The Revelation in The Book of Revelations Part Two, Bible Study 03/16/21

Posted on March 16, 2021 by growintheword

Christ 7 Letters to The Churches (Chapters 2-3)

Synopsis of Bible Study 03/10/21

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

In this lesson we will discuss destination, command to right, archaic language, titles of Christ, the “I know “narrative, admonitions and exhortations, the proclamation formula, the victory formula

Revelation 1:9 NKJV  9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I.            REVELATION CHAPTER 2

A.     Lessons from Ephesus

  1. It was the Largest city in province of Asia.
  2. They opposed the teaching of a particular sect.
  3. They held to a doctrine of immortality.
  4. They were criticized for being loveless. They were slipping into coldness and religiosity.
  5. Revelation 2:1–7 NKJV “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’- Verse two says they have been tested. Visiting missionaries were supposed to audit expectations.
  1. God says he will remove the lampstand from them, if they didn’t repent. In other words, God will remove what was holding them up.
  2. God acknowledged things that this church had done right, but he pointed out that they had turned away from their first love. You can do a whole lot of stuff right religiously and still end up not being right with God. For example: You can study the bible, attend all bible studies, engage in worship, but if you are cold and mean to your fellow man, then you still aren’t pleasing God.
  • John 15:13 NKJV 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – It’s important to know that God affirms what they had done, but he still calls them to repentance.
  • No matter how great the things are we do in church, it means nothing if you don’t exhibit love. Lead like He led, love like He loved.
  • Example- People are sometimes mean at the door and won’t to scoot over, when someone wants to sit down in church. This discredits the true love of Jesus Christ. You have to love God’s people.

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B.     Lessons from Smyrna

  1. This church suffered under brutal persecution. The challenge for this church was the synagogue of Satan (Jewish Leaders)
  2. Revelation 2:8–11 NKJV  8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
  3. Smyrna was a harbor city. It was city by the water. It was a city of cult worshippers.
  4. Despite their poverty, they were spiritually rich. They had faith in God but were slandered by the Jews and they stayed in conflict with them.
  5. The crown of life is a reward of eternal life. It is symbolic of the crown that they gave to people who won events in this cultural .
  6. If I don’t know Jesus, I die a second time. If you born twice (otherwise called born again), you will not die the second death and will live forever.

C.     Lessons from Pergamum

  1. Was a city of 180,000 people. They were guilty of cult worship.
  2. Balaam. Was one of the gods they worshipped. Satan dwelled deeply there.
  3. Revelation 2:12–17 NKJV  12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
    1. Verse 13 speaks of Satan’s throne which means a judgement seat.
    1. Antipas was named as a martyr. Martyr in biblical terms is someone who dies for the cause.
    1. God warns that they should repent or face a fight with God with the sword of His mouth.

D.     Lessons from Thyatira

  1. Thyatira lies between Pergamum and Ephesus. They believed in the sun gods.
  2. God rebukes them for permitting sexually temptation.
  3. God promises to bring judgement to Jezebel and her followers.
    1. Jezebel was a prophetess whose teachings led Christians astray. 
      1. Stop calling women Jezebel. According to scripture, Jezebel is someone who leads people astray. Its not necessarily a promiscuous are flirty woman.
  4. Revelation 2:18–23 NKJV  18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
  5. Flame of fire is part of the description of Jesus.
  6. God says this church allowed Jezebel to lead their people astray. God promises to cast her into her sickbed because she didn’t repent.
  7. God also promises to judge all the lie with her.
  8. God will also punish Jezebel’s kids for misleading the church.

II.            REVELATION CHAPTER 3

Revelation 1:19 NKJV  19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

A.     Lessons from Sardis

  1. Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
  2. This church must understand that though God started with a positive comment, he soon followed with scolding.
  3. This church was too prideful of their accomplishments.
  4. They were known as the Kingdom of Lydia.
  5. They were known to be the originators of gold and silver coins.

B.     Lessons from Philadelphia

  1. This church was known as the Church of Brotherly Love.
  2. This church is not given a rebuke from Jesus. They are instead praised.
  3. They had been attacked by the synagogue of Satan.
  4. They will be rewarded for their faith when Jesus returns.
  5. Revelation 3:9–11 NKJV 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
  6. God will punish those who came against this church.
  7. When you are faithful, God will open a door that no man can shut. The open door is an opportunity to evangelize.
  8. In the midst of all opposition, we must create opportunities to reach others.
  9. God provides a way in the face of opposition.

C.     Lessons from Laodicea

  1. We will introduce a word today called Eschatological. This is relating to death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of mankind.
    1. This relates a lot to the triumph of God in the end.
  2. Revelation 3:15-16 NKJV 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
  3. This church is the only church that doesn’t receive any positive commentary.
  4. This church is heavily criticized. They were familiar enough with God to brush him off.
  5. God says they have been playing the fence long enough. You got to choose which side of the fence you are on. At some point, you’ve got to choose!
  6. Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
  7. The Lord gives this church an opportunity like he does with us. You have to be all the way in or all the way out. He is giving you a chance to repent.
  8. God is standing at the door knocking. He’s not going to force his way into our lives.
  9. He’s standing at the door wanting more of us. Are we still going to keep doing what we are doing and keep him out there? God wants to come in and dine with us. He wants to give us a life like we never imagined possible.
  10. He’s knocking on the door of our hearts. Will you let him in?
  11. We’ve seen things done right, but as God audits these 7 churches, we need to see what we need to do to get things right.
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The Revelation In The Book Of Revelations Part 1, Bible Study 03/03/21

Posted on March 12, 2021 by growintheword

Personal, Biographical, Historical (Chapter 1)

Synopsis of March 3, 2021

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

Revelation 1:9 NKJV 9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I.            INTRODUCTION

  1. John was on the island of Patmos. It is important to know that all the Disciples were Martyrs.
  2. Patmos was a volcanic treeless island. John was put there as a punishment.
  3. John received a vision, but at first he wasn’t sure if he was tripping from being famished.
  4. It has been said that the Book of Revelation is hard to understand. For others, they say Revelations is hard to believe.
  5. Revelation really completes the Canon. This is why we view this scripture called Revelation as being authoritative.
    1. The 66 books in the bible are considered the Canon.
  6. Who determined what books made up the 66 books of the Canon? There was a council called Nicaea. Nicaea was the first council of the organized church.
  7. The Canon is a list of books that is considered authoritative scripture by a particular Religious Community. The council of Nicaea tested these books.
  8. Exodus was a book that was found to be used over and over. This was one of the books that was included in the Canon by the council.
  9. Revelation barely made it into the Canon. Apocryphal was a word used to describe a group of people that found it unnecessary to spend time on “the end of time”.
  10. The book of Revelation is the summation or finale of all the books of the bible. It is the final victory of the church.
  11. Revelation is the only book that is entirely prophetic.
    1. In this book we see that God is in control of history.
    1. We see that we are victorious.
    1. We see that there will be time a of tribulation.
    1. We are comforted when we look at the final act of Christ in the earth and his upholding the faithful.
  12. John says those who read this book will be blessed. The day is coming where God will make a final and full revelation. We will know when it comes.
  13. In this series, we will take the mystery out of this book and give you the facts.
  14. In this book, there is a Sender, Receiver, and Salutation.
  15. The language in this book is not by accident.
  1. Revelation 1:9-11 NRSV 9 I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

II.            OCCASION

  1. Revelation is connected to both ancient and modern scholars and during the time it was written, there was a lot of persecution taking place.
  2. It also took place during the reign of the roman Empire. Revelations was written around 96CE (Common Era)
  3. What we get from Revelation is all that John saw. Rev 1:10-11 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
  4. This was not Roman Policy. There were random outbreaks of hostility. They had conflicts between their Pagan Neighbors and believers of Jesus Christ.
  5. Many people wonder if the persecution in Revelation actually happened or is it something that is going to happen in the future.
    1. Revelation 1:19 NKJV 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

III.            LITERARY FORM

  1. We have to look at how the book is written. Revelation is apocalyptic. It is highly symbolic. All though the vision seems impossible, it provides a lot of clues for interpretation.
  2. Apocalypses describe the content in the book of Revelation. It is talking about what we see in the future. It talks about present day evil and the blessings that God is about to bring upon His people.
  3. The Book of Revelation shows the conflicts of the Righteous Minority and the Wicked Majority which were made up of Foreign Powers (Antichrist believers). There is a war taking place.
  4. In Revelation, we have a war between good and evil and God vindicates the righteous. We will look at this, how this takes place, and why God does it.
  5. You will have a reward at the end and God is going to punish your oppressor.
  6. Many Jewish Apocalyptic Writers use a lot of symbolism. Revelation is written in the same way.
    1. Revelation 1:19  19 [a]Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. – John was told to write the things that he saw, the things that was happening now, and the things that shall come.
  7. When Paul writes a third of the new testament, he speaks a lot of the things that are mentioned in the writings of Revelation. The aim of the writer is to understand what God is up to.

IV.            PURPOSE ?

  1. The book of Daniel mirrors this book called Revelation. Paul writes it to encourage the faithful who were oppressed by Emperors.
  2. In Revelation, there will be a final showdown between God and Satan. Satan will increase his persecution against the believers. The showdown will happen, but we have to be steadfast until then.
    1. Although Satan will increase his persecution, you will be covered against any spiritual harm.
    1. You were sealed or covered, and this is how you will miss certain things coming to you.
  3. Tribulation will happen in the world more than has ever been seen before.
    1. Matthew 24:21 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
  4. This book is the final victory from heaven. Satan is defeated.
    1. Satan has demons. Satan was an angel in heaven, before he was cast down to the earth. His followers were cast out too and they became demons.

V.            INTERPRETATION

  1. Preterist View – This is only those that went to church in John’s day. God is giving the news of his day.
  2. Historicist View – This view approaches this from a sweeping, disorder, panoramic view of the church. They are all about Christian history and not so much about the future of world, but instead the future of the Church.
  3. Futurist View – In this view, they believed that revelation begins with the end of days. It is directly preceding Jesus’ return.
  4. Poetic View – They believed revelation is full of pictures and symbols of God’s day. They believed that this was not for personal meaning. They believed it was just to encourage believers of that day.
  5. The Book of Revelation did speak of all these things. We can’t deny the fact that it reveals what was, what is, and what is to come.
  6. You have to read Revelation from this 3-fold perspective.
  7. What is this book saying considering all these perspectives?
    1. We believe the book of revelation must mean something. It is a book that has value and meaning. It has promised blessings and not promised confusion.
  8. Do you think we are living in the days that John spoke about to come? John wrote about events that was to happen in future.
  9. What makes this book distinctive? John used the number “7” 52 times.
    1. Revelation 1:1-3 NKJV 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

VI.            DISTINCTIONS

  • 7 Churches
  • 7 Spirits
  • 7 Golden Lampstands
  • 7 Stars
  • 7 Seals
  • 7 Horns
  • 7 Eyes
  • 7 Trumpets
  • 7 Thunders
  • 7 Signs
  • 7 Crowns
  • 7 Plagues
  • 7 Golden Bowls
  • 7 Hills
  • 7 Kings

Remember that we know that the number 7 means completion

VII.            BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS AND KEEPS THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN

  1. Lots of us don’t read Revelation, because we are afraid of what it will reveal.
  2. There is revelation in this book for us. You need to read it so that you may be blessed.
  3. “Those who read” and “those who hear”, means it should be read publicly.
  4.  “Those who…” is plural. It speaks of people hearing it.
    1. If we would read the same thing in today’s times it would say, “Blessed it the Pastor who teaches revelation and blessed is the congregation who hears it.
  5. After all we went through in 2020, you got to know that God is speaking to us.
  6. If we could ever understand Revelation, it would change our lives forever.

VIII.            GREETING

  1. Revelation 1:4-5 NKJV 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, – We must read it to know what God has done, what he is doing, and what he’s going to do.
    1. This was Asia which would be the western part of the modern-day Turkey. This is where those 7 churches were located.
  2. God is trying to show us the completeness and perfection he expects from the 7 churches.
    1. Isaiah 11:2 NKJV 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. –

IX.            A STATEMENT OF PRAISE

  1. Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – John says God has already acted on our behalf. In this scripture, God had done an audit of the church to show them how they were faring.
  2. If there was any other way to wash us from sin, we would know it. God washed us by his blood.
  3. You must hear what God saying to you, because he paid for and washed us in his own blood.
    1. Example: If you had a favorite pair of Jeans and they got covered in paint, you would wash them to keep them, because you love them. Well God loved us so much, he literally washed us in his blood.
  4. When something gets washed, it experiences agitation. Agitation is necessary to get things clean.
  5. John is being persecuted by being in exile on this island. He gives a message to others of what God has done, is doing, and will do. He will reveal to them what no other can.
  6. It is coming straight from the throne of Him that washed us.
  7. God called us kings and priests. This was forbidden by law. You couldn’t be a king and priest in old times.

X.            DESCRIPTION OF THE RETURN OF JESUS

  1. Revelation 1:7 NKJV 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. – One of our favorite songs is “The king is coming”.
  • Jesus left on a cloud. He will return the same way. We look up because Jesus is coming back with the clouds. This will be literally because He left this way.
  • Acts 1:9-11 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”. – This is true figuratively too. The bible reverences the great cloud of witnesses.
    • Revelation 1:8 NKJV 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

XI.            WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CHURH TODAY?

  1. Revelation 1:12-13 NKJV 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. – This reminds us of the golden lampstands. It reminds us of the 7 lampstands that found in the temple. In Jewish, on candle with 7 lights on it. The stand merely makes light more visible, but the light comes from the oil.
  2. Whatever God did, was so you would be more visible. We don’t produce light; we only display it.
  3. You might not find an ancient lamp stand. The lamp burns, but the only way it continues is because it is full of oil. The light burns, because of the oil.
  4. Don’t let your oil run out. The church can’t be what it supposed to be without the oil. This is why we are positioning ourselves to where he wants us to be.
  5. Don’t let your oil run out. Jesus is coming through the clouds and he is looking for an oily church.
  6. We are the church. The anointing is how we allow His presence to be with us.
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Hurt But Not Hindered: How To Move Forward Part 4< Bible Study 2.24.21

Posted on March 4, 2021 by growintheword

Reconciliation

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III
Synopsis of February 24, 2021

Psalm 133:1-3 NKJV 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

I. INTRODUCTION

  1. What is reconciliation?  Allasso is a Greek word used for reconciliation and it means “to change or exchange. It can even be like the change between God and man.
  2. To say something needs to be reconciled, we assume that something must be broken or fragmented. When fragmentation comes, it can be reconciled by intentional engagement.

II. BIBLICALLY, WHAT IS RECONCILIATION?

  1. Romans 5:6-11 NKJV 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. – While we were sinners God saved us.
    1. We needed to be reconciled back to God. Someone had to initiate this.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, – God reconciles the world to himself.
  3. Romans 5:1 NKJV 5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, – Therefore we are no longer enemies of God. God loved us back to himself through His Spirit. God was always about reconciliation.
  4. God gives us the ministry of reconciliation.

III. THE INITIATOR VS. THE AGITATOR

  1. Initiator – The initiator wants to save the valued relationship. There is a reason reconciliation is important. God is trying to do something in the earth.
    1. We breakup and fracture relationships over the silliest things. The smallest of things cause breakdowns.
  2. Agitator – The agitator stirs up public feeling. They try to aggravate you.

IV. FOUR TYPES OF RECONCILIATION

  1. Deep Mutual Healing – This is when both parties come to an agreement that it is time to change.
  2. Shifting Your Expectations – No matter how you deny it, it goes back to our expectations. Expectations is the belief that it is going to happen one way only to find out that it happens another way.
    1. If one person decides to change their expectations of the other and it can fracture relationships.
    2. Sometimes you have to treat things like you do fish; you chew the meat up and spit out the bones.
  3. Agreeing to Disagree – This is agreeing to disagree, rather than trying to convince the other person that you are right. It’s not worth not being able to work together.
  4. Inner Resolution – Choose when the reconciling is not possible. If they slam the door on you, that’s all you can do.

V. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

  1. Micah – Leads Reconciliation to The Will of God
    1. During the 8th century, it was a bad time full of corruption. Micah trying to get everyone back into the Will of God.
      1. Micah 7:1 NKJV  1 Woe is me! For I am like those who gather summer fruits, Like those who glean vintage grapes; There is no cluster to eat Of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires. – There was no such harvest like this for Micah. Everyone was doing their own thing.
      1. Micah 3:8 NKJV 8 But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin. – Micah initiated counsel and testimony to help people where they were. Many learned to live a new life.
    1. No matter what happens around you, be who God called you to be.
      1. Micah 7:7-9 NKJV 7 Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. 8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. – Micah’s ability to reconcile his will to the Will of God, made him effective in carrying out God’s will.
  2. David And Saul – Resentment Leads to Death
  3. Saul didn’t realize that the seeds he sowed, caused his own destruction. Jealousy grew up in Saul against David.
  4. Saul neglected everything trying to kill David. Since Saul tried to kill David, he ran, and Saul spent all his time trying to hunt David down.
  5. David could have killed Saul on 2 different occasions.  However, David would not draw his sword against one of the Lord’s anointed. He let God live with Saul.
  6. Don’t come down to their level when you are anointed. Give it to God.
  7. If you go after revenge, you will miss what God has for your life.
  8. 1 Samuels 8:6-7 NKJV   6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. – God warned Samuel to let it go, because he did not want him to build up resentment against the people.
  9. Jacob And Esau – Reconciliation Leads to Love
  10. Esau was mad at Jacob for stealing his birth right.
    1. Genesis 33:4 NKJV 4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. – Even though his brother had stolen his birthright, Esau was willing to reconcile with Jacob.
  11. When people see us reconcile, they will see the God in us. We must be willing to say, no matter what happened, I want to make this right. Are you willing to make it right?
  12. If you don’t reconcile with each other, it can affect the way you worship God.
  13. God makes the first move by reconciling us back to himself. God gave his only begotten son that we might have everlasting life.
  14. If I am spiritual, I have to be the one that says, “I will be the one that makes this right”.
  15. Everybody might not reconcile with you, but you have to be the one that doesn’t want to live with regrets.

VI. RECONCILIATION CAUSES CLEAN HANDS

  1. Psalm 24:4-6 NKJV 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah – When the offended can reconcile to the offender, it speaks well of God.
  2. We have to declare, “Lord order my steps where I need to be, to reconcile with whom I need to reconcile. Remove the chaos from my life and let me walk in peace with you and others, in Jesus’ name, Amen”.
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Hurt But Not Hindered: How To Move Forward Part II

Posted on February 17, 2021 by growintheword

How To Move From Victim To Victor

Synopsis of Bible Study 2/10/21

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I.            INTRODUCTION

  1. This world is full of people with a victim mentality. In a sense, they are enslaved.
  2. The way we look at the world is based on how the world reacts to us. What we look for in life, is what we find.
  3. When you finish moaning about life, do you feel empowered or disempowered? You can look up or you can get up!
  4. Some people complain all their lives, because they enjoy complaining.
  5. You can develop a victim mentality. A victim mentality is a mindset.
  6. To have a Victim Mentality, you are a person that views themself as a victim. This type of person accuses everyone of causing their dilemma.
  7. A Victor Mentality is one that sees him or herself coming out of their situation. They don’t make excuses or linger over things that have happened in their lives before.
  8. You’ve got to move on to a place where you become a victor. Will you put your energy into something positive, or will you linger around the victim story?

II.            THREE TYPES OF VICTIMS

  1. Martyr Victim – This is the person who solely feels sorry for themselves. They feel like they will be elevated if they victimized.
  2. Arrogant Inferior Victim – This type of victim cuts others down, so that they can feel better about themselves.
  3. Arrogant Super Victim – This type of victim is one that thinks they are more significant than the problem. They think everyone is beneath them.

III.            THE ROMANTIZITIAN OF VICTIMIZATION

  1. Why Is It Easier? The reason it is easier for some people to play a victim is because playing the victim is the path of least resistance for them. Additionally, some victims will find other victims to hang with.
  2. Once you snap out of the state of being a victim, your crowds change. Misery loves company.
  3. Many who live the victim role don’t realize how it affects others. When you play the role of a victim, your issues really effect the people that are around you.
  • Own Your Trauma, Do Not Dump Your Drama
  • When you own your drama, you won’t be likely to dump it onto others. Name the trauma, come to grips with the entire story, and find a therapist to help you work through it.
    • Find a professional to help you sort through your issues. You don’t have to expose all this stuff on your social media page. This is often how people are able to better target you.
  • Eventually, you are going to have to snap out of it! You have to snap out of this Victim Mentality.

IV.            7 SIGNS OF A VICTIM MENTALITY

  1. No Responsibility – Victims take no responsibility for the situations they find themselves in. We must be willing to find out what role we played into our problem.
  2. Living A Frozen Life – At this point, the victim is at the mercy of everyone and everything around them.
    1. Ask them why they are stagnant, and they will give you a laundry list of reasons and they will tell you that its mostly the fault of others.
    2. A large part of this is holding grudges. We’ve got to get to a place, where we realize that you can’t hold on to grudges. Grudges will make you a victim.
    3. Some people take on the role of being a victim because they like the attention.
  3. Permanent Self-Pity – This victim has a habit of pitying themselves like a defenseless child that can’t take care of itself.
  4. Constant Comparison – This type of victim compares themselves to others in a negative way. A victim will complain about everything, and never count their blessings.
  5. Critical – This type of victim is very critical. They find something negative in any and everything.
  6. Believe They Are Perfect – They all of a sudden think they are perfect. They think everyone has done them wrong.
  7. Easily Cut People Out – They are highly emotional. They cut people out of their lives at the drop of a hat.

V.            BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

  1. Lessons From The Life Of Hannah –
  2. Hannah felt like she was a victim. She had a problem and went directly to the Lord about it. Hannah was Elkanah’s first wife; after they had been married for ten years, he also took Peninnah.
  3. Peninnah was mocking Hannah, because she couldn’t have any children. This hurt Hannah tremendously. She decided to take her burden to God in faith.
  4. When we are faced with greatest trail, we need to do like Hannah and go to the Lord! She realized something. Hanna realizes that she could stay in her dilemma or go to God about it.

B.     Lessons From The Life Of Leah

  1. Leah was rejected by Jacob. She was presented to Jacob to marry, be he wanted Rachael. Jacob works 7 yrs to get Rachael’s hand in marriage and finds out that Leah had been placed in his tent instead. Jacob wanted Rachael so bad, he works an additional 7 yrs for her. This hurt Leah.
  2. Leah was unappreciated and started having babies for someone that doesn’t even want her. Each baby was named based on her emotional state.
    1. Leah’s first son was named Reuben which meant “to see”.
    1. The second son was called Simeon which meant, “God hath heard that I was hated”.
    1. The 3rd son was named Levi, which meant, “because I have given my husband a third son, he will live with me now”.
    1. Finally, she had a 4th son and called him Judah which means, “Praise”. Leah finally realized that she needed to go to God with her issues.
  3. It’s so convenient to be a victim. Being a Victor can only happen if Christ is at the center. When you decide to be a victorious Christian with God at the center, you have realized that you can only get there by Him.
  • CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRIST-CENTERED VICTORIOUS LIFE

A.    Fear Does Not Defeat

  1. Psalm 112:6-8 NKJV 6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. – Victors lives in confidence and are secure. When the world becomes dark, he looks for the light.
  2. A Victor knows how to trust God. We must change our narrative. Trust God no matter how bad it may seem.
  • Flint-Focused
  • Isaiah 50:7 NKJV 7“For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. – This means we need to be laser focused between God and our goals.
  • We need to be humble, hardworking, and striving in excellence.
  • Guards Their Associations
  • Romans 8:14 NKJV 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
  • James 4:3-4 NKJV 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
  • 1 Corinthians 8:3 NKJV 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.


  • Celebrates God’s Word
  • I know God’s word has value. When you celebrate God’s word, you operate in love.
  • A Victim thinks the whole world is against them. A Victor sees things as a challenge.
  • A Victor makes do with what he or she has, but a Victim looks for the handout.
  • What are you going to be? Will you be a Victim or Victor? This is a mindset. Learn who you are.
  • How long will you allow yourself to be a victim? When will you make a switch?
  • Hold your head up. Don’t walk through this life with you soul cast down.
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