the faceless man

Repost of Ron Auch’s Sermon on 8/28/2011

praytell — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:56:40 +0000

A Sweet Smelling Savor

Two weeks ago we looked at Ephesians 4:1-16. We looked at how God wants us to be a memorial unto him. Today we are going to continue to look at chapter four verses 17-32. I want us to understand what it is to be a sweet smelling savor unto Him. But before we get to those verses I want us to recall a couple of issues in the verses prior to these since we’ve had a week in-between. Do you remember what I taught about the triumphal entry Jesus made into his father’s presence?

Ephesians 4:8 “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”

We compared Christ’s triumphal march to how earthly kings marched through the streets with their captors in chains following them. The victorious leader would throw gifts to those in the audience. When Christ ascended on high, he too led captives, but not in chains, they were now free from bondage, and he too gave gifts to men. The difference being that the gifts Jesus gave were to the former captives. Then the gifted ones (the former slaves to sin), were to use their gifts to further the kingdom of God. This addresses how we serve the Lord – with our gifts, building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

Isn’t that an interesting thing to think about? It would be similar to our ticker-tape parades. This photo is from the return of the first Gulf war in 1992. In the Old Testament times when the victorious leader would return they had something similar – minus the sky-scraper buildings. They had fan fare with people on the sidelines cheering him on, his prisoners humbly walking behind him while he is throwing gifts to the audience from the spoils of those following him.

There is one other issue regarding these triumphal entries and that is incense. “The highest honor that could be bestowed on a Roman citizen or magistrate was the triumphal procession in which a victorious general passed from the gate of the city to the capitol. The streets were strewn with flowers, and the altars smoked with incense.” (From The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.)

Not only did the earthly victor strut throughout the city leading his captives and giving gifts to men – but also in the procession there were those who would carry vessels of incense. The incense being diffused everywhere spoke of the victory of the leader.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (15) For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Now let’s go back to Ephesians chapter 4.

Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.

[In order to fill the whole universe] Some commentaries state that this means that Christ is the fountain from where all blessings flow, referring primarily to the gifts he dispensed. I believe it also applies to the issue of incense. He ascended in order to fill the whole universe with his aroma, as we shall later see from the Song of Solomon. 2 Corinthians 2:15 states, “we are the aroma of Christ” and we spread that aroma through our life style.

Now we are finally going to get to the second half of Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

This addresses’ our life style. The first thing we have to do is change our thinking. We must no longer live as the Gentiles did, in the futility of their thinking.

Ephesians 4:18-19 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

(19) Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

In the first part of this chapter Paul dealt with how we serve Christ through our giftings, now he is dealing with how we emulate Christ through our lifestyle.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

(30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

(32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Our lifestyles are to spread the aroma of Christ throughout this world.

It seems as though Paul is making a transition in his own mind of how he sees himself. In the first half of this chapter he sees himself in the procession of Christ’s triumphal entry as one of the captives, set free from sin, and yet a prisoner of the Lord. He begins this chapter by stating that he is a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is in full view as a demonstration of the greatness of the victory of Christ.

But now in the second half of this chapter he passes himself as one in the place of an incense bearer in the procession. He seems to be saying that as he passes on through the world bearing incense it is saying two things, or having two effects, speaking to two different classes of people. It relates to life and death.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Aroma either convicts or condemns

Isn’t it interesting that the aroma of Christ is the sweetest smell there is to the Christian and yet the most repelling thing there is to those perishing! Just think of what the captors of the earthly kings thought as they walked through the street behind the victorious general. As the incense went forth it created the smell of victory for the people of that city or country, but the same smell meant the death of the captors. The same smell created two different reactions.

When we gather together as the body of Christ there is more than just “pews” that we smell. There is a definite sweetness to church that all believers relate to. We are not repelled at all at the preaching of the cross. We are not repelled during our worship.

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; (23) to be made new in the attitude of your minds; (24) and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

If you tell someone in the world that they need to die to their way of life and make Christ their savior, they become very offended. To them, that is the smell of death. If you don’t think that is true just look at the spirit that is in the world today. Today a radical Muslim can kill another person and yet America is falling all over itself to say that Islam really isn’t a bad religion. However, if in the midst of this conflict a Christian were to simply state that Muslims need to make Christ their Savior if they plan to go to heaven that is considered the most vial, non-sensitive, hateful remark you can make.

The very same fragrance that we embrace and love is the smell of death to those perishing. Our lifestyle is what puts that smell out there. If as Christians there is no difference between our lifestyle and the worlds then we no longer bring any conviction or revelation of Christ to others. Whenever I come back from one of our Jesus-Sensitive conferences I’m stirred in my spirit about the seemingly lack of commitment I see in today’s American Christian. Our conferences are three very intense days. We spend hours in prayer – hours in the word of God – hours being challenged to live out our Christianity.

Both Dean and I felt that this last conference was the best one we’ve ever had. People were healed, filled with the spirit, speaking in tongues, spending big amounts of time in prayer – but more than all of that was the presence of God. It overwhelmed us.

And then I get back to my Hotel room turn on my computer and go to Facebook only to find a pastor friend of mine from across the country who is boasting of going to a Katy Perry concert and how amazing she is. Another one posted that her father was a preacher. Katy Perry, Brittney Spears, and Mily Cirus are all as ungodly as you can get and each one of them started off proclaiming they were Christians. Today each one of them are sex symbols and there is no way any person who names the name of Christ should even listen to their music.

I literally got depressed over that. And I thought to myself – what is the use in trying to convince a carnal church not to be carnal if they are not interested.

Paul is pretty blunt in his statements about those who don’t know Christ. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. If that becomes the testimony of a Christian – then his life is no longer putting forth any sense of conviction to those around him. The aroma of Christ is the cross, and the cross represents death. Death means separation – when we no longer separate ourselves from the world – then we take on their aroma. It’s in the procession of the victory of Christ where the aroma is found. When we walk in the procession of this world we smell like the world. When you come out of a secular concert – you smell like the concert – not like Jesus. You smell like beer, and smoke, and cursing. You smell like anything but the aroma of Christ.

So if for nothing else – just for my sake – when you cannot say anything more on facebook than what ungodly thing you did last week, or whose ungodly music you just discovered – at least go into your information page and delete your status as a Christian. It’s confusing to the world to think that you call yourself a Christian and yet love the very world Jesus told us to come out of. We have been called to bring the world out of its vain, ineffective, futile thinking – not to encourage them in it by supporting their ungodliness. (Emphasis by me – Brad Williams. It’s time to take a stand for Christ and shun the world instead of accepting it for who’s sake? Lost people. People who do not know Christ don’t need carnal Christians, they need people who live the Word of God and actually stand for something. Truth.)

I’m telling you – it really hit me hard. I even thought to myself – is it worth continuing to pastor a church in today’s world? Perhaps it’s because I just came out of a very powerful conference but I’m concerned that if the gospel was preached the way it should be today – most of the church in America would stop going to church because it seems there is no way we are going to put Jesus over our entertainment. We will fight to defend entertainment much more than we will ever go out of our way to win our neighbors to Christ.

We must ask ourselves; what is it we want to accomplish for Jesus?

I’m serious about this folks – is Jesus not enough for us today? Would it be impossible for you to serve Jesus if you had to put away all forms of entertainment and all you had was the bible and prayer? That’s all we are going to have at our Solemn Assembly for 4 hours – just the word and prayer.

For those of you who feel I speak too much against Hollywood and entertainment – you are a case in point. Those who have died to the worldly entertainment find my statements are much needed because to them these statements smell like life. To those of you who have not died to the world find the same statement convicting because to you these statements smell like death because you have not yet died.

Ok I had to get that off my chest – now back to the bible.

Taught in Him

Ephesians 4:21, Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

What does it mean to be taught in Him? That which is going forth from us, that which is the effect of our lives, is more than just a knowledge of Christ. It is one thing to be taught of Christ. Any professor in any college can teach about Christ from a historical perspective. There is however, a great difference between being taught about Christ and being taught Christ. Everywhere in the world, because of Christians, men are coming to a knowledge of Christ. The very object of our being is that Christ should be known because of us.

There is a very big difference between giving out the truth concerning our Lord, and that strange, deep, indispensable element that says we are that truth. The power and strength of this comes from the fact that we are those who are the living expression of the risen Savior. Why else would the world have such a reaction to Christianity, and yet not have that same reaction with any other religion in the world. It’s because we don’t just teach about Christ – but rather, we bring Christ to men through our very lives. And the aroma of our lives reveals either life or death to them. No other religion in the world has any convicting power.

Wherever we go it is not just that we have truth to give, but it is that we bring Christ to men. It is not merely what we say – it’s what we are. I think it is very appropriate for this chapter to deal with this issue in its second half after having first dealt with gifts. Basically what Paul is saying is that it is one thing to be gifted; it is still another thing to be like Christ. Gifts without character spell disaster. It seems almost every gifted man who lacks character, uses his gift for his own promotion rather than Christ.

It’s those who have been subjected to experiences of intense persecution, those who have gone through the fire of faith, those who have been tested and tried, and yet come through the frey with an unshakable faith in their savior, those are the ones who become the very essence of Him. When they talk with men they are not just sharing knowledge about Christ – they are sharing Christ himself. When they share their faith it’s a demonstration of Christ himself. That is the thing we should very earnestly seek the Lord about.

We have a problem in America – things are too easy for us. We are going to have a Solemn Assembly following the service. We are going to fast the lunch hour – get on our faces and pray. That is about the most costly thing we can do in America. These things make us feel spiritual because we are not yet facing outright persecution which is probably why it’s hard to get the majority of us to even do those things.

The kind of ministry that actually reveals Christ is very costly. Ministry of this kind, the kind that reveals Christ Himself, is intense. It is so different than just having a position in the church. It’s more than the glamour of certain stations in the kingdom of God. To have this kind of ministry is something you must shed your own blood over. It’s the kind of ministry we should literally plead to be set free from unless our life and heart and passion is that Christ himself – not ourselves, but that Christ should be made known.

It’s like being a father. To be a father puts a man in a terrible situation unless his life, heart, and passion, is for his family. A true father will put his life on the line for his children. The same could be said of a mom – but how many have that kind of heart for Christ? How many of us would literally put our life on the line for Jesus? We say we would – as long as we can still do all the things we like to do.

I remember once in Africa when a Muslim teenage girl got saved in one of our meetings. I think Dean was speaking at a Christian school which had many Muslim children in it because it was the only school they had in the area. Dean and I both remember her well because she told us that her family would reject her for surrendering her life to Christ. One year later we were back at the same place and saw her again. We called her by her name and she said, “Oh that is no longer my name. My new name is Righteous!” She went on to explain that after she accepted Christ into her life her father beat her and threw her out in the street never allowing her to come home again. So she gave herself a new identity and started living at the Christian school. She was only 15 years old at the time – and yet willing to die if necessary for the sake of Christ.

In America we cannot even get the church to say “no” to the world and then wonder why we are not seeing great things done in the name of Jesus. What if I said this to you; I insist that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking; could you handle that? Paul the apostle said it to the church in Ephesus but that’s because they were still learning what it meant to be a Christian. Paul was writing the Bible as he wrote to them. They didn’t even have the very words to study that he was composing at the time. We do! So that makes our draw to the world even that much more vile. The church of Ephesus was just learning these things. But we know these things. We have the Word of God in it’s completed form. We have a lot of church history to look back at and yet it seems we have become content to set that all aside. There is no way we would ever lay our lives down for Jesus if we cannot even deny ourselves the carnal comforts of this day.

True ministry is a costly thing. It is a thing of suffering in the same way a parent suffers for their kids. They don’t suffer begrudgingly, but they do suffer. To simplify this we could say that true ministry is Christ ministered, not just Christ ministered about, but Christ ministered.

We don’t seem to be compelled to minister Christ today. We need to wake up in the morning with a burning desire to reveal Christ to somebody. Paul did, many others following him did, we should too?

The Incense

Without a vibrant prayer life we don’t really give off much incense.

Revelation 5:8-9 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Incense symbolizes more than just prayer, but rather it is prayer accepted before God because of atonement or sacrifice. We have the privilege of prayer because of the atonement – but that which rises as a sweet smelling savor before God is prayer combined with atonement or sacrifice on our part.

Psalms 141:2 “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”

The lifting up of the hands is symbolic to the rising up of the incense smoke. The smoke is what ascends unto God as a sweet smelling savor. However, it’s more than just prayer, its prayer and doing. It is one thing to talk to God, it is another thing to not only talk to God but live as a sacrifice to the Lord. We are to live as though we have been conquered by Christ – for indeed we have been.

I have taught in the past (because it’s hard to teach in the future) about that which rises up to God as a sweet smelling savor.

I have some teaching I do on fasting. During our Solemn Assembly we will be fasting the lunch hour. The teaching relates to the aroma that is pleasing to the Lord.

Numbers 18:17 “But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep or a goat; they are holy. Sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

The fat of the animal is what ascended as an aroma pleasing to God. I don’t believe the pleasantness of the smell has anything to do with what burning fat actually smells like. It’s that fat represents carnality. Fat is over-indulgence, it’s a continual nurturing of self. It’s the fleshly nature. It is everything listed in chapter 4 of Ephesians. It’s the futility of our thinking. It’s being darkened in our understanding and separated from the life of God. It’s ignorance. It’s having lost all sensitivity. It’s being given over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Therefore when the fat is being burnt it is symbolic of the destruction of that nature. In the book of Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” When we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice we are offering up to the Lord our carnal nature. The prayer life is the burning away of the carnal nature. So our prayers rise to the Lord with the sweet smell of the old nature being burned away. That is the incense that goes out from our lives. It is the smell of the victory of Christ in our lives. To some it is a most beautiful smell – to others – those perishing – it is an offense.

So the Psalmist says, “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” The lifting up of our hands is symbolic of us offering ourselves as a sacrifice to the Lord.

Romans said we are to be a sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto the Lord. When we are burning away the old nature we are taking on His new nature. Rather than any unwholesome talk coming out of your mouths, we will only speak that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs. We will no longer grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom we are sealed for the day of redemption. We will get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. And we will be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us. Every time we perform one of these mercies we release a little more of the fragrance of Christ.

Blow Upon My Garden

Song of Songs 4:10-16 “How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of spices!

(11) “Your lips, my bride, drip honey; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. (12) “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.

Then the bride responds to the groom (Christ)

(16) “Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden and eat its choice fruits!”

The north wind ‘awakes,’ it is symbolic of the Holy Spirit as a reprover. The south wind ‘comes’ gently as the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. The bride is expressing her great desire to go though whatever it takes to get her spices wafted abroad. I think as a nation we like the south wind. We like the Holy Spirit as a comforter. We like having our cake and eating it too. But if we are ever going to see revival – if the world is ever going to truly smell the aroma we must open ourselves up to the north wind of reproof.

That is a picture of the heart of the bride of Christ. It’s a heart that wants the whole world to know of her savior no matter what price she needs to pay to make that happen. Is that your heart? Is your life a living sacrifice, filled with prayer and the fragrance of the Lord? Are you an incense bearer for the Lord? Is your life a sweet smelling savor unto God? Jesus wants it to be.

Be ye Holy

praytell — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:12:07 +0000

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14.

Holiness. A state of living that if you so not possess it, you will not see the Lord.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Cor 7:1.

The Word of God is very specific about how we as Christ followers should live our lives before Him.

God said in Leviticus, “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

The Apostle Peter also reiterates this passage in 1 Peter 1:13,15-16:
[Be Holy] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming…. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ….for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Being Holy…..as relating to, or associated with God; sacred; endowed or invested with extreme purity or sublimity; devout, godly, or virtuous.

Holiness, we don’t hear about it much from our pulpits anymore, and by looking at the ungodly lifestyles of people in the church it is something that appears to be an afterthought. God’s Word cries out to us to be holy but we do not hear. We make up our own style of Christianity, and substitute it for the Word of God. We make acceptable that which is not acceptable to God. His Word plainly states it. This apostasy will cause not only a falling away of the people which is quite evident today, but will cause many who walk in self deception to find out that if Christ came back today that their self designed righteousness to be lacking and see themselves left behind. But maybe that is the issue. We do not even think about heaven anymore, we just live in the now, when the now is just a twinkling of an eye in eternity. If we really thought Jesus is coming back, and prepared for His coming, we may think differently. But it shouldn’t matter. God is Holy and He has called us to be Holy so that should be enough for us to live our lives holy, sanctified in the Blood of the Lamb. Just because God ordains it.
“Be holy, because I am holy.”

Spiritual Warfare

praytell — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:13:11 +0000

I added a short clip from my boss and Senior Pastor Ron Auch from one of his sermons a couple weeks ago that I thought addressed an important aspect of spiritual warfare.

“I’m going to deal with the issue of Spiritual Warfare today. In light of the day we live in I thought it would be appropriate to address this issue. There seems to be so much spiritual activity going on in our world. Some have recently predicted when the rapture was going to take place. The weather patterns have been crazy lately, and there are wars and rumors of wars. And along with all of this unrest the issue of Satan attacking the saints always comes up.

Ephesians 6:10 is one of my favorite verses. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians chapter 6 is one of the best known portions of scripture on the subject.

This verse introduces a section of verses that deal with spiritual conflict. But this verse also says it all. Be Strong in the Lord. That is the key to spiritual success. It doesn’t say, be strong in your knowledge of the enemy but rather – be strong in God

I have maintained for a long time that the church in general has a view of this subject that is a bit off-center, at least from my perspective. I believe its off-center in that it tends to make Satan the object or the focus of attention rather than Jesus. Though Satan is the instigator of spiritual conflict, understanding him is definitely not the answer in how to be strong in the Lord. You will never grow in Jesus and become strong in Him through a study of the enemy nor through understanding his tactics. Even if a person knows all that there is to know about Satan (which by the way, is impossible), how does that help them increase their knowledge of the Lord?

Jesus doesn’t even tell us to learn about the enemy. Instead he tells us to put on the full armor of God so that we can take a stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

It tells us to put on the armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. It does not suggest that we first learn of the devil’s schemes and then put the armor on to protect us, but rather that through clothing ourselves with the full armor of God we become more spiritually alert us to the devil’s schemes.”
Rev. Ron Auch, Prayer House Assembly of God, Kenosha, WI

Mighty Men

praytell — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:36:54 +0000

Just ended a Bible Study for men that we have every Thursday Night at Prayer House. We are missing some men, iron sharpening iron causes friction, friction causes heat. Same thing happening in the church. People have left for other less “Spirit” driven churches because they don’t like the heat. It’s sad. True salvation comes through repentance, then obedience, repentance allows the Spirit of God to move us to a place where God can move us through a purification process. It isn’t fun for some of us because we don’t like heat. Some enter into it freely. People like me didn’t like the heat. I fought the process and even whined through it. Thank God I didn’t run. Being set on fire is a good thing. I pray for those who seek an easy road. Easy brings complacency. Complacency bears no fruit. But, the Word of God says that in the last days there will be a falling away, because when it gets rough, people will walk. Only those who persevere will overcome and win the prize. Many will say, “Lord, Lord did we not cast demons out in your name? And the Lord will say I never knew you.” I want to burn for Jesus. Do you?

Be Imitators of God

praytell — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:33:46 +0000

Ephesian 5:1-15, Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you look at Christians today, it may be hard for some to find true imitators of Christ. What is stated in Ephesians, is a far cry of how many Christians live out their lives today. Jesus always spoke about doing the will of the Father that sent him. The will of the Father starts with repentance leading to a holy life. In Leviticus 19:2, God said to Moses “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter repeats Leviticus, 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

The church today has conformed so much to worldly ways that you cannot distinguish it from the world. Social drinking is acceptable, because people still hang out in bars. Dressing like the world is okay. Our women dress like whores…. in church. We are tattooed from head to toe. We listen to worldly music. We watch ungodly movies and television shows. We love money. The list goes on. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I guess it’s a duck isn’t it? Demons know Jesus too.

The stench of the world system can only be washed off by the Blood of Jesus. The Blood’s power comes through repentance and a holy life. The church is dirty today, it won’t let the Blood of Jesus cleanse it. It prefers to allow the world to impress it’s people because it doesn’t want to lose tithing members if they preach repentance. Or church leaders who have a heart for people, do not walk in the power of God and attempt to use “words”, technology, professional sounding music, and programs to bring in and retain people in their churches.

Why? The church does not have the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit anymore. The Spirit of God when left to do His will, leads people to repentance. His people walk in His power with freedom of not having to live an ungodly lifestyle. No Spirit, no power, no repentance, no change. Guess we need the Holy Spirit back into the church again. What do you think?

Religion verses Righteousness

praytell — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:24:22 +0000

In Luke 6:6-10, Jesus is in a synagogue on the sabbath. Jesus had encounters with the Pharisees in earlier trips to the synagogues on the sabbath, so the Pharisees as it states were keeping a sharp eye on him. The issue was, Jesus was performing miracles on the sabbath which went against the Jewish religious laws at the time. The Pharisees were so caught up in their man made laws that they forgot what fellowship and worshiping God was. The law was preeminent in their society because they lost their relationship with God. The law put a void between man and God. Religious practice became the god. Works to justify their religious existence. A form of Godliness, but no Godliness at all. Men existing to practice what they made up.

Jesus comes along, and messed up their existence. Here he is in the synagogue healing people. Doing what is right. Doing the will of the Father. The Pharisees hated it and so hated Jesus. He was walking all over their law. Their rules. The maintenance of their rules took precedent over a move of God. The Pharisees were so blinded by their created law that they could not see God, even when He was standing in front of them.

Things haven’t changed for over 2000 years. Men still make laws that do not line up with the Word of God, and they still brush Jesus aside. For the sake of their “beliefs”, man made doctrines, they put Jesus in a box and say that he cannot move outside the box because this would go against their beliefs. Even though the Word of God which they have, tells a complete different story.

Jesus walked in miracles. His Disciples walked in miracles. Jesus said we would walk in miracles, but in certain circles even today, man says no. What is funny to me, just as the Pharisees got angry at Jesus for healing a man’s hand on the sabbath, today we have institutions in the church, their leaders and followers who get mad about the same things. Today the Word of God is alive in a remnant of individuals, but the bulk of the church still says no. We have been called pagan, ungodly, wackos, you name it, because we believe that Jesus is alive and well and still operating in power in the church today. We see healings. We see people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence in speaking in other tongues. We hear prophesies. We see all manners of the gifts of the Spirit, and religious people say that it isn’t for today. Deep spiritual things go against their man made laws and interpretations to the point that they will not allow their congregants to fellowship with other believers due to the fear that they may belief differently from what they teach. In other words, the truth might be known.

The Pharisees in Luke 6 were more worried about losing power and position of their man made laws than they did about doing what was right. Jesus did what was right. He had the power to heal the man with the withered hand, and he did it. The religious people who’s eyes were blinded with religion could not see the truth of it. Today the same blindness is present. People still cannot see the truth because of their blindness. Ask to see the truth and the truth will be given to you. Jesus is the same today as yesterday, and that power that has been given freely by God to us is still available. Let us be free from the law and be like Jesus.

Radical Prayer

praytell — Thu, 26 May 2011 11:40:49 +0000

Its 6:21 AM, and I am looking out over a group of people, some half a sleep, some walking, some reading, most praying this morning. We have been at is since 4 AM. It is a daily thing now. A group of us getting together early to seek God. What everyone is praying for, well I don’t know. The goal is souls, and praying our church as a whole to move into a closer relationship with God. Some call it radical, and maybe in this day and age it is. But at one time, it was the norm. People rising up early to seek the face of God. History shows us that whenever there was a great move of God, it was due to people denying themselves, their fleshly desires, and moving into extended prayer and times of fasting. It starts with a few, which has happened here, and it slowing begins to grow. The prayers of a few ignite a flame in others and numbers grow seeking God and His Kingdom. God moves, revival in the hearts of men and women take place. People come to Christ. That is our desire. The Word of God states that “the prayers of a righteous man avails much.” Righteous, meaning Holy. A holy man accomplishes much. An obedient man accomplishes much. Prayer without holiness is talking into the wind. That is another of our prayer also. That men will live out all the Word. Shun evil, live for Christ. Love the Lord our God first, the way He states it in His Word. Seeking Him with a repentant heart, holy, walking in obedience, putting him first. Being a Christ like example. Then, being a minister to others. Loving your neighbor as yourself. If your in Kenosha, WI, come pray with us. 4 AM, Monday through Friday. 1525 24th Avenue. Seek God with us. Intercede for others.

Equipping the Saints with Power

praytell — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:21:04 +0000

This is part of my sermon to Prayer House Assembly of God on March 24th.
I was reading in Acts 6 recently and found that it speaks of the early Church. The Apostles were loaded down with many responsibilities. They were trying to do everything themselves. They couldn’t do it, they were trying to teach, preach, and labor for the Lord.
In Acts 6:2 “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.”
Widows had been neglected, and it was brought to light by other disciples. It was a worthy complaint, and I believe God used the situation to cause the church to grow. In Acts 6 verse 3, something stood out to me.
“Acts 6:3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;”
The disciples picked the seven men. These seven were to do labor. They were to make sure that the poor were taken care of. What stands out was these men were to be full of the Holy Spirit, and wise. Why would laborers need to be full of the Holy Spirit and wise?
The Word states in Acts 6:7 after the men were picked, prayed over by the laying on of hands and sent out; the Apostles were then able to give themselves continually to prayer and the Word. Acts 6:4.
Act 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
The Word of God spread. Why? The Apostles were able to spend their time studying, praying, receiving revelation and guidance from Christ for the Church, to equip the church to spread the Gospel, and helped those in need. People heard the Gospel, and saw the Gospel in action.
Why Holy Spirit filled men? The Apostles knew that just having good management and administrative skills wouldn’t be enough. We might think having men with good skills would be enough and possibly think that being filled with the Spirit, being wise, would be too high of a standard for laborers. Hey they were only handing out food, right? Why wouldn’t the group pick some young guys who could just do the job?
Smith Wigglesworth stated it plainly: “The plan of the church was that everything, even everyday routines, must be sanctified to God, for the church had to be a Holy Spirit church. Beloved, God has never ordained anything less. The heritage of the church is to be so equipped with power that God can lay His hand upon any member at any time to do His perfect will.”
This is why every job in the church is critical and needs spirit led people involved. It doesn’t matter if all you do is mow the grass or clean the nursery – it is what you are offering up to the Lord as service.
There is no stopping point in a Spirit-filled life.
We begin at the cross, a place of disgrace, shame, and death, and that very death brings us the power of the resurrected life. Then being baptized in the Holy Spirit, we go on from “Glory to Glory”, 2 Cor 3:18.
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
The church needs divine anointing. God’s presence and power needs to be seen by a hurting world. Those that do not know Christ need more than just spiritual platitudes.

praytell — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:04:37 +0000

I’m sitting at my desk in the church office listening to Jesus Culture. Just got out of Acts 5 reading about Peter and the Apostles performing many miracles among the people. They were having “church”. The Body of Christ was doing what it was called to do. Reconcile creation back to God. They did it in word, through teaching, but I believe the biggest impact was miracles. People had needs, and the church was meeting the needs. The sick were healed, blind eyes could see, the lame walked, and the church took care of the financial needs.
Action spoke louder than words. The church was added to daily. Thousands came to Christ in a short amount of time.
This past weekend at Prayer House, action spoke louder. The church began acting like the church even if it was in a small way. I say small because I have seen more, but to others it was pretty big. I look at the older women who was blind in one eye, and now she can see. She had hope to see, now she does not have to have hope anymore because now she can see. The young girl from Germany who stood and watched us pray for people to be healed, saw them healed, try to comprehend it, then came for prayer and was healed herself. Her left leg was noticeably shorter than the right, and she had sever scoliosis. Heath Young who travels the world using his gifts of healing, had this young lady’s friend, lay hands on her. Her friend, held her leg and watched it grow under the power of God. Both of them were blown away. One was being healed, the other was being used by God to be the instrument of healing. After the leg grew, we stood her up and prayed for her back which was curved, and I watched her grow taller as her back was straightened. Miracles…… that is what the church should be about. We were called to be conduits of God’s power to reconcile creation back to God,and he gave us gifts to use to do it. Why much of the church tries to use their own brains to do it, I just don’t know. Man knows that in his own power he can’t accomplish much, and if he does, it doesn’t last, or it fake. People need Jesus in full power. They just don’t need to hear about him. They need to see him. Faith comes by seeing too. We had a bunch of people healed, and a bunch of people began to believe because they were healed or saw the healing with their own eyes. You cannot deny what you have seen with your own eyes. Some people have faith in the unseen, others are like Thomas in the Bible, he saw, he felt, he believed. The church needs to walk in the power of God, and have the Gifts of the Spirit functioning in their church. If they will allow it, people will be running into the doors. We need to be a sanctuary and a place of healing other than acting like a club.

Past Weekend

praytell — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:01:57 +0000

I’m sitting at my desk in the church office listening to Jesus Culture. Just got out of Acts 5 reading about Peter and the Apostles performing many miracles among the people. They were having “church”. The Body of Christ was doing what it was called to do. Reconcile creation back to God. They did it in word, through teaching, but I believe the biggest impact was miracles. People had needs, and the church was meeting the needs. The sick were healed, blind eyes could see, the lame walked, and the church took care of the financial needs.
Action spoke louder than words. The church was added to daily. Thousands came to Christ in a short amount of time. This past weekend at Prayer House, action spoke louder. The church began acting like the church even if it was in a small way. I say small, to others it was pretty big. I look at the older women who was blind in one eye, and now she can see. She had hope to see, now she does not have to have hope anymore because now she can see. The young girl from Germany who stood and watched us pray for people to be healed, saw them healed, try to comprehend it, then came for prayer and was healed herself. Her left leg was noticeably shorter than the right, and she had sever scoliosis. Heath Young who travels the world using his gifts of healing, had this young lady’s friend, lay hands on her. Her friend, held her leg and watched it grow under the power of God. Both of them were blown away. One was being healed, the other was being used by God to be the instrument of healing. After the leg grew, we stood her up and prayed for her back which was curved, and I watched her grow taller as her back was straightened. Miracles…… that is what the church should be about. We were called to be conduits of God’s power to reconcile creation back to God,and he gave us gifts to use to do it. Why much of the church tries to use their own brains to do it, I just don’t know. Man knows that in his own power he can’t accomplish much, and if he does, it doesn’t last, or it fake. People need Jesus in full power. They just don’t need to hear about him. They need to see him. Faith comes by seeing too. We had a bunch of people healed, and a bunch of people began to believe because they were healed or saw the healing with their own eyes. You cannot deny what you have seen with your own eyes. Some people have faith in the unseen, others are like Thomas in the Bible, he saw, he felt, he believed. The church needs to walk in the power of God, and have the Gifts of the Spirit functioning in their church. If they will allow it, people will be running into the doors. We need to be a sanctuary and a place of healing other than acting like a club.