A Testimony on trial, Sermon 04/11/10

Posted on April 15, 2010 by growintheword

A Testimony on trail

Synopsis of sermon 4/11/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker

Text: Acts 4:13-14 – 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

One of the tenants of an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ is moral persuasion. When your convictions are authentic, it is easy to talk about Christ to anyone that you encounter. It is not a forced action, particularly when you have benefited from his mercy and grace. The problem is we have allowed our testimonies to be hindered by a society that alienates and criticizes those that have a passion for the things of God. A world full of idolism and other things makes us not fit in. People try to call you a religious fanatic. It is funny though that people never ever call you a demonic fanatic. It is only when you get saved that people think something is wrong with you. In Acts 1:8 says8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

In Acts 3, we meet at a gate called Beautiful. The Bible says there was man sitting there who had been lame since his mother’s womb. When he asked Peter and John for alms they said silver and gold have they not but such as they have, they would give to him.

Later in the book, we find that the people were terrified about the boldness of Peter & John. Peter and John were brought in to interrogate them. Be warned that this will happen to you too. People are frightened by your testimony. The truth is God has been too good for us not to say anything about it. Know that every scheme of the enemy is an attempt to mute your testimony. Why is this?  

Because our testimony is:

1. Evangelistic– You don’t have to quote scripture or anything. All you have to do is just tell what God has done for you.

2. It edifies– Telling what God has done for you can help others.

3. It empowers-Reminds us and others what God can do in our lives.

In the text, Peter and John were arrested and now their testimony is on trial. The devil wants to know if there is some validity and consistency in your testimony. The people in the text perceived that because Peter and John were bold with their testimony, they were unlearned.

      I.            Proof you’ve been with the master

  1. We are evidence. The people in the text concluded that because of their boldness of Peter and John about Jesus, they must be unlearned. People think because you are educated, you shouldn’t act that way others do when giving praise to God. People feel you should be more dignified with your praise. People look at you when you dance in church, because they don’t think you should act like this. They think the more educated you are, the more dignified you should be. Instead of being fishers of men, they want to be keepers of the aquarium. Just because people may be from another place, don’t mean they don’t have any sense. We know you may have a PHD degree or some other degree, but so do we! We have a PHD degree too. It means we praise- him -daily.
  2. There is evidence you have been with the Master:
    1. Mindset – Your conviction is tied to your mindset. Our mind has been transformed. We have to get to a point where we have our Spirit over our mind.
    2. Morality – Ministry is born out of morality. We have to realize that our life is not our own. God uses us to get a blessing to others. The people in the text were convinced that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Ex-When you go to the barber shop or the grocery store, there is evidence that you been there. How then can you leave church without evidence that you have been there?
    3. Demeanor-Your demeanor becomes different. This in some evidence that you been with master. We’ve got peace and joy and we don’t act a fool when things don’t go our way, because we have been with the master.
    4. Dedication– We become passionate about sharing Christ with others.
    5. Disciples– We can tell by observing you that you have been with the master. The greatest evidence that shows you have been with Jesus is your anointing. Luke 4:18 says 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, – You can’t run from the anointing. You can’t even backslide because of the oil (anointing) that is on you. Ex-When you are anointed, people say will say you don’t belong when you go where you don’t belong. If there is anything you ought to thank God for, it is his anointing.

   II.            Presence of a miracle

  1. They had a meeting about Paul and John. Just like this, there are some people having a meeting about you and your testimony. Acts 4:14-15 says 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  2.  Everybody sees what’s going on. In the midst of their skepticism, the Jews could not deny that there was a miracle among them (Peter and John). Acts 4:16 says 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.- When Jesus died, they tried to challenge his resurrection. This miracle among them could not be denied. There was a man standing beside Peter and John every where they went.
  3. What was the miracle? Acts 3:1-9 –1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
    1. This same man who was lame since the womb follows Peter and John everywhere they go as a miracle in their midst. They could not deny that this man was lame since birth, but now could walk. Just like this, people can’t deny is there is a miracle in your midst. They can’t deny that you are present. You are the miracle. Ex- Somebody right now is at the brink of foreclosure, but they are still in their house! Somebody thought they wouldn’t get a job, but they did! In our lesson, the man that was lame shows up and keeps standing. If you will notice in the scripture, the man never says anything. When you know you are miracle, just showing up is enough!
  4. What was God’s greatest miracle? You are sitting next to him. You can’t deny a notable miracle has taken place. We are God’s greatest miracle. In the scripture, the people wanted to manipulate Peter and John’s praise. Just like this, Satan wants to manipulate our praise, but we can’t!

III.            Praise cannot be manipulated

Acts 4:17-19 says 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

  1. Peter said, the last time they told him to manipulate his praise, he denied Jesus 3 times. He wasn’t going to allow his praise to be manipulated anymore! Acts 4:20 says 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
  2. For we got the can’t help-its. We can’t help but to tell the things we have seen and heard. When we get our job, we can say we thank God for it, but we better not say anything about Jesus. You can say you are lucky, but you better not say anything about thanking Jesus. What is it about Jesus’ name that people dislike so much? It is because demons tremble at his name! When you say his name, things happen in the earth realm. His name is a nuisance to religion, but necessary in relationship. Every day we wake up we need Jesus name. When things are going bad and we don’t know what to say, we simply say Jesus!
  3. People don’t want your testimony to be spoken. Ex-There was a woman that was 87 years old. She had a grandson she was raising, because her daughter was on drugs and his father was in jail. Her son-and-law had been killed. This grandmother was a praying grandmother. The grandson had got caught up in gangs and even had gotten shot, but grandma was determined to get him graduated from High School. One day she got the letter saying he was going to be graduating. She was so overjoyed to hear this. She got her Usher’s outfit out and ironed it. She even got out her biggest Easter hat and her white gloves. The boy was going to finish High School at the top of his class, despite all he had been through. Grandma.

On the day of the graduation, Grandma made her way to the school and despite her arthritis, she mad her way to the top rafters. She came in giving God the praise. Before the commencement exercises began, the principle came to the microphone and asked that everyone hold their applause to the end so they could applaud with everyone at the same time. The Grandma was thinking about all she had gone through with this boy. The boy’s last name was Williams, so as you know the W’s was the last to be called up for diplomas. She kept yelling out, “Jesus!” every time a few names were called. After they got around to the C’s the Principle comes to microphone again and ask that they remember to hold their applause to the end. See he was talking to her (Grandma), even though he addressed everyone. As they resumed the commencement exercises, Grandma just couldn’t hold it. She kept saying “Jesus, Glory!” The Principal finally sent Security over to where Grandma was sitting hoping this would quiet Grandma down; still Grandma could not hold her peace. Finally one of the Security Guards asked Grandma what was this all about. Grandma begins to tell the Security Guard how she worked two jobs helping to get her grandson through High School and keeping him away from drugs and gangs. The next thing you know, the Security Guard started crying also. The other Security Guard was tripping, because of his colleague’s show of emotion. He tells his colleague that it was bad enough that she could not control herself without him joining in the disruption. The point is, testimony will change people. When Grandma’s grandson came up to get his diploma, the Grandmother came down the steps and stood up front giving God the glory. There is power in your testimony!

Now just to prove it, think about how good God has been to you and try to hold your praise! Can you do it? Your testimony is on trail! There is power in your testimony.

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I’m in the grip of grace, Sermon 04/04/10

Posted on April 7, 2010 by growintheword

I’m in the grip of grace

Synopsis of sermon 4/4/2010

Delivered by Bishop Walker

Text: Romans 5:1-11: 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

There is one great equalizer in this place today and it is the grace of God. All of us come from a variety of backgrounds. Regardless of our background, all of us can testify that none of us would be here if not for the grace of God. Grace is a gratuitous endowment. This is God giving to us what we do not deserve. God extends grace to us, because he is sovereign. God gives us his grace knowing that we as recipients do not qualify for it. The amazing thing about grace is the giver gives it to us knowing that we really don’t meet the criteria needed to receive it. God knows all of our mess, all of our dirt, and all of our past, yet in the midst of all we do, God still gives us grace. This makes us walk around in humility. We walk around bewildered, because we wonder how God could love somebody like us. Every morning when we roll out of bed, we look into the mirror and we think about whom we are and what we have done, and we are amazed at God’s grace. Maybe this is why the hymn writer wrote “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I’m found, I was blind, but now I see.” When you understand this, you don’t have a reason to be arrogant, because you realize that what you have, God gave you, what you are, God made you, what you know God taught you, and where you are, God brought you.

If it weren’t for the hand of God on your life, you and I would not be here today. Based on what you done and where you have been, how are we making it? It is because of his grace. Isn’t it amazing that God would run after somebody who was running from him (us)? We are in the grip today and we see in the lesson that Paul shares with the Roman Church that God loves us in spite of us. Paul explains that no matter what we have done, God’s grace will find us where we are. The good news is God loves us. The problem is, we go through life looking for what we already have. We already have love, we already have peace, we already have joy, but we are looking for it out in the world when in fact God has given it to us within the Holy Spirit which is inside of us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of his presence and power in our lives. When you begin to look at how God demonstrated his love and exercised his love toward us, you really have to walk down the Roman Road. This means you have to go through the book of Romans and see specific instances where God reminds us of our sin nature and his response is to this. Romans 3:23 says 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 5:8 says 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 6:23 says 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 10:9-10 says 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 says 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Once you are saved; you have a different mindset. This is why Romans 12:2 says 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Understand the message that God is trying to give you today. Rather than walk through judgment or guilt, you have to go through life knowing that God has extended something to us that we don’t deserve. He looked beyond our faults and he supplied our every need. If this doesn’t create a sense of praise in your spirit, we don’t know what will. When you think about what you should have been and what you could have been you ought to at least say thank you. We should at least give God glory for his grace. It is funny how some people experience grace and then they become judgmental. They look at others like they don’t deserve the same grace that they received. Ex- This reminds us of the little boy that lived on the other side of the tracks. He went to the opposite side of the tracks and he saw a store. At the store he saw a man serving his customers. This boy with raggedy clothes didn’t have money and the store owner noticed the little boy looking through the window. The owner invited him in and asked him what he wanted. The little boy told him that he didn’t have any money, but the owner told him to get what he wanted. Afterwards the owner gave the kid a 3 level ice cream cone. When the kid got back on the other side of the tracks, his friends asked him how he got it. They asked if he stole it, because they knew he didn’t have any money. The little boy told them how the owner just gave it to him after seeing him standing in the window. The little boy then sat in the corner and ate it without offering to share it or anything. The next day, the store owner saw 8 kids standing in front of his store from the other side of the tracks. Apparently they got the word where the place was. As the kids stared at the store, the owner invited them all in and gave them all ice cream. When they got back on their side of the tracks, the 1st kid was coming out of his house and he saw them with the ice-cream. He got an attitude, because they went to the store he had gone to the previous day. He felt like this was his spot. It was good enough for him to get some ice-cream, but when somebody else got some ice-cream, he had a fundamental problem with it. This is an example of how we appropriate grace. It is good enough for us to get the grace, but we have a fundamental problem when somebody else gets it. Know that if it is good enough for you, it is good enough for me!

This lesson today is an amazing story shared by Paul. The story first is about how we have peace with God.
I.                   Peace with God

  1. When you have a relationship with God, every relationship in your life will be properly aligned. Justification is the second part of salvation. We turn away from world and turn to God. We regenerate or start over. Though we turned, we still have the guilt and shame left from what we turned from, but God acquits us (justifies us) from this. In other words he gives us a clean slate. God drops the charges and makes it like we never done it.
  2. We are justified. You are sitting next to someone that has been justified. We are justified by faith. You have to believe that you have been justified. Consequently when others throw us away, he brings us in. When others bring us down, God brings us up. God will remind us that we are royal priesthood, a chosen generation. Don’t let the triflingness of others strain your relationship with God. We ought to be able to go to work with peace, because we have peace with God.
  3. In our relationship with God, we have rewards. Romans 5:2 says 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
    1. We have access-We are saved by grace rather than works. We don’t get merit points for what we do. Thanks God for that, because this would make people think they are more saved than you are. God saves us by grace and gives us access to that grace. We access, we don’t have to go through all the religiosity, or doctrinal issues, or the verbiage people tell us we need to do. We can go to God for ourselves. We can get to the throne of God for ourselves, because we have access. Access can be an amazing thing much like a backstage pass. God gave us access 2000 yrs ago. He gave us the greatest access that we could ever have.
    2. We gain attitude– Now we stand in this faith. This is about our conviction or what we believe. We are no longer that old person. Our mind is in another place. This can make it hard for you to connect to people from your past. Some people can’t go where God is taking you, because you attitude is at another dimension. We don’t have to be in your clique or club, because we know who we are. We don’t have time to play foolish games anymore, because our attitude is right.
    3. We have anticipation– We go through life anticipating his return. The bible declares that we do it for the glory of his return. If anything, we should celebrate that Jesus came and got up on the 3rd day. When he was ascending back into heaven, the angel asked why they were standing there gazing. They said the same way he left, he would come back again. We should live everyday anticipating his return. We are not nervous over what happens in this world, because we know we are saved and we will go back with him when he returns. Living he loved, dying he saved me, buried carried my sins far away, but rising he justified us and freed us forever, and one day he is coming back, glorious day! Anybody looking forward to the day the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise, and those of us who yet remain will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. He is coming back whether you are ready or not.
  4. We have peace with God, because we have been justified. As a result, we walk through life knowing that God has justified us and by his blood.

II.               Pain and glory
Romans 5:3-5 says 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  1. We would be a fool if we thought there was a shortage of pain going around. Some people that are reading this right now came with pain that they can’t even talk about. The question is, how do we appropriate our pain? Paul shares that it is all about what you know. When you are a Christian, you ought to know something. This is what separates a child of God from anyone else. It is all about what you know. Remember what Paul writes in Romans 8:28 says 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.- . It is all about what we know. There are those who know, those who don’t know, and those who act like they don’t know. Those that act like they don’t know are the ones that we need to talk to today (through this lesson). These people know they have been in church long enough to know that they can’t be acting a fool.
  2. Paul wants to know what our response will be. When tribulations come, know that it works something.
    1. We realize that God is sovereign – God will allow things to come into our life. He will give trouble a job description. God will let trouble work on you from 9 to 5 in our situation. God will employ trouble, because he will allow it to bless you. If it comes into your life, know that it comes to build you up, not destroy you. Be like Job, be able to bless God whether he gives or takes away. We have to be willing to understand that God is sovereign and he doesn’t owe us an explanation.
    2. He keeps us secure – You sit here looking good, because God kept you. In the time of trouble, he kept you. Whatever God allows is only seasonal.
    3. Its seasonal -Tribulation is only seasonal. You have to learn to outlive what is trying to outlive you. Tribulation comes to examine us.
    4. Examine – You will be tested on the material you’ve been taught (as in a final exam). In others words, you have to prove that you have learned enough to go to the next level. If you don’t test well, you will have to learn to. Know that test will come, but it will be an open book test. Many are asking to be taken to another level, but they are not willing to pass test. You shouldn’t expect to be advanced without passing the exam.
    5. Endure – God gives us experience. In these experiences, we learn how to endure. Jesus hung in there for us. There are many that have been through more in the last 6mths than others have been through their whole life.
    6. Brings about Exposure – Endurance brings about exposure. God had to let us get sick, because we had no exposure. We never got to see the world. How would you know God was a healer, unless you got sick?  How would you know God could pay the bill, if you’ve never been broke? Because you were exposed, the next time the lights get cut off, you won’t trip. You will light the candles until God makes a way for you. If you been through it once, you can do it again in tough times. Paul said he has learned to be content.
    7. We develop a level of Expectation – This is hope. It is based on what we have been through. Based on what we have been through, we just expect God to honor our faithfulness going through. We went through pain and gave him glory and as a result, God will give us glory for giving him glory through the pain. Our glory will be elevation. In other words he takes us to another dimension based on what we went through. If you want to know how much, it is based on what he allowed you to go through. Ex-This is why it is amazing to see how people look at people that praise God. The truth is, you don’t know their story. You might think their praise is over the top, but you have no idea what they have been through. You don’t know me; you only know what you are looking at! If you knew my story, you would understand! Ex- Bishop says he had Asthma when he was young and they though he was dead. He flat lined, but he was bought back from the dead. He explains he lost his sister in a car accident when he was 8 yrs old. Bishop also explains he lost a brother to sickle cell anemia. When he was 22 yrs old, he said he lost one of his closet preacher friends to a heart attack. He said he lost his first wife at 37 yrs old to cancer. He says he lost his house to a house fire, but in the midst of it, he didn’t lose his mind. In the midst he gave God the glory, because God said if we do, he will elevate us to another level. So hate on us if you want, because you don’t know our story! If you did, you would shout on our story too!

 
III.           Praise him for his grace
Romans 5:6-7 says 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

  1. Rarely will a person voluntarily die for a righteous man. Can you imagine somebody dying for you? When God extended his love toward us while we were sinners, he died. We were justified by God that we might be saved from his wrath through him.
  2. We were reconciled back to God through the death of his son.
    1. He rescued us-If we could have saved ourselves, we would have done it a long time ago. When we need rescuing, it suggests that our resources are not enough to save us. This suggests that I need a greater authority.
    2. He took a risk on me. God took a risk when he saved us. He took a chance on somebody that he knew would be unfaithful and somebody that he knew would be inconsistent and who would backslide.
    3. He redeemed us-This means he purchased us out of the hand of the enemy.
    4. He reconciled us– Jesus became the substitute, so that we might have life. All of our sins have been washed away, because of the blood. When the blood of bullocks and lambs wasn’t enough, thank God for his blood.
  3. He restored us. Anything the devil said we couldn’t have, God restored it. This is just like the prodigal son. He was restored when he came home. God will give you back the years the locusts have eaten up. It is amazing how some people won’t praise God for his grace.
  4. We know there are some over the top people that worry you. Know that they are probably praising over God’s grace. How can you understand grace and not be moved with and audible expression? Some say it is just because they are not emotional. They will tell you that this doesn’t mean they don’t love God. Ex- Bishop explains he did some research about praise. He was watching a Michael Jackson concert one day. Michael had not even come to the stage and people were falling out. They were going crazy and he hadn’t even gotten on the stage yet. Then out of nowhere Michael popped up out of the stage, landed, and just stood there. People were fainting and people went crazy! Michael still hadn’t done a thing yet paramedics had to run and tend to people. Michael had not done a thing, but yet people were giving glory to the king of pop. He hadn’t even bust a move or sung one song yet, but the crowd was wild. The crowd was made up of people like us (people with PHDs, schoolteachers, nurses, engineers, and etc…). These were intelligent people. Bishop explains watching these people crying and Michael was till standing there, because he knows he is the man. These people were giving worship to a man and he hadn’t even bust a move yet. Today we have come to talk to the church. We are addressing those who sit up in church calm and collected. Can you give God the glory before he even pops up? Can you give God the glory, before he busts a move? When we think of the goodness and all that he has done for us, we have to give him glory. Michael Jackson is gone, but the King of Glory is still on the throne! We are in the Grip of Grace! We were schooled criminals! We did whatever we could! God told us that it was easy as ABC, 123. He said if I would except the Lord Jesus Christ, believe in his name, and confess with my mouth, I would be saved! The Devil wanted to be starting something, but God told the devil to Beat it! When the devil left, God promised through the Holy Spirit that, “I’ll (God) be there”! God said whose bad? Then God responds, “I’m bad”! They put Jesus on the cross, buried him, but whose bad? God’s bad! He got up with all power and authority in his hands! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
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It’s going to take more than that, Sermon 03/28/10

Posted on March 30, 2010 by growintheword

It’s going to take more than that

Synopsis of sermon 3/28/10

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:20-30 says 20For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

It is important to understand that in all of our lives, God has an amazing assignment on us. With that assignment also comes anointing. It is an anointing that sustains us during our assignment. When we look at the apostle Paul, we are mindful that this is the same Paul that persecuted Christians of the early church. After Paul was converted, he boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ. As a result began to be persecuted as he used to persecute Christians. The amazing thing about Paul’s life is that he was an encourager of the church. In our text, he speaks to the church of Corinth to give them a sense of what it takes to make it along this journey called Christendom. He really shares with them what looks on the surface as a series of lamentations about the variety of things that he has experienced. After deeper examination, you will find that they are not really lamentations about what he is going through. Instead they edification to let the believers know that in this life you will have some difficult experiences, but God’s hand will be on you. In this life, if you choose to follow God’s assignment and God’s call on your life, know that it won’t be easy. The reality is, there will come times in our lives, rather than whining about how bad things are, you have to develop the resolve to square your shoulders and look the devil square in the face while telling him, “It’s going to take more than that.”

In the scripture, Paul tells about all the things he went through. It is a litany of experiences from one extreme to the next. Out of the context of this crisis, he talks about how he went through it all to help them understand that their assignment in the earth realm has to be greater than their assault in the earth realm. All of us reading this must know that we have to fulfill our divine assignment. Life will not be easy. It is not going to be a bed of roses. Anything worth having is worth working for. You must understand that we are just walking into the 2nd quarter of 2010, yet for some people this last 3 months has been really rough. If you wrote down everything you went through, it would take a whole notebook. There is something within you called the precious Holy Ghost that is sustaining you and keeping you. You could have lost your mind by now, but you are still here. We know it ain’t easy what you are dealing with, but understand that God sent Bishop Walker as he did the Apostle Paul (who talked to the church of Corinth) to tell you that you are not the only one going through some stuff! All of us that are doing God’s will are going through some stuff. What makes us who we are is our resolve to tell devil that we are not rookies at this thing. It is going to take more to break us than this! It is going to take more to make us walk away than this. It is going to take more to uproot us than this. We have been at this thing too long and we have seen God turn situations around and we believe in our spirit that God is able to sustain us. We have chosen to look to the hills from which comes our help. We know that someone is right on the edge right now and about to lose their head. God sends his word to sustain us and pull us back off the ledge and back into our senses. What is wrong with us? What has gotten us about to walk away from what God has blessed us with? We have to recognize that there are perils in this pilgrimage!

      I.            The Perils of the Pilgrimage

  1. Trails in this life are in evitable. It is interesting to know that when you are out of the will of God, we should expect trials. When you are in the will of God, these are the trails that should be hard for us. They are hard, because you wonder why God takes you through this when you are in his will and you have neighbors who are not in his will that are doing fine. We think because we are doing God’s will, he would give us some kind of reprieve from trials. The reason God takes us through (those that are in his will) is because God knows we will keep showing up. God knows, despite what we are going through, we declare in the face of the enemy, “It’s going take more than that!”
  2. It is about your witness. It is about how you look in the earth realm. Paul says he was in perils often. He was beaten 39 times for both himself and us. He says he went through so we could see how to go through a trail. We go through so others can see us get through what we are going through. Warfare is involved in your witness. You have to recognize that warfare is real. Out all the devil throws at you, the only weapon that the devil really has is the weapon of discouragement. He can’t take away from you what God promised you and he can’t cause you to walk away. All he can do is discourage you so much, that he makes you through up your hands and surrender, but you have to see your problems as opportunities in disguise.

3.      When we go through circumstances, we make 10 mistakes. (We will count them down.)

  1. We panic– We walk around trying to figure out what we are going to do next. The bible says be anxious for nothing.
  2. Fear grips our heart. Now you walk around scarred, but God has not given you the spirit of fear.
  3. We tell everybody what we are going through. Everybody ain’t qualified to handle what you are going through. We need to talk to people who know how to get a prayer through.
  4. We do not apply what we have been telling everybody else to do. We tell everyone else to trust God, yet when we go through, we don’t apply our own principles.
  5. We stop coming to church. It is the trick of the enemy to keep you in isolation.
  6. f.        We do not listen to the word of God. Without the word in our life, we don’t’ have anything reinforcing God’s promise.
  7. We do not pray. We stop talking to God. You here, but you not here.
  8. We don’t cast down negative thoughts.
  9. We do not confess the word. We stop speaking God’s word over our situation.
  10. We do not praise God. Don’t magnify your problem over his power. Recognize that you will be hated for men for his sake. Think it not strange concerning fiery trials. You got to recognize that perils will come and you have to know how to respond to them. The question is, how will you respond in the meantime? We must be productive while we are in pain?

   II.            Be productive when you are in pain

We recognize that our productivity is under attack, but Satan wants us to lose focus on our assignment and focus on the assault. Paul recognizes that all of us can grow weary. We can grow weary for giving to folk that don’t give back and loving folk who don’t love us. The devil loves nothing more than to have you whining in a pity party and not doing what God wants us to do. Make a shift and stop talking about what you are going through and do what God told you to do. You have to smile in the face of adversity.

 
 

See it Through
  When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!

Edgar Albert Guest

–          What he was saying is, we know you tired, but you have to still work. Dust yourself off and go to that job saying, “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it” Walk over to your hater and say you love them anyhow! We are not responsible for what happens in the day, we are just reasonable for giving God the glory for the day. We are a royal priesthood. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God! Keep on working it! Everybody is going through something! The same thing that brought us out can bring you out.

III.            Praise God thru the problem

  1. Don’t praise him when you come out of it. Praise him while you are going through the problem. Whatever we encounter is part of a larger plan of God. What we experience is a small part of a larger plan. There comes a time you have to understand God’s will for your life. 2 Corinthians 11:29-30 says 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. – If anybody is going to give God the glory, we will. We will give him glory concerning the things he allowed us to go through.
  2. God says he has to impose his will on our life. We pray for God to take us through another level. Paul is amazing; he wrote a 3rd of the New Testament, but remember that God gave him a thorn in his flesh and he asked for it to be removed? We want God to give us great stuff, but we don’t want him to impose his will on us. His will might not feel good. This will requires us to go through circumstances. Before you get to the next level, God will impose his will (the process) on you. God sees you are easily broken right now and because of this, there is no need for him to project you. God says let him prepare you to, strengthen you, and give you wisdom and discernment so you can handle the level you are going through. This is why you got to be careful what you pray for.
  3. When you ask for great things, you are asking him to take you through what is necessary. It doesn’t feel good going through it, but in hindsight, you thank him for those experiences. We will praise God, because we realize the process is necessary. How can we run with the horses, if we can’t walk on foot? How can we run the company if we can’t handle the 3 people that we supervise right now?
  4. It seems funny to ask people to praise God while it still hurts. Ex– It’s like when a child is about to get a shot and we as parents tell the child to praise God for the shot they are about to receive. All the child sees at this time is the pain. He or she doesn’t have the ability to praise God for the pain, because they are a baby. As an adult, you know the shot is to protect us up the road. This is why Bishop didn’t come to talk to babies or children today, because he knows baby’s will never get this word. He came to talk to some Christian Veterans. For folk that have been in the word, God said to tell you to stop quit crying. Instead God’s says give him glory for what he allowed to hurt you. What he allowed to hurt you was designed to bless you. When you come out, you will be better than you were before you went in it. Praise God for the process! Every mountain, every valley, and every storm we give God praise for.
  5. Why give him praise over what God allowed to hurt us?
    1. Because this praise is Faith Expecting – We are praising God, because we are believing that everything in is God’s word is coming to pass.
    2. . Because it is frustrating the enemy– We got the devil scratching his head saying I don’t know what else to throw at him, because everything I throw at them, they keep giving God the glory.
    3. Because this praise is Fight Enduring– There is fight in my praise. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God. We understand the pulling down of strongholds. There is fight in our praise. After all we been through we will give God glory while we are still in it! Devil it is going to take more than the drama, the last fight, more than what you saying about me, because we are rooted and grounded in God’s word. This praise is protest praise! It is picket line praise. We are on the line protesting everything the devil is trying to us. We protest poverty, low self esteem, unemployment, and all that the devil throws at us.  
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Knowing your bible Part IV “What the Bible Reveals to Us”, Bible Study 03/24/10

Posted on March 26, 2010 by growintheword

Knowing your bible Part IV
What the Bible Reveals to Us
Synopsis of bible study 03/24/10
Delivered by Bishop Walker III

When you look at the word of God, there are lessons and foundational principles that every student of the bible needs to be clear about. The bible reveals these principles clearly to us.
I. The purpose of Redemption
2 Timothy 3:15: 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.- The more we learn about the scriptures, the more our faith is increased and as a result, we are able to become saved.
1. Demonstrates the wickedness of the sinner. We can only understand redemption is by sin our sin nature as it is explained in the bible. Romans 3:10 says 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:; 23 Romans 3:23 says 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;- Verse 10 explains that none of us are righteousness. Verse 23 explains that we all have come short of the glory of God. We all naturally have a sin nature. We have to realize that a sin nature dwelt in us and we needed a savior.
2. We see the wrath of his sovereignty. Galatians 3:22 says 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.- God has this answer to our sin problem and he has the sovereignty to give it to us. In other words, sin according to Pentateuch (first 5 books of the bible), must be punished by death. Because God is sovereign, he can interrupt the consequences. Romans 6:23 says 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – We know what the wages of sin is (death), but God’s gift affords us eternal life. God says he overrides our punishment with his grace and his love.
3. We have faith to believe. John 3:18 says 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.-Redemption has a lot to do with having the faith to believe. Why would God hold back our consequences? It is because God knows the value of our soul.2 Peter 3:9 says 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.-We are sinners, but God says he loves us. The devil says to God,”If you love them, why do let them act the way they do.” God says that it is because he knows the value of our lives. His desire is that we come to repentance. This means in order for you to end up going to hell, you have to be trying to go to hell! God is so long suffering, we can’t understand why he puts up with us.
4. The scripture shows us the way of salvation. John 3:16: 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.-We see our self as sinners and we see interrupting the consequences (explaining he doesn’t take us out because he is longsuffering). This is not a license to do what we want. We should appreciate redemption. What if this was your last chance for us to get things right and Jesus came back in the midst of our sin and you woke up in judgment and had to explain to God what you were doing. God saved us, even though devil had the right to have us because we sinned. Based on the law we should have paid the ultimate price, but Jesus shed his blood and redeemed (or purchased) us from the devil. He bought us back. Psalm 107:2 says 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; – We shout on our car or house, but some of us can shout simply on the fact that he saved us.
II. The purpose of reinforcement
1. The bible reinforces that God loves us and cares for us. The scriptures reinforce what God did. God is constantly telling us that he loved us and paid the price for us. The word of God builds our standards.
a. Builds us up through their standards.
2. It is a Paradigm or model. We look at the scripture as our model or standard. John 14:15 says 15If ye love me, keep my commandments.- If we love him we obey his word. 1 John 2:3 says 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.-We say it is not easy to keep God’s word. 1 John 5:3 says 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. – The word grievous in this scripture means harsh. His commandments are not too difficult for us to accomplish.
3. What do you think is the most difficult principle of God’s to keep? Most people will say its fornication.
a. Fornication. – Don’t spend time worrying about the do’s and the don’ts in the bible. Spend time on the do’s and you won’t have time for the don’ts. – What keeps us is throughout the scripture, it says we are redeemed. Imagine if before you lit your weed you would think back at how Jesus redeemed you and shed his blood and this is the way you are choosing to thank him (you can apply this to any of your strongholds). The bible teaches us if you really understand that it cost something, then you start saying it is not worth disrespecting what it cost.
4. Builds us up through the symbols.
a. A mirror- James 1:23-25 says 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. – As a mirror, the word of God reflects the mind of God.
b. A seed -1 Peter 1:23 says 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. – When you plant a seed, you don’t always get a harvest right away. Ex- Some of you may have gotten angry, because you invited someone to church and they said they liked it, yet they never came again. Don’t worry about it. The seed has been planted. One plants, another waters, and God gives the increase. If you would think back, many of you have gotten a 5 yrs ago that is just now blossoming in you. It takes a while to receive the harvest.
c. Water-Ephesians 5:25-27says 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. , Ezekiel 47 associates water with the anointing. Remember when they pierced Jesus in the side, water and blood came out. Remember the scripture that talks about out of your belly will flow rivers of water. It is all about the idea of water representing the anointing.
d. A lamp -Psalm 119:105 says 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. – The word of God guides us into our future to keep us from falling.
e. A sword – Hebrews 4:12 says 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.- The word cuts you. It goes deep. Ex- You come to church and you are determined that you are going to be mad, but after you receive the word, you can’t help but to leave with a smile on your face. The word cut you like a sword. It brought about conviction.
f. Precious metals- Psalm 19:10 says 10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 119:127 says127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold- the bible is referred to as precious metal like gold and silver, because of its desirability and preciousness and its value.
g. Food- Job 23:12 says 12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. – Everyone wants to be fed, like it is food. Job said he likes word better than food. You eat food that you might grow, so in like manner we feed on the word to grow spiritually
i. Milk 1 Peter 2:2: 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: – You don’t give steak to a baby. You have to give baby what they can digest. We have to treat baby Christians the same way. They may have to have some milk first, before they get to the meat. This is why you shouldn’t get upset if a milk based sermon is delivered every now and then.
ii. Meat- Hebrews 5:12-14: 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. – Meat nourishes the body. Meat represents us wanting to get to the next level. Meat is challenges us. This is the position that we have about the word where we think, “Warm my heart, but challenge my head.” Meat-lovers is that next level to the next level. This is when we really want to challenge our head. Ex-We have a generation of preachers that put too much gravy on our meat (this is the whooping type sermon). Know that good meat makes its own gravy. You don’t need the popsicle/cupcake sermons ( which means we go right to the dessert), we need a balanced diet (Some meat, some potatoes, and then maybe dessert).
iii. Bread – John 6:51: 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world- Bread can nourish anybody.
iv. Honey Psalm 19:10: 10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. – Honey is filled with glucose and it will give you that extra boost of energy. We find ourselves showing up, because we need an extra boost. God’s word will give you and the extra energy you need to move on.
h. Hammer-Jeremiah 23:29: 29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
i. Fire-Jeremiah 20:9: 9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
III. The purpose of revelation
1. God reveals himself so we can see his power – God shows us his power, when he gets Mary pregnant when she is a virgin. He shows his power also when he raises Lazarus for the dead (These are just 2 examples)
2. They reveal Gods promises-God has kept all 3000 promises that you find in the bible. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says 20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.- The glory of God comes, because he always does what he says he will do.
3. They reveal Gods’ plan-The bible is so revealing, it gives some people more pieces of the puzzle every Sunday. God reveals his plan through his word. Jeremiah 29:11: 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
4. They reveal God’s person. Who is God? How do you explain God to people who do not know who God is? The scriptures give us amazing revelations of who God is. It is important for you to remember that the bible you read today is a translation, so in your bible words for God appear as Lord, God, Him, He, and etc…
a. The bible is written in 3 languages which are Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. If we understand that the bible is written in these 3 languages, then if we can understand how God’s name is used throughout scripture, it reveals something to us that we probably never knew. God used in one verse may mean something different in another verse. It depends on how the language is using it. Remember the names of God are adjectives, descriptive of God’s nature. If you understand the names of God and you are shown some instances of how the names were used, it opens up a wide possibility to discover that we may have been using the scripture wrong.
b. Names of God
EL: – “mighty, strong, prominent”. It is over 250 times in the Old Testament. See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11;- It is equivalent to use of Muslim term Allāh , but the attributes of Allah in Islam is entirely different from those of Hebrew EL. Elah and Alah in Hebrew linguistically are similar to Allah, but these two Hebrew words do not refer to God, so when Muslims say we worship the same God, know that we don’t.
ELOHIM: – The family name of God such as creator. It is used over 2500 times in the Old Testament.
EL SHADDAI: – God Almighty or “God All Sufficient.” – Used 48 times in the Old Testament (31 times alone in book of job). Ex- When Job is talking to God, he is calling him the supply. He had lost everything.
ADONAI: -“Master” or “Lord” (which means the Lord controls our lives) 300 times in the Old Testament. First used in Gen 15.2.
JEHOVAH: “the self existent one”. This is where we get the word Yahweh. In Hebrew spelled Yhwh. Found in Ex 3 in the story of the burning bush.- He is saying he is who he is. He will be who he will be. No one created him.
JEHOVAH-JIREH: – “The Lord will Provide.” – God not only has what we need, but he is what we need. – He doesn’t just give joy, he is joy.
JEHOVAH-ROPHE: “The Lord Who Heals” found in Exodus 15:22-26, 15:22-26-Health in the bible is always total. It is spirit, soul and body. It is never just physical.
JEHOVAH-NISSI: – “The Lord Our Banner- When we go to battle, we lift his name.
JEHOVAH-M’KADDESH: “The Lord Who Sanctifies – Found in Leviticus 20:7-8.
JEHOVAH-SHALOM: “The Lord Our Peace” Judges 6:24. ” –This idea of peace means I have a right standing with myself, God, and man.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU: “The Lord Our Righteousness” – It means we weigh ourselves by his righteousness. We are the righteousness of God. Jer. 23:5 – 6.
JEHOVAH-ROHI: “The Lord Our Shepherd” Psa. 23, JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: “The Lord is There” (Ezek. 48:35).
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: “The Lord of Hosts” – Sabaoth is the commander of the angelic hosts in the army of God. We don’t have authority to call down the angels of God, but God does. God sends his angels. Psalms 46:7
EL ELYON: ‘Most High” (from “to go up”) Deut. 26:19, – Whatever is over our head is still under his feat.

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