All of creation and the Holy Spirit are groaning. Things are not as they should be and we long to see the fulfillment of God's promises. What is God's answer to our groaning? Hope. He desires to place within His people a living hope that causes us to sing no matter what difficulties come our way. This hope can only come about when we allow God to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Do you find it difficult to pray? The bad news is none of us really know how to pray. The good news is the Holy Spirit is our helper in prayer. Our prayer will always come up short in power and emotion, but God is committed to take our prayers beyond our simple words and add power to it. When we pray, it’s important to remember it’s not about the one who is praying, but it’s about the one we are praying to. The only way we can fail in prayer, is if we don’t show up to pray.
More than ever, we are living in a church generation that mixes gospel with entertainment. Amusement and concerts are the new norm, but they do not bring sinners to repentance or rest to the heavy-laden. The only hope for victory that we can offer the world is through the true gospel of Jesus Christ. In this sermon, Pastor Gary Wilkerson encourages the church to be devoted to sound doctrine, live a holy testimony and share the message of salvation.
The church of Jesus Christ is going to recover and discover their strength in God alone. For too long we have been too strong. We can be confident in our ability to a certain point until we face something that’s beyond our ability. When we get to a place where we have nothing left but a confidence in God, He will take us in our weakness and become our strength. Victory comes when in our feebleness we enter into His victory.
The church in Acts lived in an hour of crisis, much like today's church. It isn't an ungodly culture or even persecution that hinders the church; but when complaining, fighting and worldliness creep into the church, its testimony and anointing are diminished. God's answer is to raise up servant leaders full of the Holy Spirit, and empty of self, who live wholly for Jesus. These leaders aren't standing behind a pulpit, but sitting in the pews. Church, let's believe God's promise to pour out His Spirit on all flesh!
Pastor Gary Wilkerson urges the church to run from corrupt community. Run from churches who promote comfort and ease. Run from false teachers who preach only self-help and prosperity, rather than conviction and repentance of sin. Our best life is not now, but with Jesus in Eternity. Cling to the cross tightly and be encouraged. God will bring you into biblical gospel community.
Paul was imprisoned, shipwrecked and bit by a viper, but he never murmured or complained. He pressed on in the calling that God had placed on his life. You too probably feel shipwrecked at times with the vipers of fear, anxiety, addiction, etc. trying to poison you. Paul was able to shake off the viper and so can you. When you fully rely on the truth of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit, you will see God bring you through every situation that arises in life.
They wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
Ezekiel 34:6 ESV
There are no coincidences with God, His hand is in every situation. Through the life of Paul, we learn that we have been captivated for a divine purpose and if Christ is in us, then God’s purpose for us cannot be stopped by hard circumstances. When we stop asking God to get us out of where we are and allow Him to show us the reason why He’s positioned us in difficult situations, our lives become a lighthouse that guides others out of danger and darkness. Don’t think what you’re going through is strange, like Paul, use your place of captivation as an opportunity to spread the Gospel and free those around you from their chains.