Embracing Our Mission: Unity, Excellence, and Faithfulness

Devotional

Day 1: Vision and Obedience

Description: God has given us a vision to reach every shore with our ministry, and through obedience and giving, we see this vision coming to life. We must always expect a harvest from the seeds we plant, trusting that God will bless our efforts. This vision is not just for the leaders but for every believer to embrace and work towards. As we sow seeds of faith, time, and resources, we should do so with the expectation that God will bring about a bountiful harvest. Our obedience to God's call and our willingness to give sacrificially are crucial in seeing His vision fulfilled in our lives and communities. [01:27]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: What specific vision has God placed on your heart, and how can you take a step of obedience today to move towards it?

Day 2: State of the Church

Description: The church was birthed in a blaze of glory and should continue to be a place where God's fire and glory reside. We must not conform to the world but transform it through the power of the Holy Spirit. The perilous times we are in call for sound doctrine and a steadfast commitment to God's truth. As believers, we are called to uphold the truth of the Gospel and resist the pressures to conform to worldly standards. The church's mission is to be a beacon of light, reflecting God's glory and truth in a dark world. [10:10]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that you are not conforming to the world but instead transforming it through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Day 3: Unity and Excellence

Description: The early church was unified and carried a spirit of excellence. We must strive for the same unity today, ensuring that the church grows daily. Complacency and mediocrity have no place in the body of Christ; we are called to be glory carriers, setting the atmosphere wherever we go. Unity in the church is essential for its growth and effectiveness. When believers come together with a shared purpose and commitment to excellence, they create an environment where God's presence can dwell and His work can be accomplished. [23:35]

Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and spirit of excellence in your church community today?

Day 4: Spirit of Accommodation and Assimilation

Description: The church must not accommodate sin or try to be like the world. The spirit of accommodation and assimilation has caused the church to lose its effectiveness. We must focus on our God-given assignments and operate within the grace God has given us, ensuring that we do not conform to the world. The church's effectiveness is compromised when it tries to blend in with the world rather than standing out as a distinct and holy people. Believers are called to uphold God's standards and live out their faith boldly. [47:20]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have accommodated worldly values? How can you realign yourself with God's standards today?

Day 5: Holding Fast to Our Faith

Description: We must hold fast to our faith and not let the enemy steal our crown. Even when it seems like others are prospering, we must remain steadfast and trust that God will reward our faithfulness. Our focus should be on fulfilling our assignments and operating within God's grace. In times of trial and temptation, it is crucial to cling to our faith and trust in God's promises. The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, but we must remain vigilant and steadfast in our commitment to God. [01:04:47]

Revelation 3:11 (ESV): "I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown."

Reflection: What challenges are you facing that test your faith, and how can you hold fast to God's promises in the midst of them?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to praise Jesus and reflect on the vision and mission God has given us. We began by acknowledging the importance of giving and obedience, which has allowed our ministry to expand globally. God gave me a vision years ago of our ministry reaching every shore, and today, we see that vision coming to fruition with churches in various countries. This is fertile ground, and we should always expect a harvest from the seeds we plant.

We delved into the state of the church, emphasizing the need for believers to step up and take their rightful place. The church was birthed in a blaze of glory and should continue to be a place where God's fire and glory reside. We read from 2 Timothy, Amos, and Revelation, highlighting the perilous times we are in and the need for sound doctrine. The church must not conform to the world but transform it through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We discussed the importance of unity and the dangers of complacency and mediocrity. The church must carry a spirit of excellence, not settling for less. We are called to be glory carriers, setting the atmosphere wherever we go. The early church was unified, and we must strive for the same unity today. The church should be growing daily, and if it's not, we need to examine ourselves.

We also touched on the spirit of accommodation, assimilation, and association, which have crept into the church, causing it to lose its effectiveness. The church must not accommodate sin or try to be like the world. Instead, we should focus on our God-given assignments and operate within the grace God has given us. We must hold fast to our faith and not let the enemy steal our crown.

###

Key Takeaways

1. given assignments and operate within the grace God has given us, ensuring that we do not conform to the world. [47:20]
5. Holding Fast to Our Faith: We must hold fast to our faith and not let the enemy steal our crown. Even when it seems like others are prospering, we must remain steadfast and trust that God will reward our faithfulness. Our focus should be on fulfilling our assignments and operating within God's grace.

### [47:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - Vision and Obedience
[02:42] - Introduction of Wife
[08:39] - Honoring the Apostle
[09:09] - Preparing for Two Congregations
[10:10] - State of the Church
[11:47] - Day of Elevation
[12:29] - Reading from 2 Timothy
[13:32] - Prayer for Anointing
[15:14] - Breakthrough Prophecy
[17:29] - Church in a Blaze of Glory
[18:18] - Combining Scriptures
[19:12] - Spiritual Battle
[20:34] - Fighting the Enemy
[22:23] - Glory Carriers
[23:35] - Unity and Excellence
[24:14] - Early Church Transformation
[25:05] - Church Age
[26:10] - Glory Carriers in Action
[27:41] - Carrying the Glory of God
[29:07] - Personal Testimony
[31:16] - Salt of the Earth
[33:06] - Complacency in the Church
[34:05] - Spirit of Excellence
[35:55] - Mediocrity in the Church
[37:39] - Rising Up
[38:41] - Perilous Times
[40:31] - Falling Away from Holiness
[41:23] - Sound Doctrine
[42:09] - Church Folk and Sound Doctrine
[44:08] - Seeking Teachers for Itching Ears
[45:29] - Homosexuality and the Church
[46:17] - Spirit of Accommodation
[47:20] - Preaching Accommodation
[48:36] - New Creation in Christ
[50:08] - Spirit of Assimilation
[51:16] - Ineffectiveness in the Church
[52:35] - Personal Testimony of Joining the Church
[53:44] - Worship from the Heart
[54:53] - Spirit of Association
[56:19] - Eve and the Serpent
[57:07] - Chasing Anointing
[58:23] - Operating in Your Assignment
[59:33] - Measure of Grace
[60:13] - Out of Assignment
[60:52] - Hearing from God
[61:35] - Personal Ministry Journey
[62:56] - Fast Food Christianity
[63:31] - Conditional Promises
[64:16] - Holding Fast
[65:25] - Nursing Home Ministry
[66:43] - Preaching to All
[68:00] - Satisfied with God's Plan

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What vision did God give the pastor about the ministry's global reach, and how has it been realized? [[01:27]]
According to the sermon, what are some of the dangers that have crept into the church, causing it to lose its effectiveness? [[47:20]]
How did the early church demonstrate unity and a spirit of excellence, and what was the result of this unity? [[23:35]]
What does the pastor mean by the "spirit of accommodation" and how has it affected the church? [[47:20]]

Interpretation Questions

How does the passage in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 describe the perilous times we are in, and how does this relate to the current state of the church? [[10:10]]
What does Amos 6:1 warn against, and how can this warning be applied to the modern church's attitude towards sin and complacency? [[12:29]]
In Revelation 3:11, what does it mean to "hold fast" and how can believers ensure they do not lose their crown? [[13:32]]
How does the pastor's emphasis on unity and excellence in the early church challenge our current practices and attitudes within the church? [[23:35]]

Application Questions

Reflect on the vision and mission God has given you personally. How can you be more obedient and expectant of a harvest in your own life? [[01:27]]
The sermon emphasized the need for sound doctrine and not conforming to the world. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are living according to God's truth and not the world's standards? [[10:10]]
Unity and excellence were key characteristics of the early church. What specific actions can you take to promote unity and a spirit of excellence in your church community? [[23:35]]
The pastor warned against the spirit of accommodation and assimilation. Are there areas in your life where you have been accommodating sin or trying to fit in with the world? How can you address these areas and refocus on your God-given assignments? [[47:20]]
Holding fast to your faith is crucial, especially in challenging times. What are some ways you can strengthen your faith and ensure you do not let the enemy steal your crown? [[13:32]]
The sermon mentioned the importance of being glory carriers and setting the atmosphere wherever we go. How can you be a thermostat, setting a godly atmosphere in your home, workplace, or community? [[26:10]]
Reflect on the dangers of complacency and mediocrity mentioned in the sermon. What are some areas in your spiritual life where you have become complacent, and what steps can you take to reignite your passion for God? [[34:05]]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I tell him that I'm making all the time you never plant a seed expecting it to die so when you plant that seed you expect the harvest to come out of it hallelujah when I plant my garden behind my house I never went out there and throw the seed down said I expect you to die I said no no no see the word of God tells me you'll bless my bread and bless my water god bless that seed right now that it brings forth a harvest for me and my family amen amen" [02:42] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The church fights each other more than we fight the enemy. We let the enemy come in and run rampant over our homes, over our finances, over the church. And we just don't care. What matters is we need to wake up and slap the devil around every now and then and let him know that God's children will no longer sit around and be passive. The Word of God tells me that the violent take it by force." [20:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you are sent, you are now carrying the glory of God. You should be a thermostat in every place you go. Ah, I tell them all the time. I know Molly's done heard this a million times. Let me tell you, you are not a thermometer. You be the thermostat that sets the atmosphere everywhere you go. You let people adjust to you instead of you adjusting to people. When you walk in the room, they need to be convicted." [26:57] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you've tasted and seen, how can you keep it inside any longer, beloved? You don't need to keep bottling up something that's that good. You need to share it. Hallelujah. All right. So the question is not, is what everybody else doing? It's not what they're not doing, it's what are you doing? Well, you know, if I go over to that church. Look, let me tell you how God worked on me one time." [29:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The church is failing in its purpose because the church has become complacent and is settling for a mediocrity by not having a spirit of excellence. It's going to be more than that, brother. Huh. Yeah. I'm going to hold this for just a second. Because I know this is going to be, yeah. It's not going to be popular about what I'm about to say. And I understand everybody is not wired like I'm wired. Understand that." [34:05] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "But I do want to give honor. I know Apostle's not here today, but I honor him for allowing me to grace his pulpit. Amen. Him and his wife mean so much to our family. They have entrusted us with so much. We've been a part of this ministry now for about 13 years, I think. And so we have loved every minute of it. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen." [08:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The church is being blinded by the God of this world. And it is failing to complete its purpose in the world. Matthew 5, 13 says, ye. Who's he talking to? The church. I'm going to set this up for you in a minute. Ye, the church, are the salt of the earth. But if the salt, who's the salt? The church has lost its savor. Wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing to be trodden under the foot of man." [31:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The reason why perilous times are in the church is because people are not operating in their God-given assignment. I hear it all the time, Pastor, I just, I don't know that I'm hearing from God. 90% of the time you've already heard, you've just refused to walk. Why? Because it wasn't the assignment that you wanted. My God, go get the car. Sitting there in the ministry or whatever's going on, you know, I feel like I need to usher. I can't be the Lord. I'm called a pastor." [01:00:52] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The church can't conform to the world. It can't become at ease, thinking that this will just pass away. But it must choose if it's gonna be strong tower this horrible world that we live in. Are we gonna be a social club? Or are we gonna be the church of the living God? Go ahead and stand to your feet with me for just a minute. The Bible says, behold, I come quickly my reward is with me to give every man according to his work shall be." [01:03:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Hold fast. It may seem like you're being overlooked and you're being left behind. Everybody else is prospering. Everything is going great. But hold fast to which you have. Don't let jealousy come in and steal your crown. Hold fast. Don't let envy steal your crown. Hold on. Stand firm. Hold fast. It may seem like those down the street are moving and shaking the city and the county and the state. We're just standing still. fast. Hold fast." [01:04:47] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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