Larry Glander

The Early Church, part 1 of 3

The Early Church, Part 1 of 3

Larry Glander

When you think of the early church, you probably think of Paul, Peter, Matthew, and John. But the church existed before then; Jesus said “I came not to destroy the church, but to establish it.” The early church started, in fact, with Abraham.

What if I told you that Abraham was a squatter? In Haiti, they build walls around their land before they build a house on it. The reason they do that is that, if they built the house first, and then they left it alone for a few hours, another family would move in and it would become their house.

About 3,700 years of recorded history occurred before the birth of Christ, and we’re now in the second millenium afterward. But believing that takes faith. Science and God differ on their history. Science says that a dinosaur bone is millions of years old, but God could have planted it pre-aged.

Abraham’s vision was to establish the nation of Israel. Let’s draw some parallels with America. Why was America established?

  • Freedom of religion
  • Freedom from oppression
  • Failure of due process
  • Laws being set aside at the king’s whim

The key word is freedom. We still hear it today, right? Today we’re talking about freedom, about the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

The whole existence of the nation of Israel is based on their belief in God. Is it any wonder that their whole history is filled with wars for their freedom? In America we pursue the same goals. It’s part of our culture.

Hebrew
The people who crossed over.

Without that element of freedom and belief in God, Abraham would be no more than a land-squatter who wanted his own kingdom.

What was the purpose of the sacrifice? The purpose is that a person would be accepted by God, in spite of their sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission.

Hebrews 9:22
  1. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Leviticus 17:11
  1. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

There were a lot of different sacrifices, and each had their own purpose, and each one was given by exact instruction from God.

We know that God has all wisdom and all knowledge. They didn’t have refrigerators back then, so they had to do something to make sure they didn’t die from their food.

Leviticus 11:1-8
  1. And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,
  2. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
  3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  4. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  5. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  6. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  7. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
  8. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

The rest of the chapter has a lot more. The first time I ever heard that, I got all confused. What is all these parting of hooves and chewing of cud for? Let me break it down. They didn’t have refrigerators. God knew what was clean and what was not. God knew that if they ate that pork and it wasn’t cooked to at least 160 degrees, they would get sick and die. Mozart died that way. But all the things that God listed were safe to eat.

Leviticus 3:16-17
  1. And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD’s.
  2. It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.

See, fat is bad for you. Even God said so. In those times, the fat held the disease and bugs that they couldn’t get rid of. Our American cows these days are taken care of so their fat doesn’t have those things, but they didn’t have that advantage back then.

Leviticus 11:9-12
  1. These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
  2. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
  3. They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
  4. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

The regular fish are safe to eat, but bottom-feeders like catfish, and crustaceans like shrimp and crab can carry disease or poison.

In Jerusalem, in Jesus’ day, the church had already been established for a long time. So they had a ruling council called “The Sanhedrin.” Later on, they had another council called “The Jerusalem Council” which were made up of Christians. But the Sanhedrin were Jews, and they didn’t get along with Jesus.

If somebody comes into your office and starts using your computer and doing your work, how does that make you feel? Not happy at all, right? That’s your realm responsibility, and you like to do it. If Pastor Paine is up there preaching, and somebody else were to get up there and start preaching, it would get taken care of pretty quickly. So imagine the Sanhedrin, who wore these big symbols on their forehead to show how holy they were, and along comes this Jesus.

Around 37 B.C., King Herod separated the functions of the high priest and the secular rulers, forcing the priests to limit their authority to the religious activities of the church. So these guys weren’t happy to begin with. First King Herod took away most of their power, and then Jesus started preaching that people could go straight to God without consulting them, first. He was taking their power away. Think about that the next time you watch “The Passion of The Christ.” Remember the scene where they were going around at night, rousing people up for the next day? They had to do it at night so the Roman soldiers wouldn’t find out.

Let’s talk about the wise men. Were there three? We don’t really know; there were three different gifts. Who were they? We know that they came from the East, so it’s possible they were descendants Abraham. Remember that Abraham gave gifts to his sons and sent away to the East.

Micah 5:2
  1. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

This is the verse that shook up Herod, because it challenged his rule.

Matthew 2:7-10
  1. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  2. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  3. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  4. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

It took them a while to get there. The scriptures hint at it by calling him a child rather than a baby. That’s why Herod killed all the children under two years of age, to make sure he got them all.

Matthew 2:11-12
  1. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  2. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

So they were spiritual. They listened to God.

Matthew 2:13
  1. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Even there, God had a plan. He sent the wise men and gave them a dream. You might ask, “Why would Herod send soldiers with the three wise men?” They wouldn’t have led them to the child. They were smart; they would have gone another way.

Matthew 2:16
  1. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

So it wasn’t just Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:17-18
  1. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
  2. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

God had a plan. He took this man Abraham out of his land, and said “Here is a new place for you; I want you start a country with its basis on worshipping God.” That basis still stands today.

Handout: Christ and the New Testament Tabernacle

Hebrews 9:1-10:10The New Covenant
Exodus 25:8-9 The Old Tabernacle 
Exodus 27:9-21One Door 
Exodus 27:1-8 The Altar of Sacrifice 
Exodus 30:18-21 The Lavern 
Exodus 26:1-33 The Holy and Most Holy Place 
Exodus 25:10-22 The Ark and Mercy Seat 
Exodus 25:23-33 The Table of Shewbread 
Exodus 25:31-39 The Candlestick 
Exodus 30:1-6 The Altar of Incense 
John 8:24 Christ Our Tabernacle 
John 10:7-10 One Door 
John 12:23-32 Our Altar of Sacrifice 

Mark 16:16; 1 John 5:6-8 

Water 
John 6:48 Bread 
John 8:12 Light 
John 14:13-14 Prayer 

Stewardship Is Lordship

Wednesday Bible Study, 1/14/09

Stewardship Is Lordship

Larry Glander
Genesis 3:1-4
  1. Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  2. And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
  3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  4. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Obviously, that was a lie, because Adam and Eve aren’t around anymore. The scripture describes the devil as “subtil.” Do you suppose he stopped with Adam and Eve, or do you think he still messes with us the same way?

If you’ve got Lordship right, then everything else will follow. Satan can still try to mess with you, but if you’re prayed up and ready, he can’t do anything.

Not only is God no respecter of persons, but he is no respecter of time and place. You can worship and pray to God anywhere, no matter what.

Matthew 7:21
  1. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 6:21
  1. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

You’ve already read this scripture, but you might have forgotten it. If you put your treasure in heaven with God, then you’re going to be seeking him.

Say you’re going to buy that nice thingamabob, and you know you’re getting paid on Friday. When you get paid on Friday, you say “Yes! Now I can get that thingamabob.” Do you treat God that way? God is ready to deposit more into your account at any time, not just on Fridays. All you have to do is ask.

Let’s look at someone who got Lordship right.

John 9:13-23
  1. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
  2. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
  3. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
  4. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
  5. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
  6. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
  7. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
  8. His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
  9. But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
  10. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
  11. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Did the parents have Lordship right? No. If they did, they would have just answered. But they said, “He is of age, ask him,” because they feared the Jews. They feared “the rock squad.”

But the blind man had it right.

It took Noah a hundred years to build the ark. Do you think he got ridiculed a little bit? Do you think he lost some friends along the way? But he got Lordship right.

Daniel 3:13-15
  1. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
  2. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
  3. Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Earlier in the chapter you can read about the golden image that the king had set up.

Daniel 3:16-25
  1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
  2. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
  3. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
  4. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
  5. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
  6. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
  7. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
  8. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
  9. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
  10. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Lordship settles the position issue. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew their position. Lordship also settles the permission issue. Do you think they got permission from God to just stand there? Sure they did. I like the part in verse 16 where it says, “we are not careful to answer thee.” But they did answer him. They wanted the king to know about their position and permission. Was the king okay with that? Oh, no.

In Sri Lanka it is against the law to convert someone to Christianity, but they do it. They’ve got to have their Lordship issue right. They might even have to be careful how they answer when they’re questioned about it.

I had to go home and bury my father recently. Having the Lordship issue right doesn’t mean that your feelings and emotions go away. But it gives you the ability to cope with them.

Having that Lordship issue right doesn’t mean your co-workers won’t give you a hard time, but it gives you the strength to put up with it. It means that when they start their unrighteous conversation, the Holy Ghost will convict them. And if that doesn’t stop them, walk out. Silence can be very convicting.

Philippians 2:25-30
  1. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
  2. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
  3. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
  4. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
  5. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
  6. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

We know that both Paul and Epaphroditus had their Lordship right, because Paul was able to send him. Obviously they knew and cared for each other, but you can’t let your feelings and emotions get in the way of your ministry.

Philippians 2:5-8
  1. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
  2. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
  3. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
  4. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

As God grants you favor, as you grow in your reputation, as long as you humble yourself and give glory to God, your blessings will continue to increase. Jesus humbled himself; he made sure that his flesh was subject to the spirit. That’s part of daily discipline.

Philippians 2:5
  1. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Every Need Is Met

Every Need Is Met

Larry Glander

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

How many of you have needs? How many don’t? (That was a trick question.)

I looked up the four basic needs of a living organism:

  • Food
  • Air
  • Water
  • Shelter

So who is the living water?

John 4:10
  1. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Acts 17:25
  1. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

God gives you breath.

John 6:51
  1. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Sometimes we don’t think about the air we breathe. My Dad does; he has emphysema. But he still says that any day above-ground is a good day.

Did everyone eat today? I can look around and see that most of us are not malnourished.

We have water in abundance. We even baptize in water, don’t we? But you can drown in too much of a good thing.

Psalms 23:1
  1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

There are things that I want in life, but they don’t come before my salvation. I want a big house, an island off the coast, a ship, a jet. But those are earthly things. What about your want for heaven? Does God supply that for you?

Do you need to go to heaven, or do you want to go to heaven? For me, it’s both. I need and want it.

Proverbs 18:10
  1. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

There’s your shelter. When you’re around people and there’s all kinds of emotion and turmoil and chaos going on, God can give you the protection and solitude you need. God will supply your needs. None of us go without. We might not eat steak every day, but we’re going to eat something. We might not wear the fanciest clothes, but we’re not naked.

1 Peter 5:7
  1. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Give him those cares. As hard as it is to have faith, do it anyway. Build your faith. How do you increase your faith? By exercising it. How? By doing it. It’s like sit-ups. You get better by doing them, not by thinking about them.

Matthew 6:25-34
  1. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  2. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  3. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
  4. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  5. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  6. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  7. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
  8. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  9. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  10. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Don’t fret about it; don’t let it consume your day. Don’t worry about what shirt you’re going to wear tomorrow; just wear a clean one. Figure it out and move on; don’t let it consume you. You’ve got enough evil to deal with during the day.

God knows and supplies your needs. So should we just wait for the supplies to arrive?

Hebrews 4:16
  1. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Boldly ask God, but be ready for his answer, too. If you’re praying for a ride to church, and a brother shows up with three other people in the car, maybe you shouldn’t wait for the next ride. If you’re hungry, and you find a can of beans, be thankful. There are people who go without.

Psalms 37:25
  1. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

That’s powerful, if you really think about it.

Psalms 55:22
  1. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Have you got your mind made up, really? I had to turn the radio off today, because it was full of too much negativity. Our God owns the cattle in a thousand hills. Gas prices just went down, didn’t they? Are things really all that bad, or is it just a bunch of hype? People are spending the Christmas season talking about how bad things are instead of rejoicing at the gift of salvation. The Lord is my shepherd; I don’t have to want. There are blessings raining down from heaven; so much that I can’t receive them, but I’m going to try.

God will meet your needs. Just don’t let the world distract you from hearing his voice.

Proverbs 10:3
  1. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Your soul will get fed. We have a spiritual banquet here every time we come together. We have a cameraderie that the world wants to destroy. Those who don’t have it, see it and want it.

Yeah, I listen to KLOVE, and they try to be encouraging and motivating. But if you spend time with the Holy Ghost, that’s far more encouraging and motivating.

Psalms 34:7-11
  1. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
  2. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
  3. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
  4. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
  5. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

God is there to protect you and meet your needs. It’s like that “Everything” video – all those things were trying to get to that girl, and God just pushed back and they all collapsed. God is doing that for you every day. If you don’t feel that it’s true, then don’t lean on your feelings. Start writing down the many ways in which your life is blessed. You woke up this morning with life and breath. Even better, you have spiritual food and living water.

Sometimes when people fall away and then come back, we almost smother them with love – we love them so much and we’re so glad they came back.

Romans 9:18-21
  1. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
  2. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
  3. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
  4. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

God made you who you are, and then he re-made you. That’s the death, burial, and resurrection as a new creature. You’re still the same person, but you can change. If that co-worker doesn’t change, don’t let it discourage you or stop you from growing. The only ground you control is the ground you’re standing on, and the only thoughts you control are your own.

Romans 9:21
  1. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Yes, he does. We’re here, aren’t we? Didn’t God harden Pharoah’s heart? Wasn’t that a bad thing? Probably Moses thought so. He’s the one who had to keep going back to talk to him again. But God met his need, and the outcome was freedom for the children of Israel. So what we might have thought was evil, God meant for good. Just because your co-worker won’t change, don’t give up on them. Maybe they won’t change, but maybe somebody else is watching. That’s your testimony.

God meets your needs, even when it’s just the strength to deal with hard-hearted and hard-headed individuals.

1 Kings 17:3-6
  1. Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
  2. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
  3. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
  4. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Did he have air? Water? Food? I’m going to have to say that God provided shelter, and his needs were met. Some of you might be saying, “Ooohh! It came out of the raven’s mouth, and had raven-spit on it.” Well, it’s like that can of beans. It may not be the steak you wanted, but it meets your needs.

So while you think about Christmas, and all the things you want to give and receive, don’t forget to thank your heavenly father for meeting your needs.

A Christian Testimony

A Christian Testimony

Larry Glander

Being “instant in season and out of season” doesn’t always mean picking up a Bible and teaching a study.

We were all born human, and had to learn to feed and dress ourselves, but most of us were adults by the time we learned the gospel.

This study is about how we should behave as Christian adults.

Philippians 2:15-16
  1. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
  2. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Do you think that was just talking about 2,000 years ago? It sounds pretty modern-day to me. If somebody lays blame on you as a Christian, then rejoice! But also be aware of what you’re doing, because people are watching you. If you’re standing near a conversation that’s ungodly, people who watch will assume that you’re taking part in that ungodly conversation.

Matthew 10:16
  1. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Who said that? Jesus. It’s a promise. “I’m going to send you out there as sheep among wolves. You’re gonna be in danger. But be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.” I don’t want to mess with a snake. If you’re wise, you’ll patiently wait for the right time to speak and the right thing to say. You’re not out there swinging your Holy-Roller sword preaching “You’re a sinner and you’re going to hell!” Would that encourage someone to seek God or to seek your demise?

I was in the Navy. People would come to me with questions about scriptures, or for prayer. Why? I wasn’t out there condemning them.

Ephesians 4:25-27
  1. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
  2. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
  3. Neither give place to the devil.

Don’t give the devil any glory; don’t say “The devil made me do it.” He didn’t. You did it yourself. You know, one of the hardest things is to go and apologize to a lost person because they were right and you were wrong. But if you do, you’ll earn his respect.

Galatians 6:10
  1. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

That verse doesn’t say we have to do bad to the lost. How can we “compel them to come in” if we’re mean to them all the time?

1 Thessalonians 5:14-21
  1. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
  2. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
  3. Rejoice evermore.
  4. Pray without ceasing.
  5. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
  6. Quench not the Spirit.
  7. Despise not prophesyings.
  8. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

There’s a list of things to do. These are normal Christian things to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:22
  1. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Yeah, we’re in the year 2008, almost 2009, but we’re still human. We have to eat, sleep, go to work, make a living, and interact with lost people. There will come a time when you’re at the end of your rope, ready to blow your cork. You start thinking, “how close to sin can I come…” Why get that close? Why do you let Satan get you that angry? Are you not prayed up? I have a temper; I have flesh that gets in the way, but I seek God.

Romans 14:12-23
  1. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
  2. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
  3. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
  4. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
  5. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
  6. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
  7. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
  8. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
  9. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
  10. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
  11. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
  12. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Sometimes we may do something that annoys somebody, but to offend them? That’s bad. If I know that Ken Marshall just hates the smell of onions, and I chopped some up and ate them, and then got really close to Ken Marshall saying “Hhhhiii, Ken! HHhhhhooow’re ya doooooooing?” Would that be right, if I know that it offends him?

Romans 15:1-2
  1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
  2. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

How many of you have neighbors? Do good to them! Even if you’re in the Navy, you still have neighbors. If the guy in the next rack leaves his wet towel on the floor, hang it up for him. If he leaves his boondockers out, put them away with your stuff and get them back to him later. If you do the little things with a right heart, they’ll come back to you later.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22
  1. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
  2. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
  3. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
  4. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

People who sign up for the Boston Marathon, no matter how hard they train, won’t win a prize if they stay at the starting line after the gun goes off. And how hard is it to run this race we’re in? It’s as easy as breathing, unless you have emphasema.

Galatians 5:7-9
  1. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
  2. This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
  3. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

How many of you who were invited to this church, the person who invited you is no longer attending? About half. Wow. Why are you still here? Because it’s not about the person who invited you; it’s about the spirit you found when you got here. About six months after I got saved, the person who invited me said “Oh well,” and gave it up. I’m not saying “Oh, well”; I’m not giving up! Some people complain that they can’t live a Christian life because they don’t have enough “free time.” Well, I was an indentured servant in the Navy for twelve years, and I didn’t lack for “free time.” And when you think about it, it’s all God’s time.

1 Timothy 4:12-16
  1. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
  2. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
  3. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
  4. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
  5. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

That’s powerful, the whole thing, but especially the last verse. You’ve got to get out there and share the word. None of us know it all. (We may think we do, but stand by; God will humble us.) Paul was writing to Timothy telling him to do these things, but also to go out there and tell others to do these things.

God will bless your life, and in time, people will walk up to you and tell you “God has really blessed your life.” Or maybe they don’t understand what a blessing is, so they’ll say, “You’re really lucky.” That’s your opportunity to tell them how and why God has blessed your life and made you “lucky.”

1 Peter 2:9-16
  1. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  2. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
  3. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
  4. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
  5. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
  6. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
  7. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
  8. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Sometimes the acts that you do in faith will cause people to wonder about their own lives.

Colossians 3:15-17
  1. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
  2. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  3. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Godhead

Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 10/22/08

Larry Glander

2 Timothy 2:15
  1. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

That’s scripture, right? We’re all here at church on a Wednesday night.

2 Timothy 3:16
  1. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

All scripture. That’s what we’re going to study tonight. I didn’t bring any other books with me; we’re going to study the Bible. So we’re going to look at the scriptures.

1 Timothy 3:16
  1. 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.

Wow! Did everybody catch that? Without controversy means just that. We know God’s mystery. But it states some facts right here to alleviate some of that mystery. God was manifest in the flesh. More than once, in fact. Can anybody convince you that God is not real? Justified in the Spirit, seen of angels. (Well, obviously. God made them, right?) preached unto the Gentiles, (how many of you have heard of Jesus outside this church? Everybody, right?) … received up into glory.

But who is this God?

John 4:24
  1. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Do you worship God? Do you do it quietly? Loudly? The flesh just follows where the spirit leads. You made a choice, just like you made a choice to come here tonight.

There was an article in the Penninsula newspaper today. “Does it affect you that the Christmas decorations are right next to the Halloween decorations?” For most people, the answer is “No, because it’s all commercialism anyway.”

Isaiah 9:6
  1. 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.

Who’s that talking about? Jesus, right? But did you ever stop to think about it? … The mighty God … the everlasting father …

You can argue against the scripture; I’ve seen people do it. But what does it say?

Isaiah 7:14
  1. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

That’s prophecy in the Old Testament, but did it happen? There might be some doubters here.

Matthew 1:21-23
  1. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  2. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  3. 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.

Is that the same? Is “Emmanuel” the same as “God with us?” That’s what the scripture says. But some would say that we’re interpreting it wrong. I’ll admit, I don’t have a college education, but not many of the disciples did, either. In fact, neither did Jesus.

2 Peter 1:20-21
  1. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
  2. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

It says what it says. If you think somebody is twisting it, then question it. Find some other scriptures to support it. One of the first things I heard from this church was “Don’t believe a word I’m saying. Look it up for yourself.”

Ephesians 4:4-6
  1. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
  2. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
  3. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I just got back from China, where they’re Communist Atheists. So they think they can just float through life and then whatever happens, happens.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6
  1. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
  2. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
  3. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

There it is again: one Lord. So there’s only one. But how do we tie that in with Jesus? Somebody might be thinking about the Holy Ghost, too. But we already read that God is a spirit.

John 1:1-4
  1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  2. The same was in the beginning with God.
  3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
  4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Do you agree that God created everything? Do you really? Evolution didn’t just make us “pop out?” Just checking…

John 1:5-6
  1. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
  2. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Who is writing this? John. Who is he writing to? Anyone. Why is he writing? So that people can be saved. So they can:

2 Timothy 2:15
  1. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How many people here work in government? There are a lot of rules, aren’t there? And are you responsible for following those rules, even when you don’t know them? You sure are. Well, who is the head of the government of heaven? God is, and he has rules. John wrote this because he knew Jesus, the one who made the rules.

Isaiah 45:5-7
  1. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
  2. 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.
  3. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Isn’t that powerful? He does all these things. So how can Jesus be God, if they’re not the same?

Now, you guys believe in Jesus, don’t you? If you believe in him, can you believe his words? Remember, he wasn’t a politician:

[John 10;30]

Uh-oh! Some of you might remember a few years ago when my Dad came to visit. We look similar, but we’re not the same. Some of you might remember Pete Shepherd. His son is sitting here with is. They kinda look the same, but one of them is a lot older. Some of you have met Jon Bushlow. His father is sitting right here. But they don’t look the same. Jon doesn’t have a mustache.

Tony Bushlow

And I don’t have pierced ears.

Larry Glander

I wasn’t gonna go there.

Hosea 13:4
  1. Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

But it’s common knowledge that Jesus is the savior, right? So they’re the same.

1 John 5:7-8
  1. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
  2. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

But didn’t we just read that Jesus was the word? Maybe it all ties together.

John 14:14
  1. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Wait a minute! Is that written in red, or black? But who created everything? God, right?

John 14:15-26
  1. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  2. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
  3. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
  4. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
  5. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
  6. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
  7. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
  8. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
  9. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
  10. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
  11. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
  12. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

That’s a lot right there in a few scriptures. “If you ask anything in my name, I’ll do it.” “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Yet he still talks like the Father is another being. That’s because he hadn’t been crucified yet. He still had to deal with the flesh, just like you and me. But he was crucified, so you and I could be saved. There was a time that, unless you were a Jew, you weren’t going to be saved. Then the Gentiles were allowed to come in.

When someone is distressed and says, “Oh, Jesus,” they’re calling on a name with power. You don’t hear people say, “Oh, Buddha!” or “Oh, Vishnu!” They call on a name with power.

With all the projects and the building and the potluck dinners, all that is evangelism, and it’s good. But if you can’t teach the Bible, what good is it?

Galatians 1:6-9
  1. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
  2. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

I went to another church before I came to this one, but they didn’t teach me the gospel. They taught me to show up every Sunday and shake everyone’s hand and so-forth.

Now, who wrote this? Paul.

To whom? The church in Galatia.

Why? To get the word out to the people in Galatia.

Do you think he was upset? Read it again:

Galatians 1:7
  1. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Pervert (Greek 3344)
met-as-tref’-o: from (3326) and (4762); to turn across, i.e. transmute or (figuratively) corrupt: – pervert, turn.
John 1:14
  1. 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.

If you believe in God, then you should not perish. It doesn’t say you won’t, but you shouldn’t. If you want to learn more, get with the person who brought you here tonight. If they’ve been here for any length of time at all, they could probably teach me about the subject.

Only The Strong Survive

Wednesday Evening Service, 10/1/08

Songs

  • My God Can Never Fail
  • Call Him Up
  • Can’t Feel At Home
  • We Shall See The King

Study: Only The Strong Will Survive

Larry Glander

Strength has different meanings. You can be strong physically, emotionally, spiritually. You can be strong health-wise. I’m not going to cover all the aspects tonight.

Nehemiah 8:10
  1. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Galatians 5:22-23
  1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
  2. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

You can really offend someone at work if you don’t give them their due thanks. But we don’t always get a pat on the back when we do a good job for God; that’s just our reasonable service. We don’t do it for vainglory; we do it for him.

There’s nothing wrong with giving a brother or sister a pat on the back to encourage them; you should do those things. People need encouragement.

Galatians 6:10
  1. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

We’ve got to be strong. Did you ever weight-lift with a spotter? Even in the Olympics, the weightlifter has two people, one on each side, following that bar down in case he needs some help.

Isaiah 12:3
  1. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

You’re going to draw out that joy, out of the wells of salvation. The fact that you’re baptized in Jesus’ name separates you from almost everybody else in the world. I just got back from China, where they’re all Communist. They have no hope outside their government. It’s incredible how many people are just going through life that way. We’re really privileged.

Matthew 25:21
  1. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He was faithful. He was good. You can be faithful in the big things or the little things, but it’s still faithful, right? You can’t just go “Well, I’ve got this talent for cooking,” or “I’ve got this talent for talking to people, but I’m not going to use it.” I wouldn’t want to be you!

The joy of the Lord is your strength, right? So you walk in that strength.

Proverbs 18:10
  1. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

What’s the name of the Lord? It’s Jesus.

Last week, I was fighting a battle. I expected of a brother that he act a certain way, and he didn’t. I knew this fight; I’ve been there before. So I rebuked the devil and prayed for my brother. I knew that I’d get a chance to talk to my brother later, and the brother wouldn’t even know the battle I’d fought. When I was younger in the faith, I would have let Satan rack me over the coals.

Being strong in the Lord doesn’t come overnight; it comes from practice. Talk to these guys. Every one of us has a victory to share. Don’t bring up the negative stuff; bring up a victory. Put the positive into your brain. Why not? The world will put the negative into there.

1 Corinthians 15:56
  1. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

What really matters? Whether I’ve got ten dollars in my bank account, or a hundred, when I’m dead, it’s still gone.

Death won’t sting you or me, but the people left behind.

Are you going to stay strong? Are you? Why?

  • Because I want to go to heaven.

I want to stay strong and make it. But there might be somebody else out there, watching and wondering. They might be saying, “Why doesn’t this guy just give up? Man, he spends a lot of time with his church.”

Sometimes people don’t have a clue. It’s not just church, it’s a family. I know you guys better than I know my natural family. I might call some of them up two or three times a week, but I see you all on a daily basis. I get encouragement from that.

Exodus 15:1-3
  1. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  2. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
  3. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

It’s good to have God on your side. He’s a man of war.

Did God ever just wake you up with a song? Bill Presher has a talent for taking songs in commercials and putting all God-words in there, making a praise song out of them. That’s encouraging.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
  1. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
  2. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
  3. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
  4. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Pray about that thorn in your flesh. It’s there for a reason.

Why is Paul strong when he’s weak?

  • Because there is less of him and more of Christ.

That’s scripture, too, isn’t it?

John 3:30
  1. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Haitian Service

When was the last time that anything happened in your ministry? When was the last time you saw a miracle take place? When was the last time you saw someone cry out and you helped them through difficult times? Ask yourself, “Why has it been so long?” And then go to God and say, “Lord, revive, refresh, renew my ministry.”

Wednesday Evening service, 6/20/07

“Haitian” Service

  • God Is Awesome In This Place

Pastor Ray

Yes, God is awesome in this place, and tonight we’re going to hear about it.

  • My God Can Never Fail
  • Blessed Be Your Name

Larry Glander

I just want to share a thought in my heart, from the Pastors Tour. Is being victorious a continual thing? It’s a personal choice. Isn’t it great that you can get emotional about your salvation? But you’re not saved by your emotions. I remember waking up and finding that the giddy, happy feeling that I’d had every morning since I got saved just wasn’t there. I thought I was lost. I talked to my pastor, and he said, “You’re not saved by your emotions. You’re saved by your knowledge and your obedience.”

Bill Presher

It’s good to be saved. Sometimes things are kind of rough, and you really don’t know why. There’s a song that I like to sing; Pastor Davis used to sing it.

  • One More Valley, One More Hill

Donald Maurio Hodge

I’d like to share a short Bible study. It’s called “Is God Your All-In-All”. You can read about Joseph in Genesis chapters 38-50. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, and went into Egypt. He was accused of assaulting his master’s wife, and put into prison. But God was with him, and after fourteen years of not seeing his family, he stood before Pharoah, and rose to be the number-two guy behind Pharoah. That had to be God.

I’m from the Caribbean. Since I came to Virginia, I’ve been on my own. I feel I’ve got as much right as anyone to be in this country, because the whole world belongs to God.

Joseph loved his family; he told the butler that he came from the Hebrews, though he was sold to be a slave. If God be for you, no one in the whole world can stand against you. God is always there. He’s always there for me; I have to depend on God.

I want to encourage you to ask yourself, “Is God your all-in-all?”

Ashley Jeffries

Before I had signed up, Mom was talking to me about it. She asked me, and I thought about it. We saw this movie, “Facing the Giants.” In this one part, the coach was upset because the team was always doing, so he said that he was going to give it all up to God and leave the results up to him. And that’s what I feel like doing.

( Ashley played a song on the piano. )

Christine Sanders

Reading “Captivating” for me has really opened my eyes. But I realized that the book was really about giving it all over to God. When I don’t trust the pastor to take care of business, I’m not taking care of God, that God is going to handle what needs to be done. When I don’t put my trust in God, that’s when I don’t let him take control of everything. So let’s sing Great in Power, because your God has all the power.

  • Great In Power
  • This Is How We Overcome

Candy Fullilove

I’m going to remember these testimonies when I’m fighting the battle tomorrow. As a Christian, it’s a fight. You can’t get into the boxing ring and be passive. You’ve got to have some hands up. You ever heard of stick-and-move? You can’t just say, “Oh, whatever is going to happen is going to thappen.” When my husband is no longer here, God is my husband. When my father is gone, God is my father, He’s my lawyer, my doctor, my all-in-all.

When the woman went to touch the hem of his garment, there were a lot of people around Jesus. She had to fight. For me, I have this visual. When I’m distracted, or don’t want to go to church, or whatever the case. I have a visual of this woman, who got herself some backbone and said, “Excuse me! Excuse me! If I’ve got to step on someone, I’m gonna get me some Jesus!”

Mike Jackson

Praise God! There ain’t nothing wrong with it!

I was just thinking about what keeps me encouraged. Like many in the military, I’ve been away from the fellowship a lot. This scripture always encourages me.

Joshua 1:9
  1. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

That was a commandment of God, for us to be strong. He didn’t come to Pastor Ray and say, “Umm… could you do this for me? Please?” He didn’t ask any one of us. He commanded us. So when I get the “woe is me” attitude, I’ve got to remember, it’s a fight. I really appreciate Candy’s example of the boxing ring. “Stick and move!” God said, “Have not I commanded you to be strong?” Sometimes, God will console us, but other times he treats us with “tough love” saying “What you crying for?”

I was talking to a guy on my last duty day. He had met some brothers on base and told them what ship he was on, and they said, “Oh yeah, you know Mike Jackson?” And he was telling me the story of how he met them. I was thinking, “Praise Jesus.” I was just thanking God for holding on and being faithful, having a testimony. What if it had a different scenario? What if they had said, “Oh, yeah, you know Mike Jackson?” and I hadn’t been so faithful. His answer to coming out to Bible study might have been a little different. We have no idea how we affect other people by how we live. You can’t have a testimony if you’ve never been tested. If you see someone on TV who’s really, really rich. I’ll give an example, Paris Hilton. Her family is mega-mega rich, and she’s complaining because she had to go to jail. We don’t feel sorry for those people, because we figure they’ve always had it good.

So if you’re geting tried and tested, it must be for something good. Be thankful for those trials, because it means that Satan’s not liking you right now. And if you’ve not had them for a really long time, you’ve got to stop and think about it. Either it’s because he’s too busy bothering other poeple, or it’s because you’re doing a really good job for him. You’ve got to think about that.

The other night I was talking to my roommate about coming back from sea, and he told me that he saw the sign that the church had. He was looking for me and he saw the sign and said, “That church must be really close. My church never did that.” You never know what kind of testimony you are to the people around you.

Pat Mahoney

If Satan’s not bothering you, it’s probably because he’s backing up to get a running start. I shared that last Friday at Men’s Fellowship. We had talked about our testimony in staying faithful. I think that’s always a timely and important topic. One of my favorite examples is Pastor Davis. He saw that I was struggling when I first started, and he said something very wise. He said, “God can’t make you want to be saved. You’ve got to want that for yourself.”

One of the things that I try to do in fellowship is, no matter who I’m talking to, I try to give them something valuable that will help them make it through. I’ve had my struggles and battles, and I’ve come to realize that if I’d just given them to God, I might have been blessed with shorter battles. You’ve got to give it to God, not take it upon yourself. Know him by his word, because you can’t know him without his word.

I used to be a very judgmental person, but God taught me to look at people through his eyes. Charity thinketh no evil.

I thank God for a beautiful and godly wife who helps me to stay on track, when my focus isn’t exactly where it should be.

So look for the simple things in God, because his word isn’t complicated. He’s always there to tell you. Clearing out the noise of the world to listen to the voice of God is a hard thing to do. It takes patience, sometimes.

Don’t forsake the fellowship. We have the ability to share tactics and strategies in this battle that we wage every day. We know that Satan waits in cunning craftiness. Out of all the weapons that Satan could use against the people of God, his greatest tool is a wedge. He says, “If I can get that wedge started and tap on it just a little more every day, pretty soon I’ll have you separated from God.” So look at what’s trying to separate you from God, and get it out of your life.

Kathy Williams

Something I got from the Pastors Tour was, “If you can’t say something nice, say something nice anyway.” I love you all; I thank God that he has patience.

Joseph Antolin

I was thinking about a testimony that goes back to 2001. Pastor shares with us about tithing and offering. At the time, we had children who were going into college. We didn’t think we had anything. We had to make a decision to put away some money for the kids, or to give without grudging. So we decided to trust in the Lord, that he would take care of the children. A lot of you think my children are really smart, but they’re actually “C” students. Plus Holy Ghost, that equals scholarships. If I had put that money away, they probably would just have enough money for one year of school. But now they have enough to take them through four years. God works in the realm of those who give up, or don’t have control. My parents had money for me; they were in control. But for the last six years, every time the children had a failing grade, or a “D”, we prayed about it. And every time we did that, it accumulated. And the return on that spirit of excellence has been more than an hundredfold.

  • Jesus, Jesus
  • How Great Is Our God

Paul Rudolph

Before I was stationed on the USS Cole, I was on a shore command, and I spent a lot of time at the church. I thought it would have repercussions on my career in the Navy, and I kind-of wrote off making Senior Chief. Well, now I’m a Senior Chief in the United States Navy, and I don’t feel worthy. I just want to let you know, when we all work together, it makes one guy not be burdened so much.

Rod Williams

I’ve got a special person here tonight. Dad, would you mind standing up? My Dad’s name has been on the prayer request list for some time now, and I wanted my Dad to stand up so that the church would know that your prayers have an effect. My Dad has been my physical father, and Pastor Thomas has been my spiritual father for many years now. They both know how to put me in check.

When I leave this building, I leave with the ministry, so I’m never alone. We have a support system with one another. I’m thankful for what that does for all of us, if we take advantage of us.

I want to share this scripture about God reminding Joshua and the others about what he had done for them, from the flood, to leading them out of Egypt, to taking the land of the Amorites. We as people, have to always be reminded of what God has done for us. And it’s a matter of priorities.

Joshua 24:15
  1. 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.

I can’t answer for anyone else but Rod. I love my wife. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Sometimes I feel she’s a little bossy and overbearing; we had a talk about this earlier today. But when I look back on it, I appreciate it. We as men have egos. Yes, they’re very fragile; thank you.

We went to New York recently, but it was no vacation. We could do whatever we want to; we were away from the church. No, we weren’t. If it wasn’t for the men of God that God placed in this ministry, to stand up as Moses, and sacrifice for us, I wouldn’t have been able to be that testimony. And we’ve got to hold their hands up. We’re all here as God has placed us, but if one of us is out to sea, the whole ministry is out to sea. It all comes down to priorities. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Aaron Schempp

We learn from the scripture that the Lord sits as a refininig fire; if we abide in him, he’ll make us these able-bodied ministers. I thank God that I stand by faith every day, trying to be an encouragement to everyone around me. A few years ago, I was out at the church and I’d just gotten a new job. My job had changed from being a press operator to working in the maintenance department. I had bought this old toolbox from Bob Kinskey. I’ve been building on this toolbox ever since, filling it up with tools and adding on to it.

John 15:1-8
  1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
  2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
  3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
  4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
  5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
  6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
  7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
  8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Tim Davis

When Satan comes at me with a temptation, I’ve found it’s best to use a scripture that deals with the particular temptation. But this scripture is particularly flexible:

Deuteronomy 6:5
  1. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

If you love the Lord, you won’t let Satan lure you in or scare you away from what God has for you to do.

Message:

  • That’s Why We Praise Him
  • Let All The People Praise Him

Chantalle Fenelus

I want to share a scripture with you.

Romans 8:38-39
  1. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
  2. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’m thankful because he was already persuaded before life or death or principalities or all of those other things came. It’s exciting, because the end of this is heaven. So stay encouraged, and stay focused.

Herb Williams

I’d like to share a scripture that was shared with me back in the earlier days.

Proverbs 18:10
  1. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Looking back, we used to have a fellowship center in Waukegan. I didn’t get to spend much time there, but it had a big huge sign that you just couldn’t miss. And when you saw it, you’d think, “There must be some really crazy people to put up a big sign like that.” But Pastor Davis made a sign, with the name of Jesus, and look at us all now; a lot of us ran in and were saved.

Bridget Williams

The scripture that I want to share is the one that says, “Draw nigh to God and he’ll draw nigh to you.” God loves us so much that he comes to us; all we have to do is reach out and grab him.

Barlyn Uribe

God found me when I was in a really bad time. I was really distressed. I left a great family back home. But when God came, he gave me another family. Until recently, I didn’t really appreciate the great family that God has given me. I want to sing a song called “Fellowship.” I’m not a singer, so I’ll need some help.

  • Leaning on The Everlasting Arms

John Jeffries

On my first command, I was stationed on the Nassau with Pastor Ulysse, Reggie Branch, and a couple of other guys. We were trying to work with the Chaplain and use the library to hold Bible studies, but for some reason, this guy had a hard head and didn’t want anyone to use the library except for people who had no reason to be there. So we had to find other avenues. And when I transferred to another ship, I took that same attitude with me; I just assumed that it wouldn’t work. Then Pastor Thomas had a lecture about giving Bible studies. He asked who wasn’t teaching Bible studies on their ship. “John Jeffries, why aren’t you teaching Bible studies on your ship?” So I made an appointment to speak to the Chaplain. On that ship, he was a commander, and I was really nervous. I was sure that he’d kick me out of his office, telling me I was going to hell or something. So I told him that I was interested in teaching Bible studies on the ship, and waited to hear what he’d say. And he was quiet for a while, then said, “I’ve been waiting for somebody like you to come along. I can teach Bible studies every day, but because I’m wearing kakhis, nobody will come. But if I get someone in there wearing a blue shirt, people will come by the truckload. Wow! That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear! So we worked out a schedule, and he gave me a key to the library. Any of you who are in the Navy knows that that doesn’t happen to just anybody.

Later on, as more people started coming out for the Bible studies, we started to have problems because there weren’t enough King James version Bibles in the library. So I asked Pastor if he had any ideas, and he told me to contact the Gideons. I looked them up in the phonebook, and called to ask if they could help provide about ten or twelve Bibles for our studies on the ship. “How many do you need? They come in cases of fifty.” Uh… yeah, sure. Fifty would be great. The next week the Chaplain saw me carrying in all these boxes of Bibles, and he asked where I got them. When I told him, he asked, “Can you get more?” Well, I can try. How many do you need? They come in cases of fifty. So he said, “Two cases would be great.” And we wound up supplying Bibles for the underway worship services, as well.

The point is, I’m ashamed to say that I started with an attitude that things wouldn’t work out, but God can make all things work to the good.

  • One Day (More Than Enough For Me)
  • Praise Song

Pastor Thomas

One of the things I enjoy so much about these kinds of testionies in our worship services is this:

Judges 2:6-14
  1. And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
  2. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
  3. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
  4. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
  5. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
  6. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  7. And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
  8. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
  9. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

Church, I want you to understand that your testimony is so vital. Your testimony, your relationship with God is only as good as the next time you do something for the Lord. If your testimony is always past-tense, then you haven’t been about your Father’s business. Your spiritual man can be of that next generation. When was the last time you prayed in tongues? When was the last time you witnessed somebody getting healed? When was the last time you stirred someone up and saw the spark of realization come into their lives? When was the last time you led someone into the realization that they need Jesus Christ in their lives? God has called you to be about his business, not sit your butts in these pews.

You can’t work yourself into the kingdom of heaven. You can’t do all of these things and say, “I need my rest.” I could sit back and say, “I’ve just rode 9000 miles; I’m going to take a week or two off.” But God says, “No, you won’t; I’ve got some more things for you to do, and I’ll give you the strength to make it happen.” Have you ever drank one of those energy drinks? Thats what the Holy Ghost does to me. I was sitting in my office thinking about taking a nap, but now I’m super-charged. Why? Because souls are at statke. If I don’t do what God has called me to do, how can I expect you to do what God has called you to do? Leadership starts with self.

There are two different kinds of leaders; one inherits the leadership from someone else. But in Christ, we don’t inherit leadership. We develop followers. Think about the testimonies you’ve heard, and about affecting other people, and then ask yourself, “How is my testimony? How many people am I affecting?” It’s not my job just to lead; it’s my job to inspire you to lead others.

So when was the last time that anything happened in your ministry? When was the last time you saw a miracle take place? When was the last time you saw someone cry out and you helped them through difficult times? And then ask yourself, “Why has it been so long?” And then go to God and say, “Lord, revive, refresh, renew my ministry.” So then you can say, “Yesterday, …. Today …” not “Last week … Last year …” So that way you can have a continuing testimony, never letting it be just “what happened back when…”

We’ve had some times; we’ve had Jericho marches; we’ve seen people healed. God isn’t restricted by time, position, age, or location. God is an ever-present God. So God can do miracles no matter where, no matter when. So where is the choke point? Say, “It’s me.” So let’s get the “me” out of the way, so we can see some great things take place in our ministry, world-wide.

I’m asking you to fast with me these next few weeks, until the middle of July. Pray for Pastor Pane and me; pray for our church. Miracles are going to take place, and people in our church are going to come up higher in their physical walk, in their spiritual walk. If you do that, then you’ll be as those who saw the sea parted, who saw the manna fall down, who saw the enemy defeated, who saw the walls of Jericho fall down, who saw great things. Why do I want to see God do great things? Because he said that he can.

What did Rockefeller have? Lots of money, right? If Rockefeller was your grand-dad, and you knew that he was leaving you an inheritance, would you be surprised to get some money? Why? Well, then why would you be surprised when things happen in our ministry? God said, “Greater things than these will you do.” Prepare yourself for that miracle, and God will make it happen.

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