when we get our hearts right. Pray for God to search your heart. Pastor Dale shared about a recent experience of humbling himself to make things right with a pastor friend. Remember: Love never fails. Don’t be wrong with your brother. Sermon message: Pastor Dale tells of the time he was in charge of the youth in his denominational church. Rumors and accusations by people in the church who were against the baptism of the Holy Spirit caused him to be removed. Listen as he tells how he handled the situation and how he ministered Matthew 18 to the adults. In Matt. 18:1-20 Jesus is talking to adults and referring to the newly-converted as the “little ones”. Omar Carberra, who was a powerful leader in the Argentine revival, said that it takes humility to reach the world for God. You have to humble yourself; God doesn’t humble you. The body of Christ must be strong for ministering restoration. We need restorative power in the church. Resisting the Holy Spirit and causing offenses made Jesus Christ very angry. We cannot become offended by the people who are being saved. We need the grace of God, which along with forgiveness is free. The devil’s intent is to get us off God’s intent. Offenses and strife kill. Pride is deceiving, because you don’t know you have it. The world is interested in reputation, whereas the Christian should be concerned about character. When a brother trespasses against you, you go to him alone. Don’t go to anyone else. Don’t resist the grace of God. If the person will not hear you, then go with 1 or 2 more people. The purpose of going to him is to restore him to the Lord and the church. If he continues to refuse hearing them, then go to the church leadership. If he doesn’t hear them, he must be an unbeliever, and then you minister salvation to him. The world should not be dealing with church issues. Privacy is necessary for restoration. Verses 18 to20 tell us to loose the person and to bind the devil. Pastor Dale tells of a time a pastor stole Dale’s church from him. God told him and Teri, “He can’t steal what you give him.” They gave him the church, loosed the pastor and bound the devil. In verses 19 and 20 the 2 or 3 are the people who went through the process of restoration. The purpose is to protect the person. Prov. 17:9 Repentance is not a cover-up; he who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends. In 1 Peter 4:7 and 8 we are told to have fervent love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Prov. 11:13 says that a talebearer reveals secrets. A talebearer is not a gossip. He who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
What It Takes To Overcome
The account of David in 1 Sam. 1-6 tells of a time when David and his men returned to Ziklag to find that their wives and families had been taken captive and the city burned. The men were so distraught that they wanted to stone David. First Samuel 30 verse 6 says that David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. There will be times when no one will encourage you, and tragedy often turns people against their leaders. You can’t help others until you are strong enough yourself. How do you get stronger? Encourage yourself in the Lord. Give Him praise and thanks. Everything you have has been given to you from the Lord in the first place. AND if God gave it to you once, He can give it to you again. God is your source, so focus on Him in the middle of whatever you are facing. Ps. 30:5 His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. There’s a time to weep and a time for joy. Even though David had no more power to weep when Bathsheba’s first son was sick, he had power to praise when he died. Heb. 13:15 Offer your sacrifice of praise continually. Eph. 5:20 Give thanks always for all things unto God, but don’t thank Him for what He doesn’t give. First Thess. 5:16 Rejoice evermore. Pastor Dale tells of Terry Law’s experience of bitterness after the death of his wife and children while he was in England serving the Lord. Oral Roberts ministered to him only by telling Terry to get on his knees and praise God and thank Him. After about twenty minutes of doing that, he experienced a breakthrough in the Holy Spirit. Thank God for what He gives and who He is. Worship fixes what is in you. Submit to God by worshiping Him. The Holy Spirit inhabits the praises of His people. Is. 40:28-31 God is bigger, so look to Him. He gives power to the faint and to those who have no strength He gives strength. Wait of the Lord, like the priests in the Old Testament, listening to Him, praying to Him, spending time with Him. God wipes out the bitterness. Minister to the Lord. Your praises may set your family free. What happened when David praised God? In 1 Sam. 30:7 and 8 we learn that they overtook and recovered all. Praise gets you to a place where you can hear from the Lord. Paul and Silas praised God when they were in deplorable conditions in an inner jail cell in Acts 16:25. Their praise was so loud all the prisoners could hear them. What was the result? All the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed, and the jailor’s household was saved. Phil. 4:6 tells you to not be anxious, but let your requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Peace comes by giving praise to God with thanksgiving.
Seven Things You Can Know About the Anointing Part 2
Offering message: Text: Ps. 107:1, 20-21. Offerings are tied to worship. Our offerings are an expression of our love for God the Father and His Son, Jesus. In Mark 4 the seed is the Word in your heart. Everything we receive from God is from the seed of the Word. Sermon: Pastor Dale talked about the blessing of Ralph Wilkerson to the Body of Christ and to his family as they visited with Ralph and Aileen. In 2 Kings 2:7-9 it is recorded that fifty men were watching Elijah and Elisha, but only those two men went through the Jordan. The anointing is the power of God for ministry. What you do gets different results when the anointing is there. Pastor Dale shares about the anointing on him setting a co-worker free from demonic spirits and releasing the power for him to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. We need the anointing to minister. We should be more moved by the love of Jesus than our love for other people. Jesus never asked Peter if he loved people. He asked him if he loved Him. You need to ask for the anointing. Elisha asked for a double portion, which had a higher cost to go with it, but hardships can’t compare to the blessings. Pastor Dale tells about Brother Dresner being anointed to deliver healing to a family who sacrificed to have Dale and him stay with them. Expect God to provide the anointing for you, but ask for it. Ethen Armstrong was anointed and blessed at the end of the service.
It Starts With the Heart
Brian Rohrer shares his testimony as a pastor’s son. He tells how being hurt by church-goers and judging God by looking at people caused him to question and run from God. He saw his father going out of his comfort-zone to minister to troubled kids on drugs. Through different changes, his dad decided to have a church to reach kids like Brian, and his desires shifted to wanting to preach and sing and being excited about Jesus. Once again, something happened causing a church-split, and Brian poured his life into his work, but when his position was eliminated, he was forced to face himself. Through another process, he broke down and chose to forgive himself and others. What did he learn? Among other things: To whom much is forgiven, much is required; we are covered by the blood; we need to offer ourselves to God 100%; we have weapons of the blood of Jesus, the word of our testimony, the Word of God, and the power of prayer. In an instant God can wipe away a lifetime of sin. On the road to redemption, we find out that we are not under condemnation. Jesus does not leave people where they are. Revival is work. It is touching the father’s heart. Signs and wonders should be following us or they can become distractions. Satan wants us to keep begging for forgiveness and living in condemnation, but our fight is already won!
The Anointing Breaks Through the Obstacles
Pastor Dale- Offering Message: Ps. 112:1-3 Your seed (descendants, your words) will be mighty on earth. We are the generation of the upright, and we are blessed. Wealth and riches are in our house. Wealth is works of art and investments. Riches is money that passes through our hands to bless others. Moody, Finney, and other revivalists had rich people behind them. Women helped to finance Jesus’ ministry. Sermon notes: Ps. 103:1-5 Bless the Lord and remember all His benefits- salvation from sin, healing of bodies, redemption from death, youth renewed. Bless His holy name! Learn the language of revival. God spoke the Word and created the universe. We need a fresh understanding of why we are on the earth. God has triumphed over our enemies. There’s nothing wrong with God, and His Word will not return void. The world is looking for what’s real. God wants to renew us; we need a touch of God for our bodies. We are joint-heirs with Christ. Break through the obstacles. In Acts 10:38 we find that God anointed Jesus. God was with Him. Jesus Christ is the answer. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a mandate for the church. Come into the power of God. John the Baptist baptized Jesus and the Spirit descended on Him, and then He began His ministry. In Matt. 4:18 and 19 Jesus told the disciples to follow Him. They immediately left their nets, and He made them fishers of men. The church needs the anointing. You have to follow Him, allowing Him to go before you, so you can see what He’s doing and know how to treat people. He had compassion. Mark 1:36 Simon and others with Jesus searched for Jesus. They searched for Him and His presence, because He carried the anointing. People don’t want to follow us when what we talk about is problems. The priests had to wear bells on their clothing when they went into the Holy of Holies. There is a sound from heaven, a sound of praise. Taste and see that the Lord is good. The men bringing the paralytic to Jesus had expectancy. They wanted to get to the real Jesus, and their faith broke through the obstacles and what others thought. A touch from Jesus is needed for life. Be filled with His Spirit again. There is a sound of faith and victory. Do you have a meaningful relationship with Christ? There was a time of ministry for salvation, healing, and a refilling of the Holy Spirit.
The Fire of the Holy Spirit, Winds of Revival, and the Call and Gifts of God
(Pastor Dale Armstrong- offering and communion messages) Offering message: 2 Cor. 9:8 tells us that God is able to make all grace abound to us. We have sufficiency in all things that we may abound to every good work. We believe for faith for the harvest and for those of us already a part of CWI Lancaster to abound. Get ready for abundance and for the harvest of souls. Communion message: First Peter 1:18-19 tells us that Jesus Christ’s blood saves and redeems us. As believers, we should expect daily times of confession of our sins. First John 1:9 to 2:2 affirms that if we confess our sins to Him, He will forgive us and cleanse us. Jesus Christ is our Advocate and the propitiation for our sins. He paid the price and received the punishment for our sins. Is. 53:6 shows us that God’s wrath against sin was poured out on Christ for us. Don’t carry sin. His faithfulness, righteousness, and justice apply to us and restores us to a holy place with God. Know the power of His righteousness in the presence of God. We can go to the throne room and know that we are His beloved. Sermon message: Gal. 6:7-9 Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Sow to the Spirit. Don’t get weary and lose heart. Advance the kingdom by doing what the Word says. Are we doing what God wants us to do? Celebrate Pentecost, the day of the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to be ignited in you again and go out as carriers and demonstrators of of the power of God to the world. The wind is blowing again and rekindles the fire the hotspots that spread. There is a fire coming that will build. The Church is rising with a voice and healing in its wings. We need the wind of Pentecost. Luke 19:11 is the Parable of the Minas. The disciples thought the Kingdom of God was going to be immediate. We have to hear what the Spirit is saying to us. It is not normal for us to tolerate what the devil is doing to us. We have gifts in our lives. The call of God changes you as you find your purpose and plan of God for your life. Be the evidence and the carriers. Don’t just wait for the rapture. The church cannot make excuses. Become the evidence of the Word. There are many who don’t want Jesus to reign over them. He came to bless people. The church has buried its talent and gifts given to them. What are you doing with your gifts? If you buried them, His return will not be a happy day. Every kingdom has its own rules. We must do things His way, whether it’s salvation, being filled with the Holy Spirit, using your gifts, living in forgiveness, sowing into His Kingdom. Whose rules are you going to live under? We need to know God. WE MUST DO IT HIS WAY! We are carriers of His anointing. There’s a cry in us – Phil. 3:10 “That I May Know Him.” In 2 Tim. 4:3-7 tells about the time (now) when people won’t listen to sound doctrine, and they will do their own thing. We must be watchful is all things. Our God is awesome! Endure afflictions and do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry gift. We are called by God.
Walk Worthy of Your Calling
The church is lagging behind where God wants us to be. The early church had more evidence of the revelation of God. Paul had an amazing encounter. We need an encounter with God. Revival will cause us to rise up with signs and wonders. We must be the church until Jesus returns; don’t sit back waiting for the rapture. The revelation of the disciples has eroded. We have an eternal purpose. If you mess up, don’t give up, but press in. God wants to take us into something so big and amazing. The text is Eph. 3:11 through 4:1. The eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus is how we can have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. To have confidence, we need an encounter with God. You need to be strengthened in your inner man. Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, and we have a revelation of Jesus Christ. God wants us to comprehend the love of Christ and the power in His name. We can’t comprehend by our minds, but by our spirits, that we may be filled with the fullness of God. We already have the power, because He tells us that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us. We are to walk worthy of the calling in which we were called, consistently. How do we glorify God? We glorify Him when we lay hands on the sick and when we testify … In 2 Kings 3:16- they dug ditches. Dig ditches in your life to make a place for God to come to us so the revival will remain and the enemy will be defeated. Change how you speak to speaking the Word, and renew your mind.
Breakthrough to the Promises
Neil Miers uses the example of Moses in Exodus 3:7-10 and chapter 5 to teach us what we may face when God gives us a promise. The enemy tries to get our eyes off the promises of God and onto our problems, but God wants to see us establish Kingdom principles. To get to the promise, we must break through the obstacles, strongholds, thoughts, and voices. Negativity and faithlessness, etc., are our prisons that we must break out of. Moses, like us, had to get the people out of oppression and into a place of liberty. BUT, the place of liberty is already inhabited. In order for God to get us in, there are things, such as inferiority and insecurity, that we need to get out. God takes us out of something to take us into something. God tells us what to do, but we must do them. Second Cor. 4:16-18 tells us that there is a war between our flesh and spirit. We are the ones who are to go and be carriers of the Gospel. Was Pharaoh impressed by Moses’ declaration about the Lord God? No, and when we share the Gospel, people may reject us, and we might not see the results we want right away either. God needs strong Christians. We are not building Satan’s kingdom, but God’s, and He sees us as His army. When you start pushing toward the promise, things often get worse. Every plague challenged the gods of Egypt. After plundering Egypt, they faced the Red Sea. Besides that, they realized they were being chased by the Egyptian army. What did Moses do? He looked to God and asked Him what He wanted him to do. Walk into what He told you to do so He can destroy your enemies. Give, invite people, share the Gospel. Pray for people’s needs and keep trusting God. Your greatest enemy is your flesh. You must break through the obstacles.
Hearing the Voice of the Lord in the Time of Harvest
Offering Notes: Dale Armstrong: Eph. 3:20 God’s ability and power are not a question. We must cooperate with God on His terms for salvation and healing. God wants to fine-tune us and He expects us to be more obedient because He has more to give us. Joshua 1:8 Meditate in the Word that you may observe to do according to what is wirtten. Prosperity is more linked with meditation than giving. Meditate prosperous thoughts and be specific. Mark 11:24 Whatever you desire with description when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. In Andorra, Pastor Dale taught someone how to use his faith by the example of putting his faith with his desire. Expect and release faith. Bob Hawk “Hearing the Voice of the Lord in the Time of Harvest” Sermon notes: Deut. 28:1 It shall come to pass if we diligently obey the voice of the Lord to observe His commandments … John 4:34-38 tells us that Jesus’ food was to finish His work. That’s ours also. The fields are already white for harvest, now. We must aggressively win the lost. Look at your field and don’t take your salvation for granted, but be inflamed with the fire of God. Listen to what God is saying. In 1 Cor. 3:6-8 we are told that we are laborers with one another and with God. Everyone will receive his own reward according to his own labor. We must listen to His voice and be in His will, regardless of our circumstances. Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 2:3, 6, 13, and 22 say, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…” Rev. 3:19-20 We must listen to what God is telling us and be where we belong. Things that are hidden will be revealed, so let your light shine (Mark 4:20-25). Be aggressive and don’t miss the greatest awakening. Hear, and He will give you more. Isaiah 1:19 tells us to be willing and obedient and that we will eat the good of the land. Other texts: 1 Peter 1:14; John 10:1-5; Rom. 8:12-14; John 16:13. Are we willing to spend time in fellowship long enough to hear what He wants to share with us? Don’t listen to the voices of past “strangers”. Listen to God with an open heart. Be specific in what you desire or are asking. Live by the Spirit, and He will guide you and tell you things to come.
The Anointing Part 2
Offering message: III John 2- your finances will never prosper more than your soul prospers. See your soul prosper in the Word of God and change your thinking. God doesn’t talk about limited resources. God is your source, not your paycheck, Social Security. your employer. Think abundance. The world has limits, but God has abundance. If your thinking is limited, you will consider what one person has as taking from what someone else can have. Sermon message: A word was given through Lee Jones about a new wind stirring up the dormant wind in the CWI body. It’s like a fire that can’t be shut up. We need to give place for God to move; we need both the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. II Kings 2:8-14 is the text for learning about the seven things about the anointing. #1 You need to ask for the anointing. #2 The anointing can be measured. #3 The anointing can be increased. #4 The anointing can be transferred from one person to another. #5 The anointing can be lost. #6 The anointing can be transmitted materially (such as through mantles, bones, handkerchiefs). #7 You must qualify for the anointing. James 4 tells us that we don’t have because we don’t ask. Ask for the Lord to use you. THERE’S AN ANOINTING FOR YOUR CALL. ASK THE LORD TO ANOINT YOU TO DO WHAT HE HAS FOR YOU. Ask, seek, and knock. There are intensities of asking. Enlarge your praying and asking. In the anointing there is access to all things. Get hungry for the anointing. It will keep you safe. Pray for the anointing of God’s favor. Pastor Dale tells of a “scary” encounter with an angel in Armenia and how we can limit God’s anointing, which has no limits. Fear can cause us to limit the Holy Spirit’s anointing, but yokes need to be broken by the anointing.
Jesus Walked on the Water
Offering message: Luke 6:36. Sowing begins long before your giving. Being merciful, not judging or condemning, and forgiving all come before giving. Watch what you’re sowing. If you want to change what you are reaping, sow something different. Look at and remember what God and others have given you. Sermon: In Matt. 14:24-31 as Jesus was walking on the water when the wind was contrary, He told His disciples, “Be of good cheer. Do not be afraid.” You do not need to be afraid, but you should also be of good cheer. Jesus is with you. There is some victory or good thing you can remember experiencing. A little taste of victory can change you. Peter obeyed Jesus when He said to come. He did walk on the water, too. When God tells you to do something, have faith in Him and do what He tells you to do. Peter got his eyes off of Jesus and onto the wind and “began to sink”. Again, Jesus told him to not be afraid, and Jesus immediately saved him. What did Peter doubt? He doubted himself. People doubt their ability to receive from God. In Luke 4:17-18 Jesus quoted the Scriptures that talked about Himself. Find in the Bible what tells about you and your situation and speak it. Problems help define who you are when you defeat them, such as David was defined by taking care of the Goliath problem. Don’t back down, but stand on what the Bible says about you and get your eyes on Jesus. Laugh at your problems.
Repent and Pursue God’s Presence
Our assignment is to go to the next level for this region, this nation, and other nations. Pray for a demonstration of His power. Take authority over the strategies of the enemy and do what you are to do. There is power, but there is a cost to pay. Don’t miss the will of God for your life. It will take greater seeking for His presence. God wants our heart. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we are told to 1) humble ourselves, not others. Pride is thinking you can do it yourself. 2) Pray. 3) Seek His face (presence). 4) Turn from your evil ways. We must produce. Don’t allow heart issues to continue. Mal. 3:1-3 tells us that God was sending a messenger who would be like the refiner and the launderer. We need to deal with any heart issues and sin in our lives. The fire refines and purifies what is gross. The baptism of fire must be invited. It can be resisted if you don’t want to change. Luke 3:16. God wants His church to reflect His image. Matt. 3:1-5 tells of John the Baptist calling for people to repent, think differently, change their conduct. We can change the atmosphere for miracles. Matt. 4:17 Jesus said for people to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In Mark 1:2-15 Immediately after Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, He was sent into the wilderness. We must repent and believe and do. Doing is where the manifestations of glory take place. Mark 6:7-12 The twelve disciples also preached that people should repent. Allow your heart to be changed by the fire of His presence. Acts 3:19 Repent and be converted that your sin may be blotted out and times of refereshing from the presence of the Lord. Conversion will change people and they way they think and act. Worship the true God and turn back to the love of wisdom and righteousness. Pursue God and His presence. Repentance is not a bad message.
The Anointing Part 1
Judges 6:13-16 If there weren’t any miracles, then God has forsaken His people. Gideon said his clan was poor. God said, “Surely I will be with you. You shall defeat the Midianites as one man. Gideon, you don’t have to do it alone.” Two together can strike the enemy as one man. Insist on upholding one another.Is. 10:24-27 The anointing establishes the covenant of God and breaks off the yoke of bondage. Moses and Gideon were anointed to do what they had to do. It was like the five-fold ministry as one man. In 2 Kings 2:8-15 Elijah’s mantle (the double anointing) was passed to Elisha, but both Elijah’s and Elisha’s servants left or failed their masters. DON’T DROP THE BATON! Build on what went before. See with the eyes of the Spirit. The anointing does not come easily, and the devil will try to rob it. In 2 Kings 13:14 Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, failed because of the lust of money. When Elisha tried to transfer the anointing to the king of Israel, the king only smote the arrows three times, meaning Syria would be defeated only three times. When Elisha was buried and a dead man was put in his tomb, the bones of Elisha caused the man to revive and stand up. Anointings need to be passed on. DON’T BURY YOUR ANOINTING! We are anointed as believers, whereas under the Old Covenant, only priests, kings, and prophets received the anointing. If you want results, there must be an anointing. There was a time of prophetic ministry to individuals.
The Goodness of God
The benefit of the Good Shepherd hinges on our believing that Jesus Christ is our personal Shepherd. If He is your Shepherd and Lord, you will not want and lack. You will be in a place of peace, your soul will be restored, He will lead you in paths of righteousness, you will fear no evil, you will eat a feast while your enemies watch, and goodness and mercy will follow you. In Matt. 4:4 Jesus said that it’s written that man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Don’t draw back from God’s table and His Word. He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35). This is a time to worship and to gather together. The devil is intent against you, and you can condemn him. As part of Body of Christ, you are infused with power from God. Ps. 34:1-10 tells us to bless the Lord at all times and praise Him continually. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear God. Your life should be worship. Matt. 7:7-11 instructs us to ask, seek, and knock and that He gives good things to those who ask Him. Keep Jesus Christ in the Shepherd and Lord position in your life.
Abounding Grace
Texts: Eph. 2:1-10; II Cor. 12:9; II Cor. 8:9. God is rich in mercy, and He is in love with you. He wants to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us. Giving requires receiving. What you have, give away. However, you must be able to receive in order to give out, which requires humility. Do you know how to receive? Give up the pride, set your heart to receive, and say, “Thank You, Jesus.” The power of God is the grace of God. Your faith pulls in God’s free gifts. Jesus became poor, so that you can be rich, but you must receive it. The work you have grace for is the work He has called you to. Sowing starts in the heart. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you will have all sufficiency in all things. Are you questioning God’s ability? Focus on Him and His grace. Grace is the power to produce what you need. Tap into the grace of God. He gives you grace, because He wants you to get the work done that He has called you to do. Don’t limit God. There was ministry to those who have businesses by people who have creative abilities.
Watch! and Be Witnesses in These Last Days
II Tim. 3:1-5 tells about the perilous times of the last days. This passage of scripture is describing our present time. In Acts 1:6-11 we are told that we are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, because the Holy Spirit has come upon us. Mark 13:32-37 is a call to watch and pray. We have Jesus Christ’s authority to minister- to work. Prayer is our assignment. Allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse you and be alert and awake, not letting Satan to pull you down. Maintain the mind of Christ, and don’t take on the cares of the world. This is a time to use your faith and not be self-deceived. We represent Jesus and He will never leave us. He needs us to walk in His power and demonstration of Jesus. Joel 3:0 Prepare for war and wake up the mighty men of war (spiritual warfare), because multitudes are in the valley of indecision. Be bold. Rom. 13:8-14 Love one another and pray for the deception to be broken off of people. Assist people to make a decision for Christ and make no provision for the flesh by putting on Jesus. I Cor. 15 tells us to wake to righteousness and sin not. Be people of truth and worship God in Spirit and truth. Get rid of the complacency, deception, and hidden things in your heart. You are not getting away with anything. Will you walk worthy of the Lord? Do your reflect Jesus?
Offering Message: Ps. 112:1-4 Our seed will be mighty on the earth. Wealth and riches shall be in your house. You have to take wealth and riches by faith before you see it. You can be a believer and be sincere, but still be in darkness. Don’t stay there. Don’t hold onto the darkness, but hold onto hope, joy, and light. Sermon: Acts 3:1- There is a connection with prayer and miracles. Make prayer a habit. When you are praying, you won’t enter into temptation. The disciples had been on their way to pray when they passed by a man, and their ministry to him brought many to salvation. Pastor Dale told of when the Lord set up several situations which put him in connection with people and ministry in other countries. In Acts 16:13 Lydia was a person of prayer, and she was the first person to receive Jesus in Asia. Go to meet God, and He will get you to meet people. Talk to God about men before talking to men about God. Seek the Lord and spend time with Him. Use a time of loneliness for intercessory prayer. You can have confidence to act on what God tells you to do, if you have spent time with Him. Pastor Dale shared how being hungry at night in Argentina put him in connection with Ukranian men who had been praying in tongues, trying to find him. Prayer should be a delight and serving Him should be fun. Don’t let religion and the devil beat the fun out of you. Col. 4:17 Take heed to the ministry you have received from the Lord. You have to receive it, not achieve it. Relax and worship God.
The Use of the Name of Jesus
Ps. 8. God’s name is excellent. Jesus’ name is far above all other names (Eph. 1). God has perfected praise. To Jesus perfected praise is strength over our enemies. (Remember: people are not the enemy or the problem.) Praise shuts up the enemy. When Satan torments your sleep, praise the Lord and pray in tongues. James 4:7 tells us that we first submit to God (by praising Him), then resist the devil, and he will flee. In Ps. 8:5 we learn that God made man a little lower than the angels, but in the Hebrew language it was “God”. In Heb. 2:7-9 the Greek translation is “angels”. Jesus restored dominion to man. John 14:13 says that if we ask anything in Jesus’ name, He would do it … that the Father may be glorified in Jesus Christ. In John 16:23 He told His disciples that in that day they would ask Him nothing, but whatever they would ask the Father in Jesus’ name, He would give it to them. We can use Jesus’ name as a command of faith, like Peter did in Acts 3:1-11, in which he spoke to the lame man rather than praying for him. Pastor Dale told of a time in Armenia when the Holy Spirit told him that He was going to preach. In that service a deaf mute was healed, and he saw Jesus going through the congregation and touching people. Is. 45:11 tells us to ask Him of things to come and concerning the work of His hand, we are to command Him. Value Jesus’ name. You can decree a thing, and it shall be established for you. Pastor Dale told about Boris, a Russian prisoner who had received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and had a desire to become a translator for American missionaries. He didn’t know English, but he wrote his desire with a rock on a handkerchief and hung it up. He later translated for Pastor Dale. We can use Jesus’ name when we are praying to the Father. Praise and the name of Jesus are weapons for us to use. Ps. 149:5-9 tells us about the weapon of praise.
Jesus Is The Lamb of God
Offering Message: Text: Mark 4:20. Your money is not your seed; it’s your faith behind your giving. Sow the seed in your heart and give in obedience to God. Your confidence should be in the Word. Do you want to see a 100-fold return? Communion: I Cor. 10:16 The bread represents the Body of Christ, and the Cup of Blessing represents the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ is one. Acts 2 says that they were in one accord. Satan likes to divide. When anyone in the Body does not fulfill his/her part, the whole Body suffers. Sin breaks us up, and the communion table instills unity. The point of agreement with the whole Body of Christ is the Blood of Jesus Christ. Sermon: John 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. I Peter 1:18, 19- Know that you were redeemed with the Blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish or spot. The Jews disagreed about resurrection. The Body of Christ does not agree on everything either, but the non-negotiable is the Blood of Christ and its power. You cannot buy or earn or work for your redemption; it is only grace and faith in Jesus’ blood. Do you realize the sinfulness of sin and its consequences? His blood was the price paid for the sins of the world. Do not hide from God when you sin. I John 2:1. God takes us as we are, but He does not leave us the same. The purpose of His grace is to get you out of sin. In reality, we sin, but we have an Advocate- Jesus! He is our lawyer. He does the talking for us, when we are accused by our sin. He is the propitiation for our sins; God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus, not us. Propitiation means the one who receives the penalty. Jesus paid the price and took the punishment for our sins. Don’t take the punishment yourself! Jesus was our “whipping boy”. We put Jesus on the cross. Surrender the worst things to Jesus, and He will turn them around. I John 1:7-10 As we walk in the light, He gives us more light to walk in. When we are in His light, we are forgiven and cleansed, and Jesus argues our case. God wants us clean.