The Call of God #12
In the Spirit, Not in the Flesh
Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The condition of not having any condemnation is that we walk according to the Spirit. We need to respond to the voice of God without looking backwards. We are to take the territory, and as a church, we should be sending people out. In creation, God said, and it was. God did not speak man into existence, but formed him and breathed into him. When we are in Jesus Christ, His breath and Spirit are in us, leading us and telling us what to do. We are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if we are led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2-17). We present ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). God inhabits our praise. Praise opens the doors to the fullness of His power. Enter into the House of God with thanksgiving and praise. The pastor confirms what God has already been speaking to you. We have a lazy form of worship and praise. The church has reacted to what the devil has done. God has equipped us with a preemptive strike. That strike is prayer. We all know 2 Chronicles 7:14, but before that statement, Solomon had asked for wisdom. He asked for God to restore the Israelite people for when they fall away from Him. Praying is a two-sided conversation. We need to be quiet and listen to Him and not be distracted. Praying in the Spirit is a preemptive strike. We have one mortal lifetime to change our eternity. Be what you were created to be. Do not try to fix the problem, but after you have prayed, be quiet with the person you are praying for and trust God to do what you have prayed. Do not make so much noise that someone else’s voice cannot be heard. The Word does not return void. Sometimes it takes another person’s voice for the person to actually “hear” what you had been repetitively saying. We are beings of the Spirit. Do not be conformed to this world, but allow the Spirit to transform your mind (Romans 12:2). Conformity is giving into outside pressure, whereas transformation is an inward change. God breathed life into you so you can live where He is. Worship is going up to where God is. The more we change on the inside, the more the outside will change.
Pray for Repentance, Revival, and Reaping
God loved us first and gave us His Son Jesus (Eph. 2; John 3:16-21). He is worthy of glory (Rev. 4-5:14). Ps. 2:8 tells us to ask for the heathen for our inheritance. We must ask and pray for the lost, here in Lancaster and beyond. How should we pray? 1) Pray for boldness (Eph. 6:19; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31). 2) Pray for a door into their lives (Col. 4:2). 3) Pray that the Word will find good soil. 4) Pray that God would grant them repentance (Acts 11; John 16:8-11). 5) Pray for workers to be sent to them (Matt. 9:35-38; John 4:34-38). Pastor Brian: 1 Peter 4:17 says that judgment begins at the House of God. We must prepare our hearts for revival. We must humble ourselves and pray. Jesus said it is finished. He bought our redemption. Prayer is the ultimate action. Ask God to put His heart into yours. (There was time for prayer for the lost.)
Two Years to Repentance
2 Chron. 7:14 tells the Body of Christ to humble themselves, seek God, and pray. God needs men to stand in the gap and pray (Ezekiel 22:23-31). Daniel prayed a prayer of repentance in Daniel 9:1-19. Repentance should start in the Church, not just for the wrong we’ve done, but for what we should do and don’t. God wants our obedience. When we come to worship and together, we must come with expectation in our spirits to give to God, to meet with Him, and with thanksgiving. Religion is anything that takes from or adds to the truth of the Word. We must believe the truth. In 2 Chron. 7:1-16 the glory of God filled the temple on its dedication day. Intercede for your family and this land. We have access to the throne of God and are kings and priests because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We need both the fear of God and the love of our Heavenly Father. There was a time of corporate and personal worship, repentance, and prayer.
Support Our Political Leaders Who Stand For Biblical Principles
In Ezekiel 22 God talks about someone needing to stand in the gap before He judges a nation. Before that He gave a warning about the failure of the prophets and the spiritual leaders. Our political leaders are not a fix to the spiritual needs of our nation. We, as the church, should stand up for righteousness and to be light. In 2008, twenty million Christians did not vote. The president won in 2008 by eight million votes. We need to support and hold accountable those who have been elected. Call and let your governmental leaders know you are praying for them. Find out what is happening behind the scenes. Brian tells what is being voted in as U.N. treaties, which will greatly impact the church and all of us.
Worship and Walls (Awakening His Generation)
Ethen Armstrong, via Skype from Odessa, Ukraine, preached on “Worship and Sacrifice”. (Rom. 12:1) Worship is a life lived for God, sacrificing what you want for what God wants. When you step into His path, He becomes your provision and protection. God has an appointed place for you. For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross (Heb. 12:2). Do everything for Him; He’s done so much for you. Stay in the Word and pray, so it’s easier to hear the voice of the Lord. Don’t say, “I don’t feel like doing that right now.” Show your love for Him; it’s a daily walk of faith. It’s up to you whether you will worship and what you will allow to distract you. Where are you going to walk? Truly worship and serve Him. (Ethen shared what he is doing in Odessa through God’s help. He asked for prayer for himself and for Pastor Dale.) Brian Rohrer shares his testimony of running from God’s calling and preaches the importance of standing in the gap, to do what God has commissioned you to do (Ezek. 22). (2 Chron. 7:14) Get the Word in your life. Don’t question Him, but do your best for Him. Release what negative you’ve done and make it your testimony. Pursue God. Allow Him and others to teach you. Be willing. Show love to one another. God can break through walls. Get over strife! Pray and praise when you’re in prison. The final wall is Jesus on the cross. The walls fell when He said, “Father, forgive them”, and “It is finished!” Unleash the walls in your heart. Let Jesus in. Don’t make the power of the cross useless. FORGIVE!
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!