Luke 12:29-34 Don’t worry, but first seek the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom must come first in our lives, even before our families. If you can’t serve in the local church because you’re too busy, you’re putting something else before the kingdom of God. Matt. 18:1-4 tells us to become like a child to enter the kingdom of God, and 1 Cor. 14:20 tells us not to be like children in our understanding, but to be innocent as far as evil is concerned. HOW DOES THE KINGDOM OPERATE? IT OPERATES BY FAITH, NOT BY WORKS. Matt. 20:1-16 is The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The first workers hired had an agreement to work for a certain amount of pay. Later in the day, the landowner recruited other workers for an amount that he said would be right. When they were paid, the ones who had an agreement were upset, because the later hired workers, who accepted the offer by faith in the landowner’s word, received the same amount of pay. That’s how the kingdom of God operates. It’s not by works, but it’s by faith. Peter didn’t catch any fish, had cleaned up, put his equipment away, but at a preacher’s word (Jesus’), he let Him use his boat and did what he told him to do concerning casting his net. He was rewarded with two boatloads of fish because of his faith in Jesus’ word. What gets rewarded? It’s your faith in Jesus’ word and the Scriptures. Faith is the great equalizer. Do you spend your time doing what matters and what will last?
The Kingdom of God Part 4
Love the Church and Serve
Offering message: Matt. 6:1-2. Never let tradition steal from you that God wants to reward you. He wants us full and overflowing so we can bless others for His kingdom. We need to believe God is a rewarder. Sermon message: Eph. 5:23-2. Do we love the church and are we ready to give ourselves for it? How committed are we? God gave us Jesus, who gave His life for us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The individual has value. When Jesus left the ninety-nine to go after the one, they had to make it on their own. Follow the Holy Spirit. Pastor Dale told about rescuing children who lived in the sewers and how the former “sewer rats” ministered to the young new additions. This is a picture of what the church is to be: the ones who have been set free ministering to the lost and the newly saved ones. Comparing it to the role of a coach, the five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:11-13) is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body. The saints are to do the work. We need believers who are servants.
The Kingdom Of God Part 5
Both John the Baptist and Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” A kingdom is a realm in which a king rules. The kingdom of heaven, also referred to as the kingdom of God, is God’s way of doing things. The Holy Spirit hovered over the earth waiting to perform God’s word, and then God spoke it into existence, and the Holy Spirit performed it. Jesus operated like God does and manifested God’s way of doing things. Adam and Eve lost the way to operate like God does, but then Jesus showed how the kingdom is to operate by speaking out God’s will and word. We should operate the same way. Read and meditate on Scriptures about the kingdom of heaven. You can apply the kingdom in your life by praying in the Spirit, being sensitive to Him, and spending time with Him. (We then prayed in the Spirit, asking Him how to specifically pray over our offering.)
Prayer: The Discipline of Prayer
Offering message: Realize: Jesus is alive! Heb. 7:4. Pastor Dale prayed over Gene English, and Kevin Burrows had a word for him. Sermon: The disciples raised up a crippled man on their way to prayer (Acts 3). They had the discipline of praying at certain times in the day. Don’t let go of your prayer life. We need the discipline of prayer. When you keep your eyes on the goal, the discipline needed to reach it isn’t drudgery. Pastor Dale explains discipline from the perspective of desire, such as saving for a trip to Hawaii. Discipline is not drudgery if you keep the desire. Have the desire and discipline for prayer in your life. The devil hates prayer because he’s afraid of it. Discipline in doing natural things takes time and money. Acts 16 tells how prayer changed things. If we want to see things happen, we need to bathe and birth them in prayer. In Rev. 3:15 God says that He will spew out of His mouth those who are neither hot nor cold for Him. Prayer avails much (James 5:16-17). Christianity is a relationship of love and prayer with God and the Holy Spirit. Let your desire for prayer determine your discipline for prayer. As you go through your day, “see” the call to prayer. Be a people of desire. Desire brings you into prayer. Fasting is putting away carnal desires for spiritual ones, which results in spiritual fervency.
The Kingdom of God Part 6
Luke 12:22-32 The Father knows what we need, but we still ask. Seek the kingdom and cast your cares on him. Thank Him for the harvest. It’s the doer of the Word who will enter heaven (Matt. 7:21). Matt. 21:28-32is the parable of the two sons. Do we realize it’s the Lord speaking to us, when we’re asked to do something? God talks to us by the inner witness- peace or no peace. His Spirit witnesses to our spirit. Be careful what you say: Don’t say that you can’t hear God’s voice, but say, “I hear the voice of the Lord.” Reason comes when you listen to your flesh, when it says, “That’s not God.” Later, when you pray, you get confused. If you know it’s God, obey. If you deceive yourself into believing it’s not God, and it is, then you need to repent, and do what you were told to do. God reveals truth through the Holy Spirit. Deception’s symptoms are strife and confusion. Pastor Syd gave the example of Jonah and also of himself, when he didn’t obey God’s voice about getting on a plane to come to Lancaster the morning after God told him to do so. Both repented and obeyed, after the delay in obedience. Serving the Lord is worship. Matt. 25:1-13 is the parable of the 10 virgins. Be ready. Have additional resources (a “God account”), do the preparation, be committed and prayed up and studied-up and be healthy to do the work of the kingdom. Faith gets rewarded. Get prepared to move at a moment’s notice.
Prayer: The Will of God
(Kevin Burrows shared a vision the Lord showed him, and there was an altar call for repentance of unforgiveness. Kathy Neff told about a picture she had about receiving our inheritance.) Sermon: John 15:1-7. The goal of our Christian walk is to abide in Jesus. Don’t get your eyes on the fruit but on abiding and seeking God. The first indication of fruit in a disciple’s life is answered prayer. If you’re abiding in Him, then ask what you desire. The only reason Jesus prayed, “If it be Your will,” is that He didn’t know the Father’s will. We can know what His will is by reading His Word. Abiding is being at home with God, thinking like He does, seeing things like He does. When we know His will, we can be confident that we’ll get what we pray (1 John 5:14). Don’t pray, “If it is Your will,” and if your prayers failed, don’t say it was God’s will not to answer it. Don’t blame God if your prayers failed, but agree with God’s Word (Mark 9:14), Abide, let the Word get in you, and stand in faith. You should have a daily time of prayer. Get into the presence of God. Consecrate to unite with the will of God. Ask for your daily bread. Forgive.
The Kingdom of God Part 7
Offering message: The poor widow gave 100% of what she had, which is recorded as being more than what the rich people gave. Gal.6:7-9 gives the basic principle of the kingdom: you reap what you sow. Be moved by faith and compassion, not by need. Sermon: (Kingdom Principles) Luke 12:29-32 Seek first the kingdom. God delights to give you the kingdom. Text: Matt. 13:1-32. Everything in the kingdom operates on seedtime and harvest, sowing and reaping. The seed is the Word of God. We need to hear it, understand it, and do it, and then we can bear fruit. Every thought is a seed. To enter God’s kingdom, you must be born-again (John 3:1-8). A test of your love is your giving. We sow seeds in relationships, time, money, and all parts of our lives. There are also bad seeds – from Satan. Guard against fear, doubt, stress, strife, frustration. Weed your garden and take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ. It’s easier to root out seeds than it is a plant or tree. Don’t agree with Satan’s thoughts, but be proactive and take care of thoughts at the seed level. The seed you speak is the seed that will grow. Be kingdom and seed-minded. Sow and reap in faith and be motivated by love. Other Scriptures: Luke 8:11; 1 John 2:24; John 3:1-8; 1 John 3:1-3; Gal. 5:6.
Prayer: Abiding With the Father
John 15:1-7. If a fruit tree isn’t pruned, the “suckers” take away from the fruit. If we are to bear fruit, we need to cut some things off. Your life will change when you prune it. If we abide in Him, we’ll bear much fruit. The root of failure is our lack of daily time with God. Get into the Word to know God’s will. When you abide in Him, you can trust your desires. Prayerlessness is a sin. Pastor Dale tells about almost losing his wife and son and how it changed when they prayed. There are turning points of answered prayer or negligence. Someone’s life could depend on your obedience to pray. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was at a breaking point, but He knew the Father’s will and obeyed Him. We need to have the Word in us and be prayed up, so we can handle the pressure when it comes. During the Finney revival there was the prevalence of prevailing prayer, spontaneous prayer, and intercessory prayer groups. Be hungry after God
Wake Up Citizens
An 8 minute audio clip of Dale’s challenge of the government’s view of gun control. Pray for the churches in Syria, as Muslim sects are persecuting Christians. It is imperative for Christians to be good citizens. Politics tries to hide the real issue, such as changing the rights of a baby to life being changed to a woman’s right. The original meaning of the right to bear arms was to protect the citizens from government that had gone the wrong direction and to keep the balance of power. We need to pray for our country and government. Wake up!
Prayer Night
A word of encouragement was given. We spent the time in prayer.
State of the Church Address
Offering message: In the Parable of the Talents, the man in Matt. 25:14-21 gave talents and then left to come back later. Just as those men were to put to use what was given them, so we need to use what God has given us. Your problems are opportunities for God to show up. Sermon: Text: Matt. 18:11-35. Pastor Dale explained the process of dealing with someone in the church who has sinned. We are the church, and when as an apostle, Pastor Dale is away, we should be able to carry on, because we are caring for one another and are gathered together, agreeing on the Scriptures in Jesus’ name. He has given us authority to bind and loose and to bring reconciliation to others. Pastor Dale desires to see that the sheepfold increased when he comes back from being away. There are many open doors, but beyond those doors are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9). To see a need is a call to serve. We are family, and we all need to work for one another. The focus of this church is missions. You need to develop what God has given you, whether it’s like Moses’ rod or the talents given out. Pastor Dale shared some of the “open doors” and asked for prayer for him on his long trip to Siberia. Find your place in this family. We need watchdogs. What’s in your hand?
The Kingdom of God Part 8
The kingdom of God is the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled. Luke 12:29-31 tells about the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. Worry blocks the kingdom. When you focus on developing the kingdom, your living will come to you, because He will see that your needs are met. Your peace and joy levels are gauges of your faith. God is a giver. We should be sowing where we will reap a spiritual harvest. Mark 4:26-32 includes the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The kingdom is about people. How are you giving? The world’s way is taking, but God’s way is giving. If you are giving as if you’re bartering or trading or earning favor, you won’t receive any spiritual benefit. Love gives freely. Jesus bought us back. Sowing is giving because of love. Give of yourself not expecting anything in return. God is a giver: rest, keys of heaven, His life, the Holy Spirit. Sowing is a heart decision, and what you sow, you must release. Pastor Dale sowed a church, and it affects us even now. What you sow affects others. The opposite of giving, sowing, and loving is fear. Rev. 21:5-8 says that the cowards (fearful) will be in the lake of fire. Fearfulness will steal your seed. Faith and giving must be done in love (1 Cor. 13:3; Gal. 5:6-6:10). Sows as God sows.
Siberia Trip
Pastor Dale outlines his trip to Siberia and tells of Jesus Christ’s amazing life changing power in men in Siberia and how they are being used by the Lord in Russian churches. He shared his prayer requests for Teri and himself and his family, as well as for the Siberian pastors and people. Dan and Betty, Pastor Syd, and the congregation prayed over and for Pastor Dale and Teri.
The Gifts of the Spirit
Before the sermon, Pastor Dale shared experiences of a former pastor who walked away from his salvation, even though he was miraculously delivered and filled with the Spirit. God doesn’t give up on us. Don’t give up on Him. Psalm 37: 18, 33. Focus on the next step and not the whole plan. God knows the days of the righteous, and their inheritance will be forever.
In 1 Cor. 12 Paul tells believers what we need to know about spiritual gifts. God wants to use each one of us differently and distributes the gifts as He wills, so listen to Him (He does speak to us !!!) and be led by His Spirit. When He speaks, the gifts are close, and be ready for more than one gift to be in operation. For example, a word of knowledge may be followed by the gift of healing. When He starts using you, don’t get so excited you stop the flow of the gifts after the first one is manifested. Go by the voice of the Lord. When someone prophesies over you, check if it reflects on Jesus. Obey Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives the ministries (v. 5), the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, and God works the gifts in all the ministries. Eph. 4:7 says that each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Rom. 12:4-6 says that all members do not have the same function or office. We are members of one body (the Church) and are members of one another. We have different gifts according to the grace that is given to us. First there’s a call, then God gives us the grace we need to do what He has told us, and then He gives gifts to give away. 1 Cor. 14:1 Pursue love, desire spiritual gifts, but especially prophesy. Say, “I want to be used by You, Lord!”
The Joy of the Lord
Joy is not happiness. Happiness is grounded on the world and on the flesh, whereas joy is a condition of the spirit. The joy of the Lord is physical, spiritual, and emotional. It is a stronghold (done so repeatedly that you can’t get out of it) and gives you strength (Neh. 8:9-11). If you aren’t in joy, and you don’t speak up, the devil will take everything away from you. Joy works with faith. We start with expectancy, and then we can progress to hope, and then onto faith. Faith connects the natural with the supernatural. Faith is the perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses (Heb. 11:1-2). The joy of the Lord moves circumstances by faith such as in the life of Abraham (Rom. 4:17-21) and will cause you to walk in victory. Faith sees the end result. Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4-7). Gentleness is strength and peace, which supplies understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Josh shares a testimony of joy and faith in his personal life and the victory over several serious diseases.
Submission to Authority Part 1 – You Submit to God’s Authority
Giving to God is an act of worship and submission. James 4:6-8 gives strong advice: don’t be proud; submit to God; draw near to Him; purify your hearts; submit to Him; then resist the devil, and he will flee. God is good (James 1:16-17), so if there is stealing, killing, and destruction in your life, it’s of the devil. Gen. 1:26 God created man (Adam and Eve) to rule and have dominion (prevail against, tread over, take). We, too, are to rule and reign in life by Christ Jesus. The god of this world is Satan. Why? Adam chose to submit to the devil and to give his authority to Satan. When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:5-8), he had the authority to do so, because he held the authority. The devil is a master of shortcuts and leads to bondage to whomever will follow him. Temptation is not sin, but if you don’t make the thoughts of it come into obedience of Jesus Christ, the result is sin and death. BUT God raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him above all authority, put all things under His feet, and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church (Eph. 1:20-23). The one sacrifice for sin was offered forever. People get the wrong idea when they hear certain Bible terms, such as deliverance, prosperity, and submission. Find out who God is and who you are (Gal. 2:20). FIRST Submit to God- YOU DO IT! God doesn’t make us do it. Then resist the devil. Rom. 13:1 Authorities are instituted by God. There’s rank in demons, heaven, earth, the church. Keep rank (1 Chron. 12:3-38). There will be people over and under us. There’s freedom in submission. There is grace for your place. Study: 1 Cor. 15:23-28; Matt. 8:5-13.
The Kingdom of God Part 9 (The Keys To The Kingdom)
Matt. 16:13-19 When Jesus told Peter that God revealed to him that Jesus is the Messiah, He said that Peter was a rock (like a piece of rock) and on the rock (the bedrock) He would build His Church. The bedrock is that Jesus is the Messiah. (Pastor Syd referred to Daniel 2:31-35, 44-46. God will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.) Jesus gave us the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Keys are authority, and authority was given to Jesus and He gave it to us to go and make disciples. The keys are that we can bind and loose. In fact, it’s our responsibility to bind and to loose on earth (Matt. 16:18). Don’t pray for what you need to speak to. Jesus lived totally by faith, which is seeing things in the spiritual realm that you can’t see in the natural realm. Jesus used the keys of speaking, loosing, and binding. He did great works as a man by the anointing of God. Speak to the mountain. Declare what you need to declare, rather than asking the Father in prayer for what He has given you the authority to do. Use your authority. Operate with the keys. We are authorized to do even greater works than He did (John 14:12-13). Use His authority to do His will. Speak to your problem. Declare what should be in your body and circumstances.
Submission to Authority Part 2 – Training Your Children
(Steve Broich shared a testimony of forgiveness, and there was ministry for salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit.) God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submission is voluntarily done by the person himself. Humility is submission under God’s authority. Do not talk like the devil, saying things like, “I am proud of …”, but talk like God: “I admire …, or “I honor …”, or “I am pleased with …”. Submit yourself to God in obedience. How do you make your children submit? Prov. 22:6; 13:24; 23:13-14; 22:15; Eph. 6:4 instruct how to train up children in the Lord. Training is not teaching and starts at infancy. When a child is able to crawl, he can learn “no”. The adult must be disciplined in order to discipline a child. The child is to submit to you, not the other way around. The child’s will is to be broken in order for him to be submitted. DON’T ABUSE! Do not tolerate lying and rebellion. Pastor Sydney goes through the order for discipline from making clear rules to restoring everyone involved after an incident. Training helps a child know there is a higher authority and to be led by the Holy Spirit, so they can be used in the Kingdom.
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.
Preparation for His Presence Part 1: Being a Carrier of His Presence
Prophet Bob gave words for the church, and there was a tongue and interpretation with a song given. Sermon: 2 Tim. 3:1-5 tells of the danger of the last days. Sin is the problem, and we’re in a war against the powers of darkness. We should be wearing God’s armor, and Satan is under our feet. We need to allow God to search us intimately each day (Ps. 139:23-24), so that we can be in intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Live a lifestyle of being saturated with His presence. We are to fear God; God will bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:13). The fight is our “crucifying ourselves”, judging ourselves, and getting rid of the judgment against others. God is preparing us to carry His presence to the nations, so we will have layers of our inner man peeled off as we have #1 the fear of the Lord, #2 walk in His love, and #3 walk in the Holy Spirit and power. We also have to judge ourselves whether we are in faith or not, if we are bearing proper fruits, and not disqualifying ourselves at the end (2 Cor. 13:5). Ask yourself: What am I doing? What are my thoughts and attitudes? What are my emotions, body, and mind doing? Examine yourself. Remember, you are a missionary wherever you go.
Preparation for His Presence Part 2
Prophet Bob ministered an impartation to those who have an evangelistic call on their lives. Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19. We are blessed if we suffer reproach for the name of Christ. Verse 18 says “…the righteous one is saved with difficulty”. We must make a change in the compromising church in America. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. We need to know Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:10). There are many who go by the broad way, but few take the narrow and difficult way to life (Matthew 7:13-20). There are many false prophets, and we need to know them by what they produce. The Word strongly states that every tree not bearing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Even people who have done wonders won’t be with Him, because they didn’t know Jesus Christ. We need to know God in order to know how to love others. Pray that the wicked things in you would be exposed. Let Him operate on you and know Him.
Shaking in His Presence
We are to worship God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe (Heb. 12:25-29). We must live in His presence. His joy is our strength. The kingdom of God is within us, and everything else will shake and go away. Those who despise the Word will be destroyed, but those who fear it will be rewarded (Prov. 13:13). The church must be strong in the power of the Lord. We need to hear the Word and to do it. Only you can allow the Word to renew your mind. Put action to what you believe, and do what you’re called to do. Do we put importance on the Word, especially what we’ve heard over and over again? Ps. 19:7-11 says that we have been warned. There is danger ahead, and we need to know how to go forward. James 1:19-25 is a compelling and needed teaching for us to apply. The Word is powerful (Heb. 4:23). We can make a change in this nation, if we are doers, and if we don’t put up with what the devil is doing. Are you participating in what God has told you to do? Are you waiting for God to move when it’s your move? It is critical for us to live by the Spirit. There is a Miracle-Worker (Jesus Christ) inside of you. If we aren’t doing the Word we know, we are self-deceived. Walk in truth. Examine yourself to see if you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruit of it (2 Cor. 13:5). If we live in the present, He will constantly change us. Are you walking in the faith?
Walking Boldly in the Darkness
A young lady received salvation. Bruce explained CWI’s call. The apostle governs the Word, the prophet guides, the evangelist gathers souls, and the teacher grows the Word. The word for CWI is REVIVAL IS NOW! God is waiting on us. It will be a sustained move of God. Are we ready? We need to be a warrior church of love. Revival is a new beginning of obedience to God. Bruce told of staying with an African warrior who intimidated a lion. The warriors went into the darkness to go after lions. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the devil walks about like a roaring lion. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DEVIL, BUT GO INTO THE DARKNESS AND BRING PEOPLE OUT OF IT! We must rise up in fierceness and intimidate the enemy. The world needs us to be warriors. Step into your call. Do whatever you’re called to do. You carry the light that overcomes the darkness by walking as children of light (Eph. 5:8). Pray that our eyes and hearts are open to understand God. Be bold. Share the faith and don’t fear rejection. We must compel them to come in. Quit being judgmental and love people into the kingdom. Be filled with love and the power of God (2 Tim. 1:7). There was a time of ministry and impartation. (Bruce will be ministering the School of Miracles at CWI in early April.)
His Power Part 1
All other religions fear what we have. Pharaoh finally had to bless the Israelites because he experienced God’s power. The prophets of Baal saw that the true God answers by fire when Elijah called on God’s power. Paul said that the Gospel is God’s power for salvation for everyone who believes. The cross is the symbol of the power of God. We are authorized dealers of God’s power through the Holy Spirit. Why is the power needed? Jesus changed water to wine, and His disciples believed in Him. Nicodemus believed in Him because of the signs. Other Scriptures witnessing God’s power and causing people to believe in Him are: John 6:1, 4; 7:30-31; 10:24, 3; 11:47 (Lazarus raised from the dead); John 12:9; 20:30-31. Ed shared of a lumberman who died and was completely healed. Jesus’ signs demonstrated His love and compassion for people. He is the door and the way. Other religions are trying to get to heaven and to find the answer, but Jesus is the only way, the only answer. Why aren’t more coming in? Satan has blinded the eyes of most of the church so that it denies the power of God. There will be opposition even with signs and wonders. When God’s power is demonstrated, people will come. Believe God to use you to demonstrate His power to one person. The Holy Spirit is the sign of the power of God. Ed challenged us to print Acts 1:8 on index cards and stand in front of the mirror and read it aloud and pray in tongues. Keep refreshing yourself. God wants to use you to do signs and wonders.
His Power Part 2
Offering message texts: Luke 6:38; Matt. 6:1-4, 19-25; Gen. 8:15-20. Sermon: God wants all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). His power is still available, and He needs His representatives (us) to take His power to show His goodness and signs and wonders to people. How does God work through men? One way He works is through miracles and the gifts of the Spirit, but these are not daily happenings. The second way is through divine healing. Read these Scriptures, and you’ll see how these people received healing: Mark 2:1-5; 3:7-8, 10; 5:21-28; 7:31-37; 9:14-22; 10:46-52. How did they get healed? They were healed through their own faith. Jesus did not pursue anyone who was sick, but they sick came and aggressively pursued Him. It’s not our prayer or our faith that makes people well. You can’t push your faith or anointing on someone who is sick. A person can be healed when that person draws on the healing anointing. We release God’s healing power that’s in us. People must seek Jesus; IT’S THEIR OWN FAITH THAT HEALS THEM. Don’t have altar calls for the sick, but allow the sick person to come to you. If people know the anointing, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel are in you, they can expect to receive. Ed shares several testimonies of healing miracles that people received by their own faith. Expect and anticipate in faith (Acts 1:8-9 and Heb. 11:6). Rethink how you present the Gospel: I have the goods, but they must make the request. People are not healed by your faith, but by their own faith.
Submission to God Part 3 – God’s Choice
James 4:6-8. When we are humbled and submitted to God, then we can resist the devil, and he will flee. We are double-minded when we are in pride and then try to resist the devil, whose sin was pride. Submit means to arrange under. When we are under God, then the devil is under us. 1 Cor. 15:20-28 tells us that Jesus submitted to God. Respect God’s order. There is rank in God’s kingdom. When we keep rank, it brings unity. When someone is out of place, the rest have to work twice as hard, such as if a person is blind, then the other senses have to work much harder. DON’T TRY TO MAKE OTHERS SUBMIT. Children must be trained to submit (Prov. 22:6), so that they will be trained to be led by their conscience and the Spirit. When the wife submits to her husband, she is submitting to God. Pastor Sydney explained about submitting to government authority (Rom. 13:1-17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13). We must respect the place and the work of the leaders over us. Their position is their qualification. Aaron and Miriam learned this the hard way in Numbers 12. Paul corrected himself in Acts 23:1-5 for not submitting to the high priest. YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS, but the enemy will tell you otherwise. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram came against Moses and bred rebellion in the whole Israelite community and experienced God’s judgment (Numbers 16). When the glory of God shows up, there is immediate judgment. Remember: God places priority on His choices. The centurion and his servant understood authority in Matt. 8:5-10. If you are submitted to your leaders, they have a right to stand with you for what you’re believing.
How to Escape Part 1
Text: 1 Cor. 10:13. God wants you to escape temptation. Learn how to get out of what you’re in. Satan wants to isolate you, so he lies to make you think your situation is unique, and you’re the only one experiencing what you are. Temptation can mean to solicit to do evil, but it also means a trial or test. Faith doesn’t mean that you won’t have problems, but that you’ll get through them. So, how do you escape temptation? The #1 way is praise/joy. James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy when you experience trials/temptations. Your response to a temptation will be your first step out. Joy is a spiritual force and belongs to believers. Neh. 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and it’s there for those who choose it. Temptation reveals that the devil is at work. Whatever is out of line will draw you like a magnet bringing Satan, trying to keep you depressed, etc. What’s the cure? Praise! (Ps. 33:1-2; 33:1; 8:1-2). Hit Satan with praise to God. Stop looking for answers. Praise – that is the answer. Praising God has a mirror effect so that whatever God is, we participate in. Praise is the weapon that shuts up the devil and is our declaration of God’s worthiness. Paul and Silas praised God when they were in prison and were delivered overnight. (Acts 16:22). Give thanks to the Father for He has delivered us and translated us into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:12). Instead of spending your energy fighting, praise! God is faithful. If you have a big problem, magnify God and choose to praise Him.
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.)
How to Escape Part 2
Communion: Taking the cup means that we are baptized with the baptism that Jesus was baptized with, the baptism of death (Matt. 20:20-28). Sermon: In 1 Cor. 10:13 God tells us that no temptation has overtaken you (personally) except what is common to man, and that God is faithful to make a way for you to escape what you are not able to handle. Jesus has already been through whatever you’re going through (Heb. 4:14). Pastor Dale tells of a man who God delivered from cocaine, but the same man couldn’t overcome his nicotine addictions. God knew he couldn’t handle the cocaine addiction, so he gave him an instant deliverance, but he could win over cigarettes. Every test has a way of escape. Obedience is more than victory, which can be based in self. We are incapable of fighting sin. Our fight is that of faith. You don’t resist sexual sin. You flee from it! You don’t need victory over it; you need to escape from it. You aren’t strong enough to overcome. So how do you get out? The number one way is to praise the Lord as a lifestyle, and number 2 is to have a prayer life. Luke 22:40 tells you to pray that you do not enter into temptation. The way of escape is to realize that you need a prayer life. Heb. 5:7-8. Jesus was tempted to not go to the cross. He didn’t try to be strong. He asked for prayer. Let the trials of life take you to your knees. Pray for yourself (James 5:13). Don’t pray for people who don’t want it or who aren’t believing in faith. The presence of temptation is the call to pray.
School of Miracles Part 1
John 2:1-11 is the account of Jesus’ first miracle of changing the water to wine. Mary, Jesus’ mother, expected a miracle, which brought glory to God and caused His disciples to believe in Him. How do you receive a miracle? Pastor Dale shares his and others’ experiences of God’s miracles in his/their life/lives. #1 Learn to expect miracles. Look for them and expect the impossible from God. There’s always victory and deliverance. #2 Respect God’s timing. Don’t let defeat destroy you and keep you from seeing the miracle. #3 Instantly obey God. #4 Exactly obey God. John 5:3-8 tells of the healing at the pool of Bethesda. You have a choice to respond or to rationalize when the Spirit is moving. Respond and don’t wait until the anointing has passed. #5 Prepare for your miracle. There’s something you can do to prepare for your miracle. Act on your faith. It causes your mind to be creative. Dream again and get ready to receive. #6 Act on your miracle. Faith is an action. Take a step of faith. PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR MIRACLE!
School of Miracles Part 2
(Tongues and interpretation were given about God’s love, joy, and peace in us.) Be a magnet for blessings. They should overtake you like your dog greeting you when you come home. John 5:1-4 There were multitudes of sick and needy people, but Jesus ministered to certain ones and mainly those who came to Him. There are seasons for miracles. When the Spirit moves, move with Him. Get yourself ready for God to move. In Mark 6:1-7 the people were offended because of a spirit of familiarity. Jesus taught the people to build up their faith when they didn’t believe in Him. If the gift of the Spirit (the supernatural) isn’t in operation, healings can happen based on faith in the Word. Don’t be offended at the Word. It is Jesus. Mark 5:25-34 tells about the woman who was healed of the issue of blood because she heard of Jesus. Whatever she heard was enough to cause her to press in for her healing. Desperate people take drastic moves to get dramatic results. Press in. Pastor Dale told of Norvel Hayes commanding a woman, who didn’t know how to play the piano, to do just that for worship in a service.
How to Escape Part 3
A young lady name Anatasia testified to Jesus healing her back while she was in her seat during a CWI healing service. (It was the same service that another man’s back was healed.) Sermon message: The Body of Christ should be more positive than the world and should magnify the Lord, because He is bigger than any problem. There is a way out. Pastor Dale shared about the way the Lord took him out of extreme depression/suicide. Lighten up. Job, the first book of the Bible to be written, records Job saying that “at famine and destruction I will laugh.” God is faithful, and He won’t give up on you. Talk about Jesus. Look at Jesus. He knows how He is going to come through for you. How do you escape? #1 Praise Him with joy. #2 Have a prayer life. Every failure in a Christian endeavor is a prayer failure. Spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. In Luke 22:39-43 Jesus was saying that if you have a prayer life, you won’t have a sin problem. You can say, “Not my will, but Your will be done” only if you have a prayer life. Heb. 4:15 Jesus was tempted but was without sin. Boldness comes before grace. You are going to make it.
School of Miracles Part 3
Listen to Pastor Sydney’s testimonies of miracles that God did for him, Jen, and his family. Rom. 1 and 1 Cor. 1 tell us that the Gospel, the Word of God, is power. What has Pastor Sydney noticed about the miracles of God in his life? #1 There was a desperation, a knowing that God was his/their only source. Desperation creates a cry in your heart. Go to God’s throne-room, and God will grant justice swiftly. God’s time is now, and you’ll see the manifestation at the appointed time. First get the victory in your heart and take your case to the Almighty. #2 Find the Word concerning your situation and stand on it and speak it. The Word is the will of God, so then you know how to pray. Is. 55:7-9 says about the wicked, that they don’t have the thoughts of God. But God has revealed His thoughts to those who have the Spirit of God. The command of God always carries the grace to do it. #3 Release your faith by speaking and acting on the Word. The Word only does something for you when you act on it. Remember, the Gospel is the power of God. Make the Word yours.
Submission to God Part 4 – Suffering
Main texts: James 4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5. God resists the proud but gives His ability (grace) to the humble. If we submit ourselves to God, we can resist the devil, and he must flee. Submission is not easy. It includes suffering. Submission is not agreement. You submit when you don’t agree. Submission is not weakness. It is strength of character. Submission is not forced. No one can make you as an adult submit. Submission comes before authority. Submit means to rank or arrange under. Jesus suffered because He chose to pay the price for our sin and to submit to the Father’s will (Heb. 2:8-10, 14-18; Heb. 5:5-10, Matt. 26:36-44). We are to humble ourselves, which includes the suffering of not getting our own way. 1 Peter 2:18 tells us to submit to those over us (employers, etc.), regardless of how they treat us. First Peter 5:9-10 tells you that God will restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered. Keep rank in God’s kingdom. This is especially important in spiritual warfare.
Share Your Testimony
Offering Message: We are like living stones being built into a spiritual house … to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). God doesn’t accept all offerings. We give to the Lord in faith our best first-fruits (Heb. 13:16; Gen. 4:1; Heb. 11:4). God is our Source. Sermon Message: The woman with the bleeding problem for twelve years pushed her way to Jesus by faith. How did she have faith? She heard testimonies of what Jesus had done (Mark 5:22-36). She knew she could be stoned for being around people in her time of uncleanness. Jairus, a synagogue leader, was right there with Jesus, going to his sick daughter. He could have been a threat to the woman with the bleeding problem. Her fear and her sacrifice concerned the testifying of what Jesus had done for her. While she was getting ready to testify, Jairus didn’t know that his daughter was already dead. Although the woman looked like an obstacle to his daughter’s healing, she was actually a source of faith for Jairus to believe that his dead daughter would be all right. [A friend from Titusville, Cindy, shared a testimony of Jesus’ healing her of leukemia, and her interceding for Pastor Dale’s son who was being operated on for appendicitis.] Sharing a testimony can be a basis for faith for someone in a test. Heb. 13:15 tells us to continually offer the sacrifice of praise and thanks to God. Make testifying a part of your daily life. TESTIFY AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD. When you identify yourself as who you are in Christ, fear goes. Testify and praise God. (Remember to pray for the team going to Honduras.)
Is God With You?
Knowing that God is with you means that all heaven is backing you. God in you is power and victory. Rom. 8:31 asks if God is for us, who can be against us? Samson was a man who did great things when the Spirit of the Lord moved upon him (Judges 13-16). God’s strength was on him when he killed the lion and when he killed 30 men and when he killed 1,000 mighty men with a donkey jawbone. He allowed himself to be vulnerable when he was sinfully involved with Delilah and didn’t realize that the Lord had departed from him. His strength was from the Lord; it was not his own strength. At the end of his life God strengthened him to bring down the temple of a false god and to kill more of the enemy then than he had in his life. Remember, God is in you. What you can’t do, God can and will do, if it’s what He has called you to do. Also remember that the Greater One is in you (1 John 4:4).
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pastor Demeke Shares
Pastor Demeke shares briefly about miracles happening.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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)
True Faith False Faith
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.
Testimony of Healing from Colon Cancer
Pastor Dale interviews a young Armenian couple who live in Washington, D. C. They share their powerful testimony of God’s miracle saving, healing, and prospering power in their lives. Listen as they tell of the husband’s salvation and of the victory they won through the power of prayer, agreement with God’s Word, and the words of their mouths over the most aggressive colon cancer in the husband’s body and the enemy’s threat of breast cancer in the wife’s body. This is a testimony of one challenge after another and the following victories. God is good!
Four Key Elements of How To Stay Full of God
Mary Beth Rutter had a Word before Karen preached. Text: Romans 1:21. We can stay full of God. The first way is to glorify Him. To glorify Him is to magnify Him. God is bigger than your problem, sickness, disease, whatever, and when we glorify Him, our problems shrink. Magnify the Word over your problem. Renew your mind and your talk to speak the Father’s language. God loves you now as much as He ever has or ever will. Love God and love others as you love yourself. God’s Word trumps everything in your life. Secondly, be thankful and have a thankful heart (Ps. 103; 100; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). If you can’t be thankful for the people you see, how can you be thankful for God, whom you can’t see? The anecdote for complaining: when a thought comes, discern if it’s from God or the devil, and then pray in tongues. Thirdly, God wants our thoughts, and you must discern where they are coming from. Use your imagination for Him, meditate on truth, and put more value on what He says than what others are saying. Picture yourself doing what He wants you to do. Finally, keep your heart right (Matt. 23:25-26). God is more interested in your heart than even your actions.
Love Is The Direction – Part 2
Text: John 13:34. Part of the commandment of loving God and others is to love ourselves, which we can do if we understand how much God loves us. The love of God is already in us, if we are full of Him (Romans 5:5). Life is about 1) choices, 2) words, 3) actions, and love should determine each of these. Jesus prayed that the love that God loved Jesus with would be in us (John 17:26). Love is an action and is the direction we need to take. Every problem that has ever defeated any Christian is the result of not walking in love. If the question is whether to walk in love or to be “right”, choose walking in love. Allow love to temper all your decisions. The three facets of love are: 1) Learn to receive and believe in the love God has for you; 2) Respond in love to people; 3) Learn to direct your love on the right objects of affection. Love righteousness and hate sin. Ask yourself: Where am I directing my love? Meditation is more powerful than experiences. Meditate on the Scriptures that will help you overcome whatever sin you’re in or need you have. Meditate on Scriptures about meditation and those about the love of God.
The Love of God – Part 3
Gal. 5:13-16 tells us to serve one another by love and to walk in the Spirit. When you serve one another by love, you’ll use your prosperity to bless others. Love is like an iPhone: most people don’t know what it can do. We need to pray to comprehend the love of God (Eph. 3:13-19). We are in a relationship, that of a family. We carry one another’s burdens, restore others, and serve because of our love for people (Gal. 6:1-2). If your problems aren’t mine, you’re probably not family. Learn to serve others in the body; otherwise, you’re a guest. Charity is a love that gives (1 Cor. 13:1-4). Spiritual relationships should be stronger than physical family relationships. Love should motivate your giving and doing good deeds. Be longsuffering in love. Walk in love, even when the other person doesn’t treat you right. (There were four words given at the end of the service.)
Walk in Love Part 4
In 1 Kings 3:23-27, King Solomon revealed what was in two women’s hearts to find which was the honest mother. Just like the mother in that passage, we need to let love be our guide. Walking in love is walking in the Spirit. Whatever we do, we need to do it in humility and love, esteeming others better than ourselves. Jesus was led by the Spirit of love: in John 4:1-3 Jesus left the area because He didn’t want to become famous, and He ended up at the well of Samaria talking to a woman about the living water. The secret to seeing miracles is walking in humility in ministry and love. Walking in love will help you get what belongs to you and looks at the best interests of people. When strife broke out between Abram’s and Lot’s men, Abram allowed Lot to pick the best land. Love guided Abram to prefer Lot, because he knew God was his source. Love will always give without limitations. In Gen. 26:17-23, love led Isaac, and the Lord made room for him. James 3:16 says that envy and strife bring confusion and every evil thing. There’s joy at the end of the journey if you do the right thing. Know that God is your source, and learn what love is (1 Cor. 13). 1 John 3:16-18 tells us to lay our lives down for our brothers and to love in truth, serving one another. There is no fear in love (1 John 4:16-20). The love of God will support, guide, and supply you. We are to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) and to please our neighbor (Rom. 15:1-3). In love, we ought to serve one another. (We discerned the body of Christ and served communion to someone else.)
The Love of God Part 5 – The Heart of the Father for You
Offering: Jer. 17:5-8; Mal. 3:10-11; Ps. 121:1-7; Ps. 119:130. Sermon: 1 John 4:15-16. God is love! If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God and His love abide in us. Do you believe in God’s love? God is full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy (love) (Ps. 86:15). He Loves Us! Don’t judge God’s love by your unfaithfulness. He loves us today! What did Jesus do on the earth? He preached, He taught, and He healed (Matt. 9:35-38). He was moved with compassion (Matt. 14:14). The more revelation you have of God’s love, the greater you can believe for His willingness to heal you. He heals because He loves you. He healed the blind men, because Jesus had compassion on them (Matt. 20:30-34). Jesus was moved by compassion and cleansed a leper (Mark 1:40-45). He healed a demon-possessed man (Mark 5:19), telling him to tell others so they would know that if He healed him, He would heal them. The father of an epileptic boy called on Jesus’ compassion for his son’s healing (Mark 9:20-23). Jesus raised up a dead boy, because He had compassion on the widow mother. When He had compassion, He healed. Do you have faith in Jesus’ love? Having faith in God’s love is more important than having faith in His power. What do you believe about the love of God?
The Love of God Part 6 – Get Outside of Yourself and Serve Others
Text: Gal. 5:13-14. Dig in and chew on the Word concerning love. Charity (selfless love) fulfills the commandment along with the commission of serving others. You can’t cover up the wrong thing by doing a good thing. (Review: 1 Kings 3:16-28.) Love gives without limitation and reservation, and love always wins. You have to take the initiative to love. 1 Cor. 13 tells us to love, which begins in the spirit, and then comes the act, and then the emotion. Get out of yourself and serve others. Prov. 15:1 tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath. Don’t try to prove a point at the expense of hurting others, but listen respectfully to others. Prov. 25:21-22 says to serve your enemies. Pastor Dale tells of a man in Russia who saw the fruit of doing that. (Pastor Dale also explains the Hebrew meaning of the term “coals of fire”.) What is in it for you? The Lord rewards you, “reward” meaning “paycheck” (Gen. 15:1). Fear makes us think, “When is it my turn?” Sometimes God has us kill a dream, so He can have us fulfill a bigger one. Get outside yourself and ask, “What would love do?” Don’t be afraid of walking in love.
The Love of God – Part 7
Text: Gal. 5:6-22. Love is a choice and a commandment. Sin always hurts someone. Love will purify you and can motivate you to serve others. Change the way you talk to others. Walk in the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lusts of the flesh. When are you walking in the lusts of the flesh? It’s when you do things for what’s in it for yourself. Walking in the Spirit is walking in love. Don’t set yourself up as an idol. The love of God will get you out of sin. You won’t be fulfilled until you serve and bless others. Walking in love is tapping into the Spirit. Love your enemies and pray for them. Bless implies finances. Give out of your heart.
Your Normal Is Their Supernatural
When you use the name of Jesus, you invoke His presence. Don’t live without the presence of God in and on your life. Jesus is alive, seated in heaven, ruling this world. Jesus Christ always causes you to triumph (2 Cor. 2:14). You don’t know how anointed you are, because when you conduct the anointing, you don’t feel it. When you walk in the light, people in the dark see you glow. There should be a savor of victory around us. Liberty is an unveiling and being in the presence of God in mercy and truth. His presence is not a place. We should praise God for what He has done in the past, as well as for things more recent. David praised God for what He did for Moses. You become what you worship. Heb.4:14 tells us to hold fast our profession. A profession or confession is positive if it’s based on the presence of the living Christ. He is easily touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). People run and hide from His presence because of sin and condemnation, but we should come boldly (freedom of access) before the throne of grace, not crying and hiding (Heb. 4:16). Boldness comes before grace. The main point is that we have a High Priest (Heb. 8:1). We must offer something to Him. What is that? Heb. 13:15 tells us that we are to offer the sacrifices of praise to God continually, giving thanks to Him who always causes us to triumph… who redeems us… who sets us on a firm foundation. Hosea 14:1 notes prophetically that our sins are taken away when we repent and sacrifice praise.
The Love and Power of God Displayed
Missionary Bob Dunfee shared his testimony about the supernatural way God worked and is working in his life in the USA and in Burkina Faso. This same supernatural love and power is in God’s body, the church, all over the world. God wants us to act on what He says to us and by doing so, we glorify Him. Bob related how God raised the dead, transported him 400 miles in 0 minutes, healed blind eyes, and appeared to him. We can do nothing without Him. Hear and obey His voice, change the atmosphere around you, trust and believe in Him. Scriptures used in the sermon:1 Peter 1:23; John 5:24; 1 John 3:14; John 14:12-21; John 6:47-69.
Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
God teaches us to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9), and 1 Peter 4:8 tells us to maintain an intense love for each other, because love covers a multitude of sins. We are to consider others more important than ourselves, loving, honoring, and protecting the other person. Prov. 17:9 exhorts us to conceal an offense in order to promote love. Instead of bad-mouthing someone, don’t shame them, but forgive them, and you will strengthen a friendship. Repentance is not feeling bad about yourself, but it is changing your direction. Jesus showed how to protect a guilty person, when he dealt with the Pharisees concerning the woman caught in adultery. Instead of exposing someone, bring them into the love of God and restore them. Jesus said that the peacemakers are the blessed sons of God. James 5:19-20 gives instruction about turning a sinner from his way. If God has forgiven your sin, don’t remember it. We’re in the business of setting people free, so tell the Good News!
Where’s Your Focus
Sydney shares during the offering. Dale than introduces the special guest. Ethan Armstrong – Texts: Matt. 6:22-24 and Heb. 12:1-3. Checking out the meaning of “light” and “eye” and “full of light” in Matthew’s text, Ethen gained the understanding that the light is the spirit of the person, the eye means focus, and to be full of light signifies the knowledge and power of God. Don’t let go of your focus on Jesus. If you do, it affects you and the whole Body of Christ. Consider what Jesus did for you. He kept His eye single. Ethen exhorted us to connect with the vision of the church. Your focus changes your life. He shared his life’s testimony and what happened when his focus got off of Jesus. To run this race, it’s up to you as an individual to set aside your sins. You are the righteousness of Jesus, no matter how often you fall. Look to Jesus and the Word. Follow Him! Do what He says to do! Joy disappears when you get your focus off of Him. Are you connected to the church? Allow God access to your life. Is my focus where God wants it? Have I been personally serving God and the church?
Take Your Words And Return To The Lord
Hosea 14:2 says to “Take words with you and return to the LORD”. What are your words? Return to the LORD, to your first love, to your commitment. Be where you are supposed to be. The prodigal son went away from the father, but after wasting his life, his words were, “I will go to my father’s house as a servant.” The father received him will celebration, blessing him with authority and peace. Come back to the Father. Spend time with Him. Your words carry the power of life and death. Take your praise and offerings to the LORD and experience a party in His house. The woman with the issue of blood used her words: “If I can but touch the hem of His garment, I will be made whole”, and she received her healing. At the beginning of this passage, it says, “A certain woman”, but after Jesus knew that power went out of Him, He called her, “Daughter”. When you touch God and release your faith, you receive. Jacob said to the angel of the LORD, “I won’t go until I get the blessing”. Samson missed it by being in the wrong place. He knew that God had given him vision, power, and strength for a purpose. After he missed it, his hair grew again, and he used his words to return to the LORD: “LORD, remember me one more time”, and he killed more Philistines in his death than in his life. The thief on the one side of Jesus took his words to the LORD, and Jesus told him that today he would be with Him in paradise. Take your words to the LORD. He restores you. Today.
I Can’t Go With These
In 1 Samuel 17:38-40 Saul dressed David in armor that David couldn’t walk in. He told King Saul, “I can’t go with these.” Instead David took them off, got five stones and a sling. Sometimes we need to say, “I can’t go with these,” meaning we aren’t giving in to compromises. What does God say? What are you standing for? David said he would go in the name of the LORD. Be yourself, the way you were designed. When you draw a line, you have mercy and goodness with you. When you fall, get up. Don’t compromise. Are you ready to mark a line in your life? When things are going too far, say, “It’s enough!” It may not be easy, but God will help you, and you will see wonders and miracles. God is drawing a line in our lives. Are we ready to take it?
How to Be Broken From Gravity and Reach Heaven
(A word was given after praise and worship.) There is spiritual gravitation. Before a plane can take off, there is preparation, such as acceleration and an increase of pressure under the small wings to bring lift to the plane. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 says about turning from idols to serve God and to wait for His Son from heaven. Find your place where you can minister to God, and then wait for God. Waiting for God is like expecting and preparing for a guest. You do what you can to make it possible for him to come. You should be in expectation of heaven. There is a way to take off. We don’t know how long we will have to wait. Heaven is drawing us. Col. 3:1-4 reminds us to set our minds on things above. When Jesus appears, then we will appear with Him in glory. Our actions should keep in mind that one day we will be with God. Seek Him and keep your focus on heaven. Phil. 3:18-20 tells of people who think about earthly things, whereas our citizenship is in heaven. What are you thinking about when you first awake? What do you think about most of the time? Where is your heart? Look to heaven. The disciples thought Jesus was bringing an earthly kingdom and responded that way on the Mount of Transfiguration. When we meet with God and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we taste heaven. Jesus did everything for us to be able to take off. God increases the pressure “under our wings” so that we are pushed up. We don’t know how long our runway will be. Jesus will come for those who expect and have their focus on heaven. The Spirit and the Bride are calling us to come. We may have to suffer and pay a price, because earth pulls us down. Given thanks to God, stick together, and have fellowship with and help one another.
Thanksgiving Victory
Texts: 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14. Capacity is the largest number or amount that can be held. How do we increase our capacity? The answer is thankfulness. Thankfulness increases our capacity, and conversely, thanklessness decreases our capacity for victory. The Israelites grieved, tempted, provoked, limited, and didn’t remember God’s power (Ps. 78:40; Ps. 143:3-6). Grumbling opens the door to the devil. There are three steps to victory: #1 Believe the Word. Believe the promises. Recognize that His Word is the final Word. Everything must bow to Jesus. (Is. 55:11; 2 Cor. 1:20; Jer. 1:12; Luke 11:9-13) When the enemy comes, combat him with the Word. Submit to God, to the Word, and then the enemy must go. Christ is in you. Let Him have the right of way. (Rom. 4:20-21) #2 Rejoice at the promise. We can say and believe that we have the victory over anything that comes our way. Faith that believes that it receives can only rejoice. Just as children start thanking their dad when he says they are going for ice cream, so we can rejoice at our Father’s word. They don’t have the ice cream in their hands, but they believe that they will because of their dad’s promise. We have the promise of victory. All of the promises of God are in the face of the enemy. Refuse to get off the promise. #3 Tell someone about it. Tell about the LORD in your testimony. (Ps. 95:1-2)
Being Transformed By What We Think
Offering message (Karen Burrows): Learn for the purpose of taking action. Think about what you are saying about your finances. Speak God’s Word and speak positively. Sermon: Our minds think in pictures. The dominant picture will direct your life. What are your dominant pictures? What are you looking at with your spiritual eyes? Elisha’s servant’s perspective changed when he saw the reality of God (2 Kings 6:8-20). Your perspective will change, too, if you change the picture in your mind. You can renew your mind through God’s Word (Romans 12:2). Transformation takes your involvement and allows us to know the will of God. Think about what you’re thinking about. To be conformed means being pressed, squeezed, and shaped into a mold. Allow God to conform you into His image. You decide what will form you by what you choose to think about. The angel called Gideon “a mighty man of God”, but that’s not how he saw himself. As soon as he accepted God’s word about himself, he became the mighty man of God. Think about what God thinks about you. A thought can be carnal or spiritual. What you think about, you will say and eventually do. Words are carriers of thoughts. Your thoughts are powerful. Wrong thinking about God leads you to deception. When you’re wrong but you think you’re right, you won’t change. Our problem is wrong thinking. To think like He thinks, you must be willing to change, and you must immerse yourself in the Word. To overcome, feed your spirit with the Word. What is on the inside needs to be addressed. Don’t treat only what’s happening on the outside. Find out the cause and let the Word put pressure on the inside. What you focus on is what you will see clearly and that’s where you’ll go. Ask yourself if what you’re thinking on is true, pure, noble, just. Speak the Word! Don’t talk about your problems. Our mistakes can be huge successes through Him. In the storm, think on these things. Take captive every thought and make it come into the obedience of Jesus Christ. Pray in line with the will of God. Stop yourself and ask, “What am I thinking about?” (Luke 8:35; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Corinthians 2; Philippians 4:4-7)
The Power of the Word: What Is Faith?
Texts: Luke 5:15-26; Hebrews 11:1-3. The people in Luke’s Scripture came to hear first and then to be healed. The power of God was there to heal, but the one who was healed was the one who showed his faith when his friends lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus. You can see faith, and it works. Jesus told the blind men, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Faith puts the priority on the living Word of God. Faith brings God into the now. Faith is the substance (reality) of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You need hope for your healing or for your prosperity first, but do not confuse hope for faith. Make sure that you are not parroting what someone else has said when you are “confessing” or “professing” your faith. If you are wavering or in doubt, do not even think you will receive anything from the LORD (James 1:3-6). If you are in hope and not in faith, or your faith is wavering, get more Word in you (Romans 10:17). Faith is a measure of God’s faithfulness. We can be confident in Him and believe what we have heard God say. We can believe God’s report (Isaiah 53:1). Locate your faith. Am I in hope or in faith? Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). Hold fast to your profession of faith (Hebrews 10:23).
Faith Is
Sermon message: Hebrews 11:1, 6. Faith is not in your brain but in your spirit. Faith comes by hearing the Word. You must speak your faith. Faith is obedience to the Word. In Luke 5:1-8 Jesus told Peter to let the nets down after a night of catching nothing. Because Peter obeyed Jesus, the fisherman caught an overabundance of fish. The Lord is speaking to you, telling you what to do. Listen to Him, because He has good things for you. In Joshua 1:6-9 God told Joshua to be strong and not afraid, and then he would make his way prosperous. God is with you wherever you go. In Jeremiah 1:12 God tells us that He performs His Word. Sometimes timing is an issue. In Genesis 28:12 Jacob saw the angels ascending and descending with the answers to prayers. In Number 13:2-23 God told the Israelites and leaders to be of good courage, but because ten of the spies did not believe God, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. When you are in a problem, see and remember what God did for you before. (Frank told of several miraculous events in his and his father’s lives.) Speak and act on your faith and listen to the Spirit. We are living in the time of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ home town, the people did not receive miracles because they did not believe He was the Son of God. God will touch you and set you free. The communion part of the service held earlier is located after the sermon. Communion: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32. Examine and judge yourself, and if needed, repent and get right with God.
Faith – Speak the Word
Text: Hebrews 11:1, 6. You can apply your faith to anything you do not see but which is promised in the Word. We should be like Jesus. That means that we should please God with our faith. In Mark 9:23 Jesus told the father of the child who had seizures: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” In Matthew 9:29 Jesus told the blind men, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Where you are in life is a measure of your faith. We must speak the Word (Romans 10:8-17) and have it in our hearts. You were saved by speaking the Word after hearing the Word. You cannot make someone else receive salvation. You have to receive salvation (John 1:12). Your faith cannot rise above your knowledge of the Word. God loves everyone equally. Jesus healed all who came to Him. The faith that you used to get saved is the same faith that you can use to be healed. Faith does not come by miracles or praying or reading. It comes by hearing the Word of God. Have you run out of faith? You have to stir up your salvation. You cannot live off of thirty-year old steak or a thirty-year old experience. The Word in Romans 10:17 is “Rhema”, the spoken Word. You do not have a faith problem, but you have a “Word” problem. Get into the Word. The carnal mind is enmity with God, so if you are fighting a habit or a lust, double-up on your Word intake. Experiences of the past are not faith. Faith is now. Do not think that you would believe if you saw a miracle or an angel, because faith does not come that way. They cannot save people or give people faith.
Faith: The Greater One in You
(This was the first Sunday morning service at the Landisville Church.) Texts: 1 John 3:1-4; 4:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16). God loves us so much He calls us the children of God. People in the world can’t understand spiritual things until they are born-again. As we move farther away from the world and closer to a supernatural, spiritual life, supernatural things should become the norm. Revelation is a good thing: every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord. When you see Jesus, He changes you. Learn to love people, especially other believers. You can know the Spirit of God, because every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God. He has come and does come in human flesh- that means in your flesh. False religions can’t believe that Jesus can come into our human flesh. The inward man is renewed daily. The Greater One lives in you. You are full of God. We don’t look at things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. Speak the Word boldly.
Faith – Values and Priorities
Hebrews 11:1-6. When you value spiritual things and the Word of God, your priorities will line up. Faith becomes easier when you value the things of God. Faith and understanding are two separate things. Faith is a spiritual process, not an intellectual one like understanding. Believing (faith) is in your heart and probably won’t make sense. The visible has its origins in the invisible. Truth always trumps facts, and what is spiritual overrides the natural. It is impossible to please God without faith, and we must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We believe in His presence even more than His existence. In Mark 5:25-27 the woman with the issue of blood risked her life to go to Jesus for healing, based on what she heard about Him. That’s where her faith came from, and hearing the Word is where our faith comes from, too. It comes from communing with the Living Word. What she heard brought her to action and changed her. IF FAITH DOESN’T BRING YOU TO ACTION, IT IS NOT FAITH AT ALL. The woman had no other options. WHEN YOU PUT VALUE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR PRIORITIES, AND THEY WILL LINE UP. Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us to seek and cry out for God. The awe-inspiring presence of God will give you the fear of the Lord. What is the fear of the Lord? It is putting the right value in the things of God above the things of life. Faith is not repeating words but is sitting with Jesus. Don’t let the issue of faith condemn you. Recognize faith in your life. There’s no difference in healing warts and cancer, except our fear. God is not afraid of cancer or any disease. Use the faith that you already have to come to Him, speak to the disease, or to respond to an altar call. FAITH WILL DRAW YOU TO GOD. God does not teach us with bad things. The woman with the issue of blood again risked her life when she fell at Jesus’ feet, telling Him the truth. You can stake your life on the Word of God.
No Condemnation
Text: Romans 12:1, 2.One time when Pastor Dale was in Russia, he prayed for a woman whose leg was gangrenous. He didn’t know it at the time, but she was going to have it amputated the next day. When he laid hands on her, he didn’t feel anything, but the next day her leg was as normal as the other one. Last night there weren’t many people here, but God healed people. God set us up with intent. Sometimes we need to be away from unbelief. Some things you need to flee, such as sexual sin, and some things you need to resist. Sometimes Jesus cleared a room from unbelief. There is something about corporate faith. You need to realize you are a believer. Present yourself before God. Get rid of the spectator mentality because of condemnation. You are a Christian, a devil-defying participator. We do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Condemnation needs to be dealt with in the minds of people, because it makes people feel that God is against them. If you have a mindset of condemnation, you can’t hear what God is saying. While he was in Russia, a pastor stole his church (in PA) from him. He was convicted by the Spirit’s telling him that no one can steal what you give. Teri confirmed what the Lord told Pastor Dale. When they met with the other pastor, that man became angrier and angrier, and he didn’t even hear Pastor Dale say that he was giving him the church. It wasn’t until his wife told him to shut up and that he was giving the church to him that his countenance changed. Condemnation puts you in a negative view, and you’ll judge everyone else negatively. Second Corinthians 5:19-21 says that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ and should be reconciled to God. For He made Jesus to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. He has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. God is not imputing our trespasses against us. If you have a negative view, you won’t hear the Word. His grace is sufficient for you. Men died for that grace. A negative attitude toward yourself brings defeat. Get into the Spirit. We do not war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Don’t try to war by using your flesh. The first stronghold you need to pull down is condemnation. How do you cast down strongholds? You replace the stronghold with a Word thought and then erect the foundations of righteousness.
Faith – The Word of God is Alive
Texts: Psalm 107:20; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12, 1, 2. The Spirit gives life, and the words that God speaks to us are life. His Word is living, active, powerful, and sharp. The Word of God gets into the heart of man and divides spirit and soul. You can find out who you are based on the Word of God. If you try to figure out your past, you will not live up to the glory of your future. Speaking the Word to people can change their lives. (Listen as Pastor Dale shares various testimonies of this truth.) You do not want to miss one promise God has for you. The Word has to be mixed with faith. God is sovereign (all-powerful). You can be bold if you know you are right (Philippians 1:20-24), and if you’re wrong, be bold to change. Choose life. Mix faith with what you hear. Choose to live. Choose to prosper. Choose to have a good marriage. Choose not to fear. Mark 4:14-15 tells us that the Word is seed, and the devil comes to steal the Word right after you hear and receive it. Why? He does not want you to get truth, because the Word is your answer. Endure and do not let go of your faith. The Gospel should benefit you.
Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind
Text: Philippians 4:6-8. How can the peace of God keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus? God is interested in you, spirit, soul, and body. Your physical body affects your mind and that affects your spirit. Your thought-life has a bearing on your spiritual life. The peace of God comes after you think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. You can filter the thoughts that you are meditating on. What is the priority in your thoughts? Is it going to benefit you? Apply the filter of Philippians 4:6-8 to what you are thinking. What is the pattern in your thought-life? If that pattern is negative, cut it out! Write down what you think about before you go to bed, and then write down what you think about when you wake up. Those are the thoughts you are meditating on. You can wake up with thoughts of peace, joy, holiness, victory, and prosperity. How? Your mouth controls what you think. Think on what is true, honest… In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 we are told to cast down imaginations and to bring into captivity every thought. Your thinking is not your identity; it’s an activity. Your filter is: #1 What is the priority in my thought-life? What is important for me to be thinking on now? The Word should be your importance. What does it say about my thoughts? #2 What is my focus? You can’t stop thinking about something by not thinking about it. You need to replace it with another positive thought- the Word of God. Focus with your mouth by speaking it aloud. #3 See what your patterns of thinking are. How do I interpret what I see? Tear down imaginations and strongholds in your life and think the Word and victory.
New Beginnings
Pastor Gene English, leader of the Men of the Word, preached on new beginnings, connecting the beginning of the world in Genesis with the new beginning through the birth of Jesus Christ. John Tobias shared his testimony, demonstrating the new beginning in a person’s life by salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Priority of the Word of God
To be wise, obey the Word of God (Matthew 7:24-28). Storms and problems come to everyone, but you can measure your life by your victories. Prepare before the storms by acting on the Word. Search the Scriptures and seek honor from God and not from man (John 5:39-40, 44-47). Put Jesus first in your life. Miracles don’t cause people to repent and have faith (Luke 16:19-31), but hearing the Word does. You need to hear and obey the Word (Romans 10:16-17). Build faith on the priority of the Word. Our experiences should lead people to the Word to get faith. Meditate on the Word day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3). Martha was rebellious because she wouldn’t put a priority on the Word. In Matthew 8:6-8 the centurion showed faith when he said, “Speak the Word only.” Jesus said in Mark 5:35-36 to only believe. Don’t add to the Word. Don’t do things because the devil manipulates you based on fear or convinces you that your prayers didn’t work. Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:20-23). Your faith will overcome the world. Praying in unbelief is worse than profanity. Speak the Word only.
The Will of God – The Lordship of Jesus
Text: John 7:14-17. God sent Jesus, and Jesus sent you. God wants you to live out your purpose. The issue is man’s willingness to obey God’s will. You will not know God’s will until you are willing to obey, so you must consecrate yourself to do His will first, and then He will reveal His will for you. God waits for your consecration first, and you must obey first. Once you are willing, He will give you His ability. Saul thought he was serving God, but Satan had deceived him by leading him in the opposite direction of God’s will. (Caution: Satan tries to do that to us, too.) When Saul met Jesus in Acts 9:3-5, he recognized Jesus as his Lord, his King, his Ruler. We are God’s slaves, and He is our Lord. God wants people’s eyes to be open to Him and to their purpose in Him (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). You are saved when you confess Jesus is Lord in your life and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Jesus is alive. Are you willing to obey Him, or are you afraid to step into His plan for you? The issue is that He is Lord. Lordship is salvation.