I.                   PROPHETIC WORDS 2017

1.      Breakthrough

The door is open to go where you have never gone and do what you have never done.

It’s Building Momentum Unto Breakthrough

a.       The key is to not sit and wait but to keep striking at things until it breaks

1 Kings 19:42-44

⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, ⁴³ and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” ⁴⁴ Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.

b.      We must be aggressive in prayer, tithes, seeds and work.

            2.  Alignment

                        Mark 11:22-25

²² And Jesus answering saith unto them, ^sHave faith in God. ²³ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  ²⁴ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ²⁵ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

                        Heart - Mind soul will desire and emotion set on something it will happen

3.  Year for a Tender Heart

2 Kings 22:10-20

^“Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. ¹¹ Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes….¹⁴ So Hilkiah the priest…went to Huldah the prophetess…And they spoke with her. ¹⁵ Then she said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, ¹⁶ “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read—¹⁷ because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.’ ” ’ ¹⁸ But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard—¹⁹ because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.” ’ ” So they brought back word to the king.

4.      Year of The Word

1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

5.      Year of Patterns and Process

Matthew 12:33

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

    You must analyze deeply patterns and processes

    6. Year of Emotional Stability

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 

   7. Year of Divine Approval

Revelations 3:7-9

⁷ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: ⁸ “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

II.                VISION AND CORE VALUES

1.      We value passion for God and Compassion for people as the motives upon which we operate. 

Matthew 22:34-37.

2.      We value being used by God for the Deliverance of mankind.

Luke 4:18-19.

a.       a. We believe that healing is provided in the atonement and should be ministered regularly.  Psalm 103:1-3.

b.      We will constantly seek to free people from demons and demonic strong-holds. Mark 16:17

c.       Divine Power Encounters will be regularly sought.

1 Corinthians 4

3.      We value prayer as the definition of our house

Isaiah 56:7; Matt 21:13 since, “except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it” Psalm 127:1.

a.  We believe that night and day prayer is the mandate of the church      Luke 18:1-8

b. The Kingdom should be built through radical prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21.

4.      We value purity and holiness, but true holiness resulting from intimacy with God and a passionate pursuit of His presence.  Psalm 29:2; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

5.      We value Aggressive Humility and Servant Leadership as the model by which we serve God’s people.  1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6

6.      We value the Word of God and sound practical teaching of the scriptures. Hosea 4:6; Psalm 119:105.

7.      We value training our children and youth to be radical Disciples of Christ. We will labor that no child will be left behind.

Deuteronomy. 6:1-5. 

8.      We value order and excellence as the wineskin through which God will release His Spirit. Daniel 6:1-3

III.             WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS FAHOW

1.      Non -Denominational; Presence- Driven; Bible Believing; Jesus Loving; Group of flawed people chasing hard after God

2.      In short: Presence -Driven Church with a Harvest (Soul Winning) Focus

3.      International Church

a.      Our Branches

35 U.S., 180 Africa, 3 Asia, 4 Europe

IV.              CHURCH STRUCTURE

1.      Senior Pastor Led, Board Governed, Staff Administrated, Lay Leader Driven

a.       11 Full-Time Staff Members

b.      8 Part- Time Staff

c.       Board of Trustees

2.      Bishop Kyles’ Apostolic Advisory Council

a.        Bishop Harry Jackson

b.      Dr. Samuel Chand

c.       Kevin Matthews

V.                  CURRENT VISION FOCUS

1.      Keep affecting lives

a.       Prison Ministry

b.      Community Outreach

c.       Healing Rooms

d.      Nursing Home

e.       L.I.T.T Youth 

f.        Discipleship

g.       Nursery

h.      Man-Up

i.         Trail Blazers

j.         Womens Fellowship

k.       Wimi & Womens Fellowship

2.      Youth City

a.       Update on Montgomery Mall

b.      Upcoming Programs

1.      Summer Job Enrichment

2.      Power to Succeed

3.      Little Leaders Camp

4.      Reading Made Easy

3.      Keep winning Souls

.

MULTISITE FOCUS

 Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

a.       God’s Leading

b.      Current Trends

WHAT  (Multi -site résurgence)

Multisite Facts:

·         In 1990, there were 10 multisite churches.

·          In 1998, that number had expanded to about 100.

·         In late 2005, there were more than 1,500 multisite churches in the United States.

·         In mid-2008, there were an estimated 2,000 multisite churches across the US.

·         In 2014 there are now more than 8,000 multisite churches in North America, according to Leadership Network.

Multisite churches are succeeding in urban, suburban, and rural communities, as well as internationally. The pace of multisite growth is increasing. This movement will continue.  

BENEFIT OF MULTI- SITE CHURCHES

·         Multisite churches reach more people than single site churches,

·         Multisite tends to spread healthy churches to more diverse communities,

·         Multisite churches have more volunteers in service as a percentage than single site

·         Multisite churches baptize more people than single site churches.

·         Multisite churches tend to activate more people into ministry than a single site.

·         Multisite often leads to smaller and recyclable buildings that do not lead to a proliferation of large, empty church caverns when neighborhoods change

WE NEED NEW CHURCHES 

In most regions of the United States, less that 20% of people attend a Christian church any given weekend.

·         If we were to start new churches of 1,000 people each, then we would need over 200,000 new churches in the United States to reach those who are unchurched

·         Over 80% of people who attend a church plant are unchurched and spiritually disenfranchised.

·         The United States has the 4th largest population of unreached people in the world, after India, China, and Malaysia.

·         The United States is 14th on the list of nations receiving missionaries from other countries.  

·         The decline in church attendance is forcing churches to build community-centric, multi-purpose, and environmentally-friendly facilities

MERCY The Key to New Beginnings

(Part II)

I.                    MERCY IS GOD’S WAY

1.     It’s Who He is

Exodus 34:5-7

⁵ Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. ⁶ And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, ⁷ keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Psalm 106:1

¹ Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Micah 7:18

¹⁸Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant…? He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy.

Matthew 9:9-13

9 Jesus…saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. 10 As Jesus sat at the table in the house.…many tax collectors and sinners…sat down with Him…11 The Pharisees…said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with…sinners?" 12 He (Jesus) said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

2.     God Transforms Hearts Through Mercy

Roman 2:4

⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

a.       The Gospel means Good News

Matthew 9:33-35

³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel (good news) of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

b.       Mercy can be Overwhelming

Romans 12:20-21

²⁰ Therefore” If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3.     God’s Mercy is:

a.       Great. Numbers 14:18; Isa 54:7.

b.      Rich. Ephesians 2:4.

c.       Manifold. Neimaiah 9:27; La 3:32.

d.      Plenteous. Psalms 86:5, 15; 103:8.

e.       Abundant. 1 Peter 1:3.

f.        Sure. Isa 55:3; Micah 7:20.

g.       Everlasting. 1 Chornicles 16:34; Psalms 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1–26.

h.      Tender. Pslams 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78.

i.         High as heaven. Psalms 36:5; 103:11.

j.         Filling the earth. Psalms 119:64.

k.       Overall his works. Psalms 145:9.

II.                 THE TIMES DEMAND THAT WE GROW IN MERCY

2 Timothy 3:1-7

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

III.               WE MUST EMBRACE THE MERCY OF GOD TOWARDS US

1.       We should not forsake mercy

Proverbs 3:3

³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart

Matthew 18:21-34

²¹ Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant, therefore, fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

a.       We need to remember how bad we were before salvation

b.      We must consider how bad we still are

c.       We must consider how bad we will be in the future       

2.       Receiving and giving Mercy is essential to our own happiness

Proverbs 10:17

¹⁷ The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

IV.               WE ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS

1.     It’s Our Job Description

Micah 6:8

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Luke 6:36

³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

3.     We Must confront all injustice with Mercy

Galatians  6:1

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

4.     We must aggressively avoid bitterness and choose mercy

Matthew 5:44

⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…

We must actively love, bless, do good, pray and respond in tenderness.

5.     We must shift our mind into Mercy Mode

Col 3:12-15

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

6.     Mercy does not mean we don’t deal with issues

Psalms 130:4

⁴But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared

God’s Church Health Manual 

There is a great deal of focus these days on church growth and church success. There are many models and methods some of which are very helpful in fulfilling our mandate as church leaders. There is a danger though that our focus can shift from the things Jesus is weighing the most to other peripheral issues. For true church success, it’s imperative we follow Jesus’ revelation of his heart for the church.

Both Jesus and the early Apostles had a genuine burden about the effectiveness of the church…

Colossians 1:28-29

²⁷ To them, God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:16

¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Corinthians 5:10-11

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

¹⁰ According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 Jesus shares His heart and plan for the church. These messages to the seven churches represent Jesus’ standards toward the church. In these letters we will learn what he values, rewards, hates and desires in his church. This letter should be valued above all church growth material in existence.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR CHURCH HEALTH FROM REVELATION CHAPTERS 2 & 3

1.    God values __________ more than ____________.

Revelations 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ² “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. ⁶ But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

a.     It’s The Greatest Commandment.

Matthew 22:35-38

³⁵ Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”³⁷ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

b.     It’s What _______________ is After.

2 Corinthians 11:1-3

² I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. ³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. NIV

Matthew 24:12

¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 25:1-14

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. ¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

2.    ___________ and _________ is not a sign of failure or lack of success.

Revelations 2:8-11

⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things, which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ¹¹ “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

a.     Testing through Suffering?

“…That you may be tested…”

James 1:2-3

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

1 Peter 1:7

⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:27-29

“…²⁸ and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.” NKJV

3.    God appreciates ___________ and weighs our _____________. 2:12-17; 2:18-29

Revelations 2:12-17

¹² “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, …¹³ “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. ¹⁴ But I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. ¹⁶ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. ^…”

                   Revelations 2:18-29

¹⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…¹⁹ “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. ²⁰ Nevertheless, I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. ²⁴ “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. ²⁵ But hold fast what you have till I come.

Jude

³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

a.     Through grace, provision has been made for our future sins to be forgiven but they are not already forgiven. (Col 2:13-14; Luke 11:3-4; Mark 11:25; Heb 10:26-31; James 4:4,8; James 5:14)

b.    Although we are to be righteousness conscience we are not to ignore sin. (Heb 12:1-3

c.      We must confess our sins to God. (1 John 1:7-9; Proverbs 28:13)

1:9 “confess” This is a compound Greek term from “to speak” and “the same.” Believers continue to agree with God that they have violated His holiness (cf. Rom. 3:23). It is PRESENT TENSE, which implies ongoing action. Confession implies (1) a specific naming of sins (v. 9); (2) a public admitting of sins (cf. Matt. 10:32; James 5:16; and (3) a turning from specific sins (cf. Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5; Acts 19:18; James 5:16). I John uses this term quite often (cf. 1:9; 4:2, 3, 15; II John 7). Jesus’ death is the means of forgiveness, but sinful mankind must respond and continue to respond in faith.

d.    The Holy Spirit does convict us of sin. (Acts 2:36-38; John 16:8; Rev 3:18-20; James 4:7-10)

e.     When you sin you need to repent (2 Cor 7:8-10; 2 Cor 12:21; Rev 2:3-5; Matthew 3:7-8

f.        Although we are born again our life is not always pleasing to God. (1 Thess 4:1; Eph 4:30; Heb 12:5-8; 2 Cor 6:16 – 7:1; Eph 5:8; 2 Cor 13:5; Col 1:9-10)

4.    Reputation must never replace ______________. 3:1-4

Revelations 3:1-4

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. ² Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. ³ Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments…

They lived to please others more than God. They were more sensitive to people’s opinions than God’s standard

During the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth, and his associates were bitterly attacked in the press by religious leaders and government leaders alike. Whenever his son, Bramwell, showed Booth a newspaper attack, the General would reply, "Bramwell, fifty years hence it will matter very little indeed how these people treated us; it will matter a great deal how we dealt with the work of God." 

5.    Ministry is Not about our ___________ __________.

Revelations 3:7-13

⁷ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ⁸ “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Psalm 127: 1

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:10

¹⁰ But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Divine Intervention

6.    Your personal perception matters.

Revelations 3:14-22

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see…²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me…”

7.    ________________ who Jesus is will Keep You out of lots of trouble.

a.     Holds seven stars in His right Hand. (2:1) Authority over the Church.

b.    Walks in the middle of seven candlesticks. (2:1) He is present and near His Church.

c.      The First and the Last (2:8) Source of all and End of All.

d.    He who was Dead and is Alive Again. (2:8) Don’t fear death I already beat it.

e.     He has the sharp sword with two edges (2:12) Can deal with His enemies.

f.       The Son of God (2:18) His Humanity; He Understands.

g.     Eyes like a flame of fire (2:18) Burning Passion; Piercing Gaze.

h.    Feet like fine brass (2:18) Ability to Judge.

i.       He has the Seven Spirits of God. (3:1)

Isaiah 11:2

² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

j.       He is Holy and True. (3:7) Transcendent / Cannot be Contrary.

k.     He has the Key of David to open and no one shuts, shuts and no man opens. (3:7) Superior to all Human Effort.

l.       The AMEN! The Final Word.

m. The Faithful and True Witness. (3:14) What He speaks is reliable.

n.    The Beginning of the Creation of God (3:14) Initiator of all.