Tag: Stephen Kuntzman

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Bible Preaching

The Fruitful Bough

Apostolic Life Cathedral | April 14, 2024 | 6:30 PM

Genesis 49:22-26

(22)  Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

(23)  The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

(24)  But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

(25)  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

(26)  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Truly, we are living in the last days.

No doubt, the attack of Iran – biblical Persia – against Israel these last 2 days signals to us that the while the end of the world is not yet…it is edging closer.

Gog & Magog are on a prophetic collision course to that final showdown known as Armageddon when all the nations of the earth come to a little hill in Israel and to fight Israel, that’s when Jesus comes with His saints and fights for Israel delivering a final victory for His people.

The Church need not worry about that event because we will be the ones arriving with Jesus when He collects us in what many call The Rapture, and what a mysterious day that is for:

“…We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Paul wrote about it to the Thessalonians:

“…The Lord himself [that’s Jesus] shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

That moment is nearer now than ever before.

After the church goes up to be with the Lord: seven years of tribulation begin, the Temple is rebuilt, the sacrificial system begins again, the antichrist comes to power, the Jews see that they were tricked by this antichrist, the last half of those seven years become a time of Great Tribulation, and the culminating event is Armageddon.

The Lord is coming for His Bride. A fruitful Bride. Daughters that are bearing fruit and spreading out across the world.

A glorious church, a holy bride:

“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:24-30).

Colossians 2:16-17, “(16)  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17)  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Jesus Christ is in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament Revealed.

Joseph is an Old Testament type and shadow of Jesus Christ. In fact, there are at least 75 instances where Joseph’s life parallels that of Jesus Christ:[1]

  • Miraculous birth: Jacob was 90 years old, Rachel was barren – Mary was a virgin
  • Both spoke truth in exposing sinful behavior of others knowing he would be hated and ostracized
  • Both were shepherds
  • Both were beloved sons of their fathers
  • Both were hated by their brothers without a cause
  • Both prophesied and foretold the future
  • Both were betrayed for silver and stripped of their clothes
  • Both became servants
  • Both were tempted but did not sin – no sin of Joseph is recorded, and Jesus was truly sinless
  • Both were falsely accused
  • They both suffered for others’ sins and false accusations
  • Both sentenced with 2 criminals: 1 saved and 1 lost
  • Both wept for the wicked
  • Both forgave those who wronged them
  • Both became saviors: Joseph to his family, and Jesus to the whole world
  • Substitutionary atonement: Innocent Joseph/Christ suffered for guilty brethren
  • Evil turned into blessing
  • Comforted those who betrayed him. Disciples were comforted after abandoning Jesus at the cross
  • Both married a Gentile bride
  • …and the lost goes one…[2]

Back to our text: Genesis 49:22-26

(22)  Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

  • Bough (bau) = “a son (as a builder of the family name)”[3]
    • “…I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…” (Eph. 3:14-15).
  • Branches = “a daughter”[4]
    • The branches are the Jewish and Gentile bride that make up the Church.
    • Ephesians 2:11-17, “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  (12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (13)  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  (14)  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  (15)  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  (16)  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  (17)  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
  • Branches run over the wall:
    • The wall is the world
    • The Church will cover the whole world

(23)  The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

(24)  But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

  • Jesus Christ was persecuted, hated, and killed, but the Hand of God raised Him from the dead and He is our:
    • Shepherd
      • 1 Peter 2:25, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
    • Stone
      • 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.

(25)  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

  • Our God is an all sufficient God
    • JEHOVAH ROHI – THE LORD MY SHEPHERD
    • JEHOVAH JIREH – THE LORD MY PROVIDER (He sees and provides)
    • JEHOVAH RAPHA – THE LORD MY HEALER
    • JEHOVAH SHALOM – THE LORD MY PEACE
    • JEHOVAH NISSI – THE LORD MY BANNER
    • JEHOVAH TSIDKENU – THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS
    • JEHOVAH SHAMMAH – THE LORD IS THERE FOR ME (He is present)[5]

(26)  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

  • The Blessing of God, the promise of God is on you, your children, your children’s children…
  • The kingdom of God is an ever growing and enlarging body that will one day fill the whole earth
  • 40 million apostolics world-wide, according to Dr. Talmadge French.

You have no need to fear.

You are part of The Fruitful Bough

Jesus Christ is The Fruitful Bough

He is the root and the offspring of David

He is the bright and morning star

The Fruitful Bough is by a well…a water source

Psalm 1 – “Blessed is the man…like a tree planted by the rivers of water…”

You can draw joy out of the well salvation – the Lord Jesus Christ

[1] SOURCE: https://www.bible.ca/d-bible-archeology-maps-timeline-chronology-Joseph-types-Christ-Shadows-Antitypes-similarities-comparisons-2166-1876BC.htm#full

[2] Ibid.

[3] Strong’s. H1121.

[4] Strong’s. H1323.

[5] SOIURCE: https://glennarekion.org/article/7-redemptive-names-god

Categories
Bible Teaching

Jesus: The Prince of Peace

Apostolic Life Cathedral | April 14, 2024 | 10:00 AM

Categories
Bible Teaching

All Prayer

Apostolic Life Cathedral | March 19, 2024 | 7:00 PM

Call for UPCI Ministers – International Day of Prayer and Fasting – March 23-24

Call to Repentance: Pray for nation, the world and world-wide revival

Esther – a time when God worked through shadows. God’s name isn’t mentioned in Esther. He chose to work through men and women.

Prepare for the greatest revival and harvest of this generation.

Joel 2:15-21

(15)  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

(16)  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

(17)  Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

(18)  Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

(19)  Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

(20)  But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

(21)  Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Bobby Wade

To turn God’s favor to the Church as we repent for our mediocrity.

If we do, we will see Signs, Miracles and Harvest like we have never seen.

This International Day of Prayer and Fasting can turn tide in the favor of the Church and dislodge principalities.

If we do not heed pray, He will turn the Harvest to another.

James 5:16b, “The effectual [energetic] fervent prayer of a righteous [pure] man availeth much.”

Righteous men and women, pure in their spirit and motives, know that effectiveness in prayer has more to do with God and less to do with them.

It is God responding to the power, the energy, the life that is in the prayer of the righteous…

Prayer that is full of the Holy Spirit, understanding, heartfelt and full of passionate, fervent, zealous faith.

Ephesians 6:10-20

(10)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

(11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

(12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

(15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

(17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

(19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

(20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

“All Prayer” = With all kinds of prayer; prayer in the closet, with the family, the social meeting, the church service;

prayer at the usual hours, emergency prayer, prayers when you are tempted, or when you just feel like praying;

prayers of supplication for ourselves, or prayers of intercession for others.

All Prayer is the great weapon of our spiritual armor, and by this we may hope to prevail[1] – against our true enemy.

“…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” (Matt. 6:6).

“Pray, don’t pose.” –Mark F. Kuntzman

Old Song: “Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door…”

In January I was in a prayer meeting and saw a gold string/cord that attached to everyone in the room.

It was a prayer connection. We are all connected by prayer.

All Prayer will Elevate, Change and Shift your life into areas you didn’t know existed.

Some people will be intimidated by a truly righteous man or woman  of prayer and faith. They will be try to drag you back down to their level of mediocrity.

They are satisfied with the common, the average, plain vanilla

But God’s Church was born of the Spirit and will stay in the Spirit…

We are Spirit born and Spirit led

The people of Nazareth event tried to drag Jesus down when they said, “isn’t this the carpenter’s son?”

He had just come from a 40 day fast and prayer – All Prayer – has supercharged Him for ministry that made him unrecognizable to those who had seen Him grow up.

Don’t allow the enemy to drag you down to his level. He’s a surface traveler, slithering on his belly, feeding on the dust of the earth.

The Word of the Lord came to me and said:

You have been content to let others fight openly while you quietly fight behind the scenes, but now is the time to step up and lead on the battlefield as I begin to call my faithful officers to higher roles.

You may not think you are up to the task of this endtime revival and harvest, the enemy tries to remind you of past failures and weaknesses, but I want to remind you:

Ro. 8:32-39, “…Christ…maketh intercession for us.”

When Jesus places His intercession between you and your past nothing can pass through, reach around, or bypass His prayer for you and you are thoroughly freed from your past.

So, pray with All Prayer.

And while your praying, maintain a Pure God-Centered Motive.

Staying in a constant state of prayer, a constant God consciousness, can far outweigh what the natural eye can see.

It’ll allow you to navigate with spiritual eyes of understanding amd see ahead.

This is what Paul & Silas learned in Philippi:

Acts 16:16-21

(16)  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

(17)  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

(18)  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

(19)  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

(20)  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

(21)  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Eli Hernandez on Pure Motives

Your motive is key to success both in spiritual maturity and in prayer.

The damsel with the spirit of divination was trying to appeal to any signs of pride and arrogance still attached to Paul and Silas

If they had fallen for her words and allowed the vexation to take root their covering of humility would have been pulled off making them vulnerable to satan’s attack.

Since God resists the proud, if Paul and Silas had given in to impure motives a jailer and his family would not have been saved.

Pure motives must be maintained in prayer, if not, pride and arrogance will come in and get in the way and change pure motives into impure motives over time.

We must humble ourselves to avoid becoming a target of impure motives.

David’s prayer should you mantra “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

David knew what it was like for his motives to go off course.

Because he knew how to repent he could make a course correction.

A pure motive will discern spirits, and we are told to “try the spirits.”

So, if what someone tells you doesn’t line up with the written Word of God, no matter how exciting, appealing or emotionally fulfilling it may be, don’t let it into your spirit.

If you listen to that false voice, you may miss your own Philippian jailhouse conversion story.

Try the spirits – don’t judge them – with the Word of God.

There is a difference. There are those who judge, reject, criticize, then go out to eat and talk about how wrong that person was.

And then, there are those who try the spirit, reject it because it contradicts the Word of God, but then go on and pray to God for that person to come in alignment with the Word of God.

Which one are you?

Lord, search our hearts…remove those tendencies in us to judge and criticize others.

Help us to try the spirits based on the unity of The Holy Ghost and the Word of God.

As we go into this International Day of Prayer and Fasting on March 23rd and 24th (from 6 pm – 6 pm)

Let us repent.

Pray for our nation, our world,

Seek God’s face for revival and growth

Pray for a fresh outpouring of the supernatural

Check our motive.

All Prayer is Motivated Prayer – What motivates your prayers?

[1] Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Ephesians 6:18.

Categories
Bible Preaching

A Bottle In the Smoke

Apostolic Life Cathedral | March 10, 2024 | 6:30 PM

Text: Psalms 119:83

(83) For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

Job 32:19-20

(19)  Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

(20)  I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Bottles in that day were made of sheep or goat skins.

Jesus told us that you don’t put new wine into old wineskins.

So, they would put the new wine in the fresh new skins to ferment the wine on the inside.

Many homes in that day didn’t have chimneys and so the smoke would fill the air above their heads

The bottle was hung high and there the soot from the smoke and fire would cover it…even begin to dry out the skin and make it tough at times.

In addition, the smoke mellowed the wine.

As the wine fermented on the inside it would stretch the bottle of skin.

It the skin dried too quickly the bottle would burst and its contents would be spilled.

So, every so often, the bottle would be opened to allow the gases created by the chemical reaction of the fermentation process to escape and make room for the wine to continue to ferment.

Additionally, some of the wine inside would be spilled and rubbed onto the outside of the drying skin to keep it flexible enough to stretch appropriately.[1]

You have faced a similar situation and some of what God is bringing to perfection inside of you needs to be relieved and allowed to vent and spill out onto the outside.

Daily pressures and spiritual warfare can sometimes ferment inside you to the point where you are about to burst because you are becoming hardened like an old eastern wine bottle and need to be renewed in the power of the Holy Ghost.

It is a process, the psalmist wrote, “I am become like a bottle in the smoke.”

Your growth and maturity in God doesn’t just happen. Knowing Him isn’t a passive thing.

You must remain pliable and workable in the Hand of the wine skin master. Let Him renew you and allow the healing touch of the Spirit to soften your rough places.

It takes both the inner and outer experiences, the internal and external pressures of life, to perfect you. Otherwise, you will crack and break under stress, heat, and pressure.

It takes what is on the inside being released and rubbed onto the outside that brings balance and enables you to mature.

The new wine that is inside must also be allowed to saturate the outside in order for you to be perfected

I’ve come to tell you that God is not just in the fire…He is also in the smoke.

“He [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

Exodus 19:18, “And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.”

Fire represents the power of God.

Smoke represents the glory of God.

Revelation 15:8, “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

Isaiah 4:5, “And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Isaiah 6:4, “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”

It is the weight of Gory that I now address:

The sufferings, the pressures, the trials, the turbulent battle in your spirit, soul and body,

The attempt of satan – your adversary the devil – to try to get you to burst and explode and come to ruin because you have allowed present circumstances to DISTRACT you from eternal reward.

“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 Cor. 4:17-18).

Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”

Power of His resurrection = Holy Ghost fire

Fellowship of His sufferings (plural) = The glory of God.

Why plural? “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

You may feel like David of old today. His was a pressure cooker of life’s troubles, but he knew how to get relief.

He would enter the presence of the Lord in praise and worship.

He would sing a song, pray a prayer, write a psalm, and then the sweet balm of the Lord’s Spirit would come to him.

That was why he could cry out with such passion:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalms 51:10-12)

Saint of God, if you need that relief tonight then you simply need to be renewed in the Holy Ghost:

  • 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;”
    • Let’s all repent together.
  • Ephesians 4:23, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;”

Perhaps you are here tonight and you want that Holy Ghost. You have repented and are now a new wine skin ready to be filled and made …A Bottle In the Smoke:

  • Close your eyes and think about Jesus and how much He loves you. Right now all that matters is talking to Jesus. This is time just for Jesus. 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.
  • Pray out loud, because Jesus likes to hear your voice.
  • Now, lift your hands and reach to Jesus. Show Him you want Him to fill your heart by raising your hands to Him and showing Him you 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 someone for a gift. Jesus wants to give you His gift.
  • 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 can’t understand. That is OK, because those words are Jesus talking with your voice. Just let those words pour out of your mouth as you let Jesus come live in your heart.

[1] SOURCE (paraphrased Dr. Fred Childs. http://www.wordshare.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35157. Accessed: 1-13-10

Categories
Bible Teaching

Image & Likeness

Apostolic Life Cathedral | March 5, 2024 | 7 pm

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (24)  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Man is made up of spirit, soul, and body: see handout[1]

As Christians and ministers, we must understand the tri-part nature of man in order to help people at the root (the source) of what has plagued them for years (sometimes their lifetime).

Genesis 1:26-27, “(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  (27)  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

God created Man in His Image and Likeness:

  • Image = Total Man (trichotomy)
  • Imago Dei = “Image of God”
    • Spirit = Transformed, New Creature, Born Again. This is where the Holy Ghost dwells. If unregenerated the spirit is empty of God’s presence and open to demonic spiritual attack.
      • Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”
      • When you receive the Holy Ghost, both your spirit and God’s Spirit are hermetically sealed together until the judgment seat of Christ.
    • Soul = Mind, Will and Emotions. Subject to attack by tormenting, oppressive spirits through the thought life. Your mind sets your will. Your emotion is a direct result of your mindset.
      • The Battleground: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
      • 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (5)  Casting down imaginations [carnal reasoning and fleshly calculation], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
    • Body = Subject to attacks by spirits of infirmity (weakness and disease) through improper habits of health, nutrition, safety.
  • Likeness = goings and doings (choices we make)
    • Free will
    • Man, in God’s Image, chooses the likeness he pursues
      • Mark 12:13-17, “(13) And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.  (14)  And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?  (15)  Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.  (16)  And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.  (17)  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”
      • Whose image is on you, and what likeness do you display?
    • Why does a man do the things he does?
    • A key to life is to learn to accept responsibility for your actions: the likeness you choose.

PLEASE NOTE![2]

Unless there is an open door, evil spirits cannot freely attack. We do not pick up an evil spirit while walking down the street.

Many have opened the door before they were filled with the Holy Ghost and when the spirit level of God is low in their natural life, satan starts invading their mind.

Why? The spirit of the man has allowed the Holy Spirit of God to become low in their life.

You, through the power of the Holy Ghost, have the right to evict all unwelcome guests to your body, soul and spirit.

This brings us to the point of renewing your mind. We renew, or refresh, our body by sleep and nourishment.

Likewise, we need to renew our mind in the Holy Ghost. This can best be accomplished through prayer and praise.

Ephesians 4:22-24, “(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation [lifestyle = goings and doings] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God [Image of God] is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

The mind cannot maintain a common relationship with the Lord if the heart, for instance, holds to things, such as resentment, bitterness and hatred. Body, soul and spirit must be purged to maintain a productive spirit level.

“The Holy Ghost can only flow through you as pure as you are in your body, soul and spirit.” –Johnny Garrison

A sick body naturally can come under attack spiritually. God wants us to maintain body, soul and spirit to the very best of our knowledge.

We all will be held accountable for what we know to do.

There is a strong link between sickness and sin, or sickness and fear (anxiety), which manifests itself in what has been called “psychosomatic disorders” (mind-body).

James gave us an antidote for these issues:

(13 )Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.  (14)  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.  (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 (James 5:13-16).

Christians who have obey the Word and God and follow Jesus with an undivided heart bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

That obedience is the best revenge of our past disobedience when we were the servants of sin.

As Christians we have a choice regarding whose Image and Likeness we choose to carry and model: Romans 6:15-23

(15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

(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.

(23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When you decide to carry the Image and Likeness of God you live in victory because of these truths:[3]

  1. You are separated from the power and enticement of sin: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:2).
  2. You are alive unto God: “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
  3. The finished work of Calvary satisfied the demands of the Law and payment for our sin: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ…” (Romans 7:4).
  4. Sin no longer has control over you: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:12-14).
  5. There is still a battle going on between the Law of God and the law of sin, which presents a choice between the Image and Likeness you choose: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:22-25).
  6. The Law of the Spirit is more powerful than the low of sin and death: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:1-2, 13).
  7. The victory Christ purchased for you helps you to approach every temptation from a position of victory: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:…And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:19-21, 2:6-7).

[1] Notes: Dr. Joe Nelson. Techniques of Counseling 1. Parkersburg Bible College. Fall 2001.

[2] Ibid. (italicized parts are directly quoted from the PBC notes from the textbook on page 101)

[3] Ibid. p. 105-106.

Categories
Bible Preaching

God’s Extraction Plan

Apostolic Life Cathedral | March 17, 2024 | 6:30 PM

Jesus has an initial extraction plan to “seek and to save that which was lost,” and then to extract those He initially extracted (called out) from the sinful world to rise up and be with Him in Heaven.

Text: Acts 2:46-47

(46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

(47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The word “Church” (ekklesia) means “a calling out.”

The Church then is an assembly of people who have been called out of the sinful world.

We have in this assembly tonight men and women who were responded to the call of Jesus and were extracted and brought into a place of safety – the Church.

80 times “Church” is mentioned in the New Testament

The Church is universal – international. In fact, the last 7 times “Church” is mentioned in the New Testament Jesus is speaking to multiple churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea (Rev. 2-3).

Then we read this passage from John in Revelation 4:1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”

“Come up hither” is when the church is called out the second time to be with Jesus in Heaven.

Called out to be called up!

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

(50)  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

(51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

(54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

(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.

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

Called out and called up!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

(13)  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

(14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

(15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

(16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Called out of the sinful world

Jude 1:21-23, “(21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  (22)  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  (23)  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

  • Some have questions and need to be  convinced by the Spirit and the Word.
  • Others we snatch from Hell’s flames as God delivers them from sin.
  • There are those to whom we show compassion and in a less aggressive manner we see them call out to God and they are saved from Hell as well.
  • You don’t have to be stained by sin to love a sinner to Jesus.
  • Just be intentional in God’s Extraction Plan.

God is intentional in His daily work to save people: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

  • Intentionality of daily life – don’t become a robot
  • Hebrews 12:1-2, “(1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • 1 Jn. 3:8b, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
  • Out intentionality is necessary:
    • Psalms 100:1-5, “(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
    • Isaiah 12:2-3, “(2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.  (3)  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

God’s Extraction Plan involves ALL of member of the CHURCH working together:

Kelly Doss:

  1. Homeless man in need of a place to sleep last night.
  2. Ebony let him stay with her.
  3. Anita picked up Ebony and Kelly this morning for Sunday School.
  4. He wept in the car saying he needed a change and family.
  5. Anita told him, “We (ALC) can be your family.”
  6. Bro. Robbins read a verse about being free. Kelly related to it because of his own run-ins with the law.
  7. Bro. Daniel sang a song about being free.
  8. Before she went to teach her class she told him, “Jesus wants to do something for you today. Be willing to lean into that.”
  9. He came to the front and Gary Keesee prayed with him as he repented.
  10. Gary then went to his pew and talked with him about baptism, then took him to the baptistery.
  11. Bishop Harper prayed over Kelly.
  12. I baptized Kelly in the name of the Jesus Christ.
  13. Kelly came out of the water speaking in tongues as he was filled with the Holy Ghost.
  14. Everyone had a separate but necessary part to play in God’s Extraction Plan.

Are you ready?

Luke 12:40, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

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

Categories
Bible Teaching

Jesus Is Alive Today

Apostolic Life Cathedral | March 3, 2024 | 10:00 AM

John 4:1-43
(1)  When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(2)  (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
(3)  He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
(4)  And he must needs go through Samaria.
(5)  Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
(6)  Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
(7)  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
(8)  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
(9)  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
(10)  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
(11)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
(12)  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
(13)  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
(14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
(15)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
(16)  Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
(17)  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
(18)  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
(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.
(27)  And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
(28)  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
(29)  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
(30)  Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
(31)  In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
(32)  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
(33)  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
(34)  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
(35)  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
(36)  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
(37)  And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
(38)  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
(39)  And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
(40)  So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
(41)  And many more believed because of his own word;
(42)  And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
(43)  Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Faith’s Report

Text: Hebrews 10:35-11:2

“(35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  (36)  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  (37)  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  (38)  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  (39)  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report.” 

 There is a repayment of the faith invested in the things of God.

 Patience is faith waiting in the hallway of the hospital to hear the good report that the promised child has been born.

 A great amount of faith is tested in the waiting room of life. A promise is given and now we watch and pray, but that is sometimes a mistake.  

 You see, while we wait for the promise to come, we are also preparing our home and ourselves for the due date.

 This is why Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, and Amazon sell so much baby items. 

 People are not just waiting around twiddling their thumbs: 

• They are painting the nursery room either blue or pink – male or female

• They are shopping for rockers, baby beds, basinets, diaper bags, bottles, car seats, etc.

• They are deciding if they should breast feed the promise, or feed it a bottle

• They are worrying about cost and hoping two nickels can somehow make 50 cents.

• But, most importantly, they are preparing for the day when the promise arrives.

 It time to make a plan for arrival time. 

Faith’s Report is that everyone who lives by faith will receive a good report.

 Good Report = “to be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively): – charge, give [evidence], bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.”

 The just who live by faith overcome the accuser by: 

Revelation 12:10-11, “(10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  (11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

There is much power in faith. In fact, faith is involved in our justification:

Romans 5:1-2, “(1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Peace with God starts with faith in God.

Jeff Arnold said, “Faith is focus on God, fear is focus on your problems.”

Faith’s Report is the the obtaining of a good report through trust in God’s promise that propels an action on our part…an active faith. If observed from that point-of-view, trust can be seen as a step beyond faith.

 Hebrews 11:39-12:2, “(39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Categories
Bible Teaching

Lunch Time

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 2/11/2024 | 10:00 AM
Categories
Bible Teaching

The Missed Ministry

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 2/20/24 | 7:00 PM

Isaiah 6:1-8

(1)  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (4)  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. (5)  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (6)  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: (7)  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. (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.

The Missed Ministry

Romans 8:26-28

(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.

  • The Holy Spirit’s Intercession means God is present with us for the purpose of aiding and directing us as an advocate does in a courtroom. The Spirit is willing to intercede for anyone, or to aid or assist in any manner.
  • He often uses your prayer of intercession to help someone else. Sometimes you know who and what, other times you don’t
  • “…According to the will of God…”
  • The Spirit is given according to His will, and the purpose of God’s will is to grant His aid to all who truly love Him.
  • The desires which He puts in your heart  while praying are those which are according to His will – what God wishes to exist.
  • Because you are praying His will then He will also guard you in those prayers.
  • This doesn’t mean that you are infallible, or never make an improper petition, never have a selfish desire, or that your motives are always pure; but the Holy Ghost has a general superintendence over your mind, and as long as you yield yourself to His direction then you will not be led into error.
  • You are most safe when you yield yourself completely to the influence of the Holy Spirit.[1]

1 Timothy 2:1-6

(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.

(5)  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.

  • Just as Jesus is the ultimate model of intercession, we are to follow that level of sacrificial intercession – He gave Himself a ransom (the redemption price for the captive).[2]

Uncle Mark’s notes: Man’s Intercession[3]

WHAT IS INTERCESSION?

  • 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.”[4]
    • A.D. Urshan to Anthony Mangun: “Hold your belly and groan.”

DEFINITION OF AN INTERCESSOR: “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him” (Isaiah 59:16).

An intercessor is one who stands and prays for someone else by lifting them up and carrying their burden.

 Isaiah 63:5, “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold.”

HOW TO SPOT if you are an INTERCESSOR:

  • You PRAY LONG and OFTEN.
  • You SEE PRAYER AS A HIGHER PRIORITY.
  • You are quick to pray for others.
  • You RARELY MISS A PRAYER MEETING.
  • You DERIVE THE GREATEST FULFILLMENT FROM PRAYING.
  • You ARE SENSITIVE TO THE TRAUMAS AND MORAL DECAY IN SOCIETY AND CONSIDER PRAYER TO BE A PRIMARY ANSWER.
  • You are ANOINTED WHEN you PRAY ALOUD.
  • You CARRY GOD’S BURDEN AND EXPERIENCE TRAVAIL.
  • You DEVELOP PRAYER STRATEGIES, ORGANIZING PRAYER.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER IS “THE MISSED MINISTRY”

A DIVERSE MINISTRY

GOD’S ANOINTING WILL DIFFER FROM INTERCESSOR TO INTERCESSOR, AS WILL THEIR METHODS OF PRAYING:

  • SOME PRAY THROUGH LISTS.
  • OTHERS FIND LISTS TOO RESTRICTIVE.
  • SOME PRAY PROPHETICALLY, THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE SPIRIT.
    • ONCE IN THEIR PRAYER CLOSET, THEY JUST PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, THEN LET THE HOLY SPIRIT DRIVE.
  • SOME PRAY FOR PASTORS, CHURCH LEADERS, GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS, ETC.
  • SOME PRAY FOR CRISIS – AS GOD ASSIGNS THEM
  • SOME FOCUS ON LOST SOULS.

INTERCESSION IS NOT GENDER BASED.

HOWEVER, THE INTERCESSOR’S GENDER, SPIRITUAL GIFTS, TALENTS, NATURAL INTERESTS, AND ASSIGNMENTS FROM THE LORD WILL SHAPE THEIR INTERCESSORY STYLE.

THE HIDDEN MINISTRY

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION IS DIFFICULT FOR MANY TO UNDERSTAND PARTLY BECAUSE IT IS A MINISTRY THAT USUALY OCCURS IN THE CLOSET (IN SECRET).

TRUE INTERCESSORS ARE CONTENT TO REMAIN NAMELESS, FACELESS SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH.

INTERCESSORS KNOW THEY CAN REACH HIGHER FROM THEIR KNEES THAN FROM A STANDING POSITION.

THEY SHUN THE LIMELIGHT AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN ACCLAIM.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE LORD WHO HEARS THEM IN SECRET WILL REWARD THEM OPENLY.

Would you rather be known of God, or known of Man?

A POWERFUL MINISTRY

GOD HAS CHOSEN TO RESPOND TO HIS PRAYING PEOPLE.

HE MOVES IN ANSWER TO THEIR PRAYER.

HE ANSWERS PRAYING PEOPLE.

GOD IS SETTING THE STAGE FOR A POWERFUL DIVINE INTERVENTION AS HE ACTIVATES THE GREATEST PRAYER MOVEMENT THE TRI-STATE HAS EVER KNOWN.

A SELFLESS MINISTRY WHO WILL SPEND LESS TIME PRAYING FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEEDS, FOCUSING ON THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

A LIFESTYLE OF CONTINUAL “SPIRITUAL PREGNANCY”

PREGNANT WITH A BURDEN TO SEE THE GREAT COMMISSION FULFILLED.

Rachel to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalms 126:5-6).

TODAY, GOD IS RECRUITING AN ARMY OF INTERCESSORS  

ALL OF US HAVE BEEN DRAFTED.

IT’S TIME WE REPORTED FOR DUTY!

LET PRAYER BECOMES AS MUCH A PART OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AS BREATHING IS TO YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE.

YOU MUST FIND YOUR RHYTHM IN PRAYER.

YOUR PERSONALITY, SPIRITUAL GIFTS, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WILL DETERMINE IT.

PRAYERS CAN BE WRITTEN, SPOKEN, SILENT.

TRY TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

Paul’s description of ceaseless prayer:

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-25).

Apostolic Life Cathedral is now to the point where we need intercessors to say with Isaiah of old, “Here am I; send me.”

THE HIDDEN MINISTRY

You’re Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone

Back in the late 1980’s, my uncle, Mark Kuntzman, was living in Moore, OK. He shared with me a story that told to him by his pastor when he lived there, and this is recollection of the story his pastor told him:

For 7 years the Church I was pastoring had been in a season of unprecedented growth and revival. I had not changed anything in my approach to pastoring, or leadership, but everything we did flourished and bloomed. It was as if we were sitting under an open heaven and God’s blessings and His favor fell on our Church. The saints were in unity, converts were being added to the church nearly every week, and we were positively impacting our community.

One day I was called to the bedside of a beloved elder saint who was about to make his journey to be with our Savior. After we had spoken and prayed, I stood to shake his hand and say, “goodbye,” but he held tightly onto my hand, looked me steadily in the eyes and said, “Pastor, you’re going to miss me when I’m gone.” I said to him, “I know that, brother,” but he shook his head and simply said to me one more time, “You’re going to miss me when I’m gone.”

Well, that saint of God passed shortly after, and we held his home going service, he went to be with Jesus, and life went on.

6 months later it seemed as if my legs were cut out from under me. There was division in the church, services were dry, attendance was low, conversions were at a standstill, finances were scarce, and I was losing patience in the struggle. So, one Sunday, to my shame, I got up in the pulpit and took my aggravation out on those sweet saints of the Church, and I felt good about it.

When that Sunday service was over, the widow of the beloved elder came to me and asked to speak privately with my wife and I. So, we went to my office, and as I turned to hear what she wanted to say she asked, “Pastor, do you remember my husband’s last words to you before he died.” I answered, “Yes, he told that I would miss him when he was gone.”

She agreed and then said, “I’m going to tell you why he said that. When my husband retired from his career he was praying one day and told the Lord that he wanted his retirement years to be spent doing something productive for Jesus and for his pastor and his church. So, every day, Monday through Friday, my husband would rise up and get dressed, drink his coffee and eat his breakfast, then he’d walk to his favorite chair, sit down and pray for you, for our Church, and for our community. At noon, my husband would take a lunchbreak and sometimes a short nap, but by 1:30, or 2:00, he would go back sit down in his favorite chair and pray until 5:00 PM for you, our church and our community. He did that every week for seven years until he died.”

Then she said to me with tears on her cheeks, “Pastor, that’s what he meant when he held onto your hand, looked you in the eyes, and said, ‘You’re going to miss me when I’m gone.’”

What is the missed ministry? Intercessory Prayer, The Ministry of Intercession, Intercessors.

Come on, Intercessors! Apostolic Life Cathedral needs you: elder, student, hyphen, man, woman, boy, girl, etc.

[1] Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible.  Romans 8:27. paraphrased

[2] Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible. 1 Timothy 2:6. Paraphrased.

[3] Mark F. Kuntzman. Man’s Intercession. Nov. 13, 2007.

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