[0:00] I remember there's a lot of people that talk about the church, and this is one of my, I think, where God called me to. My work is more within the church than outside.
[0:12] A teacher, that way. But I remember this. A lot of people use man-made rules to control people in a very similar Bible verse way.
[0:26] I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about being controlled by the Holy Spirit. We were just talking here. Brother John just mentioned that all you guys heard this week, last night, and there's much more.
[0:41] Tonight I have, I think, a very deep message, more on maybe repentance. That's also one thing that is...
[0:53] So anyways, but it's empowered by the Holy Spirit. It's by Jesus Christ. It's by a new birth. It is by... We're talking about this type of church.
[1:05] I mentioned it the first time, but again, this is not about, you know, what you know about church life. This is the church life.
[1:15] How God explains it in His Word. And we should aim for that. My experiences in Africa were that they entered into things.
[1:30] They wanted... And they saw something in the Bible, and they asked, what does that look like? We want that. And one was prophecy.
[1:41] And I thought, great, I want to know how that looks too. I'm glad they asked. I said, keep praying, because I want to know. Then I was praying, and God told me, there's a clear conviction.
[1:57] You're the leader. You lead them into that. So, I could no longer depend on them. I had to do it.
[2:13] And I think the first time I actually gave a prophecy, I think it was the first time about three or four of them began to prophesy. And so, I would depend on some of these.
[2:26] I would ask them, I have this situation in my life. What do you think God is saying? Would you pray? They would go home and pray the next day, or next service or so, they would come up as their Bible, and stand beside me and say, here's a verse that came to me.
[2:49] And they would read it. See, I thought maybe that's something, what you asked for. Thanks for that.
[3:00] I would walk away. Then I realized that was God. They were so low-key, that I almost missed it.
[3:14] And so, sometimes when you know anything about the charismatic world, you have to talk loud, and say, God told me. You don't have to.
[3:25] I'm not saying it's never right. But they were always so under, that I almost missed it a couple times. I walked away and I said, huh, I know what she just did.
[3:37] There was a girl, one of them was a young lady. And the Bible talks about women prophesying. Tell them about five, four daughters, five daughters. Anyways, am I stretching anybody?
[3:53] There's a right way, and it's a biblical way. And so, anyways, just to encourage us in that, I had many cases where I, one time, this one lady, she would, I would, really could depend on her to come back to me.
[4:12] And it was never in private with her. It was public church service. And, one time, I had a very major thing coming up. It was very critical.
[4:24] I was, I was, I was, really scared of it. People were asking me to do something I was not comfortable with. And, back here in the States. And so, I asked her, I said, I need an answer before I went home.
[4:37] We were flying home, and this thing was awaiting me. And, I, we were, she went with us out to town, and others, I don't know how they drove back, or, I don't, the other, Jeff Yoder's room, maybe it was us.
[4:56] Anyways, we stopped at McDonald's for breakfast there in the city of East London. And, and I kept, I looked at her and said, you didn't tell me anything. This was huge. This was, I'm not going to say it on, on my, this was a big thing.
[5:14] And, I didn't feel it was right. And yet, there were some people, well-known people I looked up to, that were telling me, I should maybe look into this.
[5:25] So, I asked, I thought, well, I asked the person I know, can speak for God. And, she was always so, low-key. So, I remember she was standing there, and I turned around, and said, don't you have anything?
[5:39] She was already to head to the airport. And, this is the first time, she ever did this. she turned around, and said, you have nothing to do with that, or God will take your anointing.
[5:57] I didn't ask for a second. I didn't ask. I heard it. I didn't ask her to repeat it either. And, thank God, I think that was totally correct, and proven to be correct.
[6:11] Is that possible? Is the church, should be the best thing, that's on this earth.
[6:26] There's no other institution. It is the church, that God is coming back for. That Jesus is coming back for his bride, it's going to be his church.
[6:37] It's not going to be anything less, than his church. I don't care how many churches, are in this world, so called churches, if they're not, surrendered, to Jesus Christ.
[6:55] That's not the church, he's coming back for. Right now, I'm going to go into, one another's. What is the church?
[7:07] Again, this is only, possible, if we, have died to ourselves, and took up the cross, not doing it my own way, and following Christ, fully.
[7:29] Like Joshua said, I followed him completely. I followed him completely. 2 Timothy 2.4, No man that wars, entangles himself, was the affairs of this life, that it may please him.
[7:53] Himself was the fairest of this life, that he may please him, who had chosen him, to be a soldier. We have been chosen, to stand for this truth, to defend, the very institution, I don't know if that's, the proper word to use, but the church, that he has placed here, in this world.
[8:14] For the sole purpose, of showing, that Jesus Christ, is alive, and is coming back. It's not complicated. So if I don't entangle myself, with the affairs of this life, I will clearly see, what God has in mind.
[8:41] What is taking away, from the fire, and the pursuit, of Christ? What is taking away, from that? That I am entangling myself, in the affairs of this life.
[8:54] I'm not going to mention things. I'm asking you, to look at it. What is it, that is hindering you, that is taking away, your time, your, your thoughts, your prayer life, your Bible reading?
[9:09] Today we have social media. And that can be used good, and please use it good, and right. But that is not, you know, I think some people, try to really make themselves, look spiritual, on social media.
[9:30] Please don't do that. Be who you are. And if, if you're not living, the Bible verse, you're going to post, then don't post it. So let's not entangle, ourselves with the affairs, of this life.
[9:46] I'm so busy with this. It might be a good thing. But I'm so busy with it. But I am here. Yes, we have our duties, we have our work, we have our responsibilities, in this world.
[9:58] But then, but we know, we have been chosen, by him, to please him. To be a good soldier. So I'm, you know, it's talking about, kind of in a war terms, of, a warrior doesn't entangle himself.
[10:15] But, we're called to be soldiers, of Jesus Christ. Men, that would not be denied, to pursue, the gospel, for the, for us, and the people.
[10:29] You know, I'm hungry, and thirsty. We are blessed, if we are, to seek after, God's righteousness. And we have no problem, with that.
[10:41] We go, on Thursday. Do you ask permission? Usually not. You just get water. Because you need it. You're dry.
[10:52] You can't stand it, any longer. And when you're really hungry, most of us don't know, what really hunger is, until you see, this earth world. But sometimes, we think, we're hungry.
[11:06] It feels that way, to us. I'm not doubting that. But the Bible says, blessed are those, that, that hunger, and thirst, after his righteousness.
[11:19] And I tell you what, when we would be, in a common gathering, working for, eight hours here, without eating, or drinking, you guys would rush in here, to the food, and the water, first and foremost, and then, to the food.
[11:31] But, we can go all week, without doing much, and most people, according to statistics, I forget, it's a huge amount. It's not just, it's just a little bit, that doesn't do this.
[11:44] But, most of the church people today, only hear the Bible read, or read along in the Bible, in church, once a week. They don't read it, themselves.
[11:59] Would that be called, Do I have a spoon feed you? But, we want that.
[12:10] I want to see that, church. That passion. I can't say passion. That would sound, unpassionate. Passion.
[12:22] Something that moves us. Something that breaks, through our being. We're not going to, entangle ourselves. I'm not going to let that thing, take away from Christ. This is a commitment I made, and this is a commitment, I'm going to keep.
[12:36] I have made a commitment, unto death. I'm following Jesus Christ, and anything that interferes, with that, no. I will, fight, for the truth.
[12:49] And tell you what, we had plenty of times, that we could have, went the wrong way, and look more acceptable, than maybe, me and my wife do today.
[13:06] But, I want that passion. I want to see that passion, for the truth, for the brothers and sisters. I want you guys, men and brethren, I mean brethren, and brethren, I guess, includes the women.
[13:18] But all of us, that we want that, we want that passion, I want to see it. I'm not saying you don't have it. I'm just, adding on top of, wherever you're at.
[13:29] But that passion, that will, that we seek after God, we want God, we ask for help. You're part of the body. You know, I have an itch. I don't have to ask my hand, please come up, scratch.
[13:43] No. When we need help, our body should know. This body should know. You're hungry. When you walk in here, next Sunday, all passionate about Christ.
[13:56] Do they have to ask you? Are you passionate? So don't let anything, take away from you, as you seek Christ.
[14:10] because we're here, to edify one another, and so that means, I'm here to edify you. And hopefully, you return the favor.
[14:29] Because I don't come to church, just for, okay, we have church, for the next two hours, we're going to be here, then we gladly go home, and forget about everything.
[14:40] But, we're here on purpose. I remember my former pastor, one of my first one, after we left, the Old Order Church.
[14:54] He would preach. I never know of another guy, closely to that, that I personally met. He was a very, very good preacher.
[15:06] But he said, you guys, I got to four o'clock this morning, to get ready for the sermon, to seek God, and get ready. What do you guys do, to get ready, to come to church?
[15:25] He said it, powerfully, yes. And it shook me, I never forgot it. Now I'm a preacher, now I do the same thing. I ask, because, if we would all get together for the purpose, I'm going to do my part.
[15:39] Yes, I might not be speaking behind the pulpit, but there is a duty for all of us, and, to be encouraging, to be building up unto Jesus Christ, and the picture, of that, is Jesus Christ.
[15:54] Not a man's own opinions, but it's a picture of Christ in the end. So let's not let anything take away, because we are here, that we may please him, because he has chosen us to be a soldier.
[16:11] Everything in this world, I think I may say it this way, everything in the world, if we don't use it properly, the purpose from the world, is to take us, away, from Christ.
[16:29] Are there good things out there? Yes, but if I overdo that good thing, it will rob me. But that's the world. And so let not, let anything entangle us.
[16:42] Let's be careful with everything. Pray about it. Do it carefully, whatever you do. Education in the world, is to make us, our ability to, to make us self-supported, and independent.
[17:03] The Bible is to make us dependent, upon every joint, that supplies. Romans 14, 17, and 19.
[17:15] Romans 14, chapter, verse 17, 18, 19. For the kingdom of God, is not in meat and drink, but in righteousness, and peace, and joy of the Holy Ghost.
[17:27] For he, that in these things, serves Christ, is acceptable to God, and approving of man. Let us, therefore, follow after the things, which made for peace, and things, wherewith, one may edify another.
[17:43] So the title of this message, is one another. We're going to look at, a lot of verses on that. So here, we follow after those things, that make peace.
[17:54] Things, wherewith, one may edify another. That is the purpose. We follow after, what makes for peace. And peace, the only way, when I'm at peace, the only thing I can say, how that, what is the meaning of peace, is simply, I'm at peace.
[18:17] It's, it's really, not much else, to say about it. But we relax, we're at peace. To edify one another.
[18:32] And so I want to build you up. How can I do that? What do you need? How can I help? How can I help you, become stronger, in your Christian faith?
[18:46] And be fully equipped, and be a good soldier, what God has called you, to be. Those are the things, that, we look at.
[18:59] And sometimes, yes, you literally, has to do something. Some people say, well, I'll just pray. Don't, get out of it.
[19:10] Pray about it, and then walk it out. When I'm not comfortable, with something, and there's an opportunity, to do something, I can say, I'll pray about it, I'll do my prayer duty.
[19:27] You know, there was, or, former preacher, I was talking about, he would say like this, when there's a barn fire, that burns down, and, you know, he was in the charismatic church, at that time, and, he said, they would get up Sunday morning, and say, let's lift our hands, towards that place, and bless them.
[19:49] But he said, the Amish and the Mennonites, were already there, rebuilding it. Was it wrong, for them to pray? No. But it's also, actually, doing, the work.
[20:04] So I like to say it this way, let's pray about it, and then, work it out. With the leading, of the Holy Spirit. That's why we pray.
[20:18] So, edify is to build up. Let's continue to do that, that I'm here to edify you, not to put you down, not to bring unrest, but to bring peace.
[20:29] Romans 12, Romans chapter 12, verse 4 and 5. For we, have many members, in one body, and all members, have not the same office.
[20:41] So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one member, one of another. So we are in one body, but we're all part of one another.
[20:56] We don't have all the same office, but we have all, being part of that work. So whatever work, whatever the church is involved in, since we're here, in this group, this group, we should put interest, and effort into, that, and help, in that.
[21:22] Romans 12, verse 10. Be kindly, affectionate, one to another, with brotherly love, in honor, preferring, one another.
[21:39] Give preference, to one another, in honor. Preferring one another. You know, I want to see you do it.
[21:55] So I could, I'm thankful you guys, all came back, girls, and sit in the front, since I used you so much. Maybe I should go to the back. But, that we prefer one another.
[22:09] I want you to do it. I'm glad for you to do it. I just want, the work of Christ, done. You're better at it, than me. You have more grace, in that area.
[22:19] instead of trying to do it, outside of that. So I, see that gift in you, I want to encourage you in it. It's not taking away.
[22:30] We're all in the same thing. This body, is never arguing, with one another. How did you see that?
[22:42] My ear would say. the eye would say, the eye would say, well I just naturally saw it.
[22:57] But they don't argue. My eye sees it, or, my ear hears it, and it turns my whole head, to look at it. All together, as one.
[23:13] So we give preference, to that. In this situation, we need maybe an eye. What is really going on, down there? And so I know, some of you brothers, have better sight, than others.
[23:26] You're gifted in that way. And so, and so, would you check that out? Can we be that dependable, and that, willing to work, in the body of Christ?
[23:42] us. So we prefer, one another. I prefer you. In other words, I prefer you above me. What about him?
[23:56] You know, okay, I, I, I, most of you, I really, I really get it. But what about, that other fellow? It doesn't talk about, that other fellow. It talks about, preferring, others.
[24:09] And that would mean, above yourself. So it's so easy, sometimes to think, am I really, last night I talked about, the high up, and the low class, and all that.
[24:21] Well, that's what I'm talking about, at the moment. Are we preferring, one another? I decided, to test myself, years, a couple years ago. There was a, plumber I had, that worked for me, a Mennonite man, and, that would come out, to do my, plumbing work, at times.
[24:41] Or, electric work, I should say, whatever he did, all. He had, he was a, look down, upon person, in his community, in his church.
[24:52] He was not known, to be wise, or exciting. He was just, him, if I would name him. And he had, a lot of problems, although the son, was on drugs, and, they were in a conservative, car, Mennonite church.
[25:11] And he ran off, and had a lot of trouble. So we were having, so many issues, with our children, so I asked him one day, when he was there, I want to ask you, how do you handle that? It's not the guy, I wanted to ask.
[25:33] It's the guy, God told me to ask. I think it, scared him so bad, he didn't know, how to answer it. Because I don't think, anybody else, for advice, from him.
[25:44] And I forget, what all pursued, in that, what all came out, of that conversation. But, I remember, it was really hard, not, we were not, necessarily close, we knew each other, for that kind of work, and that was it.
[26:02] But it's, don't think, why wouldn't he have advice? He went through it. So, so I want to do better than that.
[26:14] I don't just want to ask my buddies, my clique group, those that are my best friends, but the church, it's only one.
[26:27] many, but one. Romans 12, 16, in the ESV, I like the, English Standard Version, just as much, as the King James.
[26:49] I base my stuff, on a lot of things, but, I know this one, is a solid translation, just more modern English, probably. Romans 12, 16, would say like this, in the ESV, live in harmony, with one another.
[27:04] Do not be haughty, but associate, with the lowly. Never be wise, in your own sight. Those to have, a realistic, self view.
[27:21] Joe told me last night, that I don't have to worry, about these guys, they're all, he's a redneck, and all the rest, are just common people. Okay. So we get it. But, to look, at the lowly people, I'm not calling you lowly.
[27:40] Sorry. Don't get me wrong. But we're just common people. But we look at, you know, at people, like this. How was that again? We associate, with the lowly.
[27:54] In other words, in the Antiphate, it would say, those was a realistic, self view. And I was glad, for that, self view. This is who we are.
[28:04] We're just common. I love that. But do I know, who I am? In the eyes of God. I'm not sure, how he looks, at everything, in my life, and what he knows, that I don't know.
[28:22] But one thing I know, I know how to be right, with God. Just completely humble myself, before him, and surrender. I'm not perfect, in that sense, of the word.
[28:40] Perfect can be used, several different ways, so I don't want to, take away from that. we're not just, hang around, the cool group.
[28:51] C-O-O-L. They're cool. Oh, read the Facebook post. I love to watch, people I know. That should scare you, all out of it.
[29:05] Lola had a group, of young girls, in the back seat, of her car, as she has, this cleaning crew, and these were, some pretty wild ones, at one point, Mennonites, X, maybe.
[29:22] They were looking, at the Facebook, and they, they were marrying, themselves, and one said, didn't I look beautiful, those hair, didn't my hair, look beautiful, they were all, wooing and aahing, over themselves.
[29:38] Please, do not, but, prepare, the lowly, not the cool, group, important people, go outside, of your comfort zone, sometime, open your eyes, beyond, could you learn, a lot more, about yourself, could you build, your own protection, if you have, close friends, they might be afraid, to speak out, when you're going, down the wrong road, but a stranger, might not, but, no one, in a sense, and don't be afraid, to ask, how they see it, how do you see me, wouldn't that be scary, but here it says, we prefer one another, and then we associate, with the lonely, and the self, we don't, overestimate ourselves, you know, yes,
[30:39] I'm comfortable, I want to tell you, young ladies, I love young people, I work with a lot, of young people, they were usually, black and colored, but anyways, you're white, and that's fine, now I lost my thought, yeah, young ladies, you know, be, yeah, okay, thank God, be comfortable, you're serving God, serve him, if you're more interested, what the others think about you, then change that, because the people, that will look at you, in the future, want somebody, that is settled, established, on the gospel, and gifted, people who will love you, and seek you out, if you compromise, that standard, you get the bomb,
[31:49] I don't want to say it, but anyways, so be that way, and young men, when you look for a marriage partner, in the future, it's not, it's the one, there's some more singles here, so don't exempt yourself, it's not the one, that is popular, maybe, but it has to be the one, that is made, to match you, in your calling, whatever that is, this lady, this young lady, here in the, we were so opposite, I am afraid, of most things, and she's hardly, afraid of anything, she would even, jump out of airplanes, if she, would have had that chance, years ago, but I think, she would be afraid, it wouldn't land, so well today, but, so we were different, she would like, this exciting stuff, she would do anything, this is fun, and I would be like,
[33:04] I don't know about that, so is that wrong, absolutely not, in ministry, I'm so glad, for that opposite view, because, when I say, I think I'm done, I think I just, die, say no you're not, God is not done with you, I don't know how she knows, but she's always right, when I'm discouraged, she'll encourage me, and you know what, when she's discouraged, I'm usually not, I encourage her, we need opposites, if you want to find out, I'm not, I'm not giving dating advice, sorry, but, the point is, if you, think it has to match, you have to like the same things, do the same things, in order to be, compatible in marriage,
[34:07] I tell you what, throw that garbage out, but one thing, you have to, are they, in Christ, and do they want to serve God, with all their heart, and you too, vice versa, that has to be, I don't care, the other works, can work out, but that's where it starts, if she likes things, you don't, you don't have to eat it, but as we grow together, in marriage, we become more, and more one, and that's good, but again, that is what you seek for, make sure you're, you're established, young men, and then find, a woman, that is ready, to walk with you, in dry time, in floods, and whatever, may come, you had made, a commitment, that you're going, to serve Christ, for life, now that was, extra, but I have, very good attention, span there, now I love you guys,
[35:41] I love you girls, that you, I want you to, fulfill that, I want you to, walk it out, and if you feel, not capable, ask somebody, to help you, and ask, and pray together, even as young sisters, young brothers, pray together, for each other, because this is, the calling, it's not this, Mennonite dating culture, that is recommended, to follow after, it is not the world, definitely, it is about, finding Christ, and he will lead you, and connect you, in the right ways, because, when the gossip, and talk is about, did you see that boy, he's cute, which one was that, don't do that, focus on Christ, and he will give you, the one, that you want,
[36:44] Romans 13, 8, own no man anything, but to love, one another, for he that loves, another, has fulfilled the law, in the Ampestite, it says, make sure, there is nothing, between you, own no man anything, however, you do own, them, love, how does that, look like, would be my question, how does that look like, so I don't own, any man anything, but I do own one thing, sometimes we wonder, what do I owe you, love, that's not a misprint, we love, we owe each other love, nothing else, I don't own you anything else, I don't want to own you, anything else, I don't want you to own money, I don't want you to own, anything, I want, but I am, as, to owe you love, so I want to love you, in the right sense, again, in upbuilding, edifying, lines between, the male and females, all those things, in a proper order, but we love, one another, we're, asked to owe that, we owe that, to each other, to each other, to each other, owe no man anything, years ago, when I had a lot of debt, and I didn't know, how to handle it, a verse like that, would bother me, so, there's nothing wrong, as having a mortgage, and all that, but do we owe, anything, outside of the, committed, committed, agreement, try not to, ever get in a place, where you do, if you are there, there's a way out, and God will help you, my first years, of marriage, we had a farm, we lost a lot of cows, and, had a hell storm, and,
[38:51] I mean a storm, that destroyed, a lot of our crops, and we looked out, the corn was shredded, the vegetables were gone, the strawberry patch, was ready to produce, there were strawberries, floating among the water, with ice, everything was gone, so I thought, how bad is the community, how bad is it, down the road, so I went down, to my brother, nothing, I went up, to the next farm, nothing, it cut a right, across my farm, and that was, the only spot, did I think, God was speaking, loud and clear, I remember, going out, to the strawberry patch, the next day, we had a lot of orders, and ready to, sell them, and make money, I looked, down, and my heart broke, but the next thing I did,
[39:52] I was older, another night, maybe we were leaving, at the time, no we didn't leave, that was 88, yeah, there were a house, the wind, starting to break, 11 windows, and I just looked up, and said, Lord, it's all yours, and I was, I sought him out, what was he telling me, so now, I had more debt, but then, a couple years later, we sold the farm, and took care, a lot of those things, anyways, God blessed us, in the next step, of our life, and, but the first thing, we did the morning, before we opened up, our grocery store, about food stores, me and my wife, went in early, and dedicated, that place, to Jesus Christ, and told him, the first, fruits, are his, we just found out, about Tython, and every time, we thought about, starting a cow diet, didn't work, didn't work, but, that, that day, and God blessed, that business, and we gave him, we could give a lot of money, away, but, that's just what I'm saying, there's a way, out of those situations,
[41:38] I'm not sure, who's all here, and where you're at, but, there's a way, we cut back, on everything, we committed, to, pay off, our debt, get out of debt, and, I figured out, it would take, right at that point, it would take me, about, 10 or 20 years, to pay off, my debt, it took, four, but, it was a commitment, that I worked at, it wasn't all my fault, I had those debts, no, but, we, we took it upon ourselves, to be very frugal, in some of those areas, and then, he called us to, after me, I, started reaching out, to some people, that were struggling, and I had a young man, come, and his wife, come to the house, go over his bills, and his situation, was a mess, and while we were, sorting out, the details, he looked at me, and said, oh,
[42:50] I wish God, would just call me, to the mission field, he ain't, so you're not, running from this, it was interesting, for us, it was exactly that, a year later, we were on the mission field, we had to deal with some, are we faithful, in the little things, probably preach, that type of message, tomorrow, tomorrow, okay, let me go on, I get, so sidetracked, no I don't, but, a lot of things, come to mind, okay, let's read, from 1 Corinthians 12, let's see, I read that this morning, so I guess, we'll skip that part, that section, there's, same stuff, I read earlier, this was from, notes from a teaching, I did, and most of the things,
[43:52] I'm saying here, is different, than my normal teaching, I'm saying, half of the stuff, is not written down, so, I'm trying to be obedient, to what Christ is leading, so your dating advice, was from God, and I believe it, it's not a truth, God, the church, a body, body means many parts, so we're going to read, but now, we're going to move, ahead here, I've read this, that's 1 Corinthians 12, it's all about the body, the foot, the hand, all those things, we're going to move, beyond that, because it's very similar, I knew they were similar, could be some overlap, but we want, to see the picture, of what the church is, to rescue the lost, we need to see the picture, the big picture, of what the church is, it is to rescue the lost, the church is not, just a place, the church is not, just a place, for the saved people, it is a place, for the lost, can find life, and be saved, but also, to disciple them, my heart, my heart is for the church, for discipleship, that is, really who I am,
[45:07] I think that, Al does about anything, in a lot of my teaching, I want to see that, I'm talking to you, I want to see you go further, if we can't, do service, one to another, how can you be effective, in the ultimate purpose, of the church, to save the lost, you can't, so, we're members, of the body of Christ, the church, we're all part of that, you're a member, if you like it or not, but if you don't like it, I'm going to ask you, are you born again, you must be a team player, for the church is to be fruitful, we all work together, to do that, there's no independent, or individualism, in the new life, because we died, to that old man, that was his own man, for accountability, we plug into a local body, so other people, can help us see, the way,
[46:10] I tell you what, when we started, church in 91, and came out, of the old order, you know, so many, so many of the things, that I thought I knew well, I found out, I didn't know as much, and I needed help, and I remember, more things like this, than, than the preacher, you know, sometimes I remember, a preacher, what he taught me, and it convicted me, but I remember, many testimonies, that changed my life, in church, that's why you testify, by the way, God did this, he can do it for you, I remember sitting, beside a brother, that said, God delivered him, up something, might forget the details, but I was like, I'm not doing it, it changed my life, just by hearing, that testimony, so, never underestimate that, there's a greater body, and there's a local body, we understand that, we had talked about that earlier, the local body, for the purpose, of proving who you are, because without interaction, how do I know, you're not your old self, or maybe you are, you get exposed,
[47:34] I tell you one thing, was, some of the people, I work with, that were very good, in seeing things, like prophecy, I was afraid, they'll expose me, you know, you kind of went through, you at them, what if I'm, not living right, and, I would, they would know it, they should, we should know it, okay, Acts 2, we're going to read that, yet, we're going to, try to wrap this up, and have some, questions, if you have questions, and, something else, I had planned, for end of this service, Acts 2, verse 42 to 47, and they continue, step fastly, in the apostles, doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers, and the fear, came upon every soul, and many wonders, and signs, were done by the apostles, and all that believed, were together, and had all things common, and sold their possession, and goods, and parted them, to all men, every man, had need, and they continued, daily was one accord, in the temple, breaking bread, from house to house, they'd eat their meat, with gladness, and singleness of heart, praising God, having favor, with all men, all people, and the Lord, added to the church, daily as such, as should be saved, so here we see, they had four things, in common,
[49:08] I mean four things, they continued, step fastly in, the apostles doctrine, the teaching of the church, like I'm doing today, like you were hearing, from your pastors, and all that, it's the doctrine, that we teach, you follow it, step fastly, in fellowship, you get together, because you want to, breaking of bread, in communion, and in prayers, this is very, four keys, pillars, that are needed, in the church, and we want to do it, passionately, and step fastly, we don't want to miss, these things, I want to know, what the Bible says, and I want to fellowship, I come together, because I want to, not because I have to, and then, in communion, in breaking, I'm in in prayer, so I think that's very key, as we work together, that's the purpose, of us working together, and being careful, with our lives, and to, owe love to each other, to help us, get to that place,
[50:10] I'm not sure, what another meaning, of that word, would be step fastly, but you can't really, take it lightly, I didn't look it up, but it surely, you cannot do that, without intention, and purpose, and I think passion, 2 Corinthians 5, 17 to 25, 2 Corinthians 5, 17 verse 21, therefore, if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature, all things have passed away, all things have become new, and all things, and all things are of God, who has reconciled us, to himself, but Jesus Christ, has given to us, the ministry, of reconciliation, to with, that God, was in Christ, reconciling the world, unto himself, not imputing their trespasses, unto them, and has committed, unto the world, on us, the word, of reconciliation, now, that we are ambassadors, of Christ, as God, did beseech you, by us, we pray, in Christ's stead, be you reconciled, to God, for he, has made him, to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made, righteous, the righteousness of God, in him, so he has given us a duty, because we're no longer, the old creature, passed away, now we have authority, to enforce,
[51:38] I mean, to live the new way, many of us could say, we struggled, we failed, did the old man, not pass away, is there a difference, do we get up, does it challenge, you know, I remember many things, I felt bad about, and condemned about, but, did I get up, and go on, I used to feel bad, when I did something wrong, and for two weeks, I would kick myself around, how stupid are you, and then after two weeks, of not doing that thing, I felt not righteousness, enough, to go back to God, you know what I just told you, that was self-righteous, and then, it got better, but today, when I feel, I said something wrong, or I acted wrong, kind of cold, or something to somebody, and I feel bad about it, God convicts me, immediately I pray, and if I have to make that right, maybe the person, didn't know it, and all that, there's no way, it's a, oh I had hard feelings about,
[52:50] I mean bad feelings about you, you don't have to say that, now he knows, you deal with it, you know, those are things, you don't, you deal with it, so I deal with it, and get back up, and go on, I don't have to miss a step, that's a sanctification process, I don't have to miss out, as my journey would, but if I start, just, always beating myself up, that's why I have to be saved, it's no secret, I needed a savior, because I can't do it, and so, sometimes when we mess up, we don't want to do that, no, I don't encourage that, that's not what we are, but if we do, we have Jesus Christ, as a, intercessor, that is interceding for us, and we can depend, on him, by coming to him, and saying, this is who I am, and I messed up, and then get back up, go on, so let's not forget that, okay, one more verse here,
[54:13] Hebrews 10, 24, and 25, I'm going to, because I did, I read 25 this morning, but I'm going to read them together, and let us consider one another, and provoke unto love, and good works, not forsaking, and assembling ourselves together, as a matter of some is, but exhorting one another, so much the more, as you see the day approaching, so we consider one another, and we provoke, unto love, and good works, is my provoking, just simply draining, hurtful, and tearing down, you know, I know those kind of provokes, but this provoke, is to encourage you, to provoke you, to good works, and, that is what it is, I'm here to help you, not just say,
[55:14] I think it would be a good idea, go, and do it, I'm here with you, I'm here with you, I'm backing you up, I've seen your life, you have the grace, to do it, maybe you never did it, but you have it, so let's do that, let's provoke one another, to good works, and we're about to do that, don't leave, but that's why, we need a logobade, because we need, to know each other, we need, to know the giftings, we need, to know, where I saw you flourish, I need, to know that, I need, to see you, maybe it's the way, you encourage somebody, maybe it's the way, you help out, and ladies, I'm going to say something, that my daughter, told us, she's in a church, out in Ohio, and they were going over, the gifts, figuring out, what the gifts are, and don't, don't use modern world, as things, to know what the gifts are, you got each other, anyways, then they asked the ladies, what their gifts are, every single one said, safely, they didn't say safely, but safely, they spoke, and said, serving, my wife is a good server, but she's more than that, we think, from our culture, the only thing, women can do, is serve, gotta be kidding, let's get some,
[57:03] African mindsets, in here, it is not, true, you can be called, to all the gifts, in a sense, in these gifts, no, we don't believe, in women, and leadership, but that doesn't mean, you can't shepherd, other women, that doesn't mean, all those things, and, I'm not convinced, everybody that thinks, their servants, serving, is necessarily, their calling, they might be, frustrating themselves, you have a motherhood, if you're a mom, you have a place, to serve, but you also have a duty, to raise your children, in the fear of God, along with the father, the dad, but, so today, as we bring this to a close, I really want to, stress that, be careful with that, but yet, ask each other, what do you see, is this right, if I would do this, but y'all can testify, in Africa, we had a lot, of the missionaries, they would go out, three days a week, to house, hut to hut, witnessing the gospel, and a lot of them, were girls, and they brought people, to Christ, no they didn't preach,
[58:33] Sunday morning, but they had a gift, I was just, I was thinking, if I would have been a sinner, the way they, the way they witnessed, they shoot down, any argument, that came back, with the Bible verse, I thought, well, glad I'm saved, because I would hate, to meet them, okay, any questions, this morning, last two sessions, if you have anything, to clear, I, I'm not always, clear, I use a lot of examples, and that usually, clears stuff up, if you speak up, you'll probably wake up too,
[59:37] I know it's warm in here, I am, I am, I'm not, maybe you're comfortable, but, it's a little warmer, than it was, so, that really doesn't help, this time of day, I'm glad it's comfortable, okay, okay, okay, what we're going to do, is this, and then, John, or James, or whoever's closing, and give further instructions, whatever you need to do, we're planning to be back here tonight, and, but now, we want to see, if you know, what I said today, so, you're going to, along with me, I'm not, accepting myself, what I used to do, in Africa, is this, okay, we all stood up, and had the closing, and said, now bless one another,
[60:45] I did that, in Michigan years ago, not out there, I was not there, but, in, St. John's area, and, I got them, to all stand up, and said, now go, before you're dismissed, you have to bless somebody, encourage somebody, and they all stood there, and looked back at me, there was no movement, but I got them going, and so, that's what we want to do, to, if you can't, I mean, this is a test, to see where you're at, in a sense, and so, don't be afraid, you know, I appreciate you, be sure you're not lying, but, you know, that's how it should be, we owe each other love, how are you going to express that, and, we encourage one another, we, we, prefer one another, we, one another, you go through the Bible, it would be a lot more, than I mentioned, it's one another, we're part of one another, so, so, like my body, if it needs encouragement, somewhere, we take care of it, and, so,
[62:10] I want to do that, let me set it up, so hopefully, you understand, just go to somebody, sister to sister, brother to brother, brother, and, if a sister, would ever have something, to say to another man, make sure you take your husband, or witness, to that occasion, I'm serious, the failures, I see in this past year, were horrifying, in the church leadership, but, don't quench the spirit, if he shows you something, you have a way, of doing it right, so, what we want to do, shortly, I'm going to tell you, to stand up, and, I'll probably, I'll pray first here, then we'll stand up, and, then you go to somebody, you don't have to go, to everybody, and, pick out the people, that need great encouragement, you know where they're at, in this church, in Africa, this was interesting, there's a person, that was struggling,
[63:19] I knew it, in my mind, we were praying for him, here I open it up, here's this guy, over here, standing here, and there are about, three or four people, line up to bless that person, they knew, where the needs were, it wasn't just, because you're my friend, I'm going to bless you, I appreciate you, but it is, totally, I, when we were in Africa, a year ago, a year in Africa, we did that through, communion, and worship, we did communion first, we had worship, we were worshiping, they could take their communion, and then, I told them to bless each other, that was part of worship, and it was part of worship, you know, we stand up, and sing praise God, but then there's also, a time to go this way, and you don't have to, make an idol out of this, at all,
[64:27] I'm not trying to, portray that as a must, but it is part of our life, so, however, works best, but for now, we're going to do it this way, Lord Jesus, we just come before you, and I ask you, again, to take this word, go through their lives, their hearts, plant the seed, water it, Lord Jesus, by the Holy Ghost, that they will be transformed, from this encounter, of hearing, your words, what you meant, interpreted, into the very being, of their lives, and their understanding, that they're capable, of reaching that, what you meant, for them, to hear, bless them, show them the way, as they bless each other, in the giftings they have, they will be natural, so they don't have to figure it out, but they will know, and others will know about it, and so Lord, we lift each one up to you, and ask you to bless them, keep them safe, and continue to speak to us, throughout this weekend,
[65:30] Lord, we need you, and we need to see your church, alive, and well, a good testimony, to those, around us, amen, and follow us.
[65:48] Amen. Thank you. Thank you.