How will your story end Part III

How will your story end Part III
“Miracle in the making”
Synopsis of Sermon 06/21/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker III
Text: 1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:1-4 (KJV)
A Christian needs to know and understand this one principle. Whatever happens in our life, we have to know that God has the ability to position us for miracles. Regardless of the obstacles and statistics, no matter what you are going through, you must know God navigates our lives through a series of events connecting us with the right people of the right season, in order to bring to pass, an awesome change. This is why it is important for us to realize that God is always up to something. No matter how bad it looks, remember that God is up to something. Nothing just happens, there is always destiny tied to whatever happens in your life. Regardless of your situation, you must remember that you are truly on God’s radar. It is also important for you to know that you have not gone unnoticed.

Here there is a man in our text that has a condition called palsy. Now what is palsy? It is literally an abbreviation for paralysis. It involves a reduction in the use of physical parts of the body. It is a reduction of motion where certain parts of the body do not move as they should. As a result of this one loses sensation because of months or years of lack of use. There are many of us even today, who experience spiritual palsy. There are areas of our life that are not progressing or moving as they should and lots of times apathy sets in we lose a sense of sensation about them and we wonder if we are ever going to move again. Well there is news. There is a miracle in the making. Don’t allow your prognoses to define your destiny, but know that God will position you for the greatest season of your life. Stop listening to Nay Sayers. Get the negative people out of your life, and trust God in this season.

Here is the crux of this message. Everything that has happened in your life up until this point has been necessary to position you and allow you to experience the greatest manifestation of God’s power like you have never seen before. Stop worrying, stop whining, and stop tripping. There is a miracle in the making. You can look at your circumstances and get depressed if you want, but somebody knows that it though it may be rough, they realize they are in the perfect place for a miracle to break out in their life.

In the text, the bible declares that Jesus had returned to Capernaum. The first time Jesus went to Capernaum, his popularity was great because of the miracles that he had performed. Now he was returning a second time, which is why the bible says he returned is to Capernaum. His fame is so powerful, that multitudes gathered and mobs followed him. They knew he was able to give them what they needed. They knew that he is able to perform miracles, so they followed him. The bible says they are now in the house. Jesus is in the house and we are not sure whose house, but we believe it is that of Mary. Now Jesus is in the house and the multitudes have gathered there also along with the skeptics and the scribes.

Here is a man whose condition has caused him to be laid on the bed or bed ridden. Four friends have recognized that Jesus was in the house. The bible declares that they picked him up. This is why it says he was borne by four in verse 3. They picked him up and came to the house where Jesus was. If his life is going to change, he has to get where Jesus is. They came to the house and line was outside the door and they were unable to get in. Rather than become discouraged, they may have went to the windows, but it was customary for people to even sit in the windows in those days. Rather than to give up on the man they were so committed to helping him get his breakthrough, they decided to break protocol. They decided to take the roof off and lower the man down at the foot of Jesus.
I. Connect with people with Radical faith
1. You need folk with radical faith. We need people that are not easily swayed. We need people in our lives that have a Caleb spirit and are willing stand alone trying to reach a breakthrough if they have to. They will stand up in the minority and say “yes we can”

2. The scripture says it was noisy. : 1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. We really wonder why it was so noisy and who was making the noise. If you want to know who the noisy people are in church, you will be happy to know that it is the benefactors of what Jesus has done in their life. In the scripture they were noisy because they remembered all that Jesus had done when Jesus was in Capernaum before. Guess who is in the house. If you are quiet it might be because Jesus has never done anything for you. We remember what Psalms 10 says. We understand what it means when it says let the redeemed of the Lord say so. If it had not been for the Lord who is on our side, where would we be? People may want you to be quiet, but you can’t. You have to tell what the Lord has done for you. Tell people this is not a quit pew.
3. Jesus had been teaching in the house. You have got to understand the power of the word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. Some people wonder who is in the church and who is not. Remember we are not here for anybody else. You need to worry if Jesus is in the house. Where Jesus is, there is break through. Where Jesus is, there is healing. Where Jesus is, there is financial breakthroughs.
4. The friends see Jesus in the house and they want to get their friend in there to him. The friends get creative. They were willing to raise the roof to get the breakthrough that they want.
5. The friends possessed:
a. Thoughtfulness. 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Prov 17:17 (KJV)-This man could represent the next generation. You need some thoughtful people that are willing to help you get to your breakthrough.
b. They understood the power of teamwork. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Eccl 4:8-9 (KJV)-If the man with palsy is laying on the cot and held by four men, then there is power in everyman on every corner. If one man loses control of his corner, he could jeopardize the man’s well being and the potential for his breakthrough. This is the same in our lives. If you do not hold up your end and your responsibility, you could jeopardize your whole community.
c. They had Tenacity-Their friends made up in their mind to get their friend to Jesus. We need folk in our lives that are working to help make it happen for you. You have to be connected to the right people in your life. How can two walk together unless they agree?
II. Conflict with Religious folk
1. There is no way that you will not run into people that have conflict with what Jesus is trying to do in your life.
2. The text suggests that the scribes were in house. They could not understand what Jesus was about to do, because they operated in reason. Verses 6-7are actually responding to verse 5. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? Mark 2:5-7 (KJV) What you have are religious teachers that have not received Jesus Christ. People that are logical based have a hard time receiving spiritual things.
3. You will always have people trying to find flaws in what you are doing. The enemy knows you are about to make it to your break through and this is the last time he has to take you out. Because of the attacks they are receiving, some people ought to feel like they are about to enter the greatest season of their life.
III. Celebrate the release of favor
* Under the anointing of God, Bishop explains that God says he is about to release favor into our lives.
1. When God gets ready to release your blessing to you, you have to be able to receive it. 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:9-11 (KJV). In the scripture, Jesus tells the man with palsy, so that they might understand who they were dealing with, take up his bed and go home. This man’s condition is palsy which really is an abbreviation of paralyses. This means he has limited or no control of his muscle motion.
2. The culture in that day was when someone got palsy or any serious condition; it was a result of someone’s sin. They believed when one sinned, things like this would happen. This is the reason that Jesus said that the man’s sins were forgiven. Jesus healed him and forgave his sin. What good would the man be healed and still guilty of sin in this culture?
3. When Jesus forgave the man’s sin, he reversed every curse in him. Every label that was placed on the man, because of his disease was removed. Just like this, Jesus wants to break the curses that are found within us.
4. Everything that has happened to you was leading up for the greatest manifestation of blessings in your life. If you look back at verse 10, Jesus says to the scribes, that they might know who he is and then turned to the man with palsy and healed him that he might make a believer out of them all. 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) Mark 2:10 (KJV)
5. God gave the man a commandment somewhere between verse 10 and 11 and something happened. 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:11 (KJV). He told the guy to walk when he had never walked before. To really understand this, you have to know that when your muscles are not used over a period of time, they deteriorate making it impossible to use them ever.
6. Because the muscles should have deteriorated, why did man with palsy think he could walk when he was told to take up his bed? It was because of God’s word. God can put strength where there is no strength.
7. The man with palsy immediately took up his bed. Remember, 4 men took him up on the roof and now he takes his bed himself. He needed help getting there, but no help leaving. The bible says obedience is better than sacrifice. Bishop explains that he believes in some instances, God allows delayed obedience, just to make a point. Going back to verse 12 again, we see that the man walked before them all before he left. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. Mark 2:12 (KJV)-This was delayed obedience, because the Lord told him to take up his bed and go home, not walk around in front of everyone. There is no harm in walking around showing off what God has done for you. There is nothing wrong with sending a card to your enemy thanking them for setting you up for your blessing. There is nothing wrong with sending a card to your enemy and thanking them for making you a better person. They shouldn’t have messed with us, because God was not through with us yet.
8. In verse 12 everyone was amazed that the man got up & walked. Even the enemies had to raise their hands as if to surrender in worship. Let’s take a look at a translation for verse 12. We have seen some stuff but we have never seen it in this fashion. What God did and is going to do in your life, some people have never seen before. You are a miracle in the making.

What a friend I have in Jesus Part II, Bible Study 06/17/09

What a friend I have in Jesus Part II
Synopsis of Bible Study 06/17/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker III
Remember our term Christocentric. This was the term we learned in Part I and it told us that it was having as the theological focal point, the teachings and practices of Jesus Christ. As we grow, our relationship will be tested by a variety of things. You will find out how genuine your relationship with Christ really is.
The hope we have is found in Christ. No matter what we go through, we hold on to our hope. No matter what we go through, it is important for our witness to be strong. When we proclaim that we have a relationship with God, it is important that it shows up when we go through our trials.
I. Companionship
1. When you got saved, you received the Holy Spirit. It is important to understand where the companionship in this relationship comes from. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph 1:12-14 (KJV)-After you heard the word of God and accepted Jesus, you were completed by receiving the Holy Spirit. We are sealed by the Holy Ghost and we recognize that Christ will come back for us and afterwards, we will be in glory with him. We have the Holy Spirit that sustains us while we are yet still here. We allow the Holy Spirit to sustain us despite what we go through, because we know we have something better waiting in glory. We have to see the Ministry of Holy Spirit working alongside Jesus’ work.
2. When Jesus left, he left us with some companionship. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. John 14:16-18 (NLT)-Remember that in this scripture, Jesus is about to make his early departure. He said he would not leave us alone, but instead he would leave us with companionship. In verse 17, we find that this companion would be that of the Holy Spirit. The world doesn’t understand the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in our life. Looking at verse 18, we have to see the totality of the God head in our relationship. The Holy Spirit brings us into all truth, by guiding and leading us.

3. If Jesus is sitting at the right hand of father, what did he leave to instruct us? It was the Holy Spirit left inside us. We are codependent of others, because we don’t understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
4. You don’t belong to yourself. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor 6:19-20 (KJV) God paid the price that you might have the precious gift of the Holy Spirit inside you. If God thought enough of you to put that precious gift inside you, it must be an insult to refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit of God.
5. Who would Jesus give the power to? 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20 (KJV)-Jesus said all power was given to him in heaven and earth. Who would Jesus, give the power to? It is us. This suggests that God is not going to send you out powerless. It is then impossible to have the gift of the Holy Spirit and not go when God says to go. God saved us to empower us so that we may empower someone else. The same power that saved you is able to save someone else. They can only know this power if share the power you have received.
II. Opportunity
If you go, God will not send you by yourself. God empowers you to go and do his will. God said he is only going to be with people that are busy doing their kingdom assignment. You cannot be doing God’s assignment and be out there by yourself. What a friend we have in Jesus. Whatever the assignment is, it still falls within the call of the Great Commission mentioned in Matt 28:18. For example, even if you are called to be a dentist, this could be your kingdom assignment, because it teaches others to observe what you have been taught. Someone will look at the Christ in you and wonder how you are able to keep your peace when things are in disarray. This gives you the opportunity to save them. All calls to kingdom assignments are not necessarily found in the church. This is what makes us different from others. God saved us to give us a teaching opportunity. Some people are teaching people about God without even opening their mouths. You should be a living example of what it is like to live for God. You ought to make people wonder how you are able to still give God the glory and still keep your peace during trying times.

As long as we are fulfilling our kingdom assignment, we are never alone. We can call some folk from the bible days and they will testify of the opportunities that God gives to us. For Hebrew boys, they would testify that they were not left alone. David found out that when he was in the valley of the shadow of death, he would fear no evil, because he knew he wasn’t alone.
III. Hope
1. Some people minimize the power of the word they received. In the last election, people were cynical of the word “Hope” and its concept. They wondered how a person could push the concept of hope as a theme. Well they pushed it all the way to the White House. Hope stretches past our right now, until it gets to our not yet. We are not defined by where we are. We are defined by who we know. Hope gives us things to talk about, something to look forward to, and something to hold on to.
2. People talk about their plans. They talk about plans for college and they talk about their planned vacation. Older folk hope for their retirement. Hope gives us:
a. Hope once embodied gives us something to work toward. Example: Our vacation is an example of exercising our hope. We put up with stuff that we normally wouldn’t, because we have the goal in mind. Without hope, you have no goal.
b. Hope motivates work. Where is God? He is here with us, as long as we are fulfilling our kingdom assignment. Our kingdom assignment is not always easy. Our kingdom assignment is where we experience most of our demonic interrogation. This is because our assignments are a threat to Satan’s kingdom, but remember that Jesus grabbed authority over two dimensions when he was raised from the dead. Jesus said all power in heaven and earth was in his hands which means his power will win in the earth realm.
3. Paul says he is struggling between being here on earth or with Christ in heaven. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Phil 1:22-23 (KJV). We all hope for the opportunity to go to heaven. Out of those reading this, who would be concerned about making heaven if Jesus came back today? This is a valid concern. If you hope for something, you don’t mind working for it. In like manner, if you hope to go to heaven, hopefully you are working out your salvation.
4. When God tells you something, no matter what happens, your relationship should be so strong, you are not swayed by it. When you have been told a thing by Christ, then you must stop tripping over the stuff in between. If he told you something, then you must hope for it. Don’t let all the discouragement in between, make you stop working.
5. There is still a thin line between hearing from God and schizophrenia. In other words there is a difference between a farfetched claim of what God called you to do and what God told you to do.
Concluding story:
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Acts 27:13-16 (KJV)-Here the Apostle Paul is a prisoner on a ship. He has been taken captive with other prisoners and is being ferried somewhere while the south wind blew softly Where Paul and the other captives are at this point is not their kingdom assignment. Paul encounters several problems on the way to his assignment. The ship represents that which is supposed to ferry them back to the assignment. It was destroyed which represents a major setback from reaching our assignment.
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; Acts 27:17-18 (KJV)-The people that were carrying Paul, had to take baggage off of the ship in order to make it though the storm. Just like this, you have to lighten your load on your ship when you are trying to make your way to your assignment. The baggage and the cargo were keeping Paul and the captives from getting to their destination.

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. Acts 27:19-20 (KJV)-They had lost all hope. They were going through hell and the storm was so bad, they couldn’t even see. All hope was taken away. God saves us to present us with a teaching moment.

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. Acts 27:21-22 (KJV)-Paul told the captors they should have taken heed to his warning. He had a word for them and they wouldn’t listen, but now they were in a position where they were forced to listen. Paul assured them that no life would be lost, but cautioned them that they would lose the ship. The thing that was holding them is not going to make it to their destination. Likewise, the thing that is holding us from our destiny is not going to make to the end. Your destiny though, has to be bigger than the ship or what you are using to get to your assignment. If you allow your destiny to be hindered to denomination, tradition, and other things, you are limiting what God can do in your life. Remember to trust God. If the ship goes down, your destiny will not.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:23-25 (KJV)-Paul stated he was promised that God would be with him in his assignment. God sent an angel to remind him of the promise. No matter what would happen, Paul was promised that he would make it to his assignment. He was told that when he made it, the people with him would make it to. Remember when Paul and Silas made it, so did the others. The chains came off of all the prisoners at the same time. The safest place for you to be is with folk that are working in their assignment. Paul reminds them that they would not die there. They were going to be saved, because Paul was going to be saved.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Acts 27:26-29 (KJV)-They couldn’t see the land for a long while. Finally when they did see land, they cast out the anchors so they would not hit the rock.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Acts 27:30-31 (KJV)-Paul told the officials that if they did not keep the prisoners with him, they would all die.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Acts 27:32-35 (KJV)-Paul tells them the fast is over and for them to eat some meat, because they would need their strength for what was going to happen next.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Acts 27:39-44 (KJV)-They decided to take up the anchors. They fell into a place where two seas met. They already dealt with storm above, but now they are going to deal with a storm below. The captors wanted to kill the prisoners to keep them from escaping, but the centurion stopped them from killing them. Some prisoners dropped out, others swam, some floated on boards, but others got on broken pieces of ship trying to get to land.
It doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you get there. You will get to your promise, because God made you a promise. Hold on and sail in to what God has promised you. God will give you a teaching moment. We are going to make it no matter what the economy is. We are going to make it, because God made us a promise. You have to stay in your kingdom assignment. He can’t exempt you from the storm, but God can keep his promise. He can’t promise what is carrying you there won’t be shattered, but you will get there. If you lost your home, the home might not be the house. The home might be you being inside the house. Some of you are spiritually strong enough to swim or surf in. The weak will grab on to what is left and come in. It doesn’t matter how you make it to the assignment, as long as you make it. All you need as a piece of hope to hang on to.

Grace of God Part II, Bible Study 5.6.09

Grace of God Part II
“The power of living in the fullness of God’s Grace “
Synopsis of Bible Study 5/6/09
Delivered by Bishop Walker III

We start out by raising some rhetorical questions. If you only had only one month to live, how would you prepare yourself to meet the Lord in that month? Would you pray harder, would you memorize more scripture, would you read your bible more, would you be involved in more spiritual work, would you catch up your tithes, or would you repent of sins you are guilty of? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be characterized as a performance based Christian. A performance based Christian tries to gain Gods favor by works. Remember that it is the grace of God that we live under. We are saved by Grace and grace alone. Make no mistake, the things we mentioned previously are good things to do; the problem is most people are doing these things based on a condition. The condition mentioned earlier was that it was assuming that they were going to die in 30 days or a month. We try to do good works with conditions attached to them. What happens if the condition is not met? What if we don’t have a month to live? Would you still say yes to every question? Are our works tied to a condition or the proper appropriation of grace in our life? There is no amount of work that we can do to earn God’s favor. The truth is his favor has been granted to us through the free gift of grace and so Paul rebukes the church by declaring: 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:1-3 (NLT)-Paul explained to them that previously they understood in the spirit, spiritual things, but now they were trying to be perfect by the works of the flesh. Like the Galatians, we are trying to do good deeds to get brownie points with God. This is not about the accumulation of brownie points. It is about understanding how to walk in the fullness of God’s grace.
I. The issue is how do I understand the fullness of God’s grace?
1. We have to understand the fullness of our foolishness, before we met God. Our need for God’s grace has to be understood. Let’s look at our condition prior to salvation. 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12 (KJV) – Before we got saved nobody was reaching for God and nobody was trying to do right. Everyone was doing their own thing. This means everyone in this place had a season in their life where they didn’t worry about pleasing God.
2. We once rebelled against God. 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)-this scripture speaks of the rebellion of God’s people. This scripture reminds us that we are all as filthy rags.
3. All of us have sinned. 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 (KJV) –all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We looked it up in every language, but at the end of the day all simply means “all”. When we look at how far out there we were, it helps us understand God’s answer to our need.
4. We needed God, but what did he do? 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)-God commended his love towards us why we were yet sinners. He didn’t wait until we got our self together; his grace is so awesome he initiated his grace towards us. This is what makes Christianity so amazing and makes it so different in comparison to other faiths. Christianity is God reaching for us, instead of us reaching for God. God knew our nature and we were so rebellious, God came in spite of our nature. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)-We should walk in the fullness of grace because we recognize that we are only here by grace.
5. Grace by definition-it is Gods free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment. It is the love of God shown to the unlovely. Have you ever had an active feud where you didn’t speak to someone or didn’t want to be around them? It takes some people 20 yrs to recover from of feud. The truth is we know how to distance people that we have a beef with. We had beef with God when we were sinners. This is why God said to Paul, why are you persecuting me? When you are persecuting God’s people (including yourself), you are persecuting him. Just like this we have learned how to distance ourselves from God when we have beef with him. Even when you say don’t let me have this hangover, God heard you or when you said don’t let me have this disease when you knew you did all you could to catch the disease, God heard you (your prayer). This is what grace does. It helps you understand how messed up you really are.
II. How do I live in the kingdom by grace?
1. If we came in by grace, we have to live in God’s kingdom by grace. If we did not come in this kingdom by works, then we can’t live in this kingdom by works. Grace is the only thing that can sustain us in the kingdom. 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil 1:6 (KJV)-God made a divine deposit in our life. It is our purpose.
2. There are things that God does that we don’t understand. God deposited things in us before our parents knew us and before we were born. God knew we would have a sin nature.
3. Our flesh tries to keep our purpose from coming to past. Before coming to Christ, we were our own worst enemy. Despite all of that, God would not let us blow it. God was waiting for us to come back home to him. We had seasons that we purposely tried not to develop ourselves, but God refused to let our foolishness blow it. Some people can testify that God is still creating works in them despite what they have done. People call back into remembrance things you done, but God can still use you no matter what you have done, because of his grace.
4. Because of grace, we fall but we get up. 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Prov 24:16 (KJV) – This scripture simply appropriates grace, because God knows what is in us. Just because you are saved, doesn’t mean that you will not fall. Everyone saved has had a moment where they have fallen. The difference is the righteous understand grace. They get up and dust themselves off and try again. The wicked keep falling because they don’t understand grace. Ex- A kid tries to learn to ride his bicycle. The child keeps falling off his bicycle, because the training wheels have just been taken off. Likewise, this is what we do when we first get saved. At first we can ride life well when we first get saved. It is new and God gives us extra support. Eventually the Lord will take the training wheels of so that you can learn to maneuver on your own. The father says it time for you to really step out and he takes the training wheels off and you fall. All you know to do when you fall is call to your daddy and he recognizing that riding the bike is greater than him pacifying the pain, allows you to there for a minute to try and figure this thing out. He wants you to keep trying while learning from your experience.
III. Our works is a result of walking in God’s grace.
1. Your works are an indicator of how you respond out of God’s love and grace. 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:9-10 (KJV)-Your works are an indicator of how you respond out of God’s love and grace. If we do it for any other reason, it is performance based. Think about leaders or those who serve in ministry. For example: choir members. If there wasn’t bible study or a service going on, would you still be singing at this very moment? If you weren’t’ on program, would you still be here? What is your motivation for being here or at any service? Is it brownie points or because you want to be there? Ex-Bishop Walker explains that he is in a new season involving his training Pastors (which is a Bishop’s job). He explains that he is training Pastors who are older than he has been in the world. He explains that because of their age, he has to challenge them in the area of shifts in the church. We have to get away from work based religion such as tithes? Often Pastors come from perspective where if you tithe, God will open the windows in heaven and pour out blessings that are more than we have room enough to receive. The problem with this is what if you lose your job or what if he doesn’t open the windows of heaven and bless you immediately? You ought to give, because you love God and nothing else. What if things don’t turn out like you think they ought to, and then you become angry for tithing and for what you did in the name of God? This still makes you performance based. The worst person to be around is someone that reminds you of what they did for you all the time? This is how we come across with to the Lord with this performance based approach. We are saying to the Lord, “I paid my tithes, why did you let this happen?” This is equivalent to your kids saying, “Well I made up my bed!” Our response would be, “You don’t pay any bills here and you are supposed to make up your bed!” Making up the bed is a kid’s duty or reasonable sacrifice. Just like this, tithing is one of those things we should think God owes us for. As a child of God, this is something we are simply supposed to do. This is our reasonable service. We should do the things that God ask simply because we love him.
2. It is important to understand that God’s blessing flow through grace not performance. 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph 2:6-7 (KJV)-God still wants to show his grace in the days to come.
3. We do those things that are pleasing in God’s sight.22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22 (KJV)
4. There are some powerful things we can learn from parables. They are earthly lessons with spiritual implications. One of the most powerful is found in Math 20:1-16. Here is a contemporary summary. The Kingdom of Heaven is like brother that had a business. Early one morning the business owner went to the corner to get people to work for him. He said he would give them a penny for their work for the day. This meant the contract was set. In the 3rd hour he asked some more people to come work for them and told them at the end of the day he would pay them whatever is right. They agreed and they too went to work for him. At the 6th, 9rd , and the 11th hour, he did the same thing. He told all of them that he would pay them what was fair at the end of the workday. When the day was over, the business owner told his Forman bring the workers in so that he could pay them. He calls them from the last to the beginning. He started with the ones that came in last and he paid them a penny. He gave the group that came in just before them and so on all a penny or a day’s wages. The ones that the business owner called first were offended. They felt they should have gotten more, because they were there all day long. They started murmuring and then they asked why the business owner paid the workers that came in later the same amount as he did them that had worked all day long. He answered to them that he didn’t do any wrong them. He asked them did they remember what he promised he would pay them. That was the contract. He asks can’t he do what he wants with his own money? In God’s kingdom, the last shall be first and the first last. It is up to God how he awards his grace.
5. Many are called, but few are chosen. You have always heard this all your life, but most of the time it was out of context. Ex-Someone has been in an organization for 5yrs. Another person comes aboard and 5wks later they are placed over the person that has been there 5yrs. The one that has been there 5yrs is cool with the fact that somebody has been placed ahead of them with less tenure. The one with 5yrs of tenure represents the chosen. You think God gives brownie points for your work. You think God is a God that gives benefits based on tenure. Grace has nothing to do with tenure. What is for you is for you. Are you one of the chosen ones?
IV. It is about humility
Humility brings about life. 4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. Prov 22:4 (NLT).
There will come a day where the Lord will try your work by fire. 13 But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.1 Cor 3:13 (NLT). Peter calls this the fiery trial. God will send fire to try your work to see what your real motivation is and to see where your heart is. Ex-God tried Bishops work by fire. One was the Death of a his spouse. This fire was so intense, Bishop explains that he asked God to fire him from his assignment. He just wanted the hurt to be over. God said this is the fire to see what Bishop is really preaching for. When the fire was sent, if Bishop was able to still come to the church and tell people that was a healer, then God would know for sure that Bishop Walker was for real. Because we are a part of this ministry, there is such an anointing that we under. This anointing comes with the privilege of not being able to do some things. That privilege is that we don’t have the privilege of being on a pitty party. If the head of this ministry (Bishop Walker) was experiencing death while yet still preaching God is a healer, then we are not allowed to bury our head in the sand. We are under too much anointing. Bishop admits that he has to ask for strength and patience concerning people that stop showing up at the least little thing that happens in their life. We show up, because we know it ain’t nothing but the grace of God that allows most of us to get and face the world day to day. How dare you roll over and fall over into depression. All of us are here by grace. You belong to a church that doesn’t allow you the option to quit. Be steadfast, unmovable, always abiding in his word. Your labor is not in vain.
6 examples of God’s grace
1. Saving grace- 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:15-16 (KJV)-The love is the grace. God loved us when we didn’t love ourselves. God gave the best that he had all in the name of grace. 11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 (NLT)-We thank God for saving us. Ex-Bishop admits he still gets emotional when people get saved. He says he doesn’t want to get to far from remembering when God saved him.
2. Sanctifying grace-this is growing in grace 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)-when we get saved, we need help growing in this walk. First we want to grow in word, because of what I have read. Then we come to church to hear the word. Through what we hear, we develop faith, now we need a corresponding action. God then tries the word in us so we can put it into action. Now we know God for ourselves.
3. Sustaining grace- 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. John 10:27-31 (KJV)-Imagine if you are in hands of father. He says nothing can pluck you out. When the enemy tries to take your mind, God keeps your mind intact.
4. Sovereign grace-while in God’s hand we are saying to God that he can do what he will with us. 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 (KJV)-God can do what he wants to do , but whatever he does is for his glory. We have to get like Job. In the midst of losing everything we recognize that the Lord gives and he takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord.
5. Sufficient grace. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Cor 12:7 (KJV) – It is all about the throne. Paul asked God three times for the thorn to be removed, but God reminded Paul that his grace was enough sustain him. God gave grace for you to sustain what you never thought you could endure
6. Shielding grace-you can be vulnerable when you have a thorn in your flesh. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Prov 2:8 (KJV)-God will your preserve your path. 8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalms 4:8 (NLT)-God only allows you to deal in a realm of safety. We are so sure that we of our safety, we can sleep at night, because we know God has this thing. 2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Psalms 35:2 (NLT) – All the apparatus you have is for safety, yet God still has it in control. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear a seat belt, but at the end of the day it was the grace that got you through. Why are you here tonight after all the attacks, and all the times you went wrong instead of right? Why are you here? Were you lucky? Did you have control over all that happened to you? No it was God’s grace.

Mnister B. L. Davis’ Holy Ghost Fire Crusade 09′ – Plummers Invite