Tag: Stephen Kuntzman

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The Promise

Text: John 14:15-18

(15)  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(16)  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

(17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(18)  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Isaiah 55:10-11, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

The Promise[1]

God keeps His promises.

Matthew 16:18, “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.”

At no time on earth since Acts 2 has there been a moment when there wasn’t a Spirit-filled believer.

God’s Word is forever settled in Heaven and will accomplish its goal.  There are generally, two types of promises God makes with man in the Bible:

  1. Unconditional – The promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not depend on any future action on their part because they were unconditional and would come to pass regardless of anything that these men did or didn’t do:
    • Genesis 12:1-3 [sevenfold blessing], “(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.
    • Genesis 15:13-18, “(13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  (14)  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.  (15)  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.  (16)  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.  (17)  And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.  (18)  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:Galatians 3:15-18, “(15) Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  (16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  (17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  (18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
    • Joel 2:28-29, “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: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
    • Isaiah 28:11-12, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”
  2. Conditional – The Bible contains “if…then” statements.  These are requirements that you must meet to receive the promise.  They represent future acts that must be obeyed to receive the full promise:
    • 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
    • Acts 2:37-39, “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 unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Some ask, “Why Tongues?”[2]

  1. God is not accountable to us for what He chooses to so.  He is Sovereign, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Savior…He is GOD.
  2. Tongues is an initial external sign that must be followed by the continuing evidence of Fruit of the Spirit.
    1. Gal. 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
    1. John 3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
  3. It is the consistent pattern of evidence established by God as essential in the New Birth:
    1. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
      1. Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
      1. Acts 10:46, “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
      1. Acts 19:6, “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
  4. The tongue is the most unruly member of the body and when you receive the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues you are allowing God to control the most expressive part of your personality.  Man’s expression of emotion, intelligence, and communication is articulated through the tongue.

T. F. Tenney asked, “Why not tongues?”

Virtually the entire third chapter of James is devoted to admonishing the church to beware of that little member that boasts of great things. James goes on to refer to the tongue as a fire, and says that it is capable of defiling the whole body. Did you ever hear of fighting fire with fire? This is exactly what happens when the fire of God’s Spirit enters a man and gains control of his tongue.[3]

James refers to the tongue as the most unruly and hard-to-tame member of the body. Is there any wonder that God has chosen this sign to indicate complete submission to Him. The overpowering blaze of the Holy Spirit neutralizes the burning embers of the carnal tongue. At last the most unruly member of the body is conquered, and the Holy Spirit declares through it in a language known only to God, that Christ has been enthroned in the heart of the believer.[4]

Supernatural? Of course! But when we rob Christianity of its supernatural impetus, we have destroyed its vitality and passion.[5]

Some say, “It’s just for the Apostles and Early Church…”

            Irenaeus (died 202): “In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God.”[6]

            Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179: “sang in unknown words with such facility and winsomeness that her utterances were known as ‘concerts in the Spirit’.”[7]

            The Waldenses (c. 1217): these followers of Peter Waldo believed in visions and prophecies.[8] Both healing and speaking in tongues were manifested among these heavily persecuted Christians.[9]

            Early Quakers: “We received often the pouring down of the Spirit upon us, and our hearts were made glad and our tongues loosed and our mouths opened, and we spake with new tongues as the Lord gave utterance, and as His Spirit led us.”[10]

            John Wesley: People in Wesley’s meetings would be filled with the Holy Ghost while he preached.[11]

                    Thomas Walsh: (one of Wesley’s foremost preachers) made this entry in his diary; “This morning the Lord gave me a language that I knew not of, raising my soul to Him in a wonderful manner.”[12]

                    In England (1830) there was a revival under Edward Irving where gifts of the Spirit were manifested. One member of the congregations writes: “The moment I am visited with the Spirit, and carried out to God in a tongue which I know not… I am more conscious than ever of the presence of God. He and He alone is in my soul. I am filled with some form of the mind of God, be it joy or grief, desire, love, pity, compassion, or indignation; and I am made to utter it in words which are full of power over my spirit, but not being accessible to my understanding, my devotion is not interrupted by association of suggestions from the visible or intellectual world: I feel myself, as it were, shut in with God in His pavilion, and hidden close from the invasions of the world, the devil, and the flesh.”[13]

                    Charles G. Finney: “I received a mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost…No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart.”[14]

                    D. L. Moody: “On the following Sunday night, when I got to the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. I found the meetings on fire. The young men were speaking in tongues and prophesying. What on earth did it all mean? Only that Moody had been addressing them that afternoon.”[15] At a meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. R.A. Torrey told of a service in London where Moody took the pulpit to preach and instead broke into another language. He tried again, with similar results. The third time, after prayer and praise, he was able to preach his message.[16]

                    Charles H. Spurgeon: A British preacher told how Spurgeon once asked his audience to forgive him that when he got especially happy in the Lord, “I break forth into a kind of gibberish which I do not myself understand.”[17]

How Do I Receive this Phenomenon of the Holy Ghost?[18]

  1. Prepare your heart by obeying Acts 2:38 (Repent).
  2. Understand that God wants you to receive His gift as much as you want it…just ask Him for the Holy Ghost: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)
  3. You must be hunger to receive His Spirit.
    1. Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
    1. James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
  4. Expect to receive: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
  5. Believe to receive: John 7:38-39, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
  6. Relax!!

Promise of Christ’s Return:

            1 Corinthians 15:51-56, “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. 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.”

Praying Someone Through to the Holy Ghost[19]

* Instruction in receiving Holy Ghost is NOT teaching someone to speak in tongues. It is the strategic practice of removing common roadblocks that keep people from receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with tongues. *

  1. You must believe God wants to filled EVERYONE with the Holy Ghost and that God will work through you and confirm your words. Stop worrying about looking foolish. Surrender your fears about ego for the cause of the Gospel.
  2. You must conquer your personal fear…trust that God will come through – Take a risk
  3. Talk clearly and avoid distractions.
    • Do not speak in Christianese.
    • Do not talk too fast.
    • They must understand what the Holy Ghost is and how to yield to it.
    • Don’t spit on them.
    • Make sure you have pleasant breath.
    • Be certain that they can hear you.
  4. Ask them if they would “like to receive the Holy Ghost.”
  5. Explain repentance in simple terms – do not expect the exact result you had.
    • I usually try to connect them with what they are saying WHILE they are saying it. (Come on, _____You’ve got to mean it when you say it…etc)
  6. Stop them and ask if they “meant what they said.” – according to scripture they are “forgiven.”
    • Luke 11:9-10, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
  7. Explain what happens next…and BUILD THEIR FAITH.
    • “Are you ready to receive the Holy Ghost?”
    • The Holy Ghost is a gift (Don’t beg, plead or even ask…just receive).All you have to do is lift your hands (as a sign of surrender) and begin to say out loud, “thank you Jesus for the Holy Ghost…”
    • There will come a point VERY QUICKLY…that sounds will come to your mind that you will not understand. When that happens you MUST speak out those sounds (sometimes I ask, “will you do that”).
  8. If the individual is not following your instruction, the chances are very low that they will receive the Holy Ghost. Tell them, “I’m going to lay my hands on your head just like they did in the Bible and when I do the same thing that happened then is going to happen to you. You will receive the Holy Ghost….BUT remember YOU must speak out those things that come to your mind. YOU have to speak the sounds out but the Holy Ghost will tell you what to say.” Ask them “When you hear those sounds will you speak it out?” (have them answer verbally…not nodding their head.)
  9. Have them begin “before” you lay hands on them, then lay hands on them.
    • Sidenote: (The practice of “laying on of hands”) – Forehead wrist to elbow. No weird massaging. I rarely lay hands on them until the last possible moment.
  10. Once they receive the Holy Ghost confirm it…almost EVERYONE has doubts.
    • Ask them 1st: “Did you hear yourself speak in tongues?”
    • Then: “So did God just fill you with the Holy Ghost?”
  11. Don’t allow someone to develop a habit of “seeking” for the Holy Ghost. Stop them after 2 or 3 minutes and build their faith.
    • Make sure they’ve really repented.
    • Encourage them.
  12. Close the deal with Baptism – Don’t ask…tell them they need to
    • (politely command).
    • (The disciples weren’t shy about commanding baptism).
  13. *** Be Sure to write down their contact information *** (This is how we begin the crucial process of discipleship).

Altar & Prayer Instructions[20]

Prayer 1—Focus on Talking to Jesus

Let’s close our eyes and invite Jesus to talk with us right now

<<Pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to speak and touch the hearts of everyone there>>

Jesus is here with us. The Bible says everyone has a bit of faith inside, and we can use that faith to talk to Jesus. Showing Jesus that we have faith makes Him happy.

We need Jesus. Life without Him is not good. We need Jesus to help us. We want Him to fill our hearts with His Spirit. We have faith, but His Spirit gives us the power to overcome.

When we are filled with the Holy Ghost, Jesus lives in our hearts. He gives us direction. He helps us do what is right. We are all special to God. When we worship Him with all our hearts, He can do special things in our lives.

Prayer 2—Repentance Prayer

For Jesus to live inside us, He has to clean out our hearts. Our faith helps us repent. It is time to tell Jesus we are sorry for the bad things we have thought and said and done. We are all going to ask Jesus to help us change and not do those things anymore.

<<After leading in a simple prayer of repentance,

invite children to the altar>>

Now our hearts are clean for Jesus to live in them, and it is time to ask Him to come into our hearts. If you are ready to use your faith and pray that right now, come to the altar

Prayer 3—At the Altar

Let me tell you three simple steps for praying:

  1. Close Your Eyes: First, close your eyes and think about Jesus and how much He loves you. Right now, all that matters is talking with Jesus. We are not going to look around at anyone else. This time is just for Jesus, when you can show Him you have faith and believe He wants to hear you. Just think about Him and begin to talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend. Use simple words that tell Him how much you love Him and how you want Him to be your best friend. Pray out loud; Jesus likes to hear your voice.
  2. Lift Your Hands: Now we lift our hands and reach to Jesus. We want Him to fill our hearts, so we put our faith to work by raising our hands to Him and showing Him we are open to Him. Keep talking to Jesus and telling Him what you want. If you want the Holy Ghost, ask Him for it. It’s like asking your mom or dad for a gift. Jesus wants to give you His gift.
  3. Talk to Jesus: Talk to Jesus in your outside voice. As you talk to Him, you may feel something very special start to happen. You may begin to feel like you are saying words you cannot understand. That is good, because those words are Jesus talking through you with your voice. Just let those words pour out of your mouth as you let Jesus come live in your heart.

Conclude every session with a time of thanks and praise to God. Also affirm children that they have done a good job of praying. Your prayers are very beautiful to God. He loves it when you reach out to Him. Your faith makes Him happy.

Encourage those who wanted to receive the Holy Ghost but did not that God loves them and is working in their lives. We will continue to pray, and God will continue to touch each of our lives as we continue to seek Him.

[1] This is an updated version of a sermon I originally preached on May 15, 2005, in Rockport, IN, to the congregation of Landmark Apostolic Bible Church, which was then pastored by the late and beloved James Denham.

[2] “Speaking In Tongues.” Various Authors. Retrieved 5-15-2005 from http://altupc.com/articles/tongues1.htm.

[3] T. F. Tenney. (1975). Pentecost-What’s That? ISBN 0-932581-83-8.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Against Heresies, V,6,1, Ibid., vol 1, p. 531

[7] George H. Williams and Edith Waldvogel, “A History of Speaking in Tongues and Related Gifts,” in The Charismatic Movement, ed. by Michael P. Hamilton, p. 70

[8] R. Kissack, “Waldenses,” The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. by J.D. Douglas, revised edition, p. 1026

[9] Gordon F. Atter, The Third Force, p. 13

[10] Bresson, Studies in Ecstacy, pp. 48-52

[11] http://www.holyspiritinfo.net/ch_hist.htm

[12] Entry of March 8, 1750, quoted by Frodsham, With Signs following, p. 232

[13] A.L. Drummond, Edward Irving and His Circle, pp. 161-162

[14] Charles G. Finney, Autobiography, p. 20

[15] Boyd, Robert, The Lives and Labours of Moody and Sankey, p. 47

[16] Lennard Darbee, Tongues: The Dynamite of God, p. 24.

[17] Ibid. p.24

[18] Principles of Doctrine: Lesson 11. “Holy Spirit Baptism.” Parkersburg Bible College.

[19] Pastor Rob McKee.  Ministers In Training Class.

[20] VBS Material. Pentecostal Publishing House. UPCI

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Unexpected and the Overlooked

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 9/3/2023 | 10:00 AM
Categories
Bible Teaching

The Bride of Christ

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 8/27/23 | 10:00 AM

Ephesians 5:25-28, “(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  (28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”

We’re going to a wedding…

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Divine Call for Intercessors

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 8/8/2023 | 7:00 PM

A harvest of souls and spiritual renewal (revival), has always been preceded by, and maintained through, intercessory prayer.[1]

Once the wheels of intercession are set in motion, cause and effect drive that assembly into a season of reaping and multiplication.

There has never been an accidental revival, or an unintentional renewal.

All growth in a Church follows four principles:

  1. Prayer
  2. Preaching
  3. Praise
  4. Personal Evangelism

Tonight, I want to cover that first principle, PRAYER, and specifically The Divine Call for Intercessors in this hour.

1 Kings 18:41-46 

(41)  And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  (42)  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,  (43)  And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.  (44)  And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.  (45)  And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.  (46)  And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

James 5:17-18

(17)  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (18)  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 

(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Intercession is one of the most needed ministries of the last days.

The Church will reach its full level of harvesting power when the intercessors stand in the gap.

Intercessory prayer occurs when we are in perfect agreement and alignment with God, because God is praying through the intercessor.

It is not you praying, but God. You are the channel, conduit, tributary God flows through.

All He requires is that He finds a willing and available vessel.

A Divine Call for Intercessors

Romans 8:26-27 

(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.

  • The Spirit maketh intercession. The Holy Spirit of God.
  • Intercession = “interceded in behalf of,” to  make petition, plead with
  • It is the will and mind of God being revealed.
  • With groanings = too deep for words. It is travail of the Spirit of God.
    • “To sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly…“grief, groan, grudge, sigh.”[2]
    • A.D. Urshan to Anthony Mangun: “Hold your belly and groan.”

Those who answer the Divine Call have crucified themselves with Christ:

Galatians 2:20, “(20)  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 5:22-25, “(22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24)  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25)  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Notice three things (F.J. Ellis):

  1. It took a crucified body to save and redeem man.
  2. It took a crucified body to reveal God’s resurrection power.
  3. It will take a crucified body (the Church) to consistently pray to the Lord of the harvest.

Prayer is the passionate hope of Jesus.

It was his prayer request to us.

He did not seek for musicians, big buildings, or new programs (those all have their place); But, Jesus simply had one request, “Pray.”

This glimpse in the heart of Jesus Christ heart reveals to us the answer to the need and dilemma of our day.

He is calling you to pray

Matthew 6:5-13

(5)  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

  • Not “if,” but “when.”
  • Not for show or vainglory

(6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

  • The true intercessor who responds to the Divine Call will pray in private.

(7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

(8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

  • We are not to simply repeat this prayer verbatim, but it is a guide to us of to pray.
  • When we simply repeat “The Lord’s Prayer” we run the risk of devolving our time of intercession to vain repetition.

(9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

(11)  Give us this day our daily bread.

(12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

(13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Do you want to align yourself with the will and purpose of God?

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

1 Timothy 2:1-4, “(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

  • “…first of all…prayers…”
  • “Who will have all men to be saved…”
  • Truth is essential, but prayer is the means by which Heaven is made accessible to mankind

2 Chronicles 7:1

(1)  Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

  • Prayer brought the fire of God.
  • It it was not until Solomon prayed that the fire fell.

2 Chronicles 7:14

(14)  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

  • God is divinely committed to the prayer of His people.
  • His eyes and ears are open to their call (prayer):
    • “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalms 34:15-18).

What happens in intercession?

Intercession is a divine burden that drives you to seek the will of God and pray until the answer comes, or there is a release in the Holy Ghost.

Back to our text:[3] 1 Kings 18:41-46

  • Verse 41 – Elijah heard the voice of God and prophetically spoke the will of God.
  • Verse 42 – The prophet then got on his face alone before God on top of Carmel. Because he knew the will of God, he went to prayer and would not quit praying until it came to pass.
  • Verse 43 – He sent his servant to look toward the sea. He saw nothing. The reality of the invisible did not stop Elijah. He not only kept praying, but also told his servant to go again seven times….until it happens.
    • First he saw a little cloud like a man’s hand
    • Then came a great rain.
    • James 5:16-18, “(16)  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  (17)  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  (18)  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Don’t be surprised when the level of spiritual warfare you face increases as you answer The Divine Call to Intercede:

Matthew 4:1-11

Mark 1:12-13, “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”

[1] Primary Source: F. J. Ellis. Intercession-Key of Spiritual Warfare. (n.d.)

[2] Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. G4726 & G4727.

[3] F.J. Ellis

Categories
Bible Teaching

Being Salt, Being Light

Apostolic Life Cathedral | July 9. 2023 | 10:00 AM

Matthew 5:13-16, “(13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“

Categories
Consider this...

I can stand a hypocrite

“…and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish” (Job 8:3b)

If you do a cursory google search for the phrase “I can’t stand hypocrites” you’ll find all kinds of results, from the shocking to the mundane. In fact, I use to say, quite emphatically, “I can’t stand a hypocrite!”

However, I’ve come to appreciate the necessity of those poor souls, and I can now stand hypocrites because of what they reveal.

Andrae Crouch wrote a line in the song “Through It All” that reminds me of the necessity of hypocrites:

So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through
For if I’d never had a problem
I’d never know God could solve them
I’d never know what faith in His word could do

Albert Barnes’ note on this passage: “That there were hypocrites even in that early age of the world. They are confined to no period, or country, or religious denomination, or profession. There are hypocrites in religion – and so there are in politics, and in business, and in friendship, and in morals. There are pretended friends, and pretended patriots, and pretended lovers of virtue, whose hearts are false and hollow, just as there are pretended friends of religion. Wherever there is genuine coin, it will be likely to be counterfeited; and the fact of a counterfeit is always a tribute to the intrinsic worth of the coin – for who would be at the pains to counterfeit that which is worthless? The fact that there are hypocrites in the church, is an involuntary tribute to the excellency of religion.”

Hypocrisy is actually a compliment to the authenticity of the Christian life. So, in a sense, we should thank God for the hypocrite. They remind us of the value of the true and the faithful.

So, I thank God for the hypocrites, for if I’d never met one then I’d never truly know the value of the authentic in comparison to the fake.

I can stand a hypocrite for that reason…

Categories
Bible Preaching

God In the Midst of You

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 7/2/2023 | 7:00 PM

Zephaniah 3:14, “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Categories
Bible Teaching

Delighting In the Glory of God

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 7/11/2023 | 10:00 AM

Opening Text: Exodus 33:18-19

(18) And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

(19)  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Glory = “glory, honour, glorious, abundance, riches, spendour, dignity, reputation.”[1]  “Properly weight.”[2]

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Ancillary Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

(26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

(27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

(28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

(29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

(30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

(31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Delight in God’s Glory[3] = Glory in the Lord

Main Text: Jeremiah 9:23-24

(23)  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

(24)  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

  1. Lovingkindness: God is always ready to grant both mercy and grace.
  2. Judgment: Because of His loving-kindness, God judged sin and placed on Christ the sin of all humanity at Calvary – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25).
  3. Righteousness: Without a faith in the righteousness of God – believing that He is always dealing with you rightly and justly – you will never truly learn to love, trust and reverence Him – never knowing what it means to truly delight, glory, in the Lord. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
  4. “…for in these things I delight, saith the Lord…” – John Gill wrote: “…in showing mercy, grace, and favour, to miserable and undeserving men…” Jesus became “an offering for sin…”[4]

The best way to enjoy God forever is by glorifying Him now.

We have begun to delight in God when we determine to use every part of us – “…heart, soul, mind and strength…”[5] – to serve and follow Him.

Jonathan Edwards[6] – To delight in God’s Glory is enjoy a relationship with Him that is so complete that we have a:

  1. Hatred for sin.
  2. Fear of displeasing God.
  3. Hope in the promises of God.
  4. Contentment in the fellowship of God.
  5. Desire for more revelation of Jesus Christ.
  6. Exultation (rejoicing, celebration, joy) in the redemption He gives.
  7. Grief and contrition (godly sorrow) for failures of love. <Sin is a failure to show love properly.>
  8. Gratitude for undeserved benefits.
  9. Zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for God’s purpose.
  10. Hunger for righteousness.

Faith arises from the Principle of Divine Love:

[Love]…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

The Principle of Divine Love contains the Power of Perseverance[7]

It bears through all things, believes through all things, hopes through all things, endures through all things.

Not just “IN” all things, but “THROUGH” all things.

When you truly delight in God your loving relationship with Him is so exact and trusting that you know without a shadow of a doubt will get through whatever life brings your way.

Your relationship with God demands a faith – a persevering faith

The initial act of believing faith was a seed.

The continual act of faith is perseverance – letting the seed grow and mature in and through all things.

“…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Our faith and delight in the glory of God is realized completely when we no longer glory in ourselves, but entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then we will delight in what He delights in:

  • Lovingkindness = mercy, “goodness, kindness, faithfulness.”[8]
  • Judgment = “justice, right, rectitude [integrity, goodness, morality].”[9]
  • Righteousness = “justice, truthfulness, rightness, moderately [judiciously].”[10]

[1] H3519. Kâbôd. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[2] H3519. Kâbôd. Strong’s.

[3] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker.

[4] Jeremiah 9:24. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.

[5] Mark 12:30

[6] Notes from the writings of Jonathan Edwards.

[7] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN: 978-0801017087.

[8] H2617. Chesed. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[9] H4941. Mishpâṭ. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[10] H666. Tsedâqâh. Brown-Driver-Briggs & Strong’s

Categories
Bible Preaching

Let Freedom Ring

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 7/2/2023 | 10:00 AM

Text: John 8:31-38

(31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

(32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

(33)  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

(34)  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

(35)  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

(36)  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

(37)  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

(38)  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.”

-Winston Churchill

We call it the Fourth of July, July 4th, or by its proper designation, Independence Day. It is the celebration of citizens of the United States as they commemorate:

…The Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress voted to approve independence by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4.[1]

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail:

The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[2]

Truth leads to freedom: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

There is a difference between being set free and to make free = you can be free physically, but bound. Prisoners who have been in prison for many years are now put in classes to help them transition from the mindset of a prisoner to that of a free man when the date of their release gets close. Some people don’t know how to handle freedom.

“…The truth shall make you free…” Knowing Jesus – The Way, The Truth, and the Life – will make you free.

 Free from the prison of guilt, slavery of evil desires, immoral tendencies, and debased opinions.

The condition of a sinner, or anyone who hasn’t given themselves completely to King Jesus, is that of a captive…a slave to sin.

Romans 6:16-22

(16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

(17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

(18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

(19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

(20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

(21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

(22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

The effect of the Gospel is to break this hard bondage to sin and to set the sinner free. We learn from this that obeying the Gospel and serving Jesus is not slavery or oppression. It is true freedom.[3]

Often, in life, people are mistreated and find themselves bound by others.

Moreover, people find themselves bound by their own choices.

Jesus sets all people free.

Reminds me of a chorus I heard when I was young:

Jesus breaks every fetter, Jesus breaks every fetter, Jesus breaks every fetter, For He sets me free!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”[4]

I am certain that there is someone here who has been battling with something that has robbed you of your peace of mind.

You can’t seem to get the rest you need because of it.

You feel bound by it.

It is not a sin, but it has put chains on you and you want to be free.

Jesus breaks every fetter, Jesus breaks every fetter, Jesus breaks every fetter, For He sets me free!

“Joseph was a type of Christ in the Old Testament. The famine was an event designed to bring the brothers to repentance and a saving knowledge, both physically and spiritually. The tragedy of the famine created the circumstances that led to freedom for these men, for they had been in bondage to a wicked crime against their brother for many years. It was forgiveness from Joseph that led to that freedom.”

-Os Hillman

Let Freedom Ring

Genesis 37:26-36

(26)  And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

(27)  Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

(28)  Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

(29)  And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

(30)  And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

(31)  And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

(32)  And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.

(33)  And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

(34)  And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

(35)  And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

(36)  And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.

Decisions that stick with you

Good ones

Bad ones

These brothers lived years in the knowledge of what they’d done and it effected every part of their life, UNTIL they heard of the salvation available in Egypt.

Their bad choice, with all its years of negative consequences and grief was about to be reversed and where bondage was there would now be freedom.

John Bevere, Killing Kryptonite:

My freedom didn’t come until I changed my priorities. In the beginning, I wanted God to set me free because I was worried my sin would get in the way of my ministry. But then my heart shifted, and I began to focus on how my decisions were affecting my intimacy with Jesus. I started caring about how my sin affected God.

Duke Ellington’s Four Major Freedoms to Live By and Enjoy (4-29-1969):

  1. Freedom from hate, unconditionally.
  2. Freedom from self-pity.
  3. Freedom from fear of possibly doing something that may help someone else more than it would help you.
  4. Freedom from the kind of pride that could make a man feel that he is better than his brother.

August 28, 2023 will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech.[5] In this seminal speech, King addressed the inequalities and injustices that severed, and still sever, the black citizens and white citizens of the United States of America from one another. His dream was for that division to end and true brotherhood to begin, which is why he would say:

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. 1963 is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: in the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny, and they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied [applause] as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating for whites only. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia), the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification,” one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!”

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”[6]

[1] Entry for Independence Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States). Accessed: 7/1/2023.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Paraphrase of Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Entry for John 8:32.

[4] John 8:36

[5] Read Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in its entirety. Accessed: July 1, 2023. https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety.

[6] I Have A Dream. https://www.marshall.edu/onemarshallu/i-have-a-dream/. Accessed: 7/1/2023.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Wisdom from Above

James 3:13-18

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Earthly, Sensual, Devilish Wisdom / Spirit of Jealousy[1] (vs. 14-16):

  1. Strife – The heated and often violent dissension between rivals.  Caused by a lack of agreement and a desire for discord.
  2. Criticism – disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings.  Shun negative people.
  3. Envy – To so begrudge another on account of their success, possessions, position, and so on, that you’d consider them an enemy and desire to ruin them at any cost.
  4. Greediness / Covetous – To have such a vehement and selfish desire for something that one would gain it even by defrauding another.
  5. Backbiters – To use false statements as a means to assassinate the character (reputation) of another.
  6. Emulation – To have such a fervent apprehension of a perceived rival that it would affect one’s happiness and cause one to strive to equal that rival solely for the sake of malice. Jealous rivalry!
  7. Selfish / Lovers of Their Own Selves – Caring supremely or unduly for one’s self; regarding one’s own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others.
  8. Bitterness – To be full of such resentment that you find yourself in a state of enmity to God.  Bitterness will eventually lead a person to apostasy.  Bitterness is also characterized by these qualities: implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind.

The earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom, which is contrary to the Wisdom from Above, is like an octopus living beneath the surface.

It will tend to protect the pride and ego of an individual (their treasure), by wrapping its various tentacles around what it desires to have by earthly, unspiritual or demonic means.

This particular spirit needs to be CAST OUT of the individual and at times even the Church itself.

Mural: Jewel City Seafood (Huntington, WV)

Opposite of Jealousy is Edification (to build up, establish, or strengthen a person).

Wisdom from Above (vs. 17):

  1. Pure – reverenced and considered sacred.  Clean and pure from carnality, infidelity, immodesty.
  2. Peaceable – to bring peace with or to love peace.  Freedom from dispute, strife, violence, or disorder.
  3. Gentle – patient, moderate, equitable, fair, mild, considerate, or amiable.
  4. Easy To Be Entreated – easy to work with or petition.  Approachable!
  5. Full of Mercy – kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
  6. Full of Good Fruits – good and honorable results that follow from the rendering of mercy.  The measure of a person is the fruit they leave behind.  What follows you?
  7. Without Partiality – not doubtful, ambiguous, uncertain, or vacillating, but clear headed, decisive, and sure. 
  8. Without Hypocrisy – unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.

It takes humility to be able to admit when one has wronged another through jealousy, but this wisdom from above will bring peace to the lives of such people.

It will also produce the fruit of righteousness because the wisdom from above key to living a righteous life.

James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Remember this American Proverb: “A full ear of corn bends its head; an empty ear will stand upright.”

[1] Frank & Ida Mae Hammond. Pigs in the Parlor. p. 31. Accessed: 6/22/2023. https://ia601006.us.archive.org/8/items/PIGSINTHEPARLORByFrankIdaMaeHammond/PIGS%20IN%20THE%20PARLOR%20by%20Frank%20%20%20Ida%20Mae%20Hammond.pdf

Picture Credit: Tarik Tinazay / AFP – Getty Images file

Originally compiled on May 25, 2006.