Wednesday, December 5, 2012

"The Trial of Your Faith" Part II



 This is a continuation of a 2 Part message ministered at MWC Nov. 25 & Dec. 2, 2012

            (We all know the enemy is working overtime to distract....disrupt...destroy what God has purposed His people to accomplish in this troubled hour.  He is doing everything he can to destroy our FAITH in God's ability and willingness to come through for His people.  How do we overcome the trial?  Knowledge!      Knowing who we are and what we have at our disposal will assure us that we can, not only overcome, but take back what is rightfully ours.  To do so we must not ANYTHING to destroy our FAITH in God.  I pray this message speaks to you and helps you understand what is going on around you. Comments are welcomed.)

        
Ephesians 6:10, 12 NLT,  "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  For we  are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

The object of the evil rulers...the authorities...the Devil is to destroy our faith in God.



The Battleground: Let us now note the four areas the battle is going on in:  

a. You:  If you cease to  believe in yourself and your ability to face head on the problems of life   
     and overcome them, you will cease to be a testimony to those around you.  This ultimately is    
     the objective of all warfare.   How we live and react to what comes our way is the greatest 
     testimony we have.  It is time you began to believe what the Word says about your abilities.

      Ph.4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

     Jesus in Jn.5:30 gives us some insight into where our help comes from, " I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. "

     Let your past be your past.  2Co.5:17 " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. "

     Rms.  8:1 THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

b. One Another:  1Jn.2:10   He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none   occasion of stumbling in him.

    Matt. 5 & 6 Releasing anger & offense....

     Ro.16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

c. The Church:  The power of unity is the power to accomplish.  This is the primary purpose of the enemy to drive wedges between God's people.   It is not the church that fails people....it is people that fail people.  We must do whatever it takes to overcome the endeavors of the enemy to destroy the very fiber that is keeping this world intact, the church.    There is far to much independency within the body of Christ.  We need to come to the realization that God has made us interdependent.   

    Note the power of unity and agreement in  Matt. 18:19  " Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. "


d. The Word:   This, out of all  the areas the enemy is endeavoring to destroy faith in, is his main   
     objective.  He knows there is  Power in The Word.

      Ps. 107:20   He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

      Matt. 8:5-13  " And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion,   
       beseeching him,And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously  
       tormented.  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and 
   said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.   And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.  "

How Do We Overcome?  How Do We Win?

As simple as it may seem, "You fight the fight of faith with faith."  The power of faith is what puts the enemy in his place and keeps him there.  This is the reason he works consistently to destory our faith.

Heb. 11:33-34 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.


Conc.  I conclude with some words of Paul in Rms. 8:35, 37-39 " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

Monday, November 26, 2012

"The Trial of Your Faith" Part One


(The following is Part One of a message I ministered @ MWC Nov. 25 in the AM service...a message that deals with the fact that no matter what your position may be in Christ, you are still going to face trials.  No one, absolutely, no one is immune.  The good news is...we will be better off when we come out of the trial than we were when we went into it.  God never allows us to face ANYTHING that will not eventually become beneficial for us.  It may not seem like it at the time...but hold on it will be revealed.  Possibly when you are facing another battle.  I pray you are blessed by this message and that it will speak to encourage you.  Remember, " If God be for us who can be against us.")

I want to preface the message today with a statement that many, if not all, here will be able to relate to....we are in war.  Not a game...not make-believe strategies that you can lay down the game control and walk away from...it is a war.  A war that is effecting every family in here whether directly or indirectly.  The Apostle Paul defined it this way....Ephesians 6:10, 12 NLT,  "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  For we  are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

The object of the evil rulers...the authorities...the Devil is to destroy our faith in God.  To do this he will work untiringly and methodically to destroy our faith in four basic areas; Faith in Yourself, faith in One Another (division), faith in The Church, and faith in The Word.     When failure in either on of these areas is experienced the ultimate outcome will be to lose our faith in God.

Warning:   The enemy is a relentless enemy.  His work is subtle.  Paul in II Cor. 11:1-4 some words concerning the church at Corinth that sheds light upon this.   "  WOULD to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility (not obvious; cleverly indirect and ingenious), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. "

The Trial of Your Faith:  To better understand what the trial of your faith is and it’s results note James 1:1-8:  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing/trying of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” NKJ    

The product of the trial: v.  When you go through something God always makes sure that  
 something good comes from it.  You may not see it immediately but in time it will show up.  
     
       Note some of the by-products of a trial....

      1. Endurance: the ability or power to bear prolonged exertion, pain, or hardship; an act or  
          example of toleration of prolonged suffering or hardship; the survival or persistence of 
          something despite the ravages of time.
      2. Steadfastness: receive strength; make strong; to turn resolutely to certain direction;  to     
          confirm.
      3. Patience: the ability to endure waiting or delay without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties the ability to tolerate being hurt, provoked, or annoyed without complaint or loss of temper.

           The product of these are: v. 4 “…perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing.”

           The cause of the devil's pursuit in this warfare is found in v. 5-8:  (Read)  
           *He knows that when we begin to operate in faith that what we ask will be given! V. 5 
           *Failure to operate in faith produces just the opposite.  V. 6-8

(To be continued....)

Next week I "The Battleground" of our faith.  We will note four areas the enemy is fighting to destroy your faith.

Monday, November 12, 2012

"Committed To A Purpose"


Intro.  Throughout the Word we can find times that had it not been for a small core-group of people  who refused to bow to the fear of the hour, the church would have faltered.

So it is today!  Within every church there is a certain number of people who have purposed to make themselves available to God for kingdom purposes.  With the establishment of this purpose has came a determination to succeed.   I call this core-group a “ purpose driven people".  It  matters not  who or what may  get in the way they are devoted to fulfill the purpose God has birthed them for!

Gideon’s 300:  In Judges 7  were these type of men!  Note:  Gideon started out with 32,000; then there were 10,000; and then there were 300.  Out of 32000, 300 passed the test!!  With these 300 men Israel won the war though a greater number was against them!

The 7000 Prophets:  In I Kings 19:18 were these type of men.  Though Elijah, the prophet, was running scared, God had a group that refused to be intimidated by the threats of Jezebel!

What was it that set these a part?  I believe it was because  “  A commitment  had been made to a purpose, not a program; to a purpose, not a person; to a purpose, not a promotion. “  This commitment was one of choice, a free choice if you please.

The church today needs to see the visibility of that core group.

With  a committed few, we can take our families, our city, our county, our state, our nation for God!!

Fact:  To be honest with you, commitment is becoming a lost commodity within the church.    For what ever the reason, people are finding it ever easy to put church and it’s ministries at the end of the list of what is important in their lives.   Whether it is jobs, vacation, sports, etc. they all hold a higher place in the priority list of most people.    

What needs to be remembered are the Words of Christ in  Matt. 16:26 “ For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul “.  For our benefit and the benefit of our families, things cannot and must not be placed before God, His will, or His kingdom!   

John Wesley said,  “  Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen:  such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the Kingdom of heaven on earth.  God does nothing but in answer to prayer  “.

Note: I am not advocating elitism.  I am not doing  the choosing.  You must make the commitment by choice.  I agree will Paul Cho who said, “ God has no favorite children".  What works for one will work for anyone who applies the Godly principles He has given us in His word and by the examples of those who have gone be√fore us.
  1. Commitment Defined    ( Something one is bound to do or forbear ( to deny ones self  something for the sake of an end )

    Purpose Defined:  Something set up or an end to attain.

II.  Our Purpose Is: 

      a. Spiritual Growth:  Defined:  Right relationship with God. Matt. 6:33 “ Seek first    
           ( priority) the kingdom of God ( For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; 
           but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost , Rom. 14:17 )  and His 
           righteousness (objective) and  these things (desires of your heart) shall be 
           added unto you “.
      
b. Numerical Growth:  Numbers equal people: People equal souls: Souls equal growth.  We must realize and accept that people / souls are the fruit of our labor.   

    Note the words of Jesus in  Jn. 15:7-8,  “ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done ·unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. “

         The Father is glorified in our  bearing  much fruit!

  1. The Source:   To determine the true source of growth in each of the areas note the words of Paul. 
    1. 1Co.3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
    2. 1Co.3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; 
          but God that giveth the increase.

III. Commitment Of Choice:   I would like to remind each one here that the God ordained Purpose is before us.   All around us men and women are falling.   Each day.....many fall without any hope......peace....or joy.  Our Purpose is to change the direction of those ‡who God puts in our paths each day.  To see this accomplished we must have people that are willing to COMMIT to the PURPOSE God has placed before us.  This commitment must be founded on our love of God and faith in Him.  A love and faith that we know will take us through any trial that comes our way.

     I firmly believe the greatest testimony we as people of purpose can have is for 
     those around us to see that we stand when things are good and we stand secure in 
     our faith when the stormy winds begin to rock our lives.   

This level of commitment is a Commitment of Choice.  

We choose to pursue the purpose.  

We choose to stand in the times of tribulation.   

In the hearts of People of Purpose there is no other course.

The need is before us, “ Will you commit to the purpose today? “

Part II

IV. Accomplishing The Purpose:    We must determine to accomplish the purpose 
      that God has placed us here to accomplish.   A purpose without productivity is 
      but wishful thinking.
      
      The road to that accomplishment is Commitment.  As previously stated it must be a
        “ Commitment of Choice “.  It is up to each of us individually to become a person  
      of commitment.  
        
Note with me some of the commitments that must be made in order to accomplish the purpose God has set before us:

Commitment #1: “ I will forget yesterday “.   There is too much time spent reminiscing on the  failures of the past.  When the past is piled upon the present, it becomes too much to bear.
   
    * So what if you lost your job last year...That doesn’t mean you will this year.
    * So you were sick.....You don’t have to be sick this year.
    * So your children gave you problems last year.....They don’t have too this year.
   
Phil. 3:13-14 “ Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “
          
 Commitment #2:  “I will not worry about tomorrow “.   A card once read, “ I have had many troubles but most of them never happened. “ How true!  Too often we sit around waiting, watching, expecting something  bad to happen.  It will destroy you!!  Matt. 6:34 “ Take therefore no thought for tomorrow: for tomorrow shall shall take thought for the things itself “.  

Worry is a killer!  Quit worrying about what has happened, is happening, is going to happen, about what has been said, what is being said, or what will be said! If God can’t take care of it, who can?

Commitment # 3: “  I will make today count “.  “ This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it “.

   This is the day you....
    a.Squander or save.
    b. Use wisely or throw away.

Commitment # 4: “  I will keep my heart pure “.  If there has ever been a time the church needs to keep guard over their heart, this is the day.  The enemy is out to fill you full of every evil thing he can.  We must realize the heart is the seat of the inner man, and guard it we must!!

Pro. 23:7  As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Matt. 12:34  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
It is up to you and I to ”acknowledge Him in all our ways“.

Commitment #5:  “ I will act upon my purpose “.   Phil. 4:8  “ Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report: If there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things “. 

This is as far as most people are getting today.  We as children of God, who stand upon the whole Word, must read a little farther and then we will see it is more than just thinking that gets things done.

v. 9 “ Those things which ye have both learned, and received and heard, and seen in me...DO “.

This is a doing way of life!!  If there is no work, there is no eating!!

Eccl. 11:4  “ He who watches the wind will not sow: and he who regardeth the clouds shall not reap “.
It is time to quit sitting around planning and talking about what needs to be done....it is time to go to work.  The purpose lies ahead!!  Failure to do so is to place the souls of hundreds, if not thousands, at jeopardy!!

Conc. If we will each purpose in our hearts to make these  commitments more than words or thoughts we will see fulfilled all that God has place in our hearts!!

Monday, October 22, 2012

“God Has Been Good To Me And I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks”

Thanksgiving is upon us...a season to remember how blessed we are and will continue to be because of God's goodness.  Throughout the month of November I will be ministering on "What We Are Thankful For".   I will endeavor to bring to light why we should never take for granted who we are in Him...who we are as Americans...who we are in our own individual families plus other areas we should be giving thanks for.  I pray these message will be an uplift to you and a reminder of how bless we each are.  Any comments will be welcomed.
****************************************************

Title:   “God Has Been Good To Me And I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks”


Ps. 136:1-3 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
                 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord   
            of lords:  for his mercy endureth for ever.

Intro. As a child of God I acknowledge, without reservation, that I have what I have,  I am blessed with what I am blessed with, not because of any great talents, abilities, or even because I deserve it.  I am blessed  because of God’s goodness.  I want each here to know that “God Has Been Good To Me And I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks!”

In the busyness of our world we sometimes forget to thank God for His unmatchable goodness.  

Consider these blessings that we often overlook...

*If you have just one Bible, your are abundantly blessed.  Most people in the world do not.

*If you awoke this morning more healthy than ill you are more blessed than one million people who will not survive the week.

*If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of more than five hundred million people around the world.

*If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% if this world.

*If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

*If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer.

*If you have the ability to choose between churches where you may freely worship, you have a blessing many people in the world do not. 

*If you are a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, you live with the daily assurance that you will have eternal life, and that you Savior has gone to prepare a mansion for you in glory.  Millions of people believe this sad life is all there is. 

God's Been Good To Me & I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks Because He Is....

My Redeemer - Redeem/Redeemer = Redeem by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13-14  


My Savior - Savior = to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction (from injury or peril)
  1. to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
  2. to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ” II Tim. 7-10  

My Healer - Healer = One that makes whole.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” I Pet. 2:24

 My Baptizer - Baptize = to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
  *to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash,     *to overwhelm

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” Lk. 3:16 ,  

My Supplier - Supply = to fill up, make full

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

My Hope - Hope = expectation of good

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”  I Tim. 1:1

In truth He  is my everything.  What is so awesome about it is He willingly did what He did that you and I might become what we are and have what we have.    I want you, I want everyone to know today, that “ God Has Been Good To Me And I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks“ !  I was lost but now I’m found!  I was bound but now I’m free! I was blind but now I see!  I was sick but now I’m healed!  I was poor but now I’m rich!  I was on a dead end street going no where but He pick me up turned me around and start me on a  journey to a city Who’s Builder and Maker is God....... 

Conc.“God Has Been Good To Me And I’m Gonna Give Him Thanks!! “

Thursday, October 11, 2012

GO, The Child of God's Mandate




Text:  Lk. 9:1-5,  “And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”

Intro.   We live in a nation of 311,591,917 people;  a county of  998,881 people if you live in St. Louis Cty & 219,084 if you live in Jefferson County.  We are surrounded  by people....people that are part of the prime target of the mandate God has given to every child of God present today.  

Listen to the words of the mandate...”5And he said unto them, GO ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mk. 16:15;  

GO out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
Lk. 14:23

He didn’t  ask us or make a request of us....He gave us a command....”GO”.  To do anything less is not acceptable. 

Note: In Revelation the Church is represented by lamps; they hold the oil and the fire, and dispense the light. A lamp is not light in itself, it is only the instrument of dispensing light, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can dispense any; so no Church has in itself either grace or glory, it must receive all from Christ its head, else it can dispense neither light nor life.  The Church must continue to have the oil and the light, that it will continue to burn and send forth Divine knowledge! In vain does any Church pretend to be a Church of Christ if it dispenses no light; if souls are not enlightened, quickened, and converted in it. If Jesus walks in it, it’s light will shine both clearly and strongly, and sinners will be converted unto him; and the members of that Church will be children of the light, and walk as children of the light and of the day, and there will be no occasion of stumbling in them. (Adam Clark Commentary)

We Are Not Alone:   Lk. 9:1-5 “And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
Jesus gave the disciples a mandate, to “GO”.  In these verses He gave four directives that assured them they were not alone and a promise of victory in the war for the souls of mankind.
1. He enabled them....v. 1, "And he called the twelve together, and gave them power (The ability to do or act; capability of             doing or accomplishing something) and authority (a right delegated or given) over all demons, and to cure diseases."

2. He gave them a directive, v. 2, “And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal  
    the sick.”

3. He made them dependent, v. 3, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, 
    nor money; neither have two coats.”     God will supply all of your needs... Phil. 4:9

4. He secured them, v. 4-5, “And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.
    And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet 
    for a testimony against them.”  
    He secured them by informing them that once they had been obedient in doing what they 
    were called to do they were then free from the consequences of the lack of response.   Their  
    job was secure...."shake off the dust...". They were to be guilt free.  Guilt comes in many forms  
    but the results produced is always the same....control.  Controlled by doubt... insecurity... fear...    
    inadequacy, etc.

 We must learn to "shake it  off"!   Note Isa. 52:2, Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit on thy   
 throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bonds of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 
 Isaiah 52:2 ASV

Conc.  GO.....preach......win the lost.....is our Mandate.....it is our purpose.  To fail to do what we have been placed in this community to do is not an option.  Failure means your sons...daughters.... neighbors....friends....would not only spend eternity in torment but would also never know the joy there is in serving Him here.  We know what we are called to do......let’s shake off what is hindering us and “GO”!

Monday, September 17, 2012

"The Vision" Part I


Intro.   On Sunday Oct. 7th we will celebrate 66 years of ministry to this community. There has been a lot of changes over these 66 years...location...buildings... people... pastors and methods...BUT there is one thing I  pray has not changed and must always stay a constant at MWC...our desire to be a light to this community by drawing attention Christ and His cross.

In the message today I want to share with you The Vision of MWC.  To those of you who have been with us for a year or more you should already be familiar with our vision.  To those who are new among us I want you to know what we are endeavoring to accomplish as a church. 

Vision Defined:   Note with me first the definition of vision and the importance it has played in the past.  Vision is “an experience in the life of a person whereby a special revelation from God was received."

The revelation from God had two purposes.....

First, a vision was given for immediate direction, as with Abram, in Genesis 12:1-3 ; Lot, Genesis 19:15 ; Balaam, Numbers 22:22-40 ; and Peter, Acts 12:7 . 

Second, a vision was given to develop the kingdom of God by revealing the moral and spiritual deficiencies of the people of God in light of God’s requirements for maintaining a proper relationship with Him. The vision of prophets such as Isaiah , Amos , Hosea , Micah , Ezekiel , Daniel , and John are representative of this aspect of revelation .”  ( Holman Bible Dict.)

The Value of Vision:  

Pro. 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish:”  

Vision Con't: The ability to anticipate (to feel excited, hopeful, or eager about something that is going to happen)  possible future events and developments.  

To accomplish what God has called us to accomplish we must have the ability to look beyond what is, whether good or bad, and see the future according to His Word / promises. 

Hab. 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”  
Message Bible: “ And then God answered: “Write this.  Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.  
Seed The Vision: Isa. 54:1-3 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Message Bible:  Spread Out! Think Big!  1“Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who’ve never experienced childbirth! You’re ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women.” God says so! 2“Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep 3You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. 4Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed. Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.”

The Vision: I envision Messenger Worship Centre daily striving to become a church that has purposed to promote Christ, not a religious concept:  promote relationships, not religion:  promote the power of God, not programs. (Note:  Each has their place but should be but tools to promote Christ.) 

In accomplishing these brief purposes I believe we will become a body that will make all that come through the doors of our church feel they are L-0-V-E-D.   This should be the aim of every child of God, to let people know God and loves them and so do we.  To purpose anything less is to fall short of God’s intent for His church.  

In truth LOVE should be the foundational stone of all visions (The basic content)!  It is God’s love that has brought us to where we are today in Him and it is God’s love, shared by you and I, that will  produce full altars.

L - Loving the Lord and others. - Matt. 22:37-39
O - Outreach to our community and world. - Mk. 16:15
V - Victorious living as mature disciples who reflect the true meaning of Christ.- I Jn.4:4
E - Equipping the saints/leaders. - Eph. 4:11-15 
D - Developing  youth/children. - Pr. 22:6 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

"Living....Prepared For His Coming"


Intro.  There should be no doubt in the minds of any child of God here today that we are living on the threshold of the coming of the Lord.  Daily we are being bombarded with evidence that this world is on a collision course with it’s destiny of doom.  This week one of the major parties in our political system voted to remove two elements from their platform that clearly shows the level of decay our nation has fallen into.  One, they left out of their platform the fact that Jerusalem is the capitol of Israel; two,  they exchanged one G word with another g word.  They took God out and added gay marriage in.  Each of these decisions are blatant slaps to the face of God.  

Note: After realizing the negative effect it was producing they voted to rescind this action but the vote itself shows just how blatantly anti-God this nation is becoming. 

The speed that man is falling from the soaring heights of righteousness that once filled the halls of government and the lives of many within our shores is boggling to the mind.  What those who are making theses decisions are failing to remember is that there will come a day that every man will stand before God and at that time the knee that, in the past, has felt no need nor desire to humble themselves before God, will bow and acknowledge Who He is now and forever more. 

With all of this going on around us many that have a Christian view of life and are doing their best to live according to the dictates of His Word are passing through each day with almost a “shell shocked” look on their faces.  

Many are infected with fear...a fear that traps them in an attitude of defeat.  An attitude that says, “what is the use”.  But today I want you to know that God is not in the dark about this day.  He has seen it coming and He has given us the way to live through these turbulent times that precedes His coming.  Today I want to minister on “Living...Prepared For His Coming.”

In Heb. 10:19-25 we find five things that gives us instructions on how to live. v19“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, v20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; v21And having an high priest over the house of God; v22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. V23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) v24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: v25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”

1. Boldness To Enter His Presence, v.19-21: Doing so not because of our worth but because of our   
    right..a right He paid for with His blood.

2. Drawing Near, v. 22:

    a. In faith.  To do so meant overcoming the fear of the consequences of the law of  
        the past. A law that in truth made it close to impossible to earn a position in the   
        presence of God.  But now, through Jesus, we have the right to enter into His 
        presence without fear of condemnation.

    b. With purity v. 22: Entry into God's presence has always demanded purity and the 
        new did not negate this element of the old.  The lack of desire and demand for 
        purity is what has brought us to the precipice of self destruction many within the 
        church are standing on today.  "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."  Heb. 12:14 

 Note: Sanctification/Holiness, is a process not an overnight accomplishment.  Salvation is not an automatic end to your self-life.    It takes times for people to grow to the place that brings us into maturity and perfection.  This is an error that has been a detriment to many in the church over the years.  In truth it has been a stumbling block to many outside of the church also because they have been made to feel it was impossible to live up to the rigidity imposed by the church.  There is not a person here today who isn’t in the process of becoming what God has purposed us to become.  I think there are times we need to be a little more transparent and let people see that we don’t always have it together. There are times we slip up but slipping up is not the end of the story...it is but a continuation of a pursuit for perfection in His eyes. 

3. Holding Fast To Hope....For God Is Faithful, v. 23:   Hope: to cherish a desire with anticipation: to desire with expectation of obtainment: to expect with confidence.

    Why? God is faithful...He keeps His Word.  Heb. 6:17-20, ? “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,  both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

4. Consider One Another, v. 24: It was Christ considering our need above His own that enabled us 
    to become who we are....He was and is the reconciler...God has also given us the 
    ministry of reconciliation. II Cor. 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath 
    reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of 
    reconciliation; We do so by "doing/considering others not simply by acknowledging 
    their needs”

5.  Not Forsaking Assembling Ourselves, v. 25:  Heb. 10:25, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Conc.  God never intended us to fight this fight alone...nor to have to fight it in fear.  He, in these words has given us some directives on how live until His return.  Living for Christ should not be difficult but one of the most rewarding lives lived on the planet.  I close with these words, Lk. 21:28, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Monday, July 16, 2012

"A Miracle Just Waiting To Happen"

Intro.  We often view our needs of healing, deliverance, provision in the wrong light.  We see them as elements of destruction…something that is going to cause us to lose.  In reality for the child of God it is “ A Miracle Just Waiting To Happen.”
Text: Heb. 13:5 KJV "......for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." 
Amp.  …He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  ( I will) not, (I will) not, (I will ) not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let (you) down (relax My hold on you)! (Assuredly not!)
God has promised us in Heb. 13:5 that…
  • He will not anyway fail us.
  • Give us up w/o support
  • Leave us without support.
  • In any degree leave us helpless.
  • Nor forsake us.
  • Nor let us down.
With promises such as these we must never, never, never give up.  We must take comfort and be encouraged and confidently and boldly say, “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be seized with alarm.  I will not fear or dread or be terrified.”  Why?  Because whatever I’m going through…whatever I’m faced with…is “A Miracle Just Waiting To Happen”. 
In Mark 2:1-12 we find a cripple man who, on his on couldn’t get to Christ the healer.  
Note with me…. 
The Road To His Miracle:  Jesus was in Peter’s house teaching the Word.  The crowd was so big, even standing around the door, until no one could get near Jesus.
Four men, pick up a paralyzed man and took him to Jesus for a miracle.  When they arrived they couldn’t get anywhere near Him.  The apparent thing to do…the easy thing to do…would have been #1 to come back another time.#2 give up, considering it useless.  But there was something about these four men that wasn’t normal…they were not  the type that gave up so easily.  
We need people that will not give up....Bartimaeus would not give up, he cried out the more....the woman with the issue of blood wouldn't give up, she pressed her way through the crowd...Peter wouldn't give up, he got out of the boat with stormy winds blowing and walked on the water.  You may say but he started sinking yes but he got back in the boat!!
The main directive to your miracle is…DON’T GIVE UP!
The Four Essentials To A Miracle:  These four men possessed four essentials that caused the miracle to happen; four essentials that I believe precede a miracle.
#1: Compassion : They had compassion.....They wouldn’t just leave this man lying there.  His miracle was only a few feet away and they wanted him healed more than they wanted their convenience.  They had compassion for this their friend.
       Compassion is “sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help.”  In our busy world compassion has become a lost commodity.  No one takes the time anymore to stop long enough to reach out and touch someone in need.   They had in their hands “A Miracle Just Waiting To Happen.” 
#2: Commitment:  They were committed....They were committed to a higher cause….something more important than their convenience. The cause was his miracle.  At this moment it was more important to them than anything else.  If you ever become truly committed to something you will not be so easily persuaded to give up until the task is complete.  
#3:  Determination:  They had determination.....Giving up was not an option.  A miracle isn’t always easy to come by.  They had to find a way to get around the obstacles that stood between them and their miracle…people.  They were determined!!  They found another way.
a. They climbed to a higher level.  This wasn’t an easy task to carry a full-grown man up a flight of stairs to the roof of a house but they were determined. 
b. They made a way by tearing up another man’s house to get the miracle.  Sometimes you have to tear up someone else’s stuff to get to where the miracle is!! 
c. They were men of strength (unified).  They lowered him down to Jesus.
#4: Faith:  They had faith.....Beyond the visibility of their compassion…their commitment…their determination was something that was the key motivator….they had faith…a faith that said, if we can only get him to Jesus, he’ll be healed.    
      Faith will cause you to push through every obstacle…every hindrance…. whatever stands in the way and reach for what others say and believe is the unreachable. 
      You’ don’t need great faith to see great things happen…you just need faith! “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”  Matt. 25:20
Conc.  I believe tonight that whatever is wrong in your life…your body…your mind is 
“A Miracle Just Waiting To Happen”!  

“I Am Free…I Am Free…I Am Free At Last”

MC Sermon - 2/20/22 Intro.  Many within the church are being distracted by what is going on around them. The distraction disrupts the pursu...