Pastor Mills Blog

Pastoral Transition Service

2010-06-06T20:47:00.002-04:00

We had a tremendous service today at Revival Center! Rev. & Mrs. Crawford Coon preached the Pastoral Transition Service today as the Mills officially stepped in as Pastors of Revival Center while the Clacks are relocating to San Diego, CA.

It was a historic day in the lives of the Clacks, Mills and Revival Center Church. We are all excited about the future!

Revival Center Church Elects NEW Pastor

2010-05-05T10:48:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, May 2nd, Revival Center Church elected a NEW Pastor:Rev. & Mrs. Devon Mills (Georgia & Eden)

Pastor and Sis. Mills lived in the Atlanta area for 10 years and assisted before answering the call of God to Pastor a great Church in East Liverpool, OH. Just recently, God had been moving on Pastor and Sis. Clack (the Founding Pastor of Revival Center) to move to San Diego, while at the same time, moving on Pastor and Sis. Mills to move back to Atlanta and take over the Pastorate at Revival Center Church. Pastor Mills will officially take the Church on Sunday, June 6th.

We are all excited about the future and what God is going to do!

SUNDAY'S TEMPORARY LOCATION REMINDER

2010-04-09T16:16:00.001-04:00

Join us again THIS SUNDAY at our
TEMPORARY LOCATION:Holiday Inn | Gwinnett Center

6310 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

For more Information call: 770.262.5173

Wednesday Night Bible Study Location

2010-04-06T11:51:00.000-04:00

Revival Center is literally a "Church on the MOVE!" With that in mind, I'd like to invite you to join us EVERY Wednesday Night for Bible Study at:

Hampton Inn | Riverside Parkway
1135 Lakes Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

We will be meeting in their Meeting Room at 7:30PM and don't forget to BRING YOUR BIBLE!

See you there!

CELEBRATE the POWER of the Resurrection with us EASTER SUNDAY at our NEW TEMPORARY LOCATION... Holiday Inn | Gwinnett Center

2010-03-16T10:44:00.000-04:00

WHEN: Sunday, April 4th @ 12PM
With Evangelist Shawn Meeks and Family

WHERE: Our NEW TEMPORARY LOCATIONHOLIDAY INN | GWINNETT CENTER
6310 Sugarloaf Parkway | Duluth, GA 30097

AFTER you've have done the will of God...

2010-02-18T18:10:00.000-05:00

I came across a scripture that really hit home this morning. The scripture is Hebrews 10:36 where it says, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

I don't know about you, but I have a real hard time with the "patience part." For me, doing the will of God is NOT nearly as much of a challenge as the patiently waiting part AFTER I've done the will of God. But the writer of Hebrews made it painfully clear that our obligation after doing the will of God was to have patience on the arrival of "the promise!"

Another writer said it like this, "let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). In other words, we CAN'T do God's part and He WON'T do our part, so after we've done what we supposed to do we "wait PATIENTLY!" And guess what? When it's time (according to God's timing, NOT ours) the harvest will come; what God has promised will come!

Here's one more scripture to encourage you: (Isaiah 40:31) says, "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

AFTER you've done the will of God...have PATIENCE!

Servants of the Cup

2010-01-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

(Genesis 44:1-17) says, “And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. 2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. 4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. 7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: 8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? 9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words; he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. 12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. 14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.”

You have to imagine that Benjamin must have thought this was all a cruel joke. He knew he had not taken ‘the cup,” but the fact was “the cup” was in his sack, which made him Joseph’s servant.

What Benjamin, nor any of his brothers realized was that “the cup” was actually going to be the tool to bring provision to their whole family. What was appearing to be punishment was actually God’s plan for provision!

The first time Joseph’s brothers came to visit him, (Genesis 42:25) records that “Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way.” Now, they’ve come a second time, and (Genesis 44) records that again, they filled their sacks with as much food as they could carry, and money, but this time Joseph had “the cup” planted in Benjamin’s sack.

Joseph realized that eventually the food was going to run out, and the money was going to be spent, so he set it up in a way that because of “the cup” being found in Benjamin’s sack he would become his servant. It is amazing to me to see the level of “submission” given by Benjamin, that even though he didn’t understand it, he submitted to it and as a result of his submission, God provided for his whole family by having them move to Egypt.

Joseph wasn’t even the king, he was simply the authority, but because Benjamin “submitted” his own personal will, provision was given!

It’s sad, but I know of people who would’ve argued with Joseph, and chose rather to go back home without any food and money and watch their families starve, rather than submit to the authority in their life!

PROVISION is ONLY found in SUBMISSION!

That brings us to the garden of Gethsemane where (Matthew 26:36-44) says, “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”

Here we find Jesus struggling with the reality of what “the cup” is requiring of Him. It’s so intense that He’s actually praying “IF it be possible, let this CUP pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,” and “If this CUP may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”

Again the principle of “submission” comes into play and as a result of Jesus Christ submitting His personal will to the will of the Father, the provision of Salvation is made possible as He becomes a “Servant of the Cup!”

If we’re going to receive the provisions of the Kingdom, it is necessary that we become “Servants of the Cup” and SUBMIT to what ‘the cup” requires!

Are you willing to submit to “the cup?”

Are you willing to submit your will for the sake of provision not just for yourself, but for your whole family?

Are you willing to give up WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

Are you wiling to walk away from WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

Are you willing to get rid of WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

If Benjamin had not submitted and become a “Servant of the Cup,” his whole family would have eventually starved to death!

If Jesus Christ had not submitted and become a “Servant of the Cup,” the gift of Salvation; Deliverance; Healing; and Provision would NOT be possible!

Are you willing to become a “Servant of the Cup?”

An ermine's understanding of Holiness

2009-12-15T11:35:00.000-05:00

I came across this quote yesterday from A.W. Tozer, "The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy." Contrary to what some Christians would like for you to think, God is not as concerned about your "happiness" as much as He is your "holiness!" You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact—the matter of personal holiness is extremely important to God!

The Hebrew word for holiness is kadesh which means something which is cut off, separate or set apart. It describes that which is anti-secular (secular = of or relating to the worldly or temporal), in a category all its own. Kadesh describes something that is elevated out of the sphere of what is ordinary. The New Testament word hagios also means set apart, separate and so in a class by itself. It follows that for believers (saints or "holy ones") the call to be holy is a call to be separated from common use and set apart, or reserved, for special use. In both Old and New Testaments the term is applied to things, persons, and pre-eminently to God Himself.

A beautiful illustration of the inherent idea of separation that is found in the word holiness comes from the world of nature. In the forests of northern Europe and Asia lives a little animal called the ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don’t set a snare to catch him, but instead they find his home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs loose to find and chase the ermine. The frightened animal flees toward home but doesn’t enter because of the filth. Rather than soil his white coat, he is trapped by the dogs and captured while preserving his purity. For the ermine, purity is more precious than life.

To the ermine, in the analogy above, Holiness was more important than happiness! His instincts were to first, "protect his purity," NOT make himself "happy!" Sure, he would have rather gone into his home and been safe, but to compromise his "holiness" for "happiness" was simply NOT an option!

I wonder what would happen if we received the kind of understanding of Holiness that this ermine has!

It's time we stopped apologizing for our moral positions! We need to get back to the simplicity of exposing sin as the enemy of humanity and setting forth righteousness and true holiness as the only worthy pursuits for God's "called out and separated" people.

(1 Thessalonians 4:7) says, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto HOLINESS."

The life of a Christian is NOT governed totally by the question of whether or not something is sin, but by whether or not it will damage the image of Christ in a Christian's life. The question is not merely, what do I have to do? But it is, what does Jesus want me to do? How can I please HIM? How can I draw closer to HIM? How can I become more like HIM?

In these Last Days, just as there was NOT another option for the ermine, there's NOT another option for us! We must preserve our purity and choose Holiness or we'll never make it to Heaven! (Hebrews 12:14)

It's about that time...

2009-12-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well, it's about that time...just a couple more days and the hustle and bustle of shopping crowds and Christmas parties will be just a memory of another year that has come and gone. I think we all come to the same conclusion year after year of how fast time really does fly. It's hard to believe that another year has almost passed.

So, with that in mind, I'd like to encourage you to stop for a few minutes over the next couple of weeks and just look in the mirror. Sure, you're not everything you used to be, but are you everything you could be? At what point do we finally get tired (seriously) of just "getting by?" How many more years will we let pass us by before we really do what God has called us to do? How many more years will we let pass us by before we do what we know we're supposed to be doing in the first place? How many more years will we let pass us by before we take true responsibility of our actions as individuals; parents; children; leaders, etc?

It's about that time again...time to repeat the same old "resolutions" about how we're going to LOSE WEIGHT! Yeah...RIGHT! How bout this year, let's NOT "LIE AGAIN" about that! How bout this year, let's just get back to the WORD and start doing those "things" we know we're supposed to be doing! How bout we get back to taking the Word of God seriously. What would happen...really happen in our personal lives, families, and Churches IF we really got back to reading the Word of God? Why don't we try it and see!

It's about that time...make your "resolution" one that really matters this year! Fall in love with the Word of God again...it's about that time!

The day after Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

On the eve of Thanksgiving Day I just felt like reminding everyone to remember tomorrow as you're stuffing your face, that we do have a LOT to be THANKFUL for, and even though the Bible promises in the Last Days that the people would be "unthankful," that we don't have to be!

We have so much to be THANKFUL for: TRUTH, SALVATION, DELIVERANCE, HEALING, STRENGTH, PEACE, THE HOLY GHOST ( the Comforter), THE CHURCH, GRACE, MERCY, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS and the list could go on and on and on and on...you get the idea.

With all of that being said, may we be THANKFUL people EVERYDAY and NOT just on the last Thursday of November!

(Colossians 3:15/NLT) says, "always be thankful!" On Friday, when you're regretting eating that FOURTH plate of food, will you still be THANKFUL? Just wondering.

A Wake Up Call To The Church!

2009-11-09T15:50:00.001-05:00

This is along the same lines of what I've been preaching at Revival Center Church for the past month. The hour is late. These are the last days. It's time the Church made another trip to the Altar and allowed our carnality, fleshly desires, and personal will to die and a passion to please God again to be reborn! I invite you to take a few minutes and watch/listen to these desperate words and let them become a wake up call to the Church!

What Do You KNOW?

2009-11-07T12:44:00.000-05:00

I admit that I'm not the most disciplined guy when it comes to doing this "BLOG THING." However, I've become pretty good at keeping up my "status updates" on Facebook. With that in mind, I've been posting, for the last week, the importance of reading your Bible. (Hosea 4:6) says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

I'm concerned that IF Christians don't open up their Bible more than they have in the past, we WILL be DESTROYED for LACK of KNOWLEDGE! It all comes down to what you KNOW, not what you've experienced! Even Jesus made it clear in (John 8:31-32) when He said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." That's powerful! The way it's revealed that you're His disciple is that you CONTINUE in His WORD! Which would also means that IF you don't continue in His Word, you're NOT His disciple! Did you get that? In other words, IF you're NOT a student of His Word; IF you're NOT continuing in His Word; IF you're NOT READING HIS WORD, you won't KNOW HIS WORD, and therefore, you're NOT His Disciple! That would mean that some who call themselves a "Christian" are really LYING!

It's not a matter of what you call yourself, or even what all you've experienced. It all comes down to the question, "What Do YOU KNOW?"

(Colossians 2:4-8 ) says, "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Unless you KNOW THE TRUTH, it will be difficult not to be deceived into believing a LIE! Be careful that you're not deceived by philosophy. Be careful that you're not deceived by traditions of men, which is allowing a particular Religious Denomination to determine what you believe instead of the Word of God. Also, be careful that you're not deceived by what the world determines as acceptable (1 John 2:15-17).

Remember (Hosea 4:6) declared, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge!" So, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?"

"Walk by the SAME RULE...Mind the SAME THING"

2009-09-29T10:48:00.000-04:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become SILENT about THINGS THAT MATTER!” I'd like to take that principle and say that "the Apostolic Church will begin to end the day we become SILENT about THINGS THAT MATTER!"

Let me begin by saying that there are some THINGS that STILL MATTER and I refuse to be SILENT about them! Regardless of the century or the culture, there are some "rules" that still apply to the people of God and some "things" that we're commanded to do and some "things" we're commanded NOT to do.

(Philippians 3:16-19/ KJV) says, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. This scripture begins with making it clear that after we have “attained,” meaning after we’ve been Born Again, “let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”

(Ephesians 4:5/ KJV) says that there’s “ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism.”

That means there’s ONLY ONE Lord and His name is Jesus! There’s ONLY ONE Faith! There’s NOT two or three different “faiths” out there that are each acceptable. There’s ONLY ONE! There’s ONLY ONE baptism (of water and Spirit)!

(Galatians 1:6-9/ KJV) says it like this, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

There’s ONLY ONE GOSPEL! There’s NOT “another gospel!” There’s ONLY ONE WAY! There’s NOT a “truth” for me and another “truth” for you! There’s not a “white gospel,” or a “black gospel,” or a “Hispanic gospel”, or a Jamaican gospel,” or a “Russian gospel!” There’s JUST ONE GOSPEL for EVERYONE ONE to OBEY! We are to live by the “SAME RULE” and the “SAME THING!”

The Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is applied to our lives when we OBEY (Acts 2:38) by repenting of our sins, being baptized in water in the Name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues!

(Ephesians 4:11-24) went on to say, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ...

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true HOLINESS.”

(Hebrews 12:14/ KJV) says, “Follow peace with all men, and HOLINESS, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The necessity of being BORN AGAIN and “perfecting HOLINESS in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1) STILL MATTER so I refuse to stay silent! We MUST ALL “walk by the SAME RULE and mind the SAME THING!”

The Danger of Sacrificing Apostolic Revival at the Altar of Relevance

2009-06-27T14:01:00.000-04:00

There is a lot of talk these days about the Church's NEED to be "relevant to the culture." The problem with that is that many are sacrificing Apostolic Revival at the Altar of Relevance!

Since things really haven't changed much since the beginning (humanity is still the same and Truth is still the same), why does so many think that the Church has to change? When you read the Book of Acts, we see over and over again where the Church was threatened and persecuted because they would NOT CHANGE! They weren't concerned with being "relevant" they're only concern was having REVIVAL! After all the early church went through to defend, contend, preach and teach, we've got "some" who feel like we need to change and be more "relevant!" Are you kiddin me?

I've got news for some who claim they're having an "identity crisis, "God's Church knows exactly WHO and WHAT she IS, and the Church is still the same Church that was born in the Book of Acts! We STILL believe there's ONLY ONE GOD and His name is Jesus! We still believe in the necessity of being Born Again (of water and of Spirit)! We still preach the Biblical plan of Salvation: ACTS 2:38! Contrary to some, the Apostolic Church actually STILL believes in HOLINESS and SEPARATION from the world and the things of the world! I can't answer for anybody but me and the local church I pastor, but we are NOT suffering from an "identity crisis!" We know WHO we are, WHAT we are, and WHY we are!

Another word that's being passed around as necessary to being "relevant to the culture" is "progressive." It's almost presented as a given that if you're not "progressive," it's impossible to build a church in the 21st Century. Of course, like so many other things out there, it probably depends on your definition of "progressive." So let me just say it like this, if you're being "progressive" just for the sake of saying you're "progressive," without "preserving" your core values such as Apostolic Doctrine and Holiness will eventually give way to carnality, complacency and compromise!

I just recently read a book by Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck titled, "Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be)." This book really helped me in understanding what's going on with this "emergent, conversational, epic, relevant" movement, especially since it's crept its way into some Apostolic circles.

Obviously, I can't answer for anyone but me, so let me tell you "my" story. I was raised in the Church of God (a trinitarian pentecostal organization) for 18 years, and in the early 90's things changed. Up until the 90's the Church of God was known as a Holiness Organization with certain Standards of dress, etc. But things started changing and it started with people compromising Holiness, but it wasn't long until Doctrine was compromised. It was sad for me even then and even more so now, to have witnessed people disregarding what had been passed down from generation to generation. But history has shown us time and time again that Holiness is the first thing that is compromised, but never the last. Sooner or later the Doctrine will be watered down and compromised as well.

This is NOT a story that I read out of a book or current magazine, I saw this happen with my own eyes, and that's why I'm so passionate about what I believe and why I believe it! I've seen "some" of my friends lean in this direction, evidently expecting different results, but it's impossible! Like Paul was in (Acts 17), my "spirit is stirred" because I'm seeing people that I love sacrifice Apostolic Revival at the "Altar of Relevance!"

What I learned from "my" story and have seen so clearly lately is that we can NOT separate Doctrine and Holiness. The Assemblies of God tried it and fell! The Church of God tried it and fell! We are NO different! If we think we can be Apostolic in Doctrine, while compromising Holiness, the ONLY people we're fooling is ourselves. If we're NOT careful, we're going to end up just like others before us...carnal, complacent, unidentifiable, powerless, eventually irrelevant and ultimately lost!

The Bible is the foundation of TRUTH for the CHURCH, not a book written by Rob Bell, Donald Miller or Erwin McManus. The men who were anointed to write the Bible were just ordinary men who grew, changed, and learned, yet they never hesitated to write about what they knew and were convinced of. God spoke to patriarchs, prophets, and priests, and when the words God spoke were written down, the people treated those words as the sacred oracles of God. The written revelation at first was simply called the Law, then it was known as the Law and the Prophets; them the Gospels were added, and then the Epistles, until we finally have what we call the Bible (the foundation of TRUTH for the Church). At each of these stages what was written was considered by God's people to be authoritative and demanding of our obedience, because the words written down came from the very mouth of God. But now I've lived long enough to see the day where "preachers" will admit that they'll "preach" and not even use the Bible! That bothers me.

Loving people and ministering to people should always be a priority, but I don't think we need to, let alone have to change church to fit the culture. The world doesn't NEED the Church to be "relevant," they need the Church to have REVIVAL! (John 3:16) said that because God LOVED the world, He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever would believe in Him they could have everlasting life. (Luke 19:10) said that Jesus had come to seek and SAVE that which was lost! Jesus, himself, said (out of LOVE) that we MUST be Born Again (John 3:1-8)! Offering clear DOCTRINE, not a muddy, indefinite "dialogue" IS the LOVING thing to do.

So, what is the solution to getting caught up in being "relevant" and the pressure to be "progressive" just for the sake of saying you're "progressive:" PREACH THE WORD!

The danger is real and the pressure is strong but we do NOT have to sacrifice Apostolic Revival at the Altar of Relevance!"

Can God Trust You As A Father?

2009-06-22T12:51:00.000-04:00

(Genesis 18:18-19/ KJV) says, “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

There is a lot of pressure placed on fathers to fulfill their responsibilities. As a father we are responsible to provide for our families: food, shelter, clothing, education, etc. We are responsible for the protection of our families. But probably the most important responsibility that is also the most underestimated responsibility we have as fathers is to simply LEAD! God has entrusted us as Fathers to LEAD our families and in these last days, if we’ve ever needed Godly leaders, it’s TODAY!

Thankfully, the Bible gives us a few examples of the kind of Father that God desires us to be. Here are three men who were not just great leaders, they were Godly Fathers who lead their families in the right direction. These Fathers include:

1). Joshua – (Joshua 24:15/ KJV) says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua was telling them I can’t change what the fathers did before me, and I can’t make any of you fathers make the right choices for your family today. Every Father has to decide whether he will lead his family in the “fear of the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth!” Every Father has to choose which God he’s going to point his family toward. Joshua was simply declaring what every other Godly Father had proclaimed before him, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

It might not always be popular. It might not always be easy. But doing the RIGHT THING will always be RIGHT! The bottom line for every Father here today to realize is we ARE RESPONSIBLE for OUR FAMILY, and it’s URGENT that we ACT RESPONSIBLE!

I can’t make “the choice” for my next door neighbor. I can’t make the choice for anybody else’s HOUSE but my own. So, I’ve decided to join the Godly Fathers who’ve paved the way before me and make the declaration today, that “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

2). Noah— (Genesis 7:1, 4-5, 7, 23/ KJV) says, “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation…4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. 5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him…7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood…23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”

COMPROMISING would have been so much EASIER for Noah, but it would have ultimately killed his whole family! Noah did what was RIGHT and because Noah built the Ark exactly how God had commanded, he was able to SAVE his family! Don’t you know when the Door of the Ark shut and Noah looked around to see his family SAVED, he realized then that EVERY SACRIFICE, EVERY CONVICTION, EVERYTHING he’d gone through to get right there, was worth it…because though he couldn’t SAVE EVERYBODY, he SAVED HIS FAMILY!

Fathers, our children may NOT like everything we ask them to do! They might NOT understand YET, every conviction we hold on to; every line we draw, every boundary we put in place. They might NOT like some of the SACRIFICES we make, or STANDARDS we live by. They might NOT understand why we make some of the CONSECRATIONS we make unto God. But I guarantee, when the FLOOD COMES and it’s going to come, and they’re on the ARK—SAVED…EVERY SACRIFICE, EVERY CONSECRATION, EVERY SERVICE you made them get ready for, EVERY PRAYER MEETING you dragged them to, EVERY Wednesday Night BIBLE STUDY you brought them to, EVERY STANDARD you made them live by will be worth it!

3). Abraham — (Genesis 18:18-19/ KJV) says, “Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

The whole reason why God could make such a Covenant with Abraham was because He could TRUST Abraham! God knew that Abraham would LEAD his family after God! The reason WHY God would make the Covenant with Abraham that he would “become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him,” is found in (verse 19) where it says, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD...”

So, the question that’s been running through my mind for the last day or two is can God trust me like he did Abraham and Noah? If I were to have been alive in that day, could God have TRUSTED ME with that much responsibility?

Thank God for Godly Fathers who will make the tough decisions, who will earnestly contend for the Faith, who will refuse to compromise, who will hold the standard, who will defend the Truth, who will be the example to his Family in PRAYER, in WORSHIP, in GIVING, in SERVICE, in SUBMISSION, in OBEDIENCE, and in FAITHFULNESS to God!

“Can God Trust You As A Father?”

Will you be a modern day Joshua will boldly declare that “as for ME and MY HOUSE, we WILL serve the Lord?” Will you be a modern Noah who will do exactly as the Lord has commanded, and SAVE YOUR FAMILY? Will you be a modern Abraham that the Lord can make a Covenant of Blessing with, simply because he “knows” that YOU WILL LEAD YOUR FAMILY in the right direction?

“Can God Trust You As a Father?”

What's been going on?

2009-06-17T14:01:00.000-04:00

WOW! It's a little embarrassing when you realize how long it's actually been since the last time you blogged! So, let me just catch you up with what's been going on...

We've been having some tremendous church services at Revival Center. We Baptized 5 on Pentecost Sunday in the name of Jesus Christ! What a day! I preached a basic sermon on Acts 2:38 and wrapped up the service with 5 Baptisms! It was GREAT!

I've been in and out of town, preaching and attending Camp Meetings/Conferences. In may I preached a Youth Revival in Jackson, MS for the Crafts. Let's just say that they have a fantastic group of young people and we "brought CRAZY BACK!" It was like Old Time Pentecost with young men running the aisles, young women shouting their hair down, young people getting "drunk" in the Spirit and many "falling out" in the Spirit. We definitely had some "old school" church!

This week, me and the family are in South Georgia (Tifton) for Legacy Camp. Legacy Camp was started 9 years ago by a group of Independent Apostolic men and is a great meeting. It's always refreshing to get together with other Apostolic people. The church services have been tremendous. The Preaching has been anointed and the fellowship has been fun.

I've got a few more stops to make in the next couple of weeks: Camp Meeting in Vicksburg, MS, preaching another Youth Revival in Jackson, MS, and going to Arkansas Camp Meeting at Bro. Holmes'.

Anyway, just wanted to touch base with everyone and let you know a little of what's been going on!

IF you've been missing Wednesday Night Bible Studies, you've been missing some dynamic Church! Join us every Wednesday Night at 7:30PM and don't forget to bring your Bible! Of course, you're also invited to join us for Saturday Night Prayer every Saturday at 7:30PM, and Sunday Prayer at 11:30AM with Worship & Word at 12PM!

God is doing GREAT things at Revival Center!

Earnestly Contending for the Faith,

Pastor Clack

The Anthem of the Apostolic Church

2009-04-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

The blog you're about to read is the message that I preached at Revival Center this past Sunday, Easter Sunday. For the past 3 weeks, on Wednesday night Bible Study, I have been teaching a series from (Hebrews 2:1-4) about our Great Salvation! (I hope to have the sermons posted over the next day or two.)

While I was teaching/preaching last Wednesday night I made a statement regarding "the Message of Acts 2:38" being "The Anthem of the Apostolic Church" and it just clicked! Out of that Bible Study the idea for the message was born and after a little research this is what developed...

To begin I'd like to give you the definition of the word "anthem." The definition of the word “anthem” is a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism; a piece of sacred vocal music, usually with words taken from the Scriptures; a hymn of praise or loyalty.

So an "anthem" is sung out of "devotion to" or "loyalty" of something. (Keep that in mind.)

When the word “anthem” is used, everyone probably thinks about our National Anthem. As an American, if there is anything taken more seriously than the US flag, it's possibly the national anthem. The Star-Spangled Banner accompanies just about every major American function. Hearing it sung stirs the emotions, especially of those who’ve served, but brings a sense of pride to everyone who is proud to be an American. But, listen to the words and it tells of a moment in US history when the war with the British was being fought and of one man's relief in seeing the US flag still flying after a vicious bombardment.

The War of 1812 had been a particularly nasty conflict with the British. They had burned down the Capitol and White House in Washington, and were set on taking the port of Baltimore, which was protected in part by Fort McHenry. After an initial land attack had been thwarted, 16 ships of the British fleet positioned themselves for a massive attack on the fort.

Before the fleet came within canon range, two Americans, Colonel John Skinner and a lawyer and part-time poet by the name of Francis Scott Key, had gone out to one of the British ships. They had come to negotiate the release of Dr William Beanes, a friend of Key who had been seized following the attack on Washington. The British agreed, but all three had learned too much about the forthcoming attack and were detained by the British until it was over.

The attack started on September 12th, 1814, and continued for the next two days. Skinner, Beane and Key watched much of the bombardment from the deck and, through the nights of the 12th and 13th they caught glimpses of the star-shaped fort with its huge flag - 42ft long, with 8 red stripes, 7 white stripes and 15 white stars, it had been specially commissioned to be big enough that the British could not possibly fail to see it from a distance.

In the dark of the night of the 13th, the shelling suddenly stopped - through the darkness they couldn't tell whether the British forces had been defeated, or the fort had fallen. The only time the flag could be seen was during those seconds when it was momentarily lit by bombs the enemy hurled at the small fort. As long as the two men and their third companion Colonel John Skinner could see the flag flying, they knew there was still hope that their Nation had survived. Now the bombardment had stopped and there were no flashes to light the sky and reveal that flag still waving proudly. Perhaps, in fact, that flag no longer waved.

Francis Scott Key, along with his companions, strained his eyes towards the fort, willing them to pierce the darkness and find the red, white and blue banner still waving proudly over Fort McHenry. He prayed for the rays of dawn to pierce the sky and reveal the sight that would signal the survival of his countrymen, perhaps indeed of his Country itself. Slowly the hours dragged on.

So intense was the final bombardment that the early morning dawn was filled with smoke and the odor of burnt gunpowder. So thick was the curtain of smoke, that by 8 A.M. even the morning sunshine could not reveal whether or not the flag still waved. Then quiet returned. Mr. Key watched as the British ships began to withdraw. Had the fort, badly weakened by the enemy naval bombardment, finally fallen to the British ground troops?

A breeze began to move across the water's surface and the smoke of battle began to shift ever so slightly to reveal patches of blue sky. And then, in the distant blue there appeared new colors....red and white....brief glimpses of the two-feet wide stripes of the Star Spangled Banner. Then a star appeared in the daytime sky, then another....then fifteen stars in the daytime. What a welcomed site they were. Mr. Key's heart swelled with hope, and pride in the men who had so valiantly fought through the night to keep that flag flying. Reaching into his pocket he withdrew an envelope and began to write his thoughts:

"O, say! can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say! does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Just as moving as our National Anthem is to those proud to be an American, the Anthem of the Apostolic Church stirs my emotions and makes me proud to be an Apostolic! Like Paul, I can stand here today, “NOT ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it IS the power of God unto salvation to EVERY ONE that believeth!” (Romans 1:16)

Every time I hear “the Message” of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ it stirs up my emotions! Every time I hear somebody quote “ACTS 2:38” it gets me excited because it’s “The Anthem of the Apostolic Church!”

When the church was born in the Book of Acts it records that “they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine.” One translation said that they were “DEVOTED” to the Apostolic Doctrine, which means for thousands of years the Apostolic Church has had a certain Anthem that has been sung by generation after generation and that Anthem is still being sung today!

The message of the death, burial and resurrection is NOT just an Easter message…it IS THE MESSAGE!

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) says that I can stand on the gospel because "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

The Gospel is THE MESSAGE whether it's Easter Sunday or NOT! Because of His death, burial and resurrection our sins can be forgiven, washed away and we can be made new through the power of the Holy Ghost! The Gospel IS the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and we all have the opportunity to experience the Gospel when we Repent, are Baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues! (Acts 2:38)

(1 Corinthians 1:18/ KJV) says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Anthem still calls for those who are lost to REPENT of their sins and allow the Blood of Jesus Christ to forgive and set free! Jesus said in (Luke 13:3), “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (2 Peter 3:9/ KJV) says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

(Luke 24:47/ KJV) Jesus says, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…”

The Anthem still calls for Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ so your sins can be washed away!

(Galatians 3:27/ KJV) says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17/ KJV) says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Jesus said in (John 3:3, 5/ KJV) that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

It DOES matter HOW you are Baptized? (Matthew 28:19/ KJV) says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

IF it didn’t matter HOW you were Baptized Paul would NOT have re-baptized John’s disciples in (Acts 19)!

(Acts 19:1-6/ KJV) says, “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

The Anthem STILL promises to fill you with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by talking in tongues!

Jesus said in (John 3:3, 5/ KJV) that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

(Acts 2:1-4/ KJV) says, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

(Acts 2:38-39/ KJV) says, "38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Just as Paul wrote in (Galatians 1), I won’t to REMIND you today that there is NO OTHER GOSPEL! There’s ONLY ONE Gospel and that’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the death, burial and resurrection! It is ACTS 2:38 and it’s STILL “The Anthem of the Apostolic Church!”

Every time we hear the Gospel preached; every time we hear ACTS 2:38 quoted it ought to bring us to our feet because it IS “The Anthem of the Apostolic Church!”

(Acts 2:38) says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

The Gospel is NOT just an Easter message...

2009-04-10T11:40:00.000-04:00

It's Good Friday, and I've been thinking about something all day. I can't get it off of my mind, so I figured I would just share it with you. Today, is the day that many of us will remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid so that our sins could be forgiven. We're grateful for what today represents in regards to Calvary, because had it not been for Calvary, we'd all be lost without any hope of eternal salvation.

But, with that being said, it is sad that (1) this Sunday, Easter Sunday, will be the ONLY Sunday that some will step foot into a Church, except on Christmas and (2) that Easter Sunday is the ONLY Sunday that some preachers will preach "the Gospel!"

I just feel like telling someone today that the Gospel is NOT just an Easter message...it is THE MESSAGE! (Romans 1:16) says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth!" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) says that I can stand on the gospel because "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

The Gospel is THE MESSAGE whether it's Easter Sunday or NOT! Because of His death, burial and resurrection our sins can be forgiven, washed away and we can be made new through the power of the Holy Ghost! The Gospel IS the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and we all have the opportunity to experience the Gospel when we Repent, are Baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues! (Acts 2:38)

You do not have to wait around for Easter Sunday to experience the Gospel because the Gospel is NOT just an Easter message...it is THE MESSAGE!

Revival Center's 7 Year Anniversary

2009-04-04T15:07:00.000-04:00

WOW! It's hard to believe that Revival Center Church has been around for 7 years. What started as a dream in the Holiday Inn Express meeting room on Duluth Hwy (Hwy 120) 7 years ago with just me, my wife and my infant daughter has now grown into a thriving Apostolic Church! We stayed in the hotel meeting room for a year and then moved into our first building (1400 square feet) on Gwinnett Drive. We grew from about 12 people to running in the 80's in the 2 years we stayed in that location. Then God opened the door for us to take a huge step of faith and move into our current location on 1770 Cedars Road. We went from a 14oo square foot building to over 5600 square feet. We jumped from a 49 seat occupancy to 299 seat occupancy! In that time we have seen steady growth as we've proclaimed the message that is relevant regardless of whether you're modern or post-modern! We've "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine...in prayer...and the Lord has added to the church (Acts 2:42-47)! The message of Acts 2:38 is STILL "THE MESSAGE" and I'm grateful to be a part of church who STILL believes in the life changing power of this great message! If you're in the Lawrenceville area and you're looking for a Book of Acts Church, look no further...you just found it!

I want to thank God for EVERYTHING He has done in the past 7 years to, through and for Revival Center Church! I also want to thank the GREAT people who call Revival Center "Home" for the honor to pastor such a tremendous group of people! Your hunger for Apostolic Revival, Truth and Holiness is so refreshing, especially in these compromising times we live in. THANK YOU for 7 GREAT years of Revival!

Enjoy the video of some highlights over the past 7 years and remember "GREATER THINGS have YET to COME, and GREATER THINGS are STILL to be DONE in this city!"

Hanging on to HOPE!

2009-04-02T10:34:00.000-04:00

(Exodus 2:23-25/ KJV) says, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”

In order to put these verses into context, I want to take you back one chapter in Exodus and let you see what had taken place to get Israel to this point.

(Exodus 1:8-14/ KJV) says, “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.”

So, Egypt had become intimidated by the children of Israel and realized that not only were there more of them...they were also mightier. So, in order to avoid a problem down the road, Egypt needed to get the children of Israel under control. Therefore, they made the children of Israel their slaves which sets up the scene for chapter 2 which reads...

(Exodus 2:23-25/ KJV) says, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”

(The Greek and Hebrew word for “respect” in (verse 25) means “to know” or “to approve.” So, because God “knew” them, had “respect” for and “approved of” them, He was determined to DELIVER them!)

At the point of Israel’s deliverance they had been “Hanging on to HOPE” for over 400 years! You have to realize that in that time, there had been those who had lost hope and become a doubter, giving up on any hope of deliverance. But at the same time there were those who just kept believing; kept praying and held on to their HOPE that God was going to deliver them out of their oppression! I can just imagine conversations that elders had with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to keep hanging on…in spite of what they heard, or what they had to go through…”HANG ON TO HOPE” because God WILL DELIVER US!

Now we can go to chapter 3 of Exodus and see just how God delivered those who kept "Hanging on to HOPE" in spite of their situation!

(Exodus 3:1-10/ KJV) says, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”

In spite of what the doubters thought and in spite of their message of despair and depression, God knew right where they were. Their cries of affliction and prayers of deliverance had gotten God’s attention. I want to remind someone today whose reading this BLOG that GOD KNOWS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

Don’t think for a minute that God has forgotten about you or his promise to NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Don’t think for a minute that GOD hasn’t seen your tears or heard your prayers! God knows right where you are and because you’ve been “Hanging on to HOPE,” He’s about to show up and DELIVER YOU OUT of your situation!

But with that in mind, you have to remember that sometimes God’s deliverance does NOT happen the way we’ve envisioned it! When it came time for God to deliver the Israelites out of bondage, he sent a man. God sent Moses with a “Message of HOPE” to deliver them and God is STILL sending men with “the Message of HOPE” on a weekly basis to DELIVER His people out of oppression and bondage; to set them free from the LIES of the devil!

Yet another reason WHY you NEED to be at CHURCH EVERYTIME the doors are open, because “THAT SERVICE” might just be “THE SERVICE” that God sends a Moses in to bring you a “Message of HOPE” and to DELIVER you!

One more thing I want you to see out of our text; remember our text said, “24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham …”

(Romans 4:18-21/ KJV) says this about Abraham, “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

(Romans 8:24-25/ KJV) says, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

(Romans 15:4, 13/ KJV) says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope…13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

The whole point to this BLOG is to remind you that if you’re NOT careful, you’ll spend all of your time listening to negative reports, and reading articles that paint so much gloom and doom that you’ll go half crazy. Somebody, in the middle of all this mess has got to remember that God has seen your tears, He’s heard your prayers, and regardless of what the doubters say and the skeptics write, KEEP “Hanging on to HOPE” because GOD WILL DELIVER!

What the WORD and a bar of soap have in common

2009-03-06T17:40:00.000-05:00

(Ephesians 5:26-27/KJV) says, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

The answer to every question and solution to every problem is found in the Word of God. Either directly or as a result of principle, the Word of God is where every solution is found to every problem or issue that a man or woman will face. Contrary to what some believe, Oprah is NOT your answer, neither is Dr. Phil! There is NO place for help like the Word of God. God’s WORK begins with His WORD!

The common mistake for those who think they’ve gone too far, are too unworthy, too unholy, too undeserving, too messed up, too far gone, too sick, or too addicted is to avoid reading the Bible. But that’s a lie from the pit of Hell! God’s WORD is written exactly for those people, to show them or at least remind them of the way Jesus Christ has made for them to get out of the mess they’re in. God’s WORK begins with His WORD!

You may reading this BLOG and reminding yourself of how badly you’ve failed. You may be still trying to get good so you can get God, but you don’t get good to get God, you get God and God makes you good! Getting to God is simply getting into His Word, because God’s WORK begins with His WORD!

The WORD does the WORK! Read it when you feel guilty; read it when you don’t feel anything form it; read it in the face of the devil and his accusations against you; read it in the face of this unbelieving world; read it when you’re not even sure you believe it, JUST READ IT! The WORD does the WORK!

Let me get to my point. What the WORD and a bar of soap have in common is the WORD of GOD washes our mind and spirit like soap does our hands and body. The WORD is like a bar soap in that it is ONLY effective when USED!

You can stand under the water all day long but you’ll NEVER get clean until you USE a bar of soap! Knowing the soap is there; simply staring at the soap; and thinking about using the soap will NOT make you clean. The ONLY thing that will make you clean and prove that the soap is effective is picking it up and USING IT!

Life’s greatest failure is NOT your sin, but in failure to read the WORD! When all you have is the WORD, that’s all you NEED! Reading the Word is the only way God can do what He’s promised you in His WORD!

The WORD pays no attention to your sin, to your failures, to your emotions, or accusations; it just simply does its WORK when you READ IT!

God’s WORD NEVER changes, we do, and God gave us His WORD to evangelize, edify and educate. Whether we need Salvation, encouragement to hang-on, or receive revelation and understanding, it’s ALL found in His WORD! God’s WORK begins with His WORD!

When you do your part, God will do His. You can’t do His part, and He won’t do yours! Yours is to act on His WORD, and let his WORD do the WORK!

What the WORD and a bar of soap have in common is that both are only effective when USED!

Sitting at the feet of an Elder

2009-02-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

I just got back home a few days ago from an amazing weekend out of town. To save a lot of time, I'll just jump to the point of this Blog and say that there were two different events that I will NEVER forget that came out of that weekend. The first event was the honor and privilege of having the opportunity to preach in Jena, LA. The heritage of that church pastored for years by Elder Crawford Coon (now pastored by Bro. Dan McClure) is rich to say the least. Bishop Crawford Coon is known across the Apostolic Movement as a tremendous teacher/preacher of the Apostolic Message and has written some of the best discipleship materials for the Apostolic Church! So, that in and of itself was absolutely amazing. I remember just sitting there on the platform and soaking in the moment as Bishop Crawford Coon introduced my wife and I. It was a moment that I'll keep with forever.

However, the other event is what I want to talk to you about today, and that event was the honor I had to sit at the feet of some great, anointed Elders of the Apostolic Movement. It began with getting to sit and talk to Bishop Tommy Craft from Jackson, MS.

I had called him on my way to see if there was any way he could meet me at the church on Friday morning because I wanted my kids to get to meet him. I wanted my kids to meet a great Elder whose fingerprint is on thousands of young preachers just like myself. Of course, the kids had a blast with Papa Craft as he showed them around the church, especially his office that comes equipped with a fire place and a stuffed Asian tiger (NO KIDDING)!

Anyways, we got to visit, eat lunch and sit around the fire and talk for a total of 5 hours. I wouldn't take anything for that time spent with an Apostolic Elder as we talked about building a church in these Last Days. I will cherish that time forever!

Then I got to hang out with Pastor Donald Tipton (Vicksburg, MS) Friday night and Saturday morning.I had the privilege of being taught by Bro. Tipton while I attended Jackson College of Ministries and learned so much from this great Elder of the Apostolic Faith. Just getting to sit around and talk with him was time well spent and I cherished every moment we had, especially Saturday morning when he decided to "share" what he'd been studying...AMAZING!

My final destination on this memorable weekend trip took me all the way to the BIG CITY of Jena, LA! Already, my trip had provided some quality time with great men of God, and this was just the icing on the cake. Elder Crawford Coon has written material that the Apostolic movement has been using for years to disciple the converted and teach the church the basics of New Testament Salvation and how to live a Holy and separated life. Getting to sit around and talk to Bro. Coon was a great way to end an unbelievable weekend.

The opportunity I had to sit at the feet of these Elders was priceless. I think one of the funnest things for me was the opportunity to simply ask them questions and then sit back and receive their wisdom and instruction. I remember after church Sunday night just sitting in the living room at Bro. Coon's house as he sipped on coffee I asked question after question and by midnight when my family was about to pass out he was still going strong! He actually made fun of us "kids" needing to go to bed when the "night was still young."

My point is this, when is the last time you found yourself sitting at the feet of an Elder? When is the last time you stopped talking long enough to let an Elder speak into you life? When is the last time you let an Elder tell you something you didn't really want to hear but took it in the right spirit simply because he was your Elder? When is the last time you gave an Elder the opportunity to "really" help you by giving you some instruction, even correction? See, it's easy to sit around and receive encouragement from an Elder, but sometimes what many of us really need is to simply sit at the feet of Elders and let them impart wisdom and pass down some things that we're lacking to help us be better men, women, parents, leaders, etc.

I'll close with some wisdom from an old Elder of the Scriptures who said such things as, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14) This Elder also said, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end" (Proverbs 19:20) and "Every purpose is established by counsel" (Proverbs 20:18).

We could learn alot by just sitting at the feet of an Elder!

THE MESSAGE for ALL Nations!

2008-11-10T14:16:00.000-05:00

(Genesis 2:16-17/ KJV) says, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

You know the story: Eve was deceived by the devil and Adam followed his wife and because of SIN, the relationship between God and man was severed! The connection between God and man was contaminated. SIN placed a wedge between God and man, yet God still desired to have fellowship. God still desired to have a relationship, so God did what only God could do.

(John 3:16/ KJV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Fellowship between God and man needed REVIVING and the ONLY way for our relationship to be restored was for the void that sin caused in the Garden to be filled with the Spirit of God! The Gospel of the Death, the Burial and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ became “the Message” for every nation, tribe and tongue. Calvary became the launching pad for God to finally RECONNECT with humanity!

Because of the DEATH, our SINS could be FORGIVEN! Because of the BURIAL, our SINS could be BURIED and because of the RESURRECTION our lives could be SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMED!

Death became symbolic to REPENTANCE. The Burial became symbolic to Water Baptism. But the Resurrection opened the door to a whole new dimension because without the RESURRECTION the DEATH and the BURIAL would have been in vain. (1 Corinthians 1:18/ KJV) says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Resurrection became symbolic to Spirit of God RAISING YOU UP out of your sin and REVIVING the relationship that had been destroyed in the Garden!

Jesus referred to it in (John 3:3-5/ KJV) when He told Niccodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

It's why the Apostolic Church STILL preaches that you MUST be BORN AGAIN! It's NOT just a "benefit" or a special "blessing" for a select few. It is STILL NECESSARY if you plan on going to Heaven! The "NEW BIRTH EXPERIENCE" is essential to Biblical Salvation!

Before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, (Luke 24:47-49/ KJV) records “the Message” He instructed them to preach saying, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

The promise that Jesus gave confirming the prophecy of Joel came to pass in the Book of Acts! The prophecy was fulfilled and the promise experienced in the upper room where THE CHURCH was born.

(Acts 2:1-18, 37-41/ KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:…

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still the DEATH, the BURIAL and the RESURRECTION! The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still the NECESSITY of being BORN AGAIN! The MESSAGE for ALL NATIONS is still ACTS 2:38! The MESSAGE is still “REPENT, and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…”

It’s STILL “THE MESSAGE FOR ALL NATIONS!”

THE BIG DAY

2008-11-04T09:08:00.000-05:00

Today is "The BIG Day!" TODAY America will put the next President into the White House, after millions of dollars have been raised and spent, of course. After all of the campaigning, the promises, the "prophetic claims" of what would happen if "the other guy" was voted in, and the enormous amount of HYPE, it all comes down to TODAY!

But I got to thinking last night about the significance of today's decision and thought to myself, what if we took our Eternity as seriously as we have taken this Election! What if we were as passionate about where our soul will spend Eternity as we are about who goes into the White House.

There is a day coming that is way bigger than TODAY! There is a day coming when who was elected will not matter. "The BIG Day" I'm referring to is the day that Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords returns for His Church. So, my question to you TODAY is simply, are you READY?

If Jesus returned TODAY would you be ready? If all of a sudden the media broke from their Election coverage to report a strange occurrence of people everywhere disappearing, would you be one of those who disappeared or would you be catching the news as it happened? Have you been "Born Again?" (John 3:1-5) Have you "repented of your sins, been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost?" (Acts 2:38) Have you "received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" (Acts 19:2) Are you living "righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:12-14)

The Bible warns us to be READY "for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:44) (Matthew 25:13) says, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

"The BIG Day" I'm talking about is going to come, and I just wonder what it would be like if we were as concerned about THAT DAY as we are about THIS DAY! Contrary to how some people are acting these days, there is an event on the horizon that will be BIGGER than any Election, and that event is the day our Eternity begins!

Think about it. What's really more important? Whether you're a Republican or Democrat OR where you'll spend your Eternity: Heaven or Hell?

Just a thought.

teach | baptize | teach

2008-09-30T20:02:00.000-04:00

The familiar passage of scripture known among believers as The Great Commission says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20/ KJV).

This scripture text not only reveals our commission to evangelize the lost through teaching them the plan of Salvation (being Born Again: John 3:1-7, Luke 24:44-48, Acts 2:38); it also reveals the responsibility of the church to disciple the converts after conversion!

The process is clear and simple:

teach | baptize | teach

I had the opportunity two weeks ago to teach Celeste a Bible Study which explained in detail what the Bible says about being saved. It was the first "teach" found in Matthew 28:19. We talked about repentance, being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4). The teaching was basic but Biblical, and let me just go ahead and remind those who might be wondering that the Word still works!

Then last Wednesday night, September 24th, I had the opportunity to "baptize" Celeste in the only "name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" - JESUS! (Acts 4:12)

The responsibility of the church did not end at merely teaching and baptizing (conversion), the Great Commission also included a second set of "teaching" instructions which would happen after conversion. This "teaching" is what we call Discipleship. Celeste is currently being discipled by the Moreno family in our church.

It's been said that the Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time, and I would like to add that the Great Commission will only work if we follow the whole process...

teach | baptize | teach

Are YOU Available?

2008-08-26T15:38:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I was out of town preaching a Youth Conference in Pueblo, Co and had something happen to me on the plane that I won't to share with you.

My friend who booked my tickets for me had put me sitting in the middle of both flights, which proved to be very interesting coming and going. Since technology has introduced us to "XM Radio," I've appreciated being able to listen to music and sometimes talk radio (you know you're getting old when you start listening to talk radio) when I'm flying to take my mind off of the reality that I'm 40,000 feet IN THE AIR!

Anyway, so I'm excited about flying home. I've gotten to my assigned seat, sat down with my book and my headphones and just about to put my headphones on and get into my own little world when the Holy Ghost speaks to me and says, "don't put your headphones on." Well, of course I'm like, "God are you sure? My flight is like 3 hours long, and listening to the radio helps me not think about DYING!" Again, the Spirit prompts me to leave my headphones off. So, I roll my headphones back up and sit them in the pocket in front of me with my book.

Just a few minutes later, the lady to my left strikes up a conversation with me. To make a long conversation short, she asks me what I do. I reply with the whole I'm a Pastor, blah, blah, blah. But come to find out, she lives in Ohio. So, I mention that I have a friend who pastors a great church in East Liverpool, and she about falls out of her seat. She LIVES 10 MINUTES away from my friends' church. Come to find out, she passes his church a lot and knew exactly where it was.

I've told you all of that to say this, how many conversation have we missed with hungry people who NEED GOD all because we were in our own little world? In a day where people either have iPod ear buds, wireless Bluetooth receivers, or a cell phone attached to their ear, how many Eternal Opportunities have we missed? How many conversations could we have had with people in our city, in Starbucks, in Wal-Mart, at the grocery store but instead we were busy listening to iPods or talking on the phone.

The bottom line is this, ask any marketing firm what the greatest advertisement is and they'll tell you "WORD OF MOUTH!" That means that the greatest advertisement GOD has is our MOUTH! The greatest advertisement for the Apostolic church is our MOUTH! The most effective way to reach the LOST in your city is to simply start TALKING!

I was glad that I listened and obeyed that day on the plane, but it also convicted me at the same time. As the plane landed we said our goodbyes and I'll never forget her thanking me for talking to her. She said it always bothers her when she sits beside someone on a plane and they never talk. She ended up "thanking" me for something I should have done anyway.

Let's give our iPods a break. Make that phone call later. Instead, ask the Barista what their name is. Buy the person behind you a cup of coffee and hand them a "church card" inviting them to church (I just recently did that too)! Ask questions. Listen. TALK! You might just win a soul!

Are YOU available?

A World In Trouble NEEDS A CHURCH IN REVIVAL

2008-08-26T14:57:00.000-04:00

I think we could all agree today that the world is in trouble! And because the world is in trouble, it doesn’t NEED just another “church” to entertain, or become a safe place to socially interact. Lord knows we have PLENTY of them around! With that in mind, I’ll tell you what the world NEEDS …“A World in Trouble NEEDS a CHURCH in REVIVAL!”

When Jesus ministered on earth, he did NOT operate under the idea that REVIVAL was an option. Jesus was driven with a sense of URGENCY that was demonstrated over and over again in scripture. He not only understood that the world was in trouble and that He was their ONLY HOPE; He understood that His time on earth was limited. Therefore, there was NO time to waste. IF the world’s needs were going to be met, it was going to be because He met them.

The Church needs a fresh understanding of the reality that this world is in trouble and its ONLY HOPE is for a REVIVAL CHURCH to represent Jesus Christ before it’s too late! Jesus IS COMING BACK and our time on earth IS limited! Therefore, we MUST get aggressive in our efforts to WIN THE LOST and give a world in trouble a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The Mission of Jesus Christ did NOT end at Calvary or even at His ascension! Jesus promised to continue His mission through the CHURCH! Jesus transferred His mission; His passion; His divine obligation and His sense of URGENCY to the CHURCH!

What was promised and prophesied in (Luke 24) and (Acts 1) came to pass in (Acts 2) when the CHURCH was BORN!

(Acts 2:1-4/ KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

These newly filled believers were accused of being drunk, but Peter preached a message declaring among other things that they were not drunk with wine, like they had been of accused of, but it was the promised power of the Holy Ghost that had been poured out. As he preached the first Apostolic message, the Bible says that everyone who heard him preach “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

A world in trouble now had a CHURCH in REVIVAL! A CHURCH with a mission—a CHURCH with passion—a CHURCH with a message—a REVIVAL CHURCH!

The CHURCH would now represent REVIVAL to a world in need, and represent they did. They made such an IMPACT everywhere they went that they were referred to in (Acts 17:6/ KJV) as “These that have turned the world upside down!”

The CHURCH that was born on the Day of Pentecost was a church that understood there was a world in need and their ONLY HOPE was a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The world is in trouble. The Cities that we live in are in trouble. Therefore, the churches that we attend faithfully MUST be CHURCHES IN REVIVAL IF we’re going to win the lost and see NEEDS met in the Last Days!

We’ve got to FILL our Sanctuaries with PRAYER—with FAITH—with PRAISE—with WORSHIP—with TITHES—with OFFERINGS—with PREACHING—with EXPECTATION!

“A World In Trouble Needs A CHURCH In REVIVAL!”

The Power of UNITY

2008-07-15T14:48:00.000-04:00

(Genesis 11:5-6/ KJV) says, “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”

Looking at (Genesis 11:5-6) we can see exactly how much really hinges, Spiritually speaking, on a word we usually take for granted—“UNITY!”

(Genesis 11:5-6/ KJV) says, “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is ONE, and they have all ONE language; and this they begin to do: and NOW NOTHING will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”

The New Ungers Dictionary says “UNITY” is used to signify oneness of sentiment, affection, or behavior, such as should exist among the people of God.

The Nelson Bible Dictionary says “UNITY” is Oneness, harmony, or agreement.

Websters Dictionary defines “UNITY” as the state of being ONE; singleness. The state, quality, or condition of accord or agreement; The combination or arrangement of parts into a whole, unification. Singleness or constancy of purpose or action, continuity. (In most contexts it implies fundamental agreement or interdependent and usually varied components, which in turn produces harmony, as a thought or purpose. In its most common application, solidarity is an intensification of unity, for it refers to the identity of likeness of interests, objectives, and responsibilities that enables a group of persons to think and act as ONE!

The definition of “ONE” is being a single entity, unit, object, or being; characterized by UNITY; UNDIVIDED: with one accord. Of equal importance; all the same!

Now looking back at our text we can say: “And the Lord said, Behold, the people is ONE—a single entity, unit, object or being; characterized by UNITY; UNDIVIDED; with one accord. Of equal importance; all the same!—and now NOTHING will limit or restrict from them, which they have imagined to do.”

From the original church in the Book of Acts to present day Apostolic Revival Churches, one word stands out to describe how these churches have had such GREAT REVIVAL—UNITY!

The Revival Church in the Book of Acts and every Revival Church afterwards were churches that acted as ONE! They were ONE in purpose and action and their UNITY enabled them to think and act as ONE!

The principle of UNITY being a catalyst of Revival is found throughout the Word of God including scriptures like:

(Psalms 133:1-2/ KJV) says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;”

Unity is compared here to the Anointing so that there is an Anointing that flows in and through a church that operates in UNITY! And as long as there is UNITY in the House of God, there is NO way that REVIVAL can be RESTRAINED!

Paul wrote about UNITY in (1 Corinthians 1:10/KJV) where it says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

(Romans 15:5-6/ KJV) says, “be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.”

(Philippians 1:27/KJV) says, “stand fast in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

(Philippians 2:2/ KJV) says, “be likeminded, having the same love, being of ONE accord, of ONE mind.”

We are MANY members but ONE BODY! We are MANY members but we’re in ONE ACCORD! We may use different methods but we ALL have the SAME PURPOSE! We think as ONE—we speak as ONE—we move TOGETHER in UNITY!

My last example will take us back to the Book of Acts after Jesus had spoken to His followers. He promised them an outpouring of His Spirit which would empower them to be witnesses but they would have to tarry in Jerusalem until it came. Out of the 500 people who heard the promise, we find in (Acts 1) where only 120 actually gathered in the “upper room.”

The difference between the 120 who made the journey of Promise and the 380 who declined was the 120 caught hold of the “VISION” and “PURPOSE” of the Promise!

(Acts 1:14/KJV) describes the posture of those who were willing to catch the “VISION and PURPOSE” of the Promise when it says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.”

When they came together in UNITY for ONE PURPOSE; when the Lord looked down in that room like he did in (Genesis 11:5-6) and saw that the “people is ONE, and they have all ONE language;” NOTHING could be restrained from them! And (Acts 2:1-4/KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with ONE accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Their minds, their affections, and their desires were all concentrated on ONE PURPOSE. They had ONE DESIRE and ONE PRAYER that every mouth uttered in desperation. There was NOT one person present who was uninterested—unconcerned—or lukewarm! But they were all in UNITY and the power of God came down to meet their UNITED FAITH!

When we come together with ONE ACCORD in ONE PLACE with ONE VISION and ONE PURPOSE—NOTHING can be RESTRAINED from us and what we’ve imagined to do!

2008-06-02T22:22:00.000-04:00

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 6

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

This is the last lesson on this particular Doctrine Series. I hope you've enjoyed reading the lessons, but more importantly I hope it has reinforced what you already knew or opened your eyes to the revelation of the Might God IN Christ!

We'll close out this series by breaking down three familiar roles of God:

“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”

In this final lesson of our series on Apostolic Doctrine, we are going to explore the relationships and distinctions among the three terms of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We’ll look at whether these terms identify three different persons or personalities in the Godhead, or whether they indicate three different roles, modes, functions, or offices through which the one God operates and reveals Himself.

“Father”

The term “God the Father” is biblical and refers to God Himself. (Galatians 1:1-4/ KJV) says, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

God is our Father; He is NOT merely Father of the Son, but the Father of all creation. He is also our Father by reason of the new birth according to (Romans 8:14-16/ KJV) where it says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

The title Father indicates a relationship between God and man, particularly between God and His Son and between God and regenerated man.

The Bible plainly states that there is only one Father in (Ephesians 4:4-6/ KJV) where it says, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” It also clearly teaches that Jesus is the one Father in scriptures like:

(Isaiah 9:6/ KJV) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

(John 10:30/KJV) – “I and my Father are one.”

The Spirit that dwelt in the Son of God was none other than the Father! It is also important to note that the NAME of the Father is Jesus, for this NAME fully reveals and expresses the Father. We see this revealed in (John 5:43/KJV) where it says, “I (Jesus speaking) am come in my Father's name.” So according to scripture, the Son inherited the Father’s name, therefore, we understand why Jesus said that He manifested and declared the Father’s name in (John 17).

Let’s take a look at (John 17: 3, 6, 8, 10-12, 14, 20-23, 25-26/ KJV). Jesus is praying to the Father and he says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

6 I (Jesus) have manifested thy name (the Father’s name) unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I (Jesus) have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

In what name did the Son come? What name did He obtain from His Father by inheritance? What name did the Son manifest? The answer is obvious. The only name HE used was the name of JESUS, His Father’s name.

“Son”

Basically, the term “Son of God” refers to God as manifested in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. The name of the Son is JESUS: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21/ KJV). Since Father refers to deity alone, while “Son of God” refers to deity as incarnated in humanity, we do NOT believe that the Father is the Son. But we do believe that the Father is IN the Son. (John 14:8-10/ KJV) says,
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

Jesus claimed that the Father was IN Him, therefore, to see just Him was to see the Father. Since Jesus is the name of the Son of God, both as to His deity as Father and as to His humanity as Son, it is the NAME of both the Father and the Son!

“Holy Ghost”

The terms “Holy Ghost” and “Holy Spirit” are interchangeable, meaning identically the same thing. The “Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit” is simply God. God is Holy (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16) and God is also a Spirit (John 4:24), and there is only one Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, the “Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit” is another term for the one God.

We can compare of couple of Scriptures that will reveal that the Holy Ghost and God are the same:

(Acts 5:3-4/ KJV) says, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

(1 Corinthians 3:16/ KJV) says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

So, if the Holy Ghost is simply God, why is there a need for this term? The reason is that it emphasizes a particular aspect of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy, omnipresent, and invisible Spirit works among all men everywhere and can fill the hearts of men. When we speak of the Holy Ghost, we are reminding ourselves of God’s invisible work among men and of His ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell human lives. The term speaks of God in activity!

It refers to God moving among mankind to regenerate man’s fallen nature and enable him to do the supernatural will of God in the world. The Holy Ghost is revealed and received through the name JESUS! He is NOT a separate person with a separate identity who comes in another name. Jesus said in (John 14:26/KJV), “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…” So the Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus!

“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”

It is clear that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost cannot imply three separate persons, personalities, wills, or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-being—the one God. They describe God’s relationships to man, not persons in a Godhead! We use Father to emphasize God’s roles as Creator, Father of spirits, Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ, and Father of born again believers. We use Son to mean both the humanity of Jesus Christ and God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of man’s salvation. We use Holy Ghost to emphasize God’s active power in the world and among men, particularly His work in regeneration.

But we should note that these titles are NOT the only ones God has! Many other titles or names for God are very significant and appear throughout the Bible (refer back to Lesson 3). The oneness view does NOT deny Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, but it does refute the view that these terms designate persons in the Godhead. God has many titles, but He is one being. He is indivisible as to His existence, but His revelation of Himself to mankind has been expressed through many channels, including His revelation as the Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Ghost!

(Ephesians 3:14-17/ KJV) says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom (Jesus Christ) the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

In other words, this scripture identifies the Spirit in a Believer’s heart as the Father’s Spirit and also as Christ. The Father, Christ, and the Spirit all refer to the one INDIVISIBLE God!

“Matthew 28:19”

(Matthew 28:19/ KJV) says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

In this verse, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” However, this verse of Scripture does NOT teach that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate persons. Rather, it teaches the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost identify ONE NAME and therefore one being. The verse plainly says “in the name,” NOT “in the names.”

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost all describe the one God, so the phrase in (Matthew 28:19) simply describes the one NAME of the one God. The Old Testament promised that there would come a time when Jehovah would have one name and that this one name would be made known (Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 52:6). We know that the one name of (Matthew 28:19) is Jesus, for Jesus is the name of the Father (John 5:43), the Son (Matthew 1:21), and the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). The New Testament church understood this to be so, for they baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 1 Corinthians 1:13). Matthew himself endorsed this interpretation by standing with Peter and the other apostles during the sermon in which Peter commanded the people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-38).

So, the same Matthew who wrote (Matthew 28:19) was in the upper room according to (Acts 1:13), received the Holy Ghost in (Acts 2:1-4) and was standing with Peter in (Acts 2:14-38) when Peter preached the first Apostolic message including the Plan of Salvation which required: Repentance, water Baptism in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost!

(Acts 22:16/ KJV) says, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

If that’s NOT enough, read (James 2:7/ KJV) where it says, “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” Now read it in the Amplified Bible: “Is it not they who slander and blaspheme that precious name by which you are distinguished and called [the name of Christ invoked in baptism]?” This verse of Scripture indicates the name Jesus was orally invoked at Baptism!

The Lord did NOT leave us without a baptismal formula; the church correctly carried out the instructions Jesus gave in (Matthew 28:19) when the apostles used the name of Jesus in water Baptism.

This interpretation of the one name in (Matthew 28:19) as Jesus finds further support in (verse 18) where it says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” In other words, Jesus said, “I have all power, so baptize in my name!” It NEVER infers that Jesus has all power, so baptize in the names of three different persons. In the other accounts of the Great Commission found in (Mark 16:17 and Luke 24:47) they all refer to the name of Jesus!

(Matthew 28:19) does NOT teach three persons in one God, but rather it gives three titles of God, all of which properly apply to Jesus Christ. These titles sum up different roles of God or modes of His revelation; by its singular reference to “name,” it focuses upon the one name of God revealed in the New Testament. That name is JESUS!

“1 John 5:7”

(1 John 5:7/ KJV) says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

This scripture reveals that God has recorded Himself in three modes of activity or has revealed Himself in three ways. He has at least three heavenly roles: Father, Word (not Son), and Holy Ghost. Furthermore, these three roles describe one God!

“IS God Limited to Three Manifestations”

While Father, Son, and Holy Ghost represent three important roles, titles, manifestations of God, God is NOT limited to these three, nor does the number three have a special significance with respect to God.

A popular explanation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is that there is one God who has revealed Himself as Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Ghost in regeneration! The recognition of these three manifestations does NOT imply that God is limited to three manifestations or that a threeness (Trinity) exists in the nature of God.

We cannot confine God to three or any other number of specific roles and titles. Neither can we divide Him because He is one! Even His titles and roles overlap. He may manifest Himself in many ways, but He is one and only one being.

When we use the name of Jesus, we encompass everything that God IS! Jesus is Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus summarized all the compound names of Jehovah. Jesus is EVERYTHING that God is. Whatever roles and manifestations God has, they are all in Jesus (Colossians 2:9)!

God is NOT limited to these three manifestations; however, in the glorious revelation of the one God, the New Testament does not deviate from the strict monotheism of the Old Testament. Rather, the Bible presents Jesus as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

2008-06-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 5

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

“The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ”

(Matthew 1:18-25/ KJV) says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS .”

(Galatians 4:4-5/ KJV) says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Lesson 4 affirmed that Jesus IS God! In this lesson we’ll discuss the other side of Christ’s dual nature—His humanity. The scriptures we just read describe what we call the Incarnation, which is the act of God in coming among men as a man, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus was born with His human nature He was the invisible God. At His incarnation God took upon Himself the likeness of men. He assumed human nature at His incarnation but did not cease to be God.

This explains the Jesus of the Bible fully and comprehensively. All we have to do when we read our Bibles is to keep in mind this simple thought: Is Jesus acting as a man now or is He acting as God? Is Jesus speaking as a man here or is He speaking as God?—because He was both God and man. In Him deity and humanity were fused but NOT confused! He could speak from two separate standpoints. He could talk as Almighty God or he could talk as human. He could act as Almighty God or He could act as a human. We refer to this as “The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ.”

From the Bible we see that Jesus Christ had two distinct natures in a way that no other human being has ever had. One nature is human or fleshly; the other is divine or Spirit. Jesus was both fully man and fully God. The key to an understanding of the Godhead teaching is “The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Christ is both God and man! He is the one God incarnate. Jesus Christ is the image of Invisible God, God manifested in flesh, our God and Savior, and the express image of God’s own person.

“Son of God”

What is the significance of the title “Son of God?” It emphasized the divine nature of Jesus and the fact of His virgin birth. He is the Son of God because He was conceived by the Spirit of God, making God literally His father.

(Luke 1:35/ KJV) says, “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

In other words, the title “Son of God” recognizes the humanity while calling attention to the deity of Jesus. It means God has manifested Himself in flesh!

Jesus is the Son of God in the sense that no other being is or can be, for Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). He is the only One ever conceived or begotten by the Spirit of God. Therefore, His unique Sonship attests to His deity. He was called a “son” because He was God’s offspring. He was NOT an eternal son, or a created son, but a “begotten” son.

Jesus was not just a man who was anointed by God, but possessed a dual nature, enabling Him to live, function, and speak as a man, but also to act and speak as God. Since he was God manifested in the flesh, He could truthfully say things like, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30) or that “the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me” (John 14:10-11).

Jesus Himself said He was the Son of God (Matthew 27:43; John 3:18; John 10:36), the devils recognized Him as the Son of God (Matthew 8:29, Mark 3:11), His disciples referred to Him as the Son of God (Matthew 14:33), the Romans called Him the Son of God (Matthew 27:54), and the apostles preached Him as the Son of God (Acts 9:20; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19).

“Son of Man”

The term “Son of man” draws attention primarily to the humanity of Jesus; it alludes that He is the offspring of mankind. Jesus applied the term “Son of man” to Himself many times. In most instances, He used it as a synonym for “I” or as a title emphasizing His humanity. The title “Son” serves to remind us that Jesus really was a man.

Belief in Christ’s humanity is essential to salvation. (1 John 4:2-3, 9-15/ KJV) says, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world…

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

If God did not truly come in the flesh, then there is no blood for remission of sin, no sacrifice of atonement. The very purpose of the Incarnation was to provide a holy man to mediate between holy God and sinful mankind.

Closing

It is necessary to distinguish clearly between the deity and the humanity of Jesus Christ. While Jesus was both God and man at the same time, sometimes He acted from the human viewpoint and sometimes from the divine viewpoint. As Father, He sometimes spoke from His divine nature; as Son He sometimes spoke from His human nature. Only as a man could Jesus be born, grow, be tempted by the devil, hunger, thirst, become weary, sleep, pray, be beaten, die, not know all things, not have all power, be inferior to God, and be a servant. Only as God could He exist from eternity, be unchanging, cast out devils by His own authority, be the bread of life, give living water, give spiritual rest, calm the storm, answer prayer, heal the sick, raise His body from death, forgive sin, know all things, have all power, be identified as God, and be King of kings.

“The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ” is the only thing that explains how he could sleep in the midst of the storm as a result of His humanity, yet calm the storm with three simple word as a result of His deity! His “dual nature” is the only explanation for how he could weep, being a man at the reality that his friend Lazarus had died, while as God, He could stand outside the tomb where Lazarus was buried and raise him back to life!

Although we must distinguish between the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, it is IMPOSSIBLE to separate the two in Jesus Christ. The Father united with humanity to form one being—Jesus Christ, the Godhead incarnate. While on earth Jesus was fully God, not merely an anointed man. At the same time, He was fully man, not just an appearance of man. He possessed the unlimited power, authority, and character of God.

We can identify four major themes in the biblical description of the Incarnation:
1. the absolute and complete deity of Jesus Christ
2. the perfect, sinless humanity of Jesus Christ
3. the clear distinction between the humanity and the deity of Jesus Christ
4. the inseparable union of deity and humanity in Jesus Christ

2008-05-19T21:14:00.000-04:00

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 4

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

“Jesus is God”

The fact that Jesus is God is as firmly established in Scripture as the fact that God is one. The Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This lesson will deal with the concept that has confused many when trying to define the manifestations of God—“the dual nature of Jesus Christ.” The dual nature of Jesus includes both, Deity and humanity.

When I use the term, Deity, I’m referring to the Godhead being revealed in Jesus Christ. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, meaning we view Him as God. Another word that will be used in revealing the deity of Jesus Christ is the word, incarnate, or incarnation. Incarnation defined by the Theological Dictionary means, the act of God in coming among men as a man, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Dictinary.com defines incarnate as embodied in flesh; given a bodily form.

“The Old Testament Testifies That Jesus Is God”

1. (Isaiah 9:6/ KJV) says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

The terms child and son refer to the Incarnation or manifestation of “The mighty God” and “The everlasting Father.”

2. (Isaiah 7:14/ KJV) says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us.

3. (Isaiah 35:4-6/ KJV) says, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

All of these things were fulfilled through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

4. (Isaiah 40:3. 5/ KJV) says, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy when he prepared the way for Jesus; so Jesus is Lord and God! Therefore, the Old Testament clearly states that the Messiah and Savior to come would be God Himself.

“The New Testament Proclaims That Jesus Is God”

1. Thomas confessed Jesus as both Lord and God in (John 20:28).
2. According to (Acts 20:28), the church was purchased with God’s own blood, which we know is the blood of Jesus.
3. Paul described Jesus in (Titus 2:13) as “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
4. Peter described Him in (2 Peter 1:1) as “God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:”
5. The Book of Colossians strongly emphasized the deity of Christ:

(Colossians 1:9-28/ KJV) says, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

(Colossians 2:6-10/ KJV) says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

According to these verses of Scripture, Jesus is NOT just a part of God, but ALL of God is resident IN Him! If there were several persons in the Godhead, according to Colossians 2:9 they would all be resident in the bodily form of Jesus. But (Colossians 2:10) says we are complete in Him, NOT them!

We can conclude that the New Testament testifies to the full deity of Jesus Christ also.

“God Was Manifest in the Flesh as Jesus”

The statement that Jesus is God implies that God took on human flesh. This is in fact what the Bible Says.

(1 Timothy 3:16/ KJV) says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

God was manifest (made visible) in the flesh; God was justified (shown to be right) in the Spirit; God was seen of angels; God was believed on in the world; and God was received up into glory. How and when did all of this happen? In Jesus Christ!

(John 1:1, 14/ KJV) says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Literally, the Word (God) was tabernacled or manifested in the flesh. When did God tabernacle or robe Himself in flesh? In Jesus Christ. Both verses of Scripture prove that Jesus is God—that He is manifest (revealed, made known, made evident, displayed, shown) in flesh.

God is a Spirit—without flesh and blood and invisible to man. In order to make Himself visible to man and in order to shed innocent blood for our sins, He had to put on flesh. Jesus is NOT another God or a part of God, but He is the God of the Old Testament robed in flesh. He is the Father; He is Jehovah who came in flesh to bridge the gap between man and God that man’s sin had created. He put on flesh as a man puts on a coat!

The Word in (John 1) was NOT a separate person or a separate god any more than a man’s word is a separate person from him. Rather the Word was the thought, plan, or mind of God. The Incarnation existed in the mind of God before the world began. In the mind of God the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8)

In Greek usage, the word logos can mean the expression or plan as it exists in the mind of the proclaimer—as a play in the mind of a playwright—or it can mean the thought as uttered or otherwise physically expressed! So, (John 1:1) says the Logos existed in the mind of God from the beginning of time. When the fullness of time was come, God put that plan in action. He put flesh on that plan in the form of the man Jesus Christ. The Logos is God expressed!

According to (Colossians 1:15 and 2 Corinthians 4:4) Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” So, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was none other than the Word, or God, revealed in flesh!

“The Mystery of Godliness”

Jesus is like no other man that ever has been or will be. He has two natures; He us fully God and fully man. It’s often referred to as “the dual nature of Jesus Christ.” Most problems in people’s mind concerning the Godhead comes from not understanding the dual nature of Christ and not correctly separating these two roles.

The only mystery about the Godhead is how God could come in flesh, how Jesus could be both God and man. But truth of this mystery has been revealed to those who will believe. (Romans 16:25-26/ KJV) says, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

(Colossians 1:26-27/ KJV) says, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

The mystery of Jesus Christ has been kept secret since the world began, but was revealed in the New Testament age. The mystery of God has been revealed to us by God’s Spirit. This revelation comes to us through God’s WORD, which is illuminated by the Holy Ghost!

2008-05-15T20:35:00.000-04:00

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 3

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

“The Names and Titles of God”

(Acts 4:12/ KJV) says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Even though man cannot fully comprehend God, God has employed several methods to reveal Himself to mankind. One of these methods is the use of different names or titles to identify Himself.

“The Significance of a Name”

The use of names in Bible times, especially in Old Testament times, carried much more significance than it does in our day. People often used names to reveal something about the characteristics, history, or nature of individuals, and God did too. For example, God changed the name of Abram (meaning high father) to Abraham (father of a multitude), and the name of Jacob (heel catcher, supplanter) to Israel (he will rule as God). Even in the New Testament, Jesus changed the name of Simon (hearing) to Peter (a rock).

God used names as a means of progressive revelation!

For example, in (Exodus 6:3/ KJV) God said, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” However (Verses 4-8) says, “And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.”

We know that Abraham used the name Jehovah in (Genesis 22:14); however, God did NOT make known to him the full significance of this name in its redemptive aspect. So, in (Exodus 6:3) God promised to reveal Himself to His people in a new way. When you read (verses 4-8) you see that he revealed Himself as their Deliverer and Redeemer (Salvation) He began to associate His name with a new understanding of His character and presence.

In addition to using names to manifest His character, God used His name to manifest His presence. At the dedication of the Temple in (1 Kings 8), Solomon acknowledged that God was omnipresent and that no temple could contain Him (verse 27). Since God fills the universe (omnipresent), Solomon asked how the Temple, a man-made structure, could contain God. Then he answered his own question by reminding God of His promise: “My name shall be there” (verse 29). Although God’s omnipresence could not be confined to the Temple, the fullness of His character as represented by His NAME could dwell there.

Solomon went on to pray in (verse 43) “that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.”

God also used the concept of his name to represent the revelation of His nature and power. He told Pharoah in (Exodus 9:16), “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” The name of God represents His authority as well as His power.

So God’s NAME represents the following:
1. God’s presence
2. the revelation of His character
3. His power
4. His authority

Names and Titles of God in the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament God was known by many names or titles, each expressing a different aspect of God.

Some of the names used include:

1. Elohim (e-lo-heem) – a name often used for God in the Old Testament, expressing His greatness, glory, and divine majesty
2. Jehovah (je-ho’-vah) – used 6,823 times in the Old Testament, embracing the concept of a Deity which is self-existent (eternal) and self-sustaining; it is the redemptive name of God in the Old Testament and the unique name by which the one true God distinguished Himself from all other gods
3. El-Shaddai (el shad-di’) – emphasizing God’s almightiness
4. Adonai (a-do-ni’) – signifying God’s ownership of all of his creation

Compound Names of Jehovah:

1. Jehovah-jireh – (Genesis 22:14) – The Lord will see; will provide
2. Jehovah-rapha – (Exodus 15:26) – The Lord that heals
3. Jehovah-nissi – (Exodus 17:15) – The Lord our banner; victory
4. Jehovah-m’kaddesh – (Exodus 31:13) – The Lord that sanctifies
5. Jehovah-shalom – (Judges 6:24) – The Lord our peace
6. Jehovah-saboath – (1 Samuel 1:3) – The Lord of hosts; almighty
7. Jehovah-elyon – (Psalm 7:17) – The Lord most high
8. Jehovah-raah – (Psalm 23:1) – The Lord my shepherd
9. Jehovah-hoseenu – (Psalm 95:6) – The Lord our maker
10. Jehovah-tsidkenu – (Jeremiah 23:6) – The Lord our righteousness
11. Jehovah-shammah – (Ezekiel 48:35) – The Lord is present

The Progressive Revelation of the Name

We find that in the Old Testament God progressively revealed more about Himself as various needs arose in the lives of man, and He used names to express this self-revelation. When Abraham needed a lamb to sacrifice, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-jireh, the Lord that provides. When Israel needed deliverance, God revealed that His name Jehovah had a previously unknown significance with respect to deliverance and salvation (Exodus 6:3-8). When Israel needed protection from disease and sickness, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-rapha, the Lord that heals. When Israel needed victory over enemies, God revealed Himself as Jehovah-nissi, the Lord our banner (victory). So the names and titles described all reveal important aspects about the nature of God. However, none of them is a complete revelation of God’s nature.

The Name Jesus

But when the fullness of time had come, God revealed Himself in all His power and glory through the name Jesus! Jesus means Jehovah-Savior, Jehovah our Salvation, or Jehovah is Salvation.

(Matthew 1:21/ KJV) says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is the culmination of all the Old Testament names of God. It is the highest, most exalted name ever revealed to mankind. The name of Jesus is the name of God He promised to reveal in (Isaiah 52:6) when He said, “Therefore my people shall know my name.” It is the one name of (Zechariah 14:9) that includes all the other names of God within its meaning.

The New Testament church is identified by the name of Jesus! The early church was persecuted for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:28; 9:21; 15:26), and they considered it a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41). Peter stated that the lame man at the gate Beautiful was healed “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 4:10). He then explained two verses later the supremacy and necessity of this name in receiving salvation when he said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The Apostle Paul wrote in (Philippians 2:9-11/ KJV), “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”

Because of the exalted position of this name, we are exhorted to rely upon the name of Jesus in all we do or say. (Colossians 3:17/ KJV) says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” We teach and preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17-18; 5:28). We cast our devils, speak in tongues, receive supernatural power and protection, and pray for the sick—all in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14). Signs and wonders are done by the name of Jesus (Acts 4:30). We pray and make requests know to God in the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14; 16:23). We gather together in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:20). We baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38).

The name of Jesus represents God’s presence, power, and work. When we speak the name of Jesus in faith, Jesus Himself is actually present and begins to work! When we call His name in faith, Jesus manifests His presence, performs the work, and meets the need!

Through the name JESUS, therefore, God reveals Himself fully. Just as God in the Old Testament progressively revealed more about His nature and His name by responding to the needs of His people, so Jesus in the New Testament fully revealed the nature and name of God through miracles, healings, casting out devils, and forgiveness of sins.

Why is the name of Jesus the full revelation of God? Simply because Jesus is Jehovah and in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).

Names and Titles applied by scripture to Jesus Christ include:
The Christ
The Messiah
Saviour
Redeemer
Wonderful Counselor
Fatihful Witness
The Word of God
The Truth
The Light of the World
The Way
The Good Shepherd
Mediator
Deliverer
The Great High Priest
The Author and Perfector of our Faith
The Captain of our Salvation
Our Advocate
The Son of God
The Son of Man
God
The Holy One of God
Only Begotten Son
Mighty God
The Image of God
Everlasting Father
Lord
Lord of All
Lord of Glory
Lord of Lords
King of Israel
King of Kings
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth
Prince of Life
Prince of Peace
The Branch
Root and Offspring of David
The Bright and Morning Star
Immanuel
The Second Adam
The Lamb of God
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Alpha and Omega
The first and the Last
The Beginning and the End
The Amen

But after all of the names and titles of both the Old and New Testaments, ONE NAME says it all—JESUS!

2008-05-08T15:42:00.000-04:00

The Foundation Series – DOCTRINE - Lesson 2

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

Let's look at what the Bible says about “The Nature of God”: (Deuteronomy 6:4/ KJV) says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”

NOT ONLY is God ONE, but (John 4:24/ KJV) says, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” So our understanding of the nature of God begins with “God is a Spirit.”

Jesus proclaimed this truth in (John 4:24). The Bible reveals it consistently beginning in (Genesis 1:2/ KJV) where it says, “….And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters ”

Webster’s Dictionary defines “spirit” as a supernatural, incorporeal, rational being usually invisible to human beings but having the power to become visible at will. The Hebrew word translated as spirit is ruwach, and it can mean wind, breath, life, anger, unsubstantiality, region of the sky, or spirit of a rational being. The Greek word translated as spirit, pnuema, can mean a current of air, breath, blast, breeze, spirit, soul, vital principle, disposition, angel, demon, or God. All three definitions emphasize that a spirit does NOT have flesh and bones. Jesus even said in (Luke 24:39/ KJV), “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

So, when the Bible says that God is a Spirit, it means that He cannot be seen or touched physically by human beings. As a Spirit, he does NOT have a physical body!

“God is Invisible”: Since God is a Spirit, He is invisible unless He chooses to manifest Himself in some form visible to man. God told Moses in (Exodus 33:20/ KJV) that “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”

(John 1:18/ KJV) says, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

(1 John 4:12/ KJV) says, “No man hath seen God at any time.”

Several times the Bible describes God as invisible: (Colossians 1:15/ KJV) says, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

(1 Timothy 1:17/ KJV) says, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.”

(Hebrews 11:27/ KJV) says, “By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

Although man can see God when He appears in various forms, no man can directly see the invisible Spirit of God!

“God is Omnipresent (Everywhere Present)”: Because God is a Spirit He can be everywhere at the same time. Some examples of God’s Omnipresence are:

Solomon recognized God’s omnipresence when he prayed at the dedication Temple in (1 Kings 8:27/KJV) saying, “behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.”

(Isaiah 66:1/ KJV) says, “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.”

Paul preached in (Acts 17:27-28/ KJV) “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”

Perhaps the most vivid description of God’s omnipresence is found in (Psalms 139:7-13/ KJV) where it says, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.”

“Does God have a Body?” Since God is an invisible Spirit and is omnipresent, He does NOT have a body as we know it. He did assume various forms and temporary manifestations throughout the Old Testament so that man could see Him. However, the Bible does NOT record any permanent bodily manifestations of God until the birth of Jesus Christ. After the birth of Christ, God had a human body.

Outside of temporary manifestations of God and outside of the New Testament revelation of God in Christ, there were two ways God showed Himself to man: anthropomorphisms and theophanies.

Scriptural references to the eyes, hands, arms, feet, heart, and other bodily parts of God are examples of figurative language or anthropomorphisms (interpretations of the nonhuman in terms of human so that man can understand). In other words, the Bible describes infinite God in finite, human terms in order that we may better comprehend Him.

For example, the heart of God denotes His intellect and His emotions, not a blood-pumping organ (Genesis 6:6; 8:21). When God said heaven was His throne and earth was His footstool, He described His omnipresence, not a literal pair of feet propped up on the globe (Isaiah 66:1) When God said His right hand spanned the heavens, He described His great power and not a large hand stretching through the atmosphere (Isaiah 48:13). In (Proverbs 15:3) where it says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place,” it does not mean that God has physical eyes in every location but indicates His omnipresence and omniscience. When Jesus cast devils out by the finger of God in (Luke 11:20), He did not pull down a giant finger from heaven, but He exercised the power of God. The blast of God’s nostrils in (Exodus 15:8) was not a literal giant set of nostrils blowing, but the strong east wind sent by God to part the Red Sea.

Another way that God revealed Himself in the Old Testament and dealt with man on man’s level was through the use of theophanies. A theophany is a visible manifestation of God, and is temporary in nature. To make Himself visible, He manifested Himself in a physical form. Even though no one can see the Spirit of God, he can see a representation of God.

For example, God appeared to Abraham in a vision, as a smoking furnace and burning lamp, and as a man. God appeared to Jacob in a dream and as a man, actually wrestling with the man and proclaiming he had “seen God face to face.” (Genesis) God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, a cloud of glory and in fire on Mount Sinai, spoke to him face to face in the Tabernacle, and revealed His back to him. (Exodus) God manifested Himself in the sight of Israel through thunder, lightnings, a cloud, a voice of a trumpet, smoke, fire, and earthquakes. Job saw God in a whirlwind (Job 38:1).

In short, we believe God as a Spirit does not have a body unless He chooses to manifest Himself in a bodily form, which He did in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no possibility of separating God and Jesus, and there is NO God visible outside of Jesus!

“God is Omniscient (All Knowing)”: (Psalms 139:1-6/ KJV) says, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

In other words, God knows everything, including our movements, thoughts, paths, ways, and words. Like omnipresence, omniscience is an attribute that belongs solely to God. He is “the only wise God” (1 Timothy 1:17/ KJV). The Bible does not identify any other being (including Satan) who can read all the thoughts of man, foresee the future with certainty, or know everything there is to know.

“God is Omnipotent (All Powerful)”: God calls Himself the Almighty many times throughout the Bible. He has all the power there is, and no being can exercise any power unless God allows it. (Romans 13:1/ KJV) says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

The only limitations God has are those He willingly places on Himself or those resulting from His moral nature.

God is Eternal: God is eternal, immortal, and everlasting. He is the first and the last. He had no beginning and will have no ending.

God is Immutable (Unchanging): (Malachi 3:6/ KJV) says, “I am the LORD, I change not.” God’s character and attributes never change.

In the Old Testament, God chose to reveal aspects of His nature to man through various theophanies and anthropomorphisms. The New Testament records no theophanies of God in human form outside of Jesus Christ. Of course, Jesus Christ was more than a theophany; He was not just God appearing in the form of man but He was God clothed with a real human body and nature. In the New Testament era, the progressive revelation of God through theophanies culminated and found perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God is fully expressed in Jesus Christ.

(John 1:1, 14-18/ KJV) says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

(Colossians 1:9-19/ KJV) says, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

(Colossians 2:8-10/ KJV) says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

Jesus declares and reveals the Father. Jesus is the express image of the invisible God.

There's an old song that we used to sing in the church titled, "IT’S ALL IN HIM." The words went like this:

Verse 1.
The mighty God is Jesus, the Prince of Peace is He
The everlasting father, the king eternally
Wonderful in wisdom by Whom all things were made
The fullness of the Godhead in Jesus is displayed

Chorus
It’s all in Him it’s all in Him
The fullness of the Godhead is all in Him
It’s all in Him, It’s all in Him
The might God is Jesus, and it’s all in Him

Verse 2.
He’s Emmanuel God with us, Jehovah, Lord of Hosts
The omnipresent Spirit who fills the universe
The Advocate, the High Priest, the Lamb for sinners slain
The Author of redemption, Oh, glory to his Name

It's all IN HIM!

The Foundation Series - DOCTRINE - Lesson 1

2008-05-06T21:41:00.000-04:00

There are three things that define the true Church:
1. Apostolic Doctrine
2. The Pentecostal Experience
3. Christian Lifestyle

The Spirit draws but Doctrine Holds! (2 Timothy 3:14-16/ KJV) says, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

(Acts 17:1-12/ KJV) says, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted (joined) with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed;”

There is GREAT value in studying the Bible, the Word of God! Jesus even challenged us in (John 5:39) to “search the scriptures.” The Word reveals “the way” to salvation and eternal life. It is the final authority for faith and morals, Doctrine and lifestyle. It is basically plain, meant to be understood, and meant to be read and obeyed by all.

Tonight, we will begin our journey with the first thing that identifies us as His church: Apostolic Doctrine

We will begin with a study on “Monotheism.” (Deuteronomy 6:4/ KJV) says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”

There is one God. There is ONLY one God. This doctrine is central to the Bible message, for the Old Testament and the New Testament. The belief in only one God is called monotheism, which comes for two Greek words: monos, meaning alone, single, one; and theos, meaning God.

Anyone who does not accept monotheism can be classified as one of the following:
1. an atheist—one who denies the existence of God
2. an agnostic—one who asserts that the existence of God is unknown and probably unknowable
3. a pantheist—one who equates God with nature of the forces of the universe
4. a polytheist—one who believes in more than one God

The most popular polytheistic group would be trinitarianism (trinity). Within the ranks of trinitarianism, one can discern two extreme tendencies. On the one hand, some Trinitarians emphasize the unity of God without having a carefully developed understanding of what is meant by three distinct persons in the Godhead. On the other hand, other Trinitarians emphasize the three-ness of the trinity to the point that they believe in three self-conscious beings.

Trinitarianism defined is the belief that there are three persons in the one God—namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, each being co-equal, co-eternal, and of co-essence. The concept of three persons in one God was gradually introduced into Christian theology in the second and third centuries and became the predominant view of Roman Catholicism. Trinitariansim continues to be the official position within the vast majority of Christian denominations.

However, true Monotheists believe in one God and that the fullness of the Godhead is manifested in Jesus Christ. They believe that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are manifestations, modes, offices, or relationships that the one God has displayed to man.

In the twentieth century, those who believe in both the indivisible oneness of God and the full deity of Jesus Christ frequently use the term Oneness to describe their belief. They also use the terms One God and Jesus Name as adjectives to label themselves, while opponents sometimes use the misleading or derogatory designation “Jesus Only.” However, Oneness believers do NOT deny the Father and Spirit, but rather see Father and Spirit as different roles of the One God who is the Spirit of Jesus.

Having surveyed the range of human beliefs about the Godhead, let’s look at the Word of God—the Bible—has to say about monotheism (Oneness).

“Old Testament Teaching of the Oneness” includes but is not limited to:

(Deuteronomy 6:4-9/ KJV) says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

The Ten Commandments begin with “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3/KJV)

(2 Samuel 7:22/ KJV) says, “Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

(Psalms 86:10/ KJV) says, “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.”

(Isaiah 43:10-11/ KJV) says, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”

(Isaiah 44:6, 8, 24/KJV) says, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God… 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any… 24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;”

(Isaiah 45:5-6, 18, 21-22/ KJV) says, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else… 18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else… 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

(Isaiah 46:5, 9/ KJV) says, “To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?... 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.”

(Zechariah 14:9/ KJV) says, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

The Old Testament speaks of God in terms of being ONE. Many times the Bible calls God the “Holy One” but NEVER the “holy two,” the “holy three,” or the “holy many.”

“New Testament Teaching of the Oneness" includes but is limited to:

Jesus emphatically taught (Deuteronomy 6:4) calling it the first of all the commandments. For example, (Mark 12:29/ KJV) says, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”

(Romans 3:29-30/ KJV) says, “Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”

(1 Corinthians 8:4-6/ KJV) says, “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

(Galatians 3:20/ KJV) says, “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.”

(Ephesians 4:4-6/ KJV) says, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

(1 Timothy 2:4-5/ KJV) says, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

(James 2:19/ KJV) says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

(Revelation 4:2/ KJV) says, “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”

God is absolutely and indivisibly ONE! His eternal nature contains no essential distinctions or divisions. All names and titles of the Deity such as God, Jehovah, Lord, Father, Word, and Holy Spirit refer to one and the same being. Any plurality associated with God is only a plurality of attributes, titles, roles, manifestations, modes of activity, or relationships to man.

God’s oneness is emphasized throughout the entire Bible. God is NOT defined by or limited to an essential threeness. The Bible nowhere speaks of God as a “trinity” or as “three persons” but often calls Him the Holy One.

The whole Bible teaches a strict monotheism. God’s people have always been identified with the One-God message. For example, God chose Abraham because of his willingness to forsake the gods of his nation and his father and to worship the one true God (Genesis 12:1-8). God chastised Israel every time she began to worship other gods, and polytheistic worship was one of the main reasons that God finally sent her into captivity (Acts 7:43). The Savior came to the world through a nation (Israel) and through a religion (Judaism) in which the people had finally purged themselves of polytheism. They were thoroughly monotheistic.

Today, God still demands a monotheistic worship of Him. We in the church are heirs of Abraham by faith, and this exalted position demands that we have the same monotheistic faith in the God of Abraham (Romans 4:13-17). As Christians in the world we must NEVER cease to exalt and declare the message that there is ONLY ONE true and living God!

2008-05-06T21:17:00.000-04:00

I am in the midst of teaching our church some foundational truths that are Biblically sound. There seems to be so many opinions, ideas, philosophies, theories, and certainly traditions that are promoted and believed in more than the actual words of God.

When you read (Acts 17) and interesting principle is revealed when Paul and Silas went into Berea. The Bible says in (Acts 17:11) that the Bereans were "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Did you catch that? The people who listened to Paul and Silas did two things with what they heard: one, they received the WORD with all readiness of mind, and two, they searched THE SCRIPTURES daily to see if they were true! If people would just read the WORD (NOT a book about the WORD, but THE WORD) with an open mind to let it say EXACTLY what it SAYS, and NOT drag their opinion, their next door neighbor's opinion, their momma's opinion, the TV Evangelists opinion, they might not be so confused. Also, by reading the WORD, and studying the WORD daily and not some "other" book about the WORD, you'd be able to see whether what "the preacher" was saying is found in the WORD and therefore, true!

This series of lessons should not be believed on because I taught them. This series of lessons should be believed because the Bible declares these truths to be so. I'm NOT attempting to pass out "the Kool-aid" or "brainwash" anybody. This series is about teaching those who will receive the WORD with a ready mind and search the WORD daily to make sure they're on The Foundation!

I will post each week's lesson notes as a separate Blog entry.

May God impart understanding and His Spirit bring Revelation to those who are hungry,

Pastor Clack

Laying Hands on the Future!

2008-03-04T10:58:00.000-05:00

The act of laying on of hands appears in the Old Testament in various connections: in the act of blessing (Genesis 48:14); in the ritual of sacrifice (hands of the one offering laid on the head of victim (Exodus 29:10,15,19; Leviticus1:4; 3:2,8,13; 4:4,24,29; 8:14; 16:21). The tribe of Levi was set apart by the laying on of hands (Numbers 8:10). Moses appointed Joshua to be his successor by a similar act in (Numbers 27:18-23/ KJV) where it says, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.”

The idea in these cases varies with the purpose of the act, but the primary idea seems to be that of conveyance or transference and in some cases the idea of identification and of devotion to God.

I have two children, Savannah and Emerson, and as they get older it seems that I become more and more aware of the desire of Hell to snatch them away from the church. I’ve heard the statistic passed around recently that some 80-85% of our young people are leaving the church as they get older. I don’t know about you, but that bothers me. It bothers me even more because I have two children that I want to see go to Heaven as bad as satan wants to see them go to Hell!

Because we live in “the world” I understand that “the world” will have many opportunities to leave its finger print on my children. Through attitudes, fashions, media, and people in general, the world will have plenty of opportunities to leave its impression on my children.

So, how do we fight that without locking our children up in the house and not letting them go “outside?” We make sure that the finger prints of God, the man of God and the Church leave a GREATER impression on our children!

God's finger print is obviously on us because HE CREATED US in His image! Our responisibility is to raise up the next generation to love God and His Word with all of their heart and to submit to God and His Word. There is also the finger print of the church that is left on us because we're a part of a local church that has the opportunity on a weekly basis to touch our lives through prayer, praise, worship, bible studies, preaching, children's church and youth services! Again, our responsibility is to make sure that we're there (at CHURCH...EVERY SERVICE) so the impression can be made!

Then there is the finger print of the man of God that is left on us when he dedicates us as babies, prays for us, preaches to us, leads us to Salvation, and gives us counsel. We desperately need to get back to the place where we allow a man of God to leave an impression on our life. We need men of God to impart their wisdom and passion on to the next generation. We need men of God to lay their hands on us and transfer anointing to the next generation who will the church into the future. We need men of God to speak into our lives and help give us direction as we lead our families, our churches and our nation into unchartered waters.

I want my children to know that God is GREAT and greatly to be praised! I want my children to love God MORE than they love ANYBODY or ANYTHING! I want my children to fall in love with the Word of God, because it's principles NEVER change! I want my children to fall in love with the Church because it's a safe place: a place of PRAYER; a place of WORSHIP; a place of HEALING; a place of DELIVERANCE! I want them to love the Church and love going to church!

I also want them to love the men of God who will leave impressions on them throughout the years. I want them to love the man of God who will preach to them what they NEED to hear, NOT just what they want to hear! I want them to respect the man of God who loves them enough to tell them what they MUST do to be SAVED! I want men of God who are passionate about our Apostolic Heritage and "the message" that has been passed down from generation to generation to transfer their passion and anointing to my children so they can pass it down to their children!

Just as Moses laid hands on Joshua and charged him transfering his anointing to him, I want my children to have that same experience. So, this past Sunday at Revival Center, we had Pastor Tim Copeland preach for us. WOW, what a message this man of God preached to our church! After he finished preaching and people were in the Altar praying, I asked Pastor Copeland to lay hands on my children and pray for them. What a beautiful site it was to see this great man of God wrap his arms around my children and pray a passionate prayer over them. My son, Emerson, met his new Hero of Faith last Sunday and has been talking about how good "Bro. Clopeland" as he pronounces it, preached ever since!

So, let me encourage you today with Romans 12:21/ NKJV where it says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Don't be intimidated by the impressions of the world, just overcome them with the finger prints of God, the Man of God and the Church!

A Heart after God

2008-02-14T20:03:00.000-05:00

There are two words that seem to be missing in the 21st Century Church that we desperately NEED in order to be right with God: SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE!

These two words have always had a MAJOR impact on the chosen people of God! When the Nation of Israel OBEYED God things went well for them, but every time they would start falling away and disobeying everything fell apart.

Contrary to popular Culture and the ways of the World, SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE are NOT signs of weakness!

Also, SUBMISSION is NOT “true submission” only when you AGREE on the matter; that’s agreement! “True SUBMISSION” is when you can submit in obedience to something even when you DON’T AGREE!

SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE is apart of God’s Plan! If you LOVE GOD, desire to please God, and have “A Heart after God,” your life will include both SUBMISSION and OBEDIENCE to God, His Word, and His Man!

I’ve been Preaching for 11 years now, and have been in some form of a Pastoral Role for the past 9 years and I’ve come to the conclusion that “people do what people WANT to do!”

I’m amazed at people who will make sure their children are involved in extra curricular activities outside of church but are too tired to make sure their children are at CHURCH! Or people who will allow their children to dictate whether they go to church or not and the parents let it happen…I don’t understand that. People who can play ball, go shopping, do whatever they WANT to do on WORK/SCHOOL nights but can’t make it to CHURCH amaze me.

The bottom line is this, IF they have “A Heart after God” they’ll do WHATEVER God asks them to do, whether by Conviction of the Holy Ghost, Revelation of His Word, or the leadership of their Pastor!

But IF they don’t have “A Heart after God,” God can’t Save them, His Word can’t Save them, and the Pastor certainly can’t Save them! They’ll look long and hard until they find loopholes, justified reasons, and excuses why they don’t agree with the Pastor, the Word and ultimately GOD!

This current Generation and the ones coming after NEED to understand that GOD placed Shepherds/ Pastors in their positions in order to lead His people, and with this position comes Authority and Accountability! Every Pastor is accountable to God for what He preaches and allows and is responsible for preaching the WORD of God to the church! However, once the Pastor has preached the WORD of GOD, the church is then held accountable for that WORD and is responsible for SUBMITTING to and OBEYING the WORD that the Pastor has preached!

Another thing people wthe truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understandingho have “A Hear After God” will do is LOVE His WORD!

(Proverbs 23:23/ KJV) says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”

(2 Timothy 3:16/ KJV) says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

The NLT says it like this, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”

There are four things that the WORD does for us:
1. First, we get Doctrine from the Bible. A Doctrine is a principle presented for acceptance or a belief system.
2. Next we get reproof (or scolding or caution) from the Bible. That’s the act or an expression of reproving; speaking firmly to someone.
3. The third thing we get is correction. Correction is the process or correcting or substituting what is wrong for what is right.
4. And finally we get instruction form God’s Word. Instruction is some helpful item of knowledge; a lesson.

If you have “A Heart after God” you’ll LOVE God’s WORD…ALL of it! NOT just the parts you agree with...ALL of it

NOT only will you LOVE the DOCTRINE, you’ll SUBMIT and OBEY it…ALL of it! You’ll be grateful for the reproof, the correction and the instruction that comes NOT only from the Word of God, but the Man of God!

You want to know what Jesus had to say about it...Jesus said in (John 14), “15 If you love me, OBEY my commandments…21 Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me…23 All those who love me will do what I say…24 Anyone who doesn't love me will not do what I say.”

The Bible says Demas left Paul in (2 Timothy 4:10) because he LOVED the WORLD. Perhaps, there were some things that Demas wouldn’t SUBMIT to or wasn’t willing to OBEY. Whatever the case, Demas didn’t finish the journey he started because apparently he didn’t have “A Heart after God.”

If you have “A Heart after God,” you’ll do WHATEVER God asks you to do, whether by Conviction of the Holy Ghost, Revelation of His Word, or the leadership of your Pastor!

It's NOT just a good story...IT WORKS!

2008-01-31T23:37:00.000-05:00

I just felt like typing this while I was feeling it! For anyone out there who doubts, has forgotten or just doesn't know, the Book of Acts is NOT just a good story...IT WORKS!

(Acts 2:1-4/ KJV) says, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

There is a level of Hunger at Revival Center that hasn't been there in awhile! God always made it a practice to feed those who were hungry and He's definitely been feeding Revival Center this week.

It started off with a Divine Break-thru Sunday as people PRAYED and WORSHIPPED until the Holy Ghost fell (like the Book of ACTS) and people got DRUNK...yes I said DRUNK on the Holy Ghost! In the process of an Acts 2 outpouring, two of our children received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost! Then another one received the Holy Ghost at a Bible Study in his living room tonight (Thursday). That makes THREE whose received the Book of Acts experience this week....so far!

REVIVAL is HERE! The Book of Acts experience is STILL being poured out like Joel prophesied. It's NOT just a good story...IT WORKS!

With ALL That Is IN ME

2008-01-13T21:27:00.000-05:00

For the last 4 or 5 days the Lord has really dealt with me about the state of our church and what I needed to do as the Pastor of Revival Center to get it back on track. So the blog you're about to read is NOT some fluffy feel-good be a better you inspirational piece; it's a call back to HUNGER for Revival! It's a call to become DESPERATE again to see God in our church and experience true Apostolic Revival in these last days!

Please understand as you read this, that I am in no way trying to judge the church, just call us back to the things that really matter and for the sake of my kids and your kids and the generations to come...let's leave them a strong Apostolic Pentecostal Church!

Here's some of my notes from the sermon titled, "With ALL That Is IN ME."

(Psalms 103:1/ KJV) says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

I’m HUNGRIER for REVIVAL right now than I’ve been in a long time, but with that HUNGER comes some changes that I’ve got to make in order to be fed. One of the issues that is killing the 21st Century Church is complacency!

Dictionary.com defines complacency as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc; friendly civility; or inclination to please.

You want to know what has unleashed such an onslaught of complacency in the Church? CARNALITY!

Dictionary.com defines carnality as pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; not spiritual; merely human; temporal; worldly.

(Exodus 34:4-17/ NLT) records God giving Moses the commandments saying, “Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the LORD had told him, carrying the two stone tablets in his hands.

5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and called out his own name, "the LORD," as Moses stood there in his presence. 6 He passed in front of Moses and said, "I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations."

8 Moses immediately fell to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, "If it is true that I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, then please go with us. Yes, this is an unruly and stubborn people, but please pardon our iniquity and our sins. Accept us as your own special possession."

10 The LORD replied, "All right. This is the covenant I am going to make with you. I will perform wonders that have never been done before anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD — the awesome power I will display through you. 11 Your responsibility is to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then I will surely drive out all those who stand in your way — the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

12 "Be very careful never to make treaties with the people in the land where you are going. If you do, you soon will be following their evil ways. 13 Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash the sacred pillars they worship, and cut down their carved images. 14 You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.

15 "Do not make treaties of any kind with the people living in the land. They are spiritual prostitutes, committing adultery against me by sacrificing to their gods. If you make peace with them, they will invite you to go with them to worship their gods, and you are likely to do it. 16 And you will accept their daughters, who worship other gods, as wives for your sons. Then they will cause your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods. 17 You must make no gods for yourselves at all.”

(Deuteronomy 6:4-7/ NLT) says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.”

(Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 20/ NLT) says, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul, 13 and to obey the LORD's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good…20 You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him.”

I've got to love God, worship God, obey God and live for God “With ALL That Is Within Me!”

(Proverbs 4:20-27/ NLT) says, “Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21 Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22 for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

In other words, guard your HEART because it affects your actions! Learn the Word, Love the Word and Live the Word and you’ll be safe. Don’t get distracted by the world and all it has to offer because when you get sidetracked you become CARNAL, and when you become carnal you become COMPLACENT and that’s exactly where satan wants you!

(Romans 8:4-8/ NKJV) says it like this, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Our text found in (Psalms 103:1/ KJV) says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

So, IF what is in me is CARNAL, NOT SPIRITUAL, or WORLDLY, NOT only can I NOT BLESS HIM; I CAN’T please Him!

Once you’ve become complacent, you won’t Worship like you use to Worship; you won’t Pray like you use to Pray; you won’t Give like you use to Give; you won’t be as Faithful as you use to be; you won’t read the Word like you use to…

The only solution is found in (Psalms 51:10/ KJV) where it says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

I don't know about you, but I've made up my mind that I refuse to leave my children a watered-down, compromised, dead, lifeless, unidentifiable church that hasn't seen anyone receive the Holy Ghost or been Baptized in the Name of Jesus in years!

I'm HUNGRY! I'm DESPERATE and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to have REVIVAL at Revival Center!

The Danger of Distractions

2007-11-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

Revelation Chapter 3 presents 3 different local churches and how they deal with DISTRACTIONS:

The church in Philadelphia was encouraged for their obedience to God’s word and for NOT denying Him, even though they had little strength. They handled the distractions pretty well, so God opened a door for them that no one could shut.

The church in Sardis, however, didn’t respond well to distractions. They were living off a reputation that was no longer valid. They thought of themselves as being a LIVELY church, while in fact they were DEAD! So God demanded that they WAKE UP and Go back to what they had heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to Him again!

The church in Laodicea also gave into distractions. They were found to be lukewarm and warned of being spit out of God’s mouth! They thought they were in need of nothing, but God revealed to them that they wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. So God commanded them to turn from their indifference.

“The Danger of Distractions” is that they can cause you to focus on the things that do NOT matter and neglect the things that do! Distractions have a way of getting your priorities out of order!

Take the story of Achan for example: (Joshua 6:18-19/ NLT) says, "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on all Israel. 19 Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the LORD and must be brought into his treasury."

(Joshua 7:1-5/ NLT) says, "But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites…Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3 When they returned, they told Joshua, "It's a small town, and it won't take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There's no need for all of us to go there."

4 So approximately three thousand warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5 chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away…"

(Joshua 7:10-13/ NLT) says, "Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.

13 "Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things."

(Joshua 7:16, 19-25/ NLT) says, "Early the next morning Joshua brought the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Judah was singled out…19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me."

20 Achan replied, "I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. 21 For I saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon, two hundred silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."

22 So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. 23 They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the LORD.

24 Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. 25 Then Joshua said to Achan, "Why have you brought trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you." And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies."

This scripture gives credibility to the principle that how we respond to DISTRACTIONS can actually bring LIFE or DEATH to us corporately!

For Achan to merely hear about the distraction was one thing, but when he came face to face with the distraction, he gave into it which resulted in the death of 36 warriors, himself and his whole family! Don’t tell me that Distractions are NOT Dangerous!

This principle of “Corporate Worship” plays out in our local church every Sunday and Wednesday Night, which is why we can’t afford to have an “off” day. Lives are at stake. Eternities are at stake. If I don’t PRAY somebody could die! If I don’t offer God PRAISE somebody could die! If I don’t WORSHIP somebody could die!

(Matthew 15:8-9/ NIV) says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain;”

The Danger of Distractions is that we get to a place where we honor God with our lips, we honor God with our dance, we honor God with our singing, we honor God with our shouting, but our hearts are far from him. Distractions DISCONNECT you from God, and DISCONNECTED WORSHIP is VAIN WORSHIP-it's EMPTY WORSHIP-it's WORSHIP with NO POWER!

DISRACTIONS are REAL! DISTRACTIONS are DANGEROUS! Therefore, EVERYTIME we come together to Worship God, we've got to PRAY like it's our last service-we've got to WORSHIP like it's our last service-we've got to RESPOND like it's our last service!