I’m Included

Posted on July 1, 2025 by growintheword

Synopsis of Sermon 06.29.25

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

John 4:7-26 (NKJV):

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?

12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”

17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 

18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.

20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

I. Introduction

Have you ever felt overlooked, unimportant, or rejected? Maybe it was by people who said they cared about you. Maybe it was by a system or by society. All of us know the sting that comes with rejection.

But today, I want to challenge you to look at rejection through a different lens. A lens of faith.

What if your rejection was actually a part of God’s redirection?

Today is not just a gathering—it’s an encounter moment.

God wants to speak to you personally—to bring you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.

A. Grace That Breaks Barriers

Let’s talk about this Samaritan woman. She experienced rejection on multiple levels—gender, ethnicity, and personal history.

Yet she becomes one of the most powerful examples of the grace of God in the New Testament. This encounter with Jesus will blow your mind.

She was labeled, isolated, and misunderstood—but she was still included. Tell somebody near you: “You are included.”

Let’s break down the context:

  • She’s a Samaritan.

The Samaritans were the result of intermarriage between Jews and Assyrians. Because of this, other Jews considered them impure and heretical.

  • They had their own temple on Mount Gerizim, accepted only the first five books of the Torah, and were divided religiously from the Jews.

This created a deep divide—so deep that Jews would walk around Samaria just to avoid them.

  • She’s a woman.

And in that culture, women were often seen as inferior. It was especially scandalous for a Jewish rabbi to speak to a Samaritan woman in public.

Jesus breaks all of that.

He meets her at Jacob’s well at noon, a time when women normally did not come to draw water. Why? Because she was trying to avoid people. She had a reputation.

She wanted to get in and get out—but what she didn’t realize was this wasn’t going to be an ordinary day.

Jesus asks her for a drink. That request alone shatters cultural and religious norms. Then He offers her living water—a spiritual satisfaction she had never known.

B. Living Water: Spiritual Satisfaction

She didn’t understand at first. She says, “You have nothing to draw with. The well is deep—where do you get this living water?”

Jesus sees past her confusion—and past her past. He asks her about her relationships. She says, “I have no husband.” He replies: “You’ve had five husbands, and the one you’re with now is not your husband.”

That’s a bombshell moment—her truth exposed, but instead of running, she shifts the conversation to worship: She says “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place to worship.”

Jesus responds: “The hour is coming—and now is—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth… for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”

Then comes the revelation: “I who speak to you am He.” Jesus reveals His identity—not to a rabbi, not to a Pharisee, not to a religious leader—but to her, an outsider, rejected, broken, and branded.

C. True Worship

Worship is not about place—it’s about presence.

The living water represents eternal life, spiritual renewal, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus teaches that worship is no longer confined to temples or mountains—it’s about encountering God in spirit and truth.

This woman came for water—but she left with a well on the inside of her. Some of you come to church for a routine—but you’re about to leave filled, refreshed, and restored.

Tell somebody: “You’re closer than you think.” You’re closer to breakthrough, closer to freedom, and closer to destiny.

II. Accept Rejection As Redirection

Sometimes rejection is the clearest sign that God has something greater in store. We struggle when we’re excluded—when they don’t invite us, don’t text us, or don’t choose us, but maybe, just maybe, that closed door is God’s way of opening a better one.

The Samaritan woman was rejected—as a woman, as a Samaritan, and as someone with a troubled past, but Jesus didn’t avoid her, He didn’t shame her, and He didn’t ignore her. He included her.

A. Man Rejects You Because They Don’t Understand You

People often judge you without reading your full story. They walk into the middle of your chapter and act like they know your whole book.

Jesus knows the beginning, the middle, and the end—and He still chooses you. She came to the well in isolation—but Jesus saw her pain, her past, and her purpose.

He didn’t ask questions to condemn her—He asked questions to make her feel seen. Tell your neighbor: “You are known. You are seen. You are included.”

B. Jesus Meets Us at Our Lowest to Lift Us to His Level

Jesus didn’t wait for her to come to Him—He went to her. He stepped into her story and changed the ending.

Somebody next to you could testify: “He met me at my lowest—and lifted me to where I needed to be.”

She didn’t come for a miracle—but a miracle found her.

III. Receive Revelation and Reality

You’ve got to receive revelation as reality.

See, the revelation you’re about to receive will be your reality.
Perception is not your reality—revelation is.


People may perceive things about you, but that’s not your truth. That will be revealed naturally.

Look at the Samaritan woman. What is she coming to do? She’s coming to draw water. She’s got her bucket, ready to pull from the well, but Jesus sees beyond her routine.

He says, “I see what you’re doing. You’re drawing water, but you’re still thirsty, huh?” Because the truth is—You’re not just thirsty for water, you’re thirsty for something deeper.

Her problem wasn’t the water in the well. The problem was the emptiness inside her.

She kept dipping the bucket in—and drawing it out—but remained empty. That well was a mirror of her life. Relationship after relationship. Situation after situation. Drawing in… drawing out… and always dry again.

Jesus says, “I know what’s really going on. People see one thing, but I see the deeper thing.
I’m not asking you for water because I need it— I’m trying to give you a revelation that will transform your life.” If you knew who was asking you for a drink, you’d be asking me for living water!

A well holds what was, but a spring pushes up what’s fresh and alive. Jesus wasn’t there to refill her same old bucket—He came to place a source inside her that never runs out!

When you understand the power of living water, you won’t panic when people leave.
You won’t fall apart when someone walks out. You won’t chase validation in dry places.
You’ll say, “I’ve got a fresh flow inside me!”

So your ex may see you and say, “Why are you so happy now—its like you’re doing better without me?” And you can say, “Exactly. I’ve got a source that never runs out.”

A. God Exposes What You Hide to Heal What You Fear

Jesus knew everything about her—her past, her patterns, her pain and still, He didn’t shame her.

He revealed what she tried to hide, not to embarrass her, but to heal her.

Let me say this:

God will expose what you hide, to heal what you fear.

B. True Worship Begins With Truth

Jesus said, “Go call your husband.” She said, “I have no husband.” He replied, “You’re right. You’ve had five—and the one you have now isn’t yours.”

Why did He make her say it? Because healing begins when you’re honest. Any good therapist will tell you—you can’t fix what you won’t face.

You’ve got to say it: “I’m broken.” “I’m battling addiction.” “I’ve been masking my pain.”

Touch your neighbor and say: “I can’t say it around you, but I can say it before Him.”, because worship creates space for truth.


And once the truth enters your heart, the Word can take root. Worship tills the soil so the seed of the Word can grow.

Jesus said some seed fell on stony ground—because trauma and offense harden the heart, but worship breaks up the soil—so the Word can penetrate.

Let me teach this:
When Job lost everything, the Bible says he tore his robe, shaved his head, sat in ashes…and worshiped. Then—he spoke revelation: Naked I came, naked I’ll return. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

We’ve had it twisted in church. We used to say, “Before the preacher comes, the choir will give us a selection—A and B.”, but the choir wasn’t prepping us to receive—it was entertaining us!

Let me tell you:

Worship is not about performance—it’s about preparation.
Worship isn’t entertainment—it’s engagement.

You don’t need a show—you need a word.

Ask your neighbor: “Do you want a concert, or do you want a revelation?”

When you worship—for real—it breaks your pride.


When your heart is open, God can drop a seed right into it. That’s when restoration begins.

IV. Restore Righteousness Through Relationship

Jesus says, “Someone like you? Yes, you’re included.” She had five husbands, and her situation was complicated—but He still included her.

Why? Because righteousness is received, not achieved. You can’t be free and fake at the same time.

You’re not righteous by performance. You’re righteous by surrender. Jesus spoke to her heart—and righteousness came through relationship.

Let me make it plain. You ever pulled into a car wash in a hurry? You don’t want people to see your dirty car, so you drive to the one where you can stay in the vehicle.

The attendant waves you in—guides your tires—gets you aligned. Then what? They say, “Put it in neutral.”


Why? Because you can’t control the process and be cleansed at the same time. Alignment leads to transformation. You go in dirty, you let go, and when you come out… you’re clean.

Tell somebody: “You should’ve seen me a few years ago.” I don’t even look like what I’ve been through!

Now she’s clean. But she still has questions. Where should I worship? This mountain? That temple?

Jesus says: It’s not about location. It’s about alignment.

A. Worship Isn’t About Location—It’s About Alignment

Jesus says, “The time is coming—and now is—when true worshipers will worship in spirit and in truth.”

Don’t limit God to a place, a building, or a denomination.

Tell somebody: “I don’t need a sanctuary to shout. I’ll praise Him in the gas station, the grocery store, the hallway!”

B. Living in Righteousness Requires Relationship, Not Religion

Jesus wasn’t just breaking gender barriers—He was breaking religious rules. A Jew speaking to a Samaritan? That broke every norm.

Religion is about rules—relationship is about access. Religion says, “You don’t belong.”
Relationship says, “You’re included.”

Some of y’all are missing God because of man-made traditions. You want robes and rituals… but God is trying to give you revelation and righteousness.

Religion will have you shouting in church but bitter in the parking lot.
Testifying on Sunday—but not paying back what you borrowed on Monday.

V. Respond to Revival

Revival is not just a service—it’s a response. The Samaritan woman didn’t keep her encounter to herself. She ran back and told her community—and revival broke out!

Water wasn’t meant to be stored. It’s meant to flow through you.

A. Revival Begins When You Recognize the Need for Change

She said, “I need something deeper. I need Jesus to fill the empty places in me.”

Revival starts when you realize:
“Only Jesus can give me what I truly need.”

B. True Revival Results in a Transformed Life

She was changed—and she shared that change and revival spread.

Let me testify for some folks in here:

I was broken—but He made me whole.
I was disappointed—but He healed my heart.
I was lost—but He gave me direction.
I was chasing validation—but now I walk in alignment.
I was anxious—but now I have peace.
I was prideful—but now I have perspective.
I was a performer—but now I serve for an audience of one.
I was angry—but now I have joy.
I was just surviving—but now I’m thriving.

Tell your neighbor: “You haven’t seen anything yet.” I just came to tell somebody—you are included.

If you’ve ever felt rejected, dismissed, or disconnected—
You are included.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Part 2: It Happened When I Worshipped 

Posted on June 20, 2025 by growintheword

Synopsis of Sermon 06/15/25

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III 

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NKJV):

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.z

2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

3 And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; 
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone! 
Because I am a man of unclean lips, 
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; 
For my eyes have seen the King, 
The Lord of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.

7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips; 
Your iniquity is taken away, 
And your sin purged.”

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send, 
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

I.            Introduction: When Worship Changes Everything

  1. There are moments in all of our lives that change us forever. Many of us, as we reflect on the events of our lives, recognize that there have been watershed moments—moments we will never forget.

God has allowed us to experience seasons of struggle, and in those moments, we’ve received both lessons and blessings.

But then there are those moments that divinely disrupt our reality—moments where God imposes Himself on business as usual, in order to bring us to a place of revelation concerning worship.

Worship is one of those moments. because true worship, ladies and gentlemen, is surrender.

When you truly worship, you position yourself for an encounter with God, and that encounter begins to shift your perspective. Worship brings you into a place of intimacy with God, where you begin to gain clarity—clarity concerning your purpose, your assignment.

You receive wisdom regarding relationships.

Whatever you need—it’s in that space.

  • The Bible says in His presence there is fullness of joy. Because when you enter His presence, revelation occurs. Clarity happens.

And this is important—because when you look at others who have encountered God, you see transformational moments. You’ve seen it for yourself, right?

  • Moses was transformed by a bush that burned but was not consumed.
  • Paul was transformed on the road to Damascus.
  • John, while worshipping on an island called Patmos, received a revelation and wrote an entire book about it.

And now in Isaiah chapter 6, we see Isaiah giving us a pivotal moment in history. It’s quite interesting that he shares this moment at such a significant time in the history of Judah.

  • Your Bible teaches us that Isaiah said he saw something. Let’s talk about that for a moment. What you must understand today, people of God, is that worship goes beyond the routine of religion.

Worship is deeper than going through the motions. Worship is not just something we do in here. Worship is something we live out every single day.

  • Isaiah declares: “It was in the year that King Uzziah died.”

Uzziah, the king of Judah, ruled for 50 years. He came to the throne at age 16, after his father Amaziah passed.

Under Uzziah’s leadership, Judah experienced political stability and economic growth. The people loved him. They leaned on him. They depended on him.

But the Bible teaches us in 2 Chronicles 26 that even though he was a great king, he got beside himself. Pride rose up in him. He decided to go into the temple and burn incense—something God had explicitly told him not to do.

As a result, God allowed leprosy to come upon his forehead. And because Uzziah remained unrepentant, that leprosy ultimately led to his downfall.

Just like that, a man who was once great—who had done extraordinary things—was brought down by his pride. And as the Scripture says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

  • But simultaneously, Isaiah says, “In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.”

I saw the Lord! He was high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah saw seraphim—angels—each with six wings. With two they covered their eyes, with two they covered their feet, and with the other two they flew.

And they cried out with such harmony—no choir director needed—“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”

And when they began to sing, the Bible declares that the temple shook. The thresholds trembled. Smoke filled the house. And it was in that moment that Isaiah saw himself.

He said, “Woe is me! I am undone. I am a man of unclean lips!” But then one of the angels flew to him with a live coal from the altar. He touched Isaiah’s mouth and declared that he had been cleansed, purified, sanctified.

  • And then came the question from the throne: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!”

Maybe you came today—or maybe you’re reading—and you’ve been asking:

What is my purpose? Why am I here? What is the point of my existence?

Can I tell you something? It’s going to happen—When you worship.

Maybe you’re seeking clarity—your life feels foggy, and you’re facing decisions. Let me tell you: It’s going to happen—when you worship.

Maybe you need direction in your relationship. You’re wondering, “Is this the person?” or “What’s going on in this season?”

You’ve got to resolve in your heart: “Lord, it need this to happen—because I’ve got to worship for this.”

Today, I want to talk to you. Because I want you to understand: God wants to speak to all of us—today.

And the first thing I want you to hear is…

II.            SEE CLEARLY THROUGH TRANSITION

  • You see, what you’ll discover is that Isaiah didn’t receive this revelation during a season of comfort—he received it during a time of transition. And sometimes, God has to shift things in our lives in order to shape our vision.
  • Transition can be uncomfortable. It forces us to rely on God in a new way.
  • Many of us struggle with change because we’re too caught up with what was—and we cannot receive what shall become.
  • When you worship, your perspective shifts—from what you lost to who God is.
  • Worship brings you to a place of realignment.
  • Worship aligns your vision with heaven’s agenda.
  • Some of you have been blind to the next season—because you’ve been holding on to the past. When you’re clinging—you can’t spring.
    • You’re so enamored with what has been…You have so much loyalty to what has been, you can’t open your spirit to what God is trying to do now.
  • God is trying to take you into a new season—
    • New relationships,
    • New levels,
    • New opportunities—
  • But you’re still romanticizing the way things were. Let me tell you something:
  • When you enter into a true place of worship, you stop seeing in the natural… and you start seeing in the Spirit.
  • You’re going to discover this one day:

A.   Some Things Must Die For You To See Clearly 

  1. Isaiah says, “It was in the year that King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord.”
  2. Watch this: Uzziah was a capable king—but toward the end of his life, he lost focus.
  • Here’s the point I want you to understand:
  • His death marked the end of an era, but it also created space for Isaiah to seek God in a new way.
  • Sometimes, the things we’ve been holding onto—the things that have been our historical security blankets, the things that have been comfortable—they have to die in order for us to enter into a greater revelation of God.

Watch this:

•         Maybe the job had to die.

•         Maybe the relationship had to die.

•         Maybe the friendship had to die.

  • Because if it hadn’t died, you would have still been clinging to it—Still living beneath what God had in store for your life.
  • Can I tell you something, people of God? God lets it die so that you’ll finally fix your eyes on Him.
  • Some transitions are painful—but they are necessary for clarity.
  • You fill in the blank:
  • “I’m glad ____ died… so I could see God.”
  • I wouldn’t be tuned in right now—if that hadn’t died.
  • I wouldn’t even be in church—if that hadn’t died.
  • Sometimes, you’re just one delete, one block, one boundary away from seeing God more clearly.
  • Here’s what you need to know:

B.   God Moves When Distractions Are Removed 

  1. Some of us have been praying, “God, reveal Yourself.”
  2. But God is speaking. You just couldn’t see past your distractions.
  3. As long as Uzziah was alive, Isaiah had no record of seeing the Lord, but when Uzziah was gone—Isaiah’s eyes were opened.
  4. Let me ask you a question:
    1. What distractions have been blocking your vision?
    1. What’s been keeping you from hearing clearly from God?
    1. What’s been standing in the way of you seeing God?
    1. What’s been stopping you from worshipping with true authenticity?
  • 7 Things That Distract Believers From Experiencing Authentic Worship And God’s Presence
  1. Personal Pride
  2. That’s what messed up King Uzziah—he became prideful and was struck with leprosy.
  3. Sometimes our pride gets in the way because we say, “Ain’t nobody gonna make me worship God.” “That’s not the way I was raised.”
  4. You’ve built up a barrier, and your pride won’t let you humble yourself, but let me remind you: God will not share His glory with you.
  5. Worship requires humility—and pride will block your breakthrough.
  • Persistent Problems
  • You keep chronicling your trials and troubles.
  • You’re so consumed with what’s going wrong in your life—
  • So focused on what the devil is doing to you— That you can’t even perceive what God is doing for you.
  • You’re adding up your problems,
  • And you’ve forgotten to count your blessings.
  • People’s Opinions
  • You’re so worried about what other people are going to think.
  • The reason you haven’t stepped into your new season
  • is because you’re incarcerated by the opinions of others.
  • “What are they going to say?”
  • “What will my family think if I step out in faith?”
  • Let me tell you something—they’re already talking about you. You might as well give them something to talk about.
  • Polluted Priorities
  • When worldly ambition, material gain, and status take precedence, you’ll miss the move of God.
  • Maybe your priorities are so out of alignment that you don’t have time for God.
  • You say, “God, I want to seek You, but I’ve got to work. I’m too busy.”
  • And God is saying, “Oh, you need more time? You want Me to free you up?”
  • Don’t forget—the Lord gives, and the Lord can take away.
  • Pleasures of the Flesh
  • You’ve got time for your tea time, time for brunch,
  • time for entertainment and indulgence— but you don’t have time to worship.
  • You’ve made comfort your god, and convenience your master.
  • Past Pain
  • Your unhealed wounds, bitterness, and unforgiveness
  • have made it hard for you to move forward.
  • Yes, you’re in the house of God. Yes, you’re watching online, but emotionally—you’re still trapped in what someone did to you.
  • Stop giving power to the people who hurt you.
  • Remind the devil: I am no longer bound by what happened to me.
  • Preoccupied Minds
  • Your mind is everywhere.
  • You’ve got time to scroll through social media.
  • Your face is in Facebook—but it’s not in The Book.
  • You’re checking your emails—but when’s the last time you sent a knee-mail?
  • Can I talk to somebody here today? God is about to remove your distractions.
  • Touch your neighbor and tell them: God’s going to remove all your distractions!”
  • What is it that’s in your way?
  • And here’s the deal: It was in Uzziah’s time…
  • You have to stand firm in His presence—

III.            STAND FIRM IN HIS PRESENCE

  • You have to stand firm in His presence— Because when God begins to move,
  • distractions must go so vision can come.
  • When God reveals Himself, it is never in the passive tense. God demands a response.
  • So when Isaiah saw the Lord—everything around him began to shake. Somebody say, “It shook!” Say it again—“It shook!”
  • When God’s glory fills the room, it disrupts everything that is not aligned with Him.
    • Some of us want to experience God, but we are afraid of the shaking. That’s why it’s easy to settle for just praising God.
    • Now—there’s nothing wrong with praise. Praise is good. Praise is necessary, but see—praise doesn’t shake much up.
  • But when you worship God—Worship will bring you face to face with the holiness of God. And when that happens? Anything in your life that is not firmly rooted in Him gets exposed.
  • Standing firm in the presence of God means refusing not to waver— still saying, “God, no matter what comes, I’m going to be strong in my convictions. I will stand. I will be anchored in my faith.”
  • Somebody in this crazy, wishy-washy world needs to be steadfast, immovable,
  • and always abounding in the work of the Lord.
  • Somebody needs to be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water,
  • bringing forth fruit in your season.

A.   God’s Presence Will Shake What Isn’t Secure 

  1. Whatever is false, whatever is unstable, whatever is not from Him—will be exposed.
  2. The seraphim cried, “Holy, holy, holy!” And when they cried, the Bible says the temple began to shake. Maybe you missed that… Some of you need to get ready, because this disruption is necessary.
  3. You’ve been asking, “Why are things shaking up on my job?” “Why does it feel like relationships are shifting?” It’s because—you’re getting closer to God.
    1. The closer you get to God the more things around you will start shaking.
    1. There are people you’ve been close to—it was cool for a season—but now you’re trying to go deeper in God, and the relationship is getting weird.
    1. God is shaking loose anything that was anchoring you more than Him.
  4. Those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth and whatever is a lie in your life cannot stand in the presence of truth.si
    1. So if you want to know who your real friends are—worship!
    1. If you want to know who’s really walking with you—worship, because whenever you get close to God, whatever is false will be exposed.
  5. Half the stuff God is shaking out of your life—let it go!
  • Reverberation of Divine Holiness to
  1. Reverberation is the continued echo or reflection of sound after the original sound has stopped. It happens when sound waves bounce off surfaces—like walls or ceilings—and return to your ears, creating a lingering effect. It’s like the after-effect of a sound—like when you clap your hands in a big, empty building and the sound hangs in the air for a moment before fading.
    1. Get this: when the trembling occurs, it is a reverberation of divine holiness.
    1. The presence of God comes, and anybody who enters can tell that He’s been there. When you walk into a space where God was, you can still tell God is there.
    1. We are wired to detect the reverberation of even demonic presence. When you are spiritual, you know when something doesn’t feel right. You walk into a place and immediately sense, “Something ain’t right.” You can’t put your finger on it, but your spirit is not settled. That’s discernment.
    1. Have you ever been around someone and thought, I don’t know what it is, but something’s off? You feel like you need a Gas-X or some ginger ale—who am I talking to?
  2. But let me flip this. Just like you can walk into a place and know that the enemy has been there, you can also walk into a place and know that the glory of God has fallen there.
    1. People of God, some of you—no matter what time you tuned in, or what time you walked in this building—you can testify: “When I entered this atmosphere, I could tell the glory of God was reverberating all around this place.”
    1. Look at your neighbor and tell them, “He’s all over this row! I feel the presence of God!”
    1. He didn’t just show up when you showed up—He was already here.
    1. When you’re in the presence of God, the power of God will linger and linger and linger.
    1. Let me break it down even further. That’s why we sing, “Consuming fire, sweet perfume…”Because, just like perfume, when you spray it in one place, the scent lingers. You can smell it long after it’s been applied.
  3. So it is with God’s presence. Now, listen to me—worship triggers a shaking, but it also invites the weight of glory. Isaiah said this—and I’ve got to give it to you: “I looked up, and His train filled the temple.”
    1. A king’s train—like the flowing robe of a bride’s dress—was a symbol of victory. The longer the train, the greater the king’s conquests. This wasn’t just true in biblical times, but also in world history.
    1. Remember Napoleon? The short man with the big ego? He wanted to conquer the world to make up for his stature. Why? Because the length of a king’s train symbolized power, victory, and authority.
  4. Now here’s the revelation: Isaiah didn’t just say he saw a train—he said the Lord’s train filled the entire temple.That means everywhere Isaiah looked, God had already won.
    1. And I came to declare this over your life: Wherever God occupies, there is already victory!
  5. Some of you need to understand what the weight of His glory really looks like.

A.   Worship Invites The Weight Of His Glory 

  1. It means that when you worship and come under the weight of His glory, every area of your life—wherever His presence dwells—victory is already there.
  • But the devil has been lying to you—telling you that you’re not going to overcome this, that you won’t make it out, that this is the end. But I came to shut that lie down and declare:
  1. His train is in your bedroom.
    1. His train is in your hospital room.
    1. His train is in your courtroom.
    1. His train is in your office.
    1. His train is in your classroom.
  • Wherever you go, you’ve got victory—not because you’re trying to get it, but because it’s already done.
  • Let me say this too: God’s glory cannot be contained in a building. Worship invites God to take over. Worship says, “God, your authority is so powerful, there’s no battle we cannot win. There’s nothing we cannot overcome.” And when I worship, I remind myself—and everybody around me—“Victory is mine!” I told Satan to get behind me—somebody shout VICTORY!

Now watch this…

IV.            SPEAK WITH A SANCTIFIED TONGUE

Sanctified Speech and the Power of Worship

  • The words that we speak in worship matter. When you worship, you enter a place—watch this—where you’re cognizant of what comes out of your mouth. The power of life and death is in your tongue.
  • Isaiah said something so powerful: “When I got in this space and saw the Lord, high and lifted up—when I saw how His power filled the room, and there was no empty space, His glory was everywhere—then I saw myself.”
  • You see, the reason why some people don’t truly see themselves is because they’ve allowed themselves to be worshiped. You start believing your own hype. You keep drinking that Kool-Aid they serve you, and you forget that you’re flawed.
    • I know they said you’re fine—but you’re flawed.
    • I know she told you you’re handsome—but you’re flawed.
    • I don’t care what your net worth is.
    • I don’t care where you work or what you drive—you’re still flawed.
  • All of us—every last one of us—when we enter into true worship, we begin to see ourselves in light of God’s holiness. That’s why the enemy doesn’t want you to worship. He wants you to stay on the periphery—sing a few songs, be entertained, and leave unchanged. But when you worship for real, it exposes who you really are.
  • Isaiah said, “Woe is me!” “I see myself—I’m not even worthy.” “I’m a man of unclean lips. I don’t even deserve to be in this space.”
  • Let me tell you something. This is why we cultivate this atmosphere of worship at Mount Zion. Because worship is not optional—it’s foundational.
    • There’s a new and different wave of worship that has hit Mount Zion, and some of you can already sense it. Some of you are just about to catch it. But hear me: what we are experiencing now in this season is not just a stylistic shift. It’s not about new songs or unfamiliar melodies. It is a spiritual movement.
    • Before the Word goes forth—we pause and worship. Why? Because worship tills the soil of the heart, so the seed of the Word can take root.
  • This is not the time for you to sit back, be entertained, and watch the praise team do what they do. No—this is the moment for you to engage. These aren’t just songs—they are declarations.
    • They are atmosphere setters.
    • They are spiritual preparations.
    • These are real-time agreements that prepare us to receive what heaven is about to release in our lives.
  • Worship prepares us for a deeper level of revelation. Somebody knows exactly what I’m talking about. We didn’t come here to be entertained—We came here to encounter what God has for our lives.
  • I don’t come to church for the “what’s up, what’s up,” —whether they sing my song or not! I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
  • And when I align my words with the worship—watch this—I don’t get upset if God doesn’t do what I want Him to do, because I am a worshiper.
  • “Holy, holy, holy” means, God, You are still holy—whether You heal me or not. Jehovah, I’m not worshiping You for what You do. I’m worshiping You for who You are.
    • See, some of you sit back with your arms folded and your lip stuck out because you’re spoiled. You’re like, “God didn’t do this for me. That’s why I’m not going to church. That’s why I’m mad at God—because I didn’t get the job, I didn’t get the position, I didn’t get the person.”
    • But the devil is a liar. You’ve got to get to the point where you recognize: there are people in here today with cancer—but they’re still believing God for their healing. There are people here who’ve been laid off—but they’re still believing God for provision. There are people who’ve lost everything—but they’ve seen God restore them again.
    • Why? Because they worshiped their way through. It didn’t happen when they shouted. It didn’t happen when they praised. It happened when they worshiped.
    • They had sense enough to throw their hands up and say: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”
  • There’s a surplus in the house. Sometimes I don’t know how it’s going to work out, I don’t know when it’s going to work out, but as long as God is on the throne, I still give Him glory! Who am I talking to today?
  • Worship allows you to see the promise, not the problem. It lets you see your destiny, not your demise. And that’s why—

A.   Conviction Precedes Cleansing 

  1. Conviction precedes cleansing. “Woe is me, for I am undone. ”That’s self-awareness.
  2. I’m convicted when I’m in the place of worship. I’m convicted—
    I get it. It’s messy. It’s me, but God loves me so much that He doesn’t condemn me—He cleanses me.
    1. Religious people love to condemn you. I’m just sick of it. I’m sick of these self-righteous folks always trying to tell somebody they’re going to hell.
    1. Who are you to declare somebody’s eternal destination? If it had not been for the grace of God—
      You wouldn’t even have the breath to speak judgment.
      You don’t have a hell to send anyone to.
    1. We’ve got to understand something: God loves us so much… He purifies.
  3. Let me tell you why grace is so powerful: He cleanses, but you’ve got to let God cleanse you.
    1. We’ve played with cleansing for too long.
      Let me help you catch this:
    1. This is how some of us treat our spiritual lives—
      The same way we treat our dry cleaning. “It ain’t that dirty.” This is because you want to go somewhere so bad, you’ll wear it dirty before you get it cleaned.
      1. You want to be married so bad—you’ll wear it dirty.
        You want a relationship so bad—you’ll wear it dirty.
        You’ll worship dirty.
  4. But when we offer worship, when we offer God our service—
    That’s not a performance. That’s an offering!
    1. When you serve, you worship.
      When you give,you worship.
      When you offer adoration, you worship.
    1. That’s why when you come to church, you receive the Word—that’s God speaking to you.But what you give back to God—is your worship:
      through service, through adoration, and through giving. Now watch this:
  5. When you worship God—in your adoration, in your service to Him, and in your giving to Him—you must do it purified.
    1. Okay, I want God. I do. But let me make it plain. 99.9% of the restaurants you’ve ever eaten at have a sign in the bathroom that says: “Employees must wash hands before returning to work.”
    1. Why do they post that? Because it reassures you they care enough about what they serve you that the people serving you won’t serve with dirty hands.
      1. We ought to care enough about God’s people that we don’t serve them with dirty hands. Touch your neighbor and say:
        “He’s not talking about physical hands now—he’s talking about your heart.”
      1. He’s talking about your life. He’s talking about your attitude.That’s why David said: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
        Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

B.   Your Pain Isn’t Permanent 

  1. Hello—only God can get this out of you, but when God gets you out of you, let me tell you how you know you’re close to the greatest season of your life:
  2. You go through the purging. Watch this—I had a distraction… and it died.And when it died, I saw God like I’d never seen Him before.
    1. And when I saw God, He was high and lifted up. That means—no matter what degree I had, no matter how popular I was, I was still looking up to Him.
  3. His train filled the temple. I saw His glory. His power was so amazing that wherever He was, He owned it.
    1. I didn’t just read about victory—I saw it!
    1. But then… I saw myself and I had to realize: I was undone.
  4. Yet He didn’t condemn me—He purged me. He shook some things up.And I realized—
    The reason some people aren’t comfortable around me…It is because I’m a worshiper.
  5. This is  because what worship does is it exposes what’s fake.
  6. So now that I’m in the most authentic place of my life, I’ve been purged, not condemned.
  7. Now—I’m ready for where God is about to take me. Now—it’s time to step into your assignment.

V.            STEP UP TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT

  • Step into your assignment—because every encounter with God requires a response.
  • Worship is not just about His presence; It’s about being transformed for His purpose.
  • Some of us have been waiting for confirmation, when God has already given you a command.
  • Worship positions us to hear the voice of God clearly—and to respond without hesitation.
  • Your next level isn’t waiting on another sign—it’s waiting on your surrender.

A.   Surrender Activates Assignment 

  1. Once Isaiah was cleansed, he heard the voice saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
  2. And without hesitation, he answered, “Here am I—send me.”
  1. Notice the sequence. He saw—watch it carefully. He surrendered and then he was sent.
    1. A lot of people are unwilling to go through the process— but always want the next level.
    1. Worship is what you have to surrender, because God won’t send you if you’re not surrendered.
  2. It’s here—in worship—that we lay down our will for the purposes of God.
  3. It’s where we stop resisting, and we recognize something: Nothing gets done without the anointing.
  4. “Who will go for us?” Somebody like me. The anointing activates authority.
  5. Play your prayer life, not just your talent. You can’t walk this out unless you do it under the anointing.
  6. Can I tell you something?Where God is about to take you—you must go under the anointing. Jesus says in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to…”—to do what I’m about to do.
  7. Understand this: Thank God for your preparation. Thank God for your degree. Thank God for your experience. But where God is about to take you, you’re going to need the anointing that puts super on your natural.
  1. The anointing gives you clarity when confusion surrounds you.
    1. The anointing gives you confidence when your credentials are questioned.
    1. The anointing opens doors that no man can shut, and it shuts doors no man can open.
    1. The anointing will place your name in rooms you’ve never stepped foot in.
    1. The anointing will silence critics who are still trying to figure you out.
    1. The anointing will make you effective, when others are just impressive.
    1. The anointing will equip you for battles you don’t even know are coming.
    1. The anointing will cover you from attacks you never saw coming.
    1. The anointing destroys the yoke.
    1. Somebody testify: You went for the anointing!
  • You wouldn’t be able to do what you do, walk how you walk, or live out your purpose—without the anointing.
  • People don’t have to like you—but they can’t deny when the anointing of God is on your life. Somebody shout: “I am God’s anointed!”
  • The anointing activates authority. And alignment assures advancement. Because now—once I’m anointed—I’m positioned.
    • Isaiah positioned himself in the presence of God to receive the purpose. “I saw the Lord, high and lifted up…”If I’m not aligned with God, God cannot trust me.
    • Y’all not getting this—Alignment matters in this season. Why? Because an appointed time attracts acceleration.
  • It was the year Uzziah died— That means: You don’t choose the time—God chooses the time.
    • If you just operate under the anointing, and stay aligned, God will tell you when it’s going to happen.
    • You’re getting upset because you’re sitting there comparing yourself on social media. You’re saying, “It’s happening for them—what’s wrong with me?” You can’t even celebrate somebody else’s breakthrough, because you’re wondering, “When is it going to happen for me?”
    • Let me tell you something: Whatever’s happening for them has nothing to do with you. Because when it’s your time, God will make it happen.
    • And not only that—God will restore the years that the locust has eaten. Touch your neighbor and tell them: “God will accelerate your time. He’ll make up the difference.”
  • Every assignment requires surrender. Isaiah didn’t just hear the call— He responded immediately.

B.   God Isn’t Looking For Ability But Availability 

  1. He’s looking for availability. Isaiah did not ask questions; Isaiah simply said, “Here am I, send me.” God isn’t waiting on you to feel qualified— but God isn’t waiting on you to feel available.
  • Worship focuses you on your availability. Worship says, “I surrender.”
  • Can I talk to somebody and tell you something? People have gone all out, but God is waiting on your surrender.
  • That one word: Yes.
    • Abraham was called to be the father of many nations—guess what he said? Yes.
    • Moses was called to lead God’s people out of bondage—guess what he said? Yes.
    • Samuel was called to be the voice of God to a nation—guess what he said? Yes.
    • David was called up—said Yes.
    • Esther was called to stand in the gap for her people—guess what she said? Yes.
    • Mary was called to carry the Savior of the world—guess what she said? Yes.
    • The disciples were called to leave everything and follow Jesus—guess what they said? Yes.
    • Paul was called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles—guess what he said? Yes.
    • Jesus was called to give His life for the salvation of the world—guess what?
  • Say Hi to your neighbor—the person sitting next to you gossiping.Tell them, “It’s time for you to say Yes.”
  • I come today to tell you, God is waiting on you to open your mouth, surrender your life, and say, “Yes, God, here I am—send me.”
  • Can I leave this with you with this? When Apple wants to update your device— I can’t speak for you Android people, but Apple updates your device— When Apple wants to update, somebody’s gonna grab this out the atmosphere— It sends you a notification: A new version is available. Accept and install. But the update can’t happen until you say Yes. You don’t always know all the details of what’s changing until you click Yes. And God is trying to update somebody’s life today.
  • He’s saying: A new version of you is available. A better you is available. A bolder you is available. A more focused you is available. A more fruitful you is available. A more faithful you is available. But God is just waiting on you to say Yes, because your Yes activates heaven on your behalf. Your Yes will position you for what you’ve been praying for. Your Yes is the bridge between your worship and what’s next.
  • Some of you came in needing direction, needing clarity, and God said, “I’ve already downloaded it. I’m just waiting on somebody to surrender and open their mouth and say, ‘God, I’ll go where You want me to go. I’ll do what You want me to do—even if they laugh at me.’ ”God, in this season, I’m in a place of surrender. We have worshipers in the house today who can lift up your hands, open your mouth, and say, “God, here am I, send me.” I’ve come to declare in this season: God is looking for true worshipers who are willing to surrender and say, “God, it happened when I worshiped today.” God has an assignment for your life.
  • I want you to hear this prophetically. Isaiah said, “It was when King Uzziah died that I saw…” Wait, wait—“I saw the Lord high and lifted up.” I don’t know where you come from. I don’t know how long you’ve been in church, but this pastor does not write sermons on Saturday night for Sunday morning. God gives me my messages months in advance prophetically, and when I release the word, it always happens in a season when people need comfort in discomfort, when things are uncertain, they need certainty in uncertainty.
    • Who would have ever known? This isn’t a political statement—I’m giving you the Word. Who would have ever known on a weekend where the whole country is walking around protesting no king? I’m not talking about political stuff—I’m talking about that now. God’s listening, and this word is to tell you: Let me introduce you to the Real King, because even He will have to bow, band every tongue will have to confess who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
    • Now, who is this King? Lift up your hands. Don’t just give me a little lift—lift up your everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in.
    • Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty in battle.
    • So lift up your heads, all you gates. Lift up your everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.

Happy Father’s Day! We appreciate all of the men in our ministry.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Power to Get It Done: Living in the Fire of Pentecost”

Posted on June 13, 2025 by growintheword

Synopsis of Sermon 06/08/25

Sermon Deliverer: Bishop Walker III

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

I.                      Introduction

There are moments in history that change everything—moments that shift the course of human events and redefine what is possible. Pentecost was one of those moments. It wasn’t just a festival. It wasn’t merely a religious experience. Pentecost was a divine interruption—a supernatural invasion that empowered ordinary individuals to do extraordinary things.

The disciples had walked with Jesus. They saw miracles. They sat under His teaching. They had front-row seats to the Kingdom of God in motion. But even after all of that, they still lacked the power to fulfill their calling. They had the knowledge—but they needed the fire.

Pentecost—meaning “50th”—was originally a Jewish festival held 50 days after Passover, commemorating the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was a time of thanksgiving, a celebration of harvest and God’s provision. But while the Jewish people were celebrating the giving of the Law written on stone tablets, God was giving His Spirit, to be written on the hearts of men.

Today, as we turn to Acts chapter 2, we see another kind of harvest—a spiritual one. On that day, God poured out His Spirit, birthed the Church, and empowered His people. Jesus had told the disciples in Acts 1:8 to go to the upper room and wait. And they went, with expectation. They waited for 10 days—and then it happened. Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Suddenly, a mighty rushing wind filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared. Everyone was transformed.

They went from:

  • Waiting to working
  • Silence to speaking
  • Fear to fire

That moment was not just for them—it’s for us. The same power that fell at Pentecost is available today. The same Spirit of boldness, comfort, wisdom, and power is waiting to be poured out on our lives. Too many of us get stuck in the “waiting room,” asking: When is it going to happen for me?

I came to tell you: today is a shift—from potential to power, from intention to execution, from hesitation to activation.

The Holy Spirit is not just about shouting and dancing. Don’t reduce Him to a feeling. The Holy Spirit is intelligent. He comes to:

  • Help you
  • Teach you
  • Guide you
  • Empower you to get it done

You’ve been trying to live this Christian life in your own strength—your own mind, your own logic—and that’s why it’s been a struggle. You feel like life is a figure eight: you start strong, loop around, and end up back where you began. That’s what happens when you try to walk this walk in the natural.

But God is sending help. And it’s not just encouragement—it’s power!

II.                  The Book of Acts: More Than a Story—It’s a Blueprint

Let’s step back for a moment. The book of Acts was written by Luke, a physician and historian. He also wrote the Gospel of Luke, and both were addressed to “Theophilus”—which means “lover of God.” Whether Theophilus was a person or a community, the message is the same: this word is for those who love God.

You can love God with all your heart and still lack the power to get it done.

Acts is part two of Luke’s writings. The Gospel of Luke is what Jesus began to do and teach. Acts is what He continues to do and teach through the Church. The book of Acts is a history of about 30 years—from Jesus’ ascension around AD 30 to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome around AD 60.

Say this with me: “The book of Acts is a book of history.”

III.              Why Pentecost Matters Today: Five Theological Truths

  1. It’s the Fulfillment of a Promise
    1. Jesus promised in Acts 1:8 that power would come—and it did.
    1. God always fulfills His Word.
  2. It’s the Birth of the Church
    1. The Church didn’t begin with a service. It began with power.
    1. The Spirit didn’t just visit; He indwelled believers.
  3. It’s a Shift in Dispensation
    1. In the Old Testament: God above us (e.g., Mount Sinai).
    1. In the Gospels: God with us (Emmanuel).
    1. In Acts: God in us (Holy Spirit dwelling within).
  4. It’s Power for Mission
    1. Not just goosebumps—it’s empowerment to fulfill your calling.
    1. You are called to be a witness, and the Spirit equips you to do so.
  5. It’s Unity in Diversity
    1. People heard the gospel in their own language.
    1. Pentecost reversed Babel (In Genesis 11, got confused the people’s language so they could not communicate with each other, because they were trying to build a tower to heaven). Where confusion once scattered, the Spirit now gathers and unites.

IV.             How Do I Tap into This Power?

  1. Align Yourself Under the Anointing
    1. The anointing isn’t a churchy word. It’s supernatural empowerment for divine assignment.
    1. Acts 2 shows us they were in the right place, on one accord—hearts, minds, and spirits aligned.
  2. Position Precedes Power
    1. The anointing flows where there is alignment.
    1. You can’t be out of position and expect an outpouring.
  3. Expect the Unexpected
    1. The disciples didn’t know the when—but they knew the what.
    1. Be ready for your Kairos moment. God’s timing may not match your watch, but it’s always on time.
  4. Submit to Spiritual Leadership
    1. Stay connected. Don’t isolate.
    1. You need covering, instruction, and impartation.
  5. Make Room for the Spirit
    1. When the Spirit shows up, He doesn’t just move you—He makes you.
    1. He turns ordinary people into Kingdom ambassadors.

Five things to write down. They give us a big job—they give us the backdrop to Pentecost. There was a promise among us. The Holy Spirit empowers you to fulfill your mission and purpose. It’s about unity in diversity: people of different languages and backgrounds heard the gospel in their own tongue.

What do I need to do? I’m glad you asked. Pay attention. Take good notes, because we’re about to go to school.

The first thing I want you to hear today is: you must align yourself under the anointing.

  • The anointing is not just a religious term—it is the supernatural empowerment of Godto accomplish what He has ordained for your life.
  • The disciples were not just in any place—they were in the right place. They were gathered together on one accord, meaning their minds, hearts, and spirits were aligned with God’s agenda. The Bible says, “When the day of Pentecost had fully come…” This signals a divine moment—aKairos moment. Whenever God tells you to do something, you must put yourself in a position of expectation. Don’t sit looking at your watch—look to heaven and say, “God, whenever it happens, I know it’s the right time.” God’s timing is never your timing. He may seem late on your watch, but He’s always right on time for what He’s trying to do in your life.

Pay attention to this: the anointing flows where there is alignment.

  • Let me say it again for the people in the back: The anointing only flows where there is alignment.
  • If you’re out of position, you’re going to miss the outpouring of God, because the anointing is not given for entertainment or self-promotion—it is given for the fulfillment of a divine assignment. When the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, they didn’t just feel something—they became something.

We often associate the Holy Spirit with feelings: “Who felt the Spirit?” But you can’t always trust your feelings. What you can trust is that when the Holy Spirit is present, He transforms you into what you were not before.

  • The power of God transforms ordinary people into Kingdom ambassadors.

If you want to walk in the power of Pentecost, you’ve got to be positioned correctly. That means:

  • Staying under spiritual leadership. What you stand under is what you understand.
  • Submitting to the will of God: “Lord, whatever Your will is, I accept it.”
  • Making room for the Spirit to move in your life—even if you’ve already written out your plans. Say, “God, whatever You want to do with that—it’s all right with me.”

Understand this: the anointing isn’t just for a one-time event. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, and if you walk in the Spirit, there is a continuous flow. You didn’t receive the Holy Spirit to do nothing—you received Him to walk in everything God has for you.

People will look at you like you’re a mystery: “How is it happening for you and not for me?” Let them know:

“It’s not because I’m better—I’m just yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Three men spoke in a dialect they had not been taught—because only the Holy Spirit could empower them. The Spirit gave them the ability to take the gospel to the whole world, and so they began to speak in different languages—so that everyone present could hear the message in their own tongue.

“Christo” may be “hello” in Greek.

“Thank you” in Hebrew.

“Gracias” in Spanish.

“Merci” in French.

“Danke” in German.

“Shalom” in Israel.

So, when the crowd heard, “Wait… how are you speaking in my language?”—they were drawn in. The world only had one explanation: this must be God.

And guess who defended them? Because the Holy Spirit is not just a feeling—you become something else under His power. The same Peter who denied Jesus three times, the coward who cowered when Jesus ascended—that Peter was now in the upper room. And when he experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, something shifted. That same Peter—who last time we saw him was weeping in shame—is now bold under the power of the Holy Spirit. And when they said, “They must be drunk,” Peter stood up and said:

“No, no, no. I know drunk. This ain’t that. This is what was prophesied by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, And your sons and daughters will prophesy.”

V.                 This tongue at Pentecost:

Now—that’s distinct from the gift of tongues, because the Apostle Paul says, “To some, He gives the gift of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.” So everybody who has the Holy Spirit may not have the gift of tongues—but that does not mean you don’t have the Holy Spirit.

Who do you think put all that creative genius in you? That innovation? That intellect? That strength to keep going? That’s the Holy Spirit.

And we minimize the Holy Spirit to just tongues and shouting—but He’s so much more.

Here’s how the gift of tongues works:

A person can be preaching, and suddenly begin to speak in tongues—and then continue preaching, interpreting what they just said. But if someone grabs the mic and says, “I have a word for the house,” and then only speaks in tongues with no interpretation—then they’re out of order.

  • Because if you are speaking to the body, then it must edify the body.
  • If there’s no interpreter, what’s the message?
  • Yes—this is a legitimate gift. And it still happens.
  • In places like Africa and across the globe, people operate in this gift regularly. They speak in tongues—and then interpret—and the people are amazed.

There’s the gift of tongues and interpretation, but then there is also a heavenly language—a prayer language—between you and God. That’s what you hear in worship when someone breaks into what sounds like tongues—it’s not for you. They’re not talking to you. They’re talking to God.

And I’ll say this:

  • In 33 years of pastoring this church, I have never once prayed for this ministry in the natural. In my first year, God did something in me—He elevated my prayer life. The first time I prayed in the Spirit, I didn’t know what was coming out of my mouth. I said: “Lord… what is this?
  • And He said: “I’ve shifted your frequency. Because when you pray in the natural, the devil can intercept your prayer. But I just took you from AM to FM. And now, the enemy can’t interpret what’s happening between you and Me.”
  • Who am I talking to today? You’ve been going through warfare, and sometimes as you pray, things come out of your mouth you don’t understand. Don’t be afraid. That’s the Spirit making intercession on your behalf.
  • The Bible says in Romans 8:26: “We don’t know what to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
  • And in Jude 1:20, it says: “But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith—praying in the Holy Spirit.”
  • This is not the time for “Now I lay me down to sleep”—this is the time to go to another realm, to say:“God, I need to talk to You on a different dimension.”

And the reason why some of you haven’t reached that level yet is because you’re still holding on—to your own thoughts, your own way, your logic, your pride. But when you empty yourself, the Holy Spirit fills you.

When they began to pray like that, when they experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—Acts 2 says 3,000 souls were saved in one day.

Listen:

When I became pastor of this church, we had 175 members. We saw thousands join within a year. People called us a cult. You know why? Because religious people don’t know what to do with growth. Only spiritual people can discern it.

Same with you—when you start growing in your career, your calling, your business—folk will look at you funny. And you need to look them back and say:“Ain’t nothing wrong with me. I’m just under the anointing of God.”

Because wherever the anointing is, there is going to be: Growth. Favor. Increase. Breakthrough.

I declare that when you surrender to the power and move of God, everything in your life is going to start shifting. You won’t even recognize yourself a year from now.

Remember that man in Acts 3—laying at the temple gate, begging every day for alms?

All religion could do was drop coins in his cup. But Peter and John—fresh from the upper room—saw him and said: “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give unto you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” And the man jumped up and ran into the temple, leaping and praising God.

Because when you get around somebody anointed, everything in your life begins to shift.

Touch your neighbor and tell ‘em: “You’re on the right pew today.”

Listen to me:

I’m not perfect. I’m an imperfect man under the anointing of a perfect God. I’ve been in rooms others only dream of. I’ve seen church games. And I told God—I don’t want to play.If it’s not real, I don’t want it.

I want the real thing. I want to pastor people who want the real thing—people who will surrender to the Spirit, not perform for the crowd.

Yes, I’m different. I’m a charismatic intellectual.

I’m the Presiding Bishop of a charismatic reformation, but I read my Bible.

And even if you don’t like me, don’t speak to me, or don’t agree with me…

You can’t deny—God’s hand is on my life.

There’s too much division in the body of Christ.

Every preacher thinks the next one is wrong. But the devil’s not even fighting us—he’s letting us fight ourselves.

It’s time to come together. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

You may not have what I have—and that’s fine. Because what you have, I may not have. But we need each other.

Let me close with this:

There was a little boy with a jug that had a pebble stuck inside. Every time he filled it with water, the pebble contaminated it. He couldn’t get it out. Tried shaking it—didn’t work. Tried digging—his hand couldn’t fit.

So one day he said,“Daddy, can you help me?”

That pebble? That’s the thing in you. The addiction. The pain. The generational curse. The trauma.

But when you start filling yourself with the Holy Spirit, the more He pours in,

the higher that thing rises—until it’s forced out.

You can’t get more of Him. But He can get more of you.

I speak this now:

That thing you’ve been battling for 10 years—today it breaks!

That thing that’s held you captive for 20 years—today it lifts!

Lift your hands. Open your mouth. Say: “Fill me, Lord. Overflow. Until the pebble comes out.”

You’re not leaving here the same. You’re walking out in power, in purpose, in freedom!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Part 4: I Know For Myself 

Posted on May 30, 2025 by growintheword

 

Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III 
May 25, 2025

 

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.” — Job 42:5 (NKJV)

I.               Introduction

  • True knowledge of God, I believe, goes beyond the testimonies of others, though they are valuable. While second-hand information, catechisms, or structured teachings are essential, they cannot replace the transformative experience of personal encounters with God. It is through personal trials and challenges that God reveals Himself to us in profound ways. Today, we delve into the story of Job, not only as a tale of resilience but also as a demonstration of glorifying God amid loss and adversity.

A.    The Journey of Job

  • Job was a man blessed with wealth, health, family, and prestige. His life seemed perfect until a series of tragic events stripped him of everything. Yet, in the depths of his suffering, Job encountered God in ways that would change him forever.

1.      Navigating Voices of Misunderstanding

  1. At the onset of his suffering, Job faced conflicting voices from those closest to him. His wife, overwhelmed with grief, misunderstood God’s purpose and urged Job to “curse God and die.” His friends, instead of offering support, interrogated Job, suggesting that his suffering must have been a consequence of hidden wrongdoing. Despite their misunderstanding and interrogation, Job managed these relationships with unwavering faith.
  2. This narrative reminds us that our challenges are not the end of our story. Instead, they set the stage for divine revelation. What we endure brings greater clarity of who God truly is.

2.      Job’s Status and the Heavenly Conversation

  1. To grasp the depth of this story, it’s essential to understand Job’s position during the patriarchal era—a time when wealth was measured by livestock, land, and legacy. Job was a man of integrity, respected and righteous, described as “blameless and upright.” His relationship with God was so profound that he interceded for his children, praying as though it was a spiritual insurance policy.
  2. Above Job’s head, unbeknownst to him, a conversation took place between God and Satan. Satan, wandering the earth, sought someone to tempt, and God offered Job as an example of unwavering faith. Without Job’s consent, God volunteered him, trusting Job to represent His glory even in adversity. Satan challenged this, claiming Job’s faithfulness was rooted in the blessings he had received. God allowed Satan to test Job, but with one limitation: Job’s life belonged to God.

B.    Can God Trust You with Trouble?

  • This scenario poses a profound question: Can God trust us with trouble? Can we endure trials and emerge with a greater revelation of who God is? Job’s life became a case study of seeking God, moving from hearing about Him to truly seeing Him.

1.      From Loss to Legacy

  1. Job’s suffering was transformative. He experienced profound social, economic, and psychological loss, yet never sinned or charged God with wrongdoing. Through this, Job matured to a place of worship that few attain—a place where God is glorified not for His blessings but purely for who He is.
  2. Ultimately, Job’s story transcends loss. It is a testament to legacy. Job lived to see four generations, proving that his narrative was not defined by tragedy but by enduring faith and a legacy of revelation.

II.               God’s Revelation Through Trials

  • God’s revelation often emerges through the trials He allows us to face. Without enduring challenges, we cannot fully grasp the deeper truths about His nature or the ways He manifests Himself. Job’s suffering was not just about losing wealth, family, or health—it ultimately led to encountering God in profound ways. Similarly, God reveals Himself even in moments of immense loss and pain.
  • When we reflect on life comprehensively, we recognize the transformative nature of our struggles. There are seasons where merely hearing about God is insufficient; it is through personal experiences—those trials and tribulations—that we truly come to understand His power and faithfulness. As the songwriter aptly puts it, “I thank God for the mountains and the storms He brought me through, for if I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know what faith in His word could do.” Through hardships, we learn to rely on Him, and it is during such times that God reveals Himself most vividly.

A.    Encountering God in Suffering

  1. Suffering is not wasted—it becomes the fertile ground for testimony and revelation. Every trial, tear, and tragedy contributes to the story of God’s faithfulness. Job’s compounded losses—economic, familial, relational—mirror the struggles many of us face, yet they also show how pain draws us closer to God. Like Job, we encounter God in our pain. Just as the three Hebrew boys saw Him in the furnace and Paul experienced His presence in a jail cell, we too find God in the midst of adversity.
  2. Revelation often comes through situations orchestrated by God. Isaiah 6 reminds us that it was only after King Uzziah’s death that Isaiah saw the Lord. Similarly, pain and loss pave the way for divine encounters. Worship is vital, especially when we don’t understand the reasons behind our struggles. In moments of temporary pain, we must refuse to forget God’s eternal promises. What we endure is temporary, but His promises are everlasting.

B.    Pain as Pathway to Intimacy

  1. Pain drives us closer to God, fostering a deeper intimacy with Him. The apostle Paul encapsulates this truth in Philippians 3:10, where he speaks of knowing Christ through the “fellowship of His sufferings.” It is through our most challenging moments that we gain a clearer perspective of God as our provider, healer, and miracle worker. Our songs of praise become more authentic, not because we’ve heard of His works, but because we’ve experienced His power firsthand.
  2. Suffering adjusts our vision, pushing us beyond questions like “Why me?” to seeking God’s purpose in our trials. Adversity, though painful, often works in our favor, elevating us and granting us clarity. As the enemy’s attempts to break us fail, they inadvertently drive us closer to God, sharpening our focus and advancing our spiritual growth.

C.   Trusting God’s Sovereignty

  1. Job’s story underscores the importance of trusting God, not for what He does, but for who He is. The enemy miscalculated Job’s faith, assuming it was tied to his blessings. Yet Job demonstrated unwavering trust, declaring, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” This perspective teaches us that loss often makes room for greater blessings and revelations.
  2. God does not owe us explanations for the trials He allows; rather, these experiences deepen our understanding of His sovereignty. We learn to thank Him for the clarity and growth that come from adversity. As we endure suffering, we gain a clearer vision of His purpose, recognizing that everything—good or bad—ultimately works together for our good.

D.   Purpose Revealed Through Trials

  1. Every trial serves a purpose in God’s plan. From Joseph’s betrayal and imprisonment to David’s afflictions and Paul’s hardships, each moment of suffering was preparation for a greater destiny. As David proclaimed, “It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” Similarly, James urged early believers to “count it all joy” when facing trials, knowing that testing produces perseverance and maturity.
  2. Our trials provide revelations and intimacy with God, revealing His larger purpose in our lives. They teach us to manage our relationships with others, showing that our relationship with God sets the tone for all human interactions. Job maintained his faith despite the interrogation of his friends and the despair of his wife, standing firm in his convictions and declaring his faithfulness “until my change comes.”

E.     Final Reflection

  1. Suffering, though painful, opens our eyes to God’s purpose and helps us see Him more clearly. It transforms adversity into a platform for elevation, turning what was meant for harm into a blessing. Trusting in God’s sovereignty allows us to embrace His promises, knowing that our trials are not designed to destroy us, but to refine and bless us. As we endure, may we find strength in the assurance that God’s purpose is always at work, drawing us closer to Him and revealing His glory.

 

III.               Your Relationship with God Sets the Tone for All Other Relationships

  • Thank you, Pastor. Well, in Job Chapter 14, we see a profound truth. Job opens his discourse by saying, “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” I want you to really hear this: life is inherently challenging. Everyone’s days are few, and those days are filled with trials.

A.    Be Faithful Until Your Change Comes

  1. If trouble in life is guaranteed, why would I add to it by creating more trouble for myself? Instead, I choose to trust God, standing firm and waiting until my change comes. This waiting isn’t passive—it’s active. It isn’t about sitting idly, hoping for something to happen. Just as waiters in a restaurant actively serve, we are called to serve God while we wait. Job exemplifies this by maintaining his worship and steadfastness, even in the darkest moments.
  2. Can you still show up and praise God when life knocks you down? That’s the question. Worship in the midst of suffering positions you for restoration. It’s a sign of spiritual maturity—showing that your relationship with God isn’t tied to material things but rooted in faith and trust.

B.    Restoration From God Transforms Our Lives Forever

  1. The story of Job teaches us that restoration with God is more than simply regaining what was lost. When Job’s life was restored, God gave him double of what he had before. This wasn’t just about material blessings—it was a complete transformation. Worship during trials positions us for this kind of restoration. Job’s unwavering faith, even when he lost everything, set the stage for his restoration.
  2. When God restores, He doesn’t just fix what’s broken—He elevates us to a new level. Think of it like a modern software update for cars or phones. The update doesn’t merely correct glitches; it often adds new features that you didn’t even know you needed. Similarly, God doesn’t just “fix” us; He upgrades us in ways that exceed our expectations.
  3. God’s restoration isn’t limited to the physical—it’s emotional, spiritual, and relational. It transforms our perspective, our relationships, and our purpose. Job’s life after restoration was not just about having more—it was about seeing more clearly: seeing God, seeing others, and seeing himself in a new light.

C.   Release to Receive

  1. One of the most overlooked aspects of Job’s story is that his restoration began when he prayed for his friends. To receive blessings, we must be willing to release bitterness, resentment, and misunderstanding. Revelation comes when we let go. Holding on to pain only hinders the blessings God has for us.
  2. This is your season of restoration. Just like the famous Emmanuel bell in Notre Dame, which was cracked and silent for years, restoration doesn’t just repair—it enriches. When the bell rang again after being restored, its sound was richer, deeper, and more resonant. The cracks didn’t disqualify it; they gave it character. Your trials and cracks in life are not meant to silence you but to refine and amplify your testimony.

D.   Conclusion

  1. God’s restoration is about more than returning to the status quo—it’s about transformation. When you trust in Him, He not only restores what is lost but blesses you with more than you could imagine. Release what holds you back, worship through the trials, and step into the fullness of God’s plans for your life. This is the season for restoration, transformation, and elevation.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment