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Bible Preaching

Rejected, But Accepted

Text: John 1:10-13, “(10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Jesus always looks for those whom the world sees as rejects.

He knows what rejection feels like and He knows how it feels to be seen by others as a reject.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.[1]

“…touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” – Jesus understands all your weaknesses, all your hurts, for he faced all the stuff you have faced, everything, especially rejection.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

It was prophesied that he would be rejected:

(3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  (4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.[2]

Rejected, but Accepted

Because Jesus can sympathize with the rejects, the untouchables, the marginalized

He is drawn to people who recognize their need for Him – no matter how aware they are of Him.

There is a magnetic pull…a vacuum if you will…that Jesus is compelled to fill.

Jesus specializes in reaching for people many would not cross the street to talk with.

Men and women that society has deemed somehow unacceptable.

They have been called godless, useless, prodigals, wastrels, discards…trash.

Certainly, there were people when Jesus walked this earth in shoe leather and there are people now considered by the majority to be “rejects.”

Remember the moments when Jesus took time to come to the rejected:

  • Zacchaeus – “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”[3]
    • Other Jews did not like Zacchaeus, a Jew, because he chose to work for the Romans, and as a publican he was treated as a traitor to his people.
    • When the people saw that Jesus was going into Zacchaeus’s home, “they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner” (Luke 19:7).
    • Zacchaeus had risen to the top of the ranks of swindling tax collectors, he abused his authority by getting rich off the hard-earned money of others, and they rejected him.
    • The people rejected him, but Jesus accepted him.
  • Mary Magdalene – tormented by seven evil spirits, she was rejected by the people of her coastal hometown on the Sea of Galilee, but Jesus accepted her.[4]
  • The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers – unclean and standing far away from Jesus and His followers, but “they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” [5]
    • They were rejected by people and the Law of Moses, but Jesus accepted them.
  • The man of Gadara – He was so full of unclean spirits that they called themselves “Legion” (possibly 2,000)
    • The people there rejected him, but Jesus accepted him
  • Thief on the Cross – ultimate form of rejection is when society demands your death – capital punishment.
    • The legal system rejected this thief, but Jesus accepted him.
  • Woman of Samaria – came to the well in the heat of the day. Rejected by the women of the city and perhaps the shame of her past caused her to reject herself, but Jesus accepted her.

Like so many truths found in Scripture, often the one most in need of spiritual rejuvenation, Holy Ghost regeneration, and Bible salvation is unaware of just how far they’ve fallen from grace.

Worthless, without value, insignificant – these are words sometimes used to “put people in their place,” by people who have forgotten the place where Jesus found them.

The sinner who has never come to Jesus before KNOWS she is lost, but the religious soul who has trusted in man’s tradition, in the trappings of religiosity, in the intellect of their own mind, and not in the power of the Holy Spirt – he has no idea just how lost he really is.

The fall of the haughty, arrogant and prideful is rarely overnight, but little-by-little.

Luke 18:9-14 highlights this truth:

(9) And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  (10)  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus reminding them, and us today, that we are blessed “…with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

He goes on to tell us, the Rejected, But Accepted: “…We have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.[6]

A permanent change is coming to us.

We who were once rejected are about to be eternally accepted:

(50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  

  • The saying that is written (Isaiah 25:8), “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.”

(55)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

  • We who were one time rejects are accepted in the beloved Lord Jesus Christ.

(58)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  • So, don’t stop serving Jesus, keep reaching for fellow rejects, and loving each other the way Jesus showed us to love one another.

Do you feel broken, marginalized, rejected?

Have you ever felt that way?

Your acceptance is as simple as believing and obeying the very words of Jesus:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

[1] Hebrews 4:15

[2] Isaiah 53:3-5

[3] Luke 19:5

[4] Luke 8:2

[5] Luke 17:11-19

[6] (10/26/2025, Sanctuary of Praise, Culloden, WV, Pastor David Gentry)

Categories
Bible Preaching

Drinking from His Cup

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, will you do us a favor?” Jesus asked them what they wanted, and they answered, “When you come into your glory, please let one of us sit at your right side and the other at your left.” Jesus told them, “You don’t really know what you’re asking! Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from or be baptized as I must be baptized?” “Yes, we are!” James and John answered. Then Jesus replied, “You certainly will drink from the cup from which I must drink. And you will be baptized just as I must!” -Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭35‬-‭39‬, CEV‬‬

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Truth is a Person – Harold Hoffman

Another nugget from Harold Hoffman…

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Explosive Nature of God’s Word – Harold Hoffman

Harold Hoffman teaching on the explosive nature of the Word of God when mixed with faith.

Categories
Music

The Yodel Song – Bill Carter

Bill Carter
Categories
Bible Teaching

Trust in God’s Will

Stephen Kuntzman | 9/28/2025 | 10am

Text: Genesis 12:1-3, “(1)  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2)  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Trust In God’s Will[1]

“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Genesis 11:4, “Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1).

“So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him” (Genesis 12:4).

We can be eternally grateful God does not give us what we deserve. Truthfully, we deserve judgment; He gives us mercy. We deserve death; He gives us life. Like a judge allowing a guilty person to go free, the mercy of God allows us to escape the death penalty of sin.

But since God is holy, He cannot just ignore sin; someone has to pay the penalty and suffer the sentence we deserve. The gospel—the beautiful covenant God’s Word keeps pointing toward—teaches us that God Himself took our sins and our sorrows on Himself. He paid our penalty; He suffered our sentence. The covenant blessings of God go beyond a spiritual pardon. Not only do we not get what we deserve because of His mercy, but we get what we do not deserve because of His grace. Jesus announced: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2–3).

Abraham Believed and Obeyed

Believe and obey are action words. Like Noah, Abraham put feet on his faith. When God told Abraham to go, Abraham went. As Abraham walked with God, God continued to reiterate and refine His covenant. Not surprisingly, Abraham battled fear and doubt throughout this long journey. He even sired a son named Ishmael when God did not answer as quickly as Abraham had hoped. During one moment of doubt, God instructed Abraham to look up toward heaven and count the stars. This was enough reassurance for Abraham. “He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:5–6).

The sign of the covenant for Noah was a rainbow in the sky; for Abraham and his descendants, it was circumcision. God commanded: “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you” (Genesis 17:11). Then, God unfolded another prophetic page in His great master plan: “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year” (Genesis 17:21).

The New Testament opens with these words: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). When Abraham looked up at the night sky to count the stars, little did he know that one of his descendants would be Jesus Christ, God manifested in flesh, the “bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16).

“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8).

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:17–19).

“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:25–26).

“And again, I will put my trust in him” (Hebrews 2:13).

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

[1] SOURCE: God’s Word for Life. Covenant. Fall 2025 Lesson Guide. Lesson 4 – Abraham and Isaac. Pentecostal Publishing House.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Anointed & Sent

Stephen Kuntzman | Nov. 9, 2025 | 10am

Text: John 20:21-23, “(21) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  (22)  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:  (23)  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “(17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

“…I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves…” (Matthew 10:16).

Anointed and Sent

Ancillary Text:

  • Matthew 28:18-20, “(18) 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:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
  • Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
  • Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

In 2025, churchtrac shared the latest survey from Gallup (2023) and the Pew Research Center regarding the percentage of regular church attendance. The survey was both eye-opening and astounding:[1]

  • 20% of Americans attend church every week
  • 41% of Americans are in monthly church attendance or more
  • 57% of Americans are seldom or never in religious service attendance
  • Regular church attendance has steadily declined since the turn of the century[2] [3]

When Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica their detractors made an interesting statement: “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”[4]

How did they turn the world upside down?

They had a purposeful focus (spreading the Gospel, making disciples, and serving Jesus)

How did they accomplish that?

The early Church was focused on two things:

Jesus & People

That focus embodies the approach we must have if we want to see the growth of the early church.

Furthermore, when we get our focus on Jesus & People, we fulfil God’s Law:

(37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  (38)  This is the first and great commandment.  (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.[5]

God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He desires relationship with His Creation.

In the Old Testament, the LORD told Moses, “And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.”[6]

In the New Testament, Paul quotes Moses’ words in Exodus, but emphasizes a deeper communion:

“(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  (17)  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  (18)  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”[7]

Dwelling “among” the people now becomes dwelling “in” His people.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

To do this, “God became a missionary”:[8]

  • John 1:1-5, 10-14, “(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. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not….(10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of 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.”

The Father – in the person of Jesus Christ – descends to the earth for the work of redeeming Men and Women and creating the Church.

Jesus then commissioned and sent the Church into the world with the mission of reaching lost humanity with the Gospel message of salvation:

  • John 3:16-17, “(16) 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.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
  • “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21).
    • We have been Anointed and Sent.

The Church is sent as a continuation of God’s mission, which is to be with and in His people!

What we call “The Great Commission” is God’s plan to fulfil through His Church His purpose for the world.

God has Anointed and Sent you and I to be missionaries and ministers of reconciliation uniting Jesus with people.

The Great Commission[9]

Four Great Commission Passages:

  • Matthew 28:18-20, “(18) 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:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
  • Mark 16:15-18, “(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  (16)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (17)  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  (18)  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
  • Luke 24:44-49, “(44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.  (45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And 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.”
  • Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Six Elements of the Great Commission:[10]

  1. Belief
  2. Repentance
  3. Water Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ
  4. Holy Ghost baptism and supernatural signs
  5. Teaching
  6. Healing

For the Church to grow and be successful as the embodied ambassadors of Jesus Christ – relationship with His creation – we need to have a proper balance:

  1. Right Doctrine (orthodoxy) – Head
    • Having a right understanding of the Bible – a biblical worldview.John 17:15-19, “(15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  (16)  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (17)  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  (18)  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  (19)  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
    • Right Thinking confuses the world:
      • (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  (22)  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.[11]
  2. Right Heart (Orthopathy) – Heart
    • Your will, affections, feelings, understanding and human spirit.A right heart is necessary for spiritual development and growth of personal character.When out of balance selfish ambitions arise.
    • Galatians 4:4-6, “(4) 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.  (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
      • Jesus was born of a woman, under the law to redeem humanity so that we could receive the adoption of sons and daughters.
      • The result of adoption is that the Son is sent into our hearts – the purpose of the mission – and we cry out “Abba, Father,”
  3. Right Practice (orthopraxy) – Hands
    • Truth in action.Action that moves forward the ultimate purpose of God.Unclean hands undermines God’s intent: faith dies, humanity is harmed, and our head and heart is affected.If there is no balance then a superficial faith rises, self-righteousness through works increases, false doctrine is propagated and the mission is compromised.2 Corinthians 5:18-21, “(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
      • The Mission of Jesus Christ continues in the Church each time we are involved in the ministry of reconciliation.Reconciliation required the incarnation: “he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
      • The entire Mission of the Church is about reconciliation.

Four Missional Principles

The psalmist wrote, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:6). In this verse we find Four Missional Principles of Perpetual Growth:

  1. Prayer (weepeth)

    Prayer sets the stage for the miraculous. Prayer is inextricably tied to spiritual growth, whether it is in the individual’s life or in the Church. People who pray consistently and persistently with passion will see results from their time with the Lord. Prayer takes discipline and consecration (not to be confused with concentration) but it is the conduit through which Heaven is reached. When we pray we not only speak to God, but He speaks to us. Prayer sets the stage for the miraculous.

    2. Praise (rejoicing)

    Praise sets the atmosphere for the miraculous. Those who have learned to praise God in everything eventually attain a level of spiritual maturity found only in praise. There are various methods of praise but only one way to praise. We must praise God with our whole heart. A whole heart is one that’s affections are not divided. True praise is authentic and sold out to Christ alone.

    3. Preaching (bearing precious seed)

    Preaching is the anointed message of the miraculous Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    Truly anointed preaching presents Jesus in such a way that people ask the same question asked so long ago on the day of Pentecost and they receive that same anointed answer:

    “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? 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” (Acts 2:37-38).

    The difference between preaching and teaching:

    “Preaching is the anointed declaration of Truth. Teaching is the anointed explanation of Truth.” -Raymond Woodward

    4. Personal Evangelism (goeth forth)

    Personal evangelism is passion for the miraculous work of salvation.

    Personal evangelism is that element of inner passion and expectation that propels people to go and tell others about Jesus and what He’s doing today.

    It is spiritually mature and excellent practice to be a witness of the oneness of God. It is not something that only new converts should be doing.

    The longer one is in the Church the more they should be going forth to bring in a harvest of souls.

    Remember: Jesus touched others.[12]

    (16)  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (17)  And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, (18)  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19)  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

    We are sent to continue this mission – His Mission.

    When your head is right (doctrine), your heart is true (spirit), and your practices are correct (right hands) you will see growth in your congregation.

    When you’re on the mission in prayer, praise, preaching and personal evangelism then you will see the harvest God had intended for you.

    Max Lucado wrote, “The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. That hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty—and his tears—oh, don’t miss the tears-they came from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been. So people came to Him-my, how they came to Him. They came at night. They touched Him as He walked down the street. They followed Him around the sea. They invited Him into their homes and placed their children at His feet. Why? Because He refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose rather to be touchable, approachable, and reachable. He was Jesus and I love Him!”

    Jesus is here right now.

    We have been anointed, sent and commissioned to fulfil His Mission. How can we do any less?

    [1] churchtrac. (2025). The State of Church Attendance: Trends and Statistics [2025]. Accessed: 10/24.2025. https://www.churchtrac.com/articles/the-state-of-church-attendance-trends-and-statistics-2023.

    [2] Ibid.

    [3] Pew Research Center. (2025). In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace. Accessed: 10/24/2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.

    [4] Acts 17:1-9

    [5] Matthew 22:37-40 

    [6] Exodus 29:45-46

    [7] 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

    [8] James Littles, Jr., Ph.D. (9/21/2012). Balancing Truth for the 21st Century.

    [9] Commissions = “an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people.” –Oxford Languages

    [10] Exploring God’s Word Home Bible Study

    [11] 1 Corinthians 1:21-24

    [12] Littles.

    Categories
    Bible Preaching

    The Rock & The Name

    Stephen Kuntzman | Oct. 5, 2025 | 6:30 pm

    Text: Matthew 16:13-20 

    (13) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  (14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  (15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  (18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  (20)  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

    1 Corinthians 10:1-4, “(1)  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  (2)  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  (3)  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  (4)  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

    The Rock & The Name

    Bishop James A. Johnson: “Men often fail in their religious pursuits because they are not convinced of the extraordinariness of Jesus.”

    “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?”

    Apparently, there were many opinions in Jesus’ day regarding His identity: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

    The world today has no need for men and women who have already ran their race, finished their courses and received their reward.

    John, Elijah, Jeremiah, and the prophets – healed the sick, raised the dead, stopped the heavens from raining, brought the rain again

    They preached great sermons, performed notable miracles, baptized many.

    BUT, they could not make men, women, boys and girls inwardly whole. They were unable to save humanity from their sins.

    Only Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God can do that.

    I love, honor and respect our Apostolic / Oneness Pentecostal heritage.

    I have great esteem for men like Urshan, Ewart, Goss, Haywood, Pugh, Kilgore, Kitchen, Simison, Kuntzman, Jenkins, McFarland, Tenney, etc.

    They all served their generation well, but their time has come and gone.

    It is now your time to do for this generation what God requires of you.

    God has called you to this time and this hour and this day.

    Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

    This is your time! This is your place! What will you do with it?

    The disciples gave Jesus a list of who people believed others Him to be, but Jesus cut through all that and simply asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?”

    Who is Jesus to you?

    Who is Jesus to you? Is He simply a good man, a healer, a worker of miracles, a teacher of great truths…

    Do you see Him as some far off ethereal deity cloud robed and mystery hidden, or can you say like Peter did:

    “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

    He is the one the prophets spoke about, wrote about, prayed for, looked to, and rejoiced at His coming.

    He is the Messiah, the anointed one, the savior.

    He is God manifest in the flesh.

    Jesus is The Rock, and properly identifying Jesus through the power of divine revelation brings a blessing into your life:

    “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

    1 Corinthians 12:3, “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

    Revelation comes by the Spirit of God and always agrees with the written Word of God.

    1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy [undeniable, certain, without dispute] 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.”

    1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

    Matthew 1:20-25

    (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.

    Jesus then tells Peter who He is: “Thou art Peter [a piece of rock], and upon this rock [a mass of rock] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” <<Peter = “a piece of rock”[1]  | Upon this rock = “a mass of rock”[2]>>

    Peter, I’m not going to build my Church on you, you’re just a little piece of rock, but upon This ROCK, this massive rock of stone – the revelation of who I am – I am going to build My Church.

    Jesus – The Rock – The Name, is who this Church is built on:

    (10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  (11)  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  (12)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.[3]

    Jesus Christ is The Rock

    • Deuteronomy 32:31, “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.”
    • Deuteronomy 32:3-4, “(3) Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  (4)  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
    • Psalm 18:2, 31, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower….For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”
    • Psalm 95:1, “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
    • Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
    • Ephesians 2:19-22, “(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

    Like Paul, when you receive the revelation of The Rock & The Name and realize His power you will be driven by a singular devotion and determination:

    “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1-2).

    PERGAMOS[4]

    Revelation 2:12-17 

    (12)  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 

    • Pergamos literally means “married with the world.”
    • It refers to a condition and time when satan changed tactics to attack the Church.
    • We all want to be accepted.
    • So, satan stopped persecuting the church and began popularizing it.
    • The church became the “in thing” to join.  And so it became fashionable.
    • But while fashionable it had become impure. Those joining didn’t leave their sinful practices and those already in it became influenced by the world.
    • This led to a condition where the Church would become unfaithful to Christ and married to the world.
    • Jesus is stating here that He is coming with a two-edged to divide the true Church from the false church that is full of compromise and polluted works.

    (13)  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 

    • Even as popular culture tried to pervert, popularize, and convolute the name of Jesus, the Church held on to the truth of the mighty God in Christ.
    • They still understood:
      • Neither is there salvation in any other…
      • In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily…
      • Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name…
    • God has always had a True Church that has held onto His name.
    • Somewhere and somehow Truth has always been preserved.
    • Even when satan changes tactics, God is always steps ahead preserving and protecting the Church.
    • You see, Truth doesn’t need protecting. Truth is true whether all believe it, or none do.
    • It was Adrian Rodgers who said, “It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehood that comforts and then kills. Let me tell you something, friend, it is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God. It is better to be hated for telling the truth, than to be loved for telling a lie. It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated. It’s better to stand alone with the truth, than to be wrong with a multitude. It is better to ultimately succeed with the truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie. There is only one Gospel and Paul said, “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed”.” -Adrian Rodgers, National Religious Broadcasters Convention in 1996
    • The Church in Pergamos had martyrs who had died for Truth – Antipas (thought to be the pastor).

    (14)  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 

    • It was Balaam who couldn’t curse the Hebrews. So, he encouraged Balac to have his pagan people intermarry with the Hebrews.
    • Thus, the Hebrews brought a curse on themselves when their gentile wives brought false gods, heathen practices, and compromise into their homes.
    • The devil wants you to bring a curse on yourself by allowing a marriage of the holy with the profane in your life.

    (15)  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 

    • The doctrine (deeds) of the Nicolaitans: Corrupts Paul’s teaching concerning grace, and made it a license to sin.
    • They were sensual and unrepentant.
    • They turned the grace of God into lasciviousness.
    • Paul wrote in reponse to them: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2).
    • 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
    • According the Joseph Benson, “They allowed the practice of the most abominable lewdness and adulteries, as well as sacrificing to idols; all which they placed among things indifferent, and pleaded for as branches of Christian liberty.”[5]

    (16)  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

    • REPENT – Jesus here gives to John the very first word of the Gospel that He shared in the beginning – REPENT.
    • It is the only solution for your sin.
    • It is better to fall in humble repentance now than to be broken by God’s judgment.
    • Psalms 103:8-11, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”

    (17)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

    • Hidden manna = Divine provision both natural and spiritual.
      • The Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our sustenance.
    • White stone = a sign of purity and innocence.
      • Even in this wicked age of compromise God can keep you pure and declare you innocent.
    • Name recorded in stone = worthy of eternal life.
      • God would not condemn the True Church to Hell because of the failures of their generation.
      • Is your name recorded in the Stone?

    If not, you need to enter into The Rock

    Isaiah 2:10, “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.”

    How do you “Enter into the Rock?” How do you get in Jesus? Peter told us on the Day of Pentecost how to do that:

    …God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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? 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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.[6]

    Get into Jesus?

    Obey the plan of salvation and be born again of water and Spirit.

    That is how to enter into the Rock.

    Death, Burial & Resurrection = New Birth:

    Colossians 2:8-12, “(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:  (11)  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh [repentance] by the circumcision of Christ:  (12)  Buried with him in baptism [water baptism] wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead [Holy Ghost].

    When you properly identify The Rock you will operate with the same delegated authority Peter was granted:

    “…whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

    So, Preach Jesus – Teach Jesus – Live Jesus – Share Jesus – Love Jesus – Praise Jesus

    And the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.

    No secret council of hell will ever prevail against God’s Church – the gates of hell

    Who is Jesus to you?  

    You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

    Matthew 16:17-18, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

    “Thou art Peter” = Petros – “a (piece of) rock.”[7]

    You are a small pebble, Peter, I’m not going to build My church on you…

    “And upon this Rock” = Petra – “a (mass of) rock.”[8]

    But I’m going to build My church on this massive boulder, this Stone hewn out of the mountain, OUR ROCK that’s going to grow and cover the whole earth.

    …and establish an eternal Spiritual kingdom that cannot be destroyed.”

    [1] Strong’s & John Gill

    [2] Ibid.

    [3] Acts 4:10-12

    [4] Dustin L. Abbott. 2007. Revelation Unveiled. Pages 44-48.

    [5] Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

    [6] Acts 2:36-39

    [7] Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. G4074.

    [8] Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. G4073.

    Categories
    Bible Teaching

    The Call of Mercy

    Stephen Kuntzman | Oct. 19, 2025 | 10am

    Text: Matthew 26:30-35, 69-75

    (30) And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  (31)  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.  (32)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.  (33)  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.  (34)  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  (35)  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples….(69) Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.  (70)  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.  (71)  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.  (72)  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.  (73)  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.  (74)  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.  (75)  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

    Ancillary Text: Joel 2:25-29 

    (25) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.  (26)  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (27)  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  (29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

    Luke 22:31-34, “(31) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  (33)  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.  (34)  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

    Jesus is being charged and false witnesses come against Him

    Only one of His handpicked apostles has stayed with Him. The others fled.

    Peter works up enough courage to follow from a distance

    Luke 22:54-62, “(54) Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.  (55)  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.  (56)  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  (57)  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.  (58)  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.  (59)  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  (60)  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  (61)  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  (62)  And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

    The shame that Peter felt for his weakness and his lack of loyalty to Jesus

    We all deny the Lord in various ways, no one is exempt:

    • Words, Behaviors, Actions
    • Values and Morals
    • Disregard His Word
    • Saying one thing and doing another
    • Reject the work of Calvary

    Peter wept bitterly

    Have you ever been there

    Shame over wrong choices, actions, words spoken

    That cockcrow shook Peter

    He looked up and Jesus, with eyes of love and compassion, met Peter’s gaze.

    I that moment regret, sorrow, shame and remorse drove Peter out of the courtyard

    He wept bitterly

    Perhaps, the cockcrow has sounded in your life

    It is the sound of mercy…that is the reminder of mercy

    THE CALL OF MERCY

    Remember Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

    That rooster crowed – Peter looks up into the gaze of the Lamb of God

    That trumpet sounded – “A body has thou prepared me”[1]

    Those priests began to prepare the altar for the Passover sacrifice – the Paschal Lamb

    And the Lamb looked at Peter

    Christ is looking at you this morning and He is extending The Call of Mercy.

    Joel 2:25-29, “(25) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.  (26)  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (27)  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  (29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”

    • I will restore
    • 2x – my people shall never be ashamed
    • …it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh…
      • Acts 2:1-2, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
      • The Sound from Heaven is The Call of Mercy

    [1] Hebrews 10:5

    Categories
    Bible Preaching Bible Teaching

    The Golden Ephod

    Stephen Kuntzman | October 26, 2025 | 10am

    Text:   Judges 6:34, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.”

    Judges 8:22-27, “(22) Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.  (23)  And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.  (24)  And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)  (25)  And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.  (26)  And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.  (27)  And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.”

    The Golden Ephod

    Judges 6:11-16, “(11) And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.  (12)  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.  (13)  And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.  (14)  And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?  (15)  And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.  (16)  And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.”

    Judges 6:24-27, “(24) Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  (25)  And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:  (26)  And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.  (27)  Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.”

    • Jehovahshalom = “the Lord’s peace; the sign or witness of God’s speaking peace to me, and to his people: or the place where he spake peace to me, when I expected nothing but destruction.[1]

    Judges 6:28-35, “(28) And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.  (29)  And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.  (30)  Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.  (31)  And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.  (32)  Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.  (33)  Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.  (34)  But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.  (35)  And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.”

    The temptation of this church age is also its burden.

    • The temptation of the golden ephod
    • The burden of the golden ephod

    KJV, Judges 6:34, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.”

    ESV, Judges 6:34, “But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.”

    The Spirit of God – God’s Glory, God’s Anointing – wrapped around Gideon like a garment.

    Came Upon (H3847) = “A primitive root; properly wrap around, that is, (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively: – (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear.”

    The golden ephod was Gideon’s attempt to manufacture what only God’s anointing and power can produce (Judges 8:22-28).

    The result of this ephod was Israel’s fall into idolatry worshipping man made idols and not God, the created and not the Creator.

    Rather than return to what attracted God’s attention to him in the first place, Gideon tried to establish his own system of worship.

    There is only One Way to God and any other method leads to idolatry.

    “The sword of Lord, and of Gideon” = Gideon taking partial credit for Divine success, and pride beginning to creep in:

    Judges 7:16-20, “(16) And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.  (17)  And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.  (18)  When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  (19)  So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.  (20)  And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

    Judges 8:27, “And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.”

    Israel went a whoring — they committed idolatry by going to Gideon’s golden ephod in Ophrah to inquire the will of God.

    This false ephod drew Israel away from the true ephod, instituted by God for this end, which was to be worn by the high-priest only and was in Shiloh where the Tabernacle rested.

    Which thing became a snare — Sin and ruin came upon Gideon, his children and Israel because of this golden ephod.

    Judges 8:33, “And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.”

    Gideon may have been a decent man who made the golden ephod with the good intention of worshipping God, but any desire to set up a religion on your own terms and not by the Word of God ultimately leads to sin and ruin.

    Why was this sin so dangerous and how does it relate to the church today?

    1. Superstition and will worship, worshipping God by a device of his own, which was expressly forbidden:
      • Me and Jesus we got our own thing goingGod knows my heart, He knows I’m a good person
      • Good people don’t go to heaven. Born again people go to heaven.
    2. Presumption, in wearing, or causing other priests to wear this kind of ephod, which was peculiar to the high-priest:
      • Presumption stems from pride, insolence, and arrogance. It is total rebellion against God, His Word and/or His appointed leaders.
    3. Transgression of a plain command, of worshipping God ordinarily but at one place and one altar,
      • Deuteronomy 12:5, 13-14, “(11) But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:… (13)  Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:  (14)  But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.”
    4. Making a division among the people:
    5. Laying a stumbling-block, or an occasion of idolatry, before that people, whom he knew to be too prone to it.[2]

    [1] Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

    [2] Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. Judges 8:27