Tag: Acts 2:38

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Chosen Struggle

Categories
Bible Preaching

Fresh Oil

Text: Psalms 92:10, “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”

Fresh Oil

Oil plays a significant part in the Scriptures and in the life of the believer.

The first time oil is mentioned in the Word of God it was used by Jacob to anoint the stone he’d used as a pillow (Genesis 28:10-22):

(10) And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  (11)  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.  (12)  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  (13)  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;  (14)  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  (15)  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  (16)  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.  (17)  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.  (18)  And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.  (19)  And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.  (20)  And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,  (21)  So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:  (22)  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

There on that stone Jacob poured oil and dedicated it as a place of worship to God naming that spot Bethel – The House of God.

Later he came back to Bethel, built an altar and named it El-Bethel – the God of the House of God (Gen. 35:1-15).

The first time we see oil used on man it is the anointing oil poured on Aaron and his sons as they are dedicated and consecrated unto God as priests (Exodus29).

Throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, you will find the constant presence and use of oil.

  • Consecration and Sanctification of Priests, Prophets and Kings, Tabernacle, Tools and Furniture (Exodus 30:22-25).
  • Used Medicinally to Heal the Sick (both spiritual and physical restoration)
    • James 5:14-15, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  (15)  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
    • Acts 10:38, “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
      • There is a lingering presence when you have been anointed – God’s presence will stick and stay with you.
  • Worship
    • Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (oil-based) as an act of worship (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3).
  • Purification
    •  Leviticus 14:1-18 instituted cleansing rituals for those recovering from leprosy, symbolizing their legitimate return to society and acceptance into the general public.
  • Joy
  • Psalms 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
  • Everyday Life
    •  Oil is used for cooking, cosmetics, skin care (Frankincense & Myrrh).

This fresh oil is a type of the Holy Spirit.

Just as oil pervaded, permeated, saturated, soaked and flooded every aspect of a person’s life in the Old Testament

The Fresh Oil of the Holy Ghost abides constantly in the life and spirit of the believer:

“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” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

There are three types of oil that was produced from pressing of the olives:[1]

  1. First Pressing (Purest Oil) – Holy Use
    1. Used for anointing priests and kings, lighting the Temple menorah, and sacred meal offerings.
    1. Christ the Anointed One – Messiah
  2. Second Pressing (Medicinal/Food Oil) – Physical Use
    1. For healing wounds, cooking, and general household use.
    1. Christ the Healer and Provider
  3. Third Pressing (Crude Oil) – Cleaning and Fuel
    1. For soap (cleansing) and lamp fuel.
    1. Christ the atoning cleansing sacrifice and the Light of the World.

Gethsemane means “olive press,” and the three prayers of Jesus reflect these three pressings.

Just as the pressings extracted the oil in ever increasing intensity

Jesus was pressed to the point of sweating great drops of blood

The intense suffering of Jesus provides spiritual anointing, healing, and cleansing for believers.

1 John 2:20, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

“Unction” is the same word for “anointing”

To be anointed you have that fresh oil rubbed in our poured on.

That’s what happened to David (1 Samuel 16:1, 13)

 (1) And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons….(13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

Look what happened:

  1. God sent Samuel to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to find the next king, telling him to fill his horn with oil.
  2. Samuel sees Jesse’s older sons, but God rejects them, explaining that He looks at the heart, not the outer appearance.
  3. David is brought from shepherd’s field
  4. God confirmed to Samuel that is was the chosen one – the one after His one heart.
  5. Samuel then takes the horn of fresh oil and anointed David in front of his family.
  6. At that moment, the Holy Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David and never left him.

Tonight, at the beginning of this New Year, we need to receive Fresh Oil – Fresh Anointing.

Fresh Oil will Eliminate Fear, Confusion and Frustration.

Fresh Oil will propel us into a future that will see us operate in faith and boldness as we reach our families, our friends and our homes with the oil of gladness.

To receive Fresh Oil for this coming year lift your hands and hearts to God and begin to thank Him for His Fresh Oil

Receive a renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 92:10, “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”

My horn = You can find joy tonight in foreseeing the mercy of the Lord. You will not perish, but God will lift you up over your difficulties.

Jesus is here tonight to anoint you with fresh oil that will enable you to be victorious, smooth the difficulties of life and prepare you for new levels of ministry and spiritual growth.

The overflowing effect of Fresh Oil will produce renewed purpose, focused vision, and divine wisdom.

God has sent Fresh Oil here tonight to refresh and renew you:

Acts 3:19 , “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Fresh Oil releases Joy, Victory, Explosive Power and Divine Authority.

Fresh Oil will bring unity to this body:

Psalms 133:1-3, “(1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  (2)  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;  (3)  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

  • As the oil covered Aaron’s entire body, unity is a shared blessing that touches everyone.
  • Unity is a divine gift, not just a human effort.
  • The flowing oil signifies the blessing and life that God commands where unity exists, bringing a refreshing abundance, like the dew of Hermon.
  • As Aaron was the High Priest, this anointing signifies that believers living in unity function as a unified priestly body, anointed and set apart for God’s purpose.

[1] Google AI Overview. Query: three oil pressings in the Bible. Accessed: 1/4/2026.

Categories
Bible Preaching

A Thing Called “Hope”

Text: Matthew 9:20-22 

(20) And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:  (21)  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.  (22)  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.[1]

Hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. A feeling of trust”[2]

Albert Barnes defines Hope as:

…a desire for an object, and an expectation of obtaining it.

If there is no desire for it; or if the object is not pleasant and agreeable, there is no hope, though there may be expectation – as in the expectation of the pestilence, of famine, or sickness, or death.

If there is no expectation of it, but a strong desire, there is no hope, as in cases where there is a strong desire of wealth, or fame, or pleasure; or where a man is condemned for murder, and has a strong desire but no prospect of pardon; or where a man is shipwrecked, and has a strong desire, but no expectation of again seeing his family and friends.

In such cases, despondency or despair are the results.

It is the union of the two feelings in proper proportions which constitutes hope.[3]

Hope is the place where desire and expectation unite:

A Thing Called Hope

She had been sick for 12 long years, but somehow she had not lost her hope. “She had gone to many doctors, and they had not done anything except cause her a lot of pain. She had paid them all the money she had. But instead of getting better, she only got worse.”[4]

She was ritually unclean and should not have even been out in the crowd, but there she was.

This was such a personal and private issue – an issue of blood – but fueled by desire and expectation – HOPE – and she quietly approached Jesus from behind.

She had no desire to make a scene. She simply had a hope kindled by an Old Testament messianic prophecy, and when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was expressing her faith in Him as the Christ:

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings…”[5]

You have been holding onto your own quiet, personal, private issue of blood for some time now.

You may even think that nobody really cares about your situation. What you really want to do it quietly come to Jesus, just brush the hem of His garment because still resident inside you, despite how long, weary, disappointed and tired you have become in this struggle – you still have HOPE (desire and expectancy).

Don’t give up! The miracle is just a brush away.

The moment she touched the border of his garment, immediately her issue of blood stopped.  

Jesus said, Who touched me? …Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.  

And when the woman saw that she was not hid [she had tried to be as inconspicuous as possible], she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.[6]

A Thing Called Hope

Is something you cannot afford to let go.

It is in the waiting where Hope is tested. The sometimes-insurmountable fear that this delay is just foreshadowing the disappointment to follow, but I hear Lord say…

Habakkuk 2:2-3, “(2) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  (3)  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

There is a future Hope beyond this world, but there is a present Hope as well: Romans 8:24-28:

(24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  

(25)  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  

(26)  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (27)  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  

(28)  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

A Thing Called Hope will hold you together when nothing else will:

  • Psalm 38:15, “For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”
  • Psalm 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
    • His face is turned towards you with favor and salvations.
  • Psalm 42:11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (See: Psalm 43:5)
    • If you hold onto hope, one day your face will display the joy within because you hoped in God.
  • Job 14:7, 14, “(7) For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again…(14) If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.”

[1] Emily Dickinson. (1861). “Hope” is the thing with feathers.

[2] Oxford Languages.

[3] Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. 2 Corinthians 3:12.

[4] Mark 5:26, CEV

[5] Malachi 4:2

[6] Luke 8:43-48

(Preached on 11/16/2025 to the saints of Tornado Apostolic Church, Pastor Wilson Hudson)

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 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

    Categories
    Bible Preaching

    Light Dawned

    Luke 2:8-14, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”

    Matthew 4:16 in the King James Version (KJV) reads: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up”.

    I’ve always liked the NEB’s translation of Matthew 4:16: “…Light dawned on the dwellers in the land of death’s dark shadow.”

    John 9:1-7, “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”

    “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Mt. 5:14).

    The problem with false (artificial) light:[1]

    • Too much radiation from strong artificial light sources can cause the formation of toxic levels of harmful chemicals
    • Long-term UV exposure can lead to the development of carcinomas
    • Can also cause problems for people with chronic actinic dermatitis, the UV or blue component of artificial light aggravates the associated skin lesions.
    • In sufferers of lupus erythematosus, it can worsen the disease
    • It also “disrupts human circadian rhythms, suppressing melatonin, which leads to sleep problems, mood disorders (depression/anxiety), and increased risks for chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.”[2]

    Satan can distort himself to appear as an angel of light: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”[3]

    Some indeed preach Christ: “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”[4]

    Some present another Jesus: “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”[5]

    We preach Jesus: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”[6]

    The Lamb is the light: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Rev. 21:23).

    Jesus is the true Light: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 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.”[7]

    Jesus is Light & the Father is Light: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”[8]

    The Light brings us together = fellowship

    Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 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;”

    Micah 7:8, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.”

    Habakkuk 3:2-4 (KJV), “(2) O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.  (3)  God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.  (4)  And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.”

    Habakkuk 3:2-4 (CEV), “I know your reputation, LORD, and I am amazed at what you have done. Please turn from your anger and be merciful; do for us what you did for our ancestors. You are the same Holy God who came from Teman and Paran to help us. The brightness of your glory covered the heavens, and your praises were heard everywhere on earth. Your glory shone like the sun, and light flashed from your hands, hiding your mighty power.”

    John 12:44-47, “Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.”

    John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

    Is. 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

    Matthew 4:16 (NEB), “…Light dawned on the dwellers in the land of death’s dark shadow.”

    “Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace,

    Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!

    Light and life to all he brings,

    Risen with healing in his wings.”

    -Charles Wesley[9]

    [1] https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/artificial-light/en/index.htm | https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/human-health/ | https://www.news-medical.net/amp/health/Health-Effects-of-Artificial-Light.aspx

    [2] https://youtu.be/pFcwGkAPgQk?si=_Z3QVU_Ekbjd6JZi

    [3] 2 Cor. 11:13-15

    [4] Php. 1:12-17

    [5] 2 Cor. 11:1-4

    [6] 2 Cor. 4:3-6

    [7] John 1:4-5, 9-14,

    [8] 1 John 1:5-7

    [9] Stanza from Charles Wesley’s poem “For Christmas Day.” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45461/for-christmas-day. Accessed: 12/18/2025.

    <Preached at Sanctuary of Praise (Culloden, WV) for Pastor David Gentry during their Annual Christmas Candlelight Service on 12/17/2025>

    Categories
    Bible Teaching

    Look for the Rainbow

    Stephen Kuntzman | 9/21/2025 | 10am

    Categories
    Bible Preaching

    NO!

    Stephen Kuntzman | 11/16/2025 | 6:30 pm

    Categories
    Bible Preaching

    The Magnetic Power of Praise

    Stephen Kuntzman | 9/28/2025 | 6:30 pm

    Text: Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

    The Magnetic Power of Praise[1]

    Reuben = firstborn of Jacob and Leah

    • He sinned against his father by sleeping with his concubine.
    • Unstable as water

    Simeon & Levi = sons 2 & 3

    Judah = Praised[2]

    • Fourth son of Jacob and Leah: “…and she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah…”[3]
    • Judah always signifies the act of praise.

    “Praise” appears 248 times in 216 verses in the KJV:

    • Deuteronomy 10:20-22, “(20) Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.  (21)  He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.  (22)  Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.”
    • Judges 5:3, “Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.”
    • 1 Chr. 16:4, 35, “And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:….And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.”
    • David appointed worshippers and praisers: “Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.”[4]
    • Ps. 7:17, “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
    • Ps. 9:1-2, 14, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High….That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.”

    Some try to silence praise.

    They will try to silence praise through spiritual death, unthankfulness, sin, shame, fear.

    Others are too prideful to praise God. They call it “dignity,” but it’s really pride. Too fearful of what others may think.

    You can make a choice to either entertain God’s presence, or pursue man’s acceptance.

    God is captivated by Praise!

    • Psalm 22:3, “For thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
    • Psalm 147:1, “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
      • He is attracted to your praise
      • Ps. 3:1, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”
      • Comely = “beautiful, seemly”
        • “It becomes them; it is their duty; they are bound unto it by the mercies and favours they have received; should they not give praise to God, the stones of the wall would cry out, and rebuke them for their ingratitude: it is beautiful, and looks lovely in them…”[5]
    • Psa 34:15, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”
      • True praise is righteous.
      • Woman at the well: “(19) The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.  (20)  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.  (21)  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.  (22)  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.  (23)  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  (25)  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.  (26)  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

    Hebrews 13:12-15, “(12) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  (14)  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  (15)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

    Judah – praise – scepter not depart – gal pet – to him shall all the people come – magnetic pull of praise – praise draws people to JC –

    Gen. 49:10

    Ps. 33:1

    Gal 3:13-14

    [1] SOURCE: Conversation over breakfast with Bishop Jerry W. Dillon (Parkway Church, Madison, MS) at the 2025 UPCI GC in St. Louis, MO.

    [2] Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions. H3063.

    [3] Gen. 29

    [4] 1 Chr. 23:5

    [5] John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.