Participants: John Dinzey (Host), Jamie Kowlessar
Series Code: FDOF
Program Code: FDOF000007A
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00:18 Welcome to "Foundation of our Faith."
00:21 This is a message from God's word 00:23 that you'll hear today. 00:25 My name is John Dinzey, 00:27 and it's a privilege to be with you during this time. 00:29 We want to praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy. 00:33 And so we have a lot of people here 00:36 that love the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37 and if that is true, would you say amen. 00:40 Amen. 00:42 And we're blessed to have thousands upon thousands 00:46 watching Dare to Dream in different parts of the world. 00:49 So we praise the Lord for this network that is reaching out 00:53 to bring people to Jesus Christ. 00:56 We're blessed to have with us Pastor Jaime Kowlessar. 01:02 He is an evangelist, a preacher of God's word. 01:05 He is the youth pastor 01:07 for the City Temple in Dallas, Texas. 01:13 And we've had three topics thus far. 01:16 This will be the third one. 01:17 The first one, The Diminished Chord, 01:19 a powerful message from God's word. 01:21 Access Granted, 01:23 then today, A Little Prayer That Made a Big Difference. 01:29 You will be happy that you stayed with us 01:33 when you finish this hour with us, 01:35 because you'll get a message from God's word 01:38 that will encourage you and help you 01:40 along your walk with Jesus Christ. 01:43 It is also my privilege to tell you 01:45 that we have our singing evangelist with us, 01:48 that has been with us throughout this series, 01:50 Sister Sherice Tomlin-Bloomfield, 01:53 and she currently resides in Maryland, 01:56 but she spent many years in Alabama, 02:00 praising the Lord there. 02:01 She has been blessed to produce three albums, 02:05 Without You Lord, One Day and Just a Little Like Heaven. 02:11 And we praise the Lord 02:13 that today she will be sharing with us 02:15 a song entitled Alabaster Box 02:17 before we hear the preaching of God's word. 02:20 And we want to encourage you to join us 02:23 with your Bible and a pen to take notes. 02:27 At this time we'd like to invite everyone 02:29 that is present to please stand if it's possible for you. 02:33 We'd like to go to God's throne of grace in prayer 02:37 and ask for His blessing. 02:40 Let us pray. 02:43 Our loving heavenly Father, 02:45 we thank You that we have access 02:49 to Your throne of grace through Jesus Christ 02:53 and we pray Lord for a blessing upon everyone here. 02:57 We pray that you'll use 03:00 Pastor Kowlessar to bring a message from heaven. 03:03 Bless him with the Holy Spirit, 03:05 and Lord, let us know through this message 03:09 that You're with us. 03:11 We thank You heavenly Father 03:13 for the privilege to call you Father, 03:16 a privilege that has been purchased by us 03:19 through your son, Jesus Christ. 03:21 And we thank You for hearing our prayer, 03:23 for we bring it to you in Jesus' name, amen, amen. 03:27 You may be seated. 03:29 Sister Sherice will now lead us to God's throne of grace 03:33 in this sermon and song. 03:34 God's blessing upon you. 04:06 The room grew still 04:09 As she made her way to Jesus 04:12 She stumbles 04:14 Through the tears that made her blind 04:21 She felt such pain 04:24 Some spoke in anger 04:27 Heard folks whisper 04:30 There's no place here for her kind 04:36 Still on she came 04:39 Through the tears that flushed her face 04:42 Until at last, she knelt before his feet 04:50 And though she spoke no words 04:54 Everything she said was heard 04:58 As she poured her love for the Master 05:02 From her box of alabaster 05:07 And I've come to pour 05:12 My praise on Him 05:14 Like oil From Mary's alabaster box 05:24 Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears 05:31 And dry them with my hair 05:39 You weren't there the night He found me 05:47 You did not feel what I felt 05:51 When he wrapped his loving arms around me 05:56 You don't know the cost of the oil 06:01 In my alabaster box 06:11 I can't forget the way life used to be 06:17 I was a prisoner 06:20 To the sins that had me bound 06:26 And I spent my days 06:30 Poured my life without measure 06:33 Into a little treasure box 06:36 I'd thought I'd found 06:42 Until the day when Jesus came to me 06:48 And He healed my soul 06:51 With the wonder of His touch 06:55 So now I'm giving back to Him 06:59 All the praise He's worthy of 07:03 And I've been forgiven 07:06 And that's why 07:08 I love Him so much 07:13 And I've come to pour 07:18 My praise on Him 07:20 Like oil from Mary's alabaster box 07:30 Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears 07:36 And dry them with my hair 07:43 With my hair 07:45 You weren't there the night Jesus found me 07:52 You did not feel what I felt 07:56 When He wrapped his loving arms around me 08:01 And you don't know the cost of the oil 08:07 Oh, you don't know the cost 08:12 Of my praise 08:18 You don't know the cost of the oil 08:23 In my alabaster box 08:49 Thank you, Sister Sherice 08:50 for that wonderful message and song. 08:54 Praise the Lord and happy Sabbath. 08:55 It's good to be with you. 08:57 So glad that Lord has afforded me 08:59 to have this opportunity 09:00 to speak His wonderful words of life, 09:03 so that we may all receive a blessing to strengthen us 09:06 to make it throughout the week. 09:08 I have thoroughly enjoyed 09:09 every night that I've been here speaking 09:12 and Lord has been blessing me more than I expected Him to do. 09:16 And I think that's the amazing thing 09:17 about the Word of God is that 09:19 sometimes when you think you're going to be a blessing, 09:21 God turns it around 09:23 and He allows you to be blessed by doing His work. 09:26 And so we're gonna continue with our series 09:28 in Our Faith of Foundation. 09:30 And this morning we're gonna look at those popular story 09:33 that I'm sure most of you are well aware of. 09:36 And that story comes to us in the Book of Mark 9:14-29. 09:42 It's Mark 9:14-29. 09:47 You may say amen when you have it. 09:50 You can say help me Jesus if you're still looking. 09:54 And He will hear your prayer. 10:05 Amen. 10:07 Bible says, "When he came to his disciples, 10:10 he saw a great multitude about them, 10:13 and the scribes questioning them. 10:15 And straightaway all the people when they beheld him, 10:18 were greatly amazed, running to him saluted him. 10:22 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 10:25 And one of the multitude answered and said, 10:27 Master, I have brought unto thee my son, 10:29 which hath a dumb spirit, 10:31 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him, 10:34 and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, 10:37 and pineth away, 10:38 and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, 10:42 and they could not. 10:43 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, 10:47 how long shall I be with you? 10:49 How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me. 10:53 And they brought him unto him, and when he saw him, 10:56 straightway the spirit tare him, 10:58 and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 11:01 And he asked his father, 11:02 How long ago since this came unto him? 11:05 And he said, as of a child. 11:07 And often times it hath cast him into the fire, 11:10 and into the waters, to destroy him, 11:12 but if thou canst do any thing, 11:15 have compassion on us, and help us. 11:18 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, 11:22 all things are possible to him that believeth. 11:25 And straightway the father of the child cried out, 11:28 and said with tears, 11:29 Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. 11:34 And when Jesus saw that 11:36 the people came running together, 11:37 he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, 11:39 Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, 11:42 come out of him, and enter no more into him. 11:45 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, 11:47 and came out of him, 11:48 as he was one dead, 11:50 in so much that many said, He is dead. 11:53 But Jesus took him by the hand, 11:55 and lifted him up, and he arose. 11:57 And when he was come into the house, 11:59 his disciples asked him privately, 12:01 Why could we not cast him out? 12:05 And he said unto them, 12:06 This kind can come forth by nothing, 12:11 but by prayer and (fasting)." 12:16 I want to put a title on our discussion this morning 12:19 and with your prayers, 12:21 a little prayer can make a big difference. 12:25 Pray with me. 12:26 God Almighty, we thank You so much 12:28 for Your grace and Your mercy. 12:29 We thank You for the privilege of prayer. 12:31 And we thank You for this story. 12:33 Father, I pray and ask that You'd hide me behind Your cross 12:37 that I may not be seen 12:38 but that You would be seen and lifted up. 12:40 And that we would understand that you care about us, 12:42 You love us unconditionally and You seek to heal 12:46 and strengthen us and put us on the straight and narrow. 12:49 So bless us Lord as we look at Your word, 12:51 we ask this in Your name Jesus Christ. 12:53 Amen. 12:55 You really don't know what people are going through 12:58 unless sometimes you ask them. 13:01 You may see them from day to day 13:03 but you don't know the heartache 13:05 that they face from night to night. 13:07 There are some people that wake up 13:09 feeling on top of the world, 13:10 but then they got to sleep with the world on top of them. 13:13 You never know what folks are dealing with 13:15 because you can't see the pain that lies beneath. 13:19 I guess I got to go there 13:20 and make things a little bit more real for us. 13:22 But there was an old movie by the name of Gladiator. 13:25 And in that movie Gladiator, 13:27 there was a character by the name of Maximus, 13:29 Maximus who is played by Russell Crowe. 13:32 Is captured by the Roman Republic 13:35 and is forced to fight in a coliseum. 13:37 Well, after while because Maximus is a mighty warrior, 13:40 he has become a fan favorite 13:42 to those that are in the coliseum. 13:44 And his folks are loving on Maximus, 13:46 they long to see him fight in the coliseum. 13:49 But then in one of the scenes in the movie, 13:51 Maximus' hater Commodus comes to visit him 13:54 in the basement of the coliseum before their fight. 13:58 And as Commodus talks to Maximus, 14:00 he knows that Maximus is a better warrior than he is, 14:03 Commodus leans over to whisper in his ear, in his ears, 14:07 whispering in his ear he pulls out a knife 14:09 and stabs Maximus in the back. 14:12 Now, listen to me carefully, Maximus must go out 14:15 on to the field and fight Commodus 14:18 but he has a knife wound in his back. 14:21 Maximus has to put on his armor 14:23 and he is bleeding underneath it, 14:25 but yet still he must go out and fight this battle. 14:29 I guess what I'm really trying to say 14:31 is that some of us still have to put on our armor everyday 14:34 and fight a battle even though we are bleeding underneath. 14:39 I guess what we need to understand 14:40 is that we have to fight even though 14:42 we're bleeding underneath our armor. 14:44 We have to bleed underneath our smiles. 14:47 We have to bleed underneath our work clothes. 14:49 How often have we gone into battle? 14:52 How often have we gone into the war 14:54 while we're bleeding, 14:55 scarred and damaged and bruised, used and abused, 14:59 but yet still we have to smile 15:01 as if everything is going fine and dandy. 15:03 Yet still, we have to put on a smile when we go to work. 15:06 Yet still, we have to dress up nice in our shirts and ties, 15:09 our hats and our dresses and our wonderful bags 15:12 and act like everything is okay, 15:15 but deep down inside, 15:16 we're bleeding underneath our armor. 15:19 Well, look at our text this morning 15:21 and we see our father 15:22 who is bleeding underneath this armor. 15:25 Imagine, envision his father, 15:27 who is in the worst fight of his life 15:29 as he takes a leap at receiving healthcare for his son 15:33 who is dying and foaming and wallowing at the mouth. 15:36 He is bleeding underneath His armor 15:39 and in pain, He approaches His disciples, 15:42 Jesus' disciples for help as He is trying to stay cool. 15:46 As a matter of fact in verse 14 it says, 15:48 "When he came to His disciples, 15:50 he saw a great multitude about them 15:53 and the scribes were questioning them." 15:56 Here the disciples are being questioned by the scribes. 15:59 In other words when you read 16:00 in the earlier parts of the chapter in Mark 9:1-13 16:06 James, John and Peter are coming down from the mountain 16:10 only to see the disciples and some other folks 16:13 screaming and fighting with each other. 16:16 If you read the previous verses, 16:18 one would understand 16:19 that Jesus and disciples had just came back 16:22 from an eventful moment on top of the mountain. 16:25 Yes, they were on the mount of transfiguration 16:29 and the Bible tells us 16:30 that Moses and Elijah had appeared unto them 16:33 and a significance of that appearance is so profound. 16:37 Moses and Elijah 16:38 are representation of the two resurrections 16:41 that's represented in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 16:46 wherein it says that "The dead in Christ shall rise first, 16:49 then which we are alive shall be caught up 16:51 to meet them in the air." 16:52 You see, Moses represents those that have died 16:56 and will be resurrected. 16:58 Elijah represents those that will not die 17:01 but have been caught up to meet Jesus in the air. 17:04 You see the same thing it means today 17:06 that when we die, we don't go straight to heaven, 17:08 we sleep in the grave and when Jesus comes back, 17:11 He says enter now into the joy of the Lord. 17:14 That's the picture that is being painted 17:17 on the mount of transfiguration. 17:20 And the scripture tells us 17:21 that the disciples did not want to leave. 17:24 As a matter of fact, Ellen White writes 17:26 that the disciples were so excited 17:28 about what they saw on that mountain 17:30 that they wanted to build an altar 17:32 and live there for the rest of their lives. 17:35 But Jesus says, we can't stay here 17:38 because there is more work to do. 17:40 There are still more people to be healed, 17:42 sins to be forgiven, doors to be open, 17:45 mountains to be leveled, rivers to be divided, 17:48 valleys to be filled, 17:49 waves to be made out of nowhere. 17:51 There is still work to do. 17:53 Disciples, we must leave this mountaintop 17:56 and go down where the people are. 17:58 And so as Jesus and the disciples 18:00 have just had a monumental moment, 18:03 they come down the mountain 18:05 to some drama that they inherited. 18:07 I love being on mountaintops 18:09 because mountaintops are good places. 18:11 You see, a mountaintop is a good place to be 18:13 because the mountaintop feels like 18:15 life is great and life is dandy. 18:18 Life is wonderful. 18:19 Nothing bad can happen to you 18:21 when you're on top of the mountain, 18:22 because when you're on a mountain, 18:24 you can just look down at the people 18:26 that are trying to hurt you, because they can't touch you 18:28 when you're on top of the mountain. 18:30 As a matter of fact there is a song that says 18:32 "Oh, to dwell above with saints we love, 18:37 that would be glory for me, 18:38 but to dwell down below with saints we know, 18:41 that's another story." 18:43 You'll get that on Tuesday when you think about it, 18:45 because sometimes when you understand 18:47 that you got to come down and deal with folk 18:50 that you don't want to deal with, 18:51 down here on earth, it makes things a little bit difficult 18:55 to navigate through life. 18:57 I mean it cannot be a little personal with you this morning. 19:00 Have you ever had a good day at work? 19:03 And then suddenly you walk into some drama. 19:05 Have you ever had a really good hard day in church? 19:09 And as soon as you walk out the door, 19:11 as soon as you go to the potluck, 19:13 somebody always got something slick to say, 19:16 to mess up your whole Sabbath, to mess up your blessing, 19:19 to just take you off with the experience that you had, 19:22 in fact you had with God. 19:23 You see often times I hated when people entangled me 19:27 in the web of their little game. 19:28 It frustrates me, it bothers me, 19:30 it annoys me, it disturbs me, it plays me, it upsets me. 19:34 It just does a whole lot of things to me 19:36 that I really don't like. 19:38 You see, I know that I speak kind of fast 19:40 because you did know I'm from New York City 19:42 and in New York City you got speak quick to get out 19:44 what you to got to say and then you get up out of the way, 19:46 it's just a New York thing. 19:48 But I promise, when you buy the DVD or the CD, 19:51 you could put it on slow motion 19:52 and you'll be able to pick up every thing that I said 19:54 and you will be able to rewind it back, but bear with me 19:57 because I'm going to slow down a little bit 19:58 but I'm just trying to get this text out of the way, 20:01 I know how to get it. 20:02 And so here is Jesus, as now He steps to the scribes 20:06 and wants to know what is with all the questioning. 20:09 In other words what's really going? 20:11 What the problem here? 20:12 Why you all up on my friends questioning them. 20:15 And then the father of the son jumps out and says, 20:18 master I have brought my son that had a dumb spirit, 20:23 and wheresoever he taketh him, he tears him, 20:26 and makes him foameth, 20:28 gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth it away, 20:30 and I spoke to your disciples 20:33 and they couldn't got cast him out. 20:36 And so I'm going to park here at this curb, 20:38 because it's safe to say that some of us are the way we are 20:41 because we keep asking the wrong people 20:44 to give us the right healing. 20:45 We're trying to medicate our misery 20:48 with the wrong medication. 20:50 You see, I love our president 20:51 and I do appreciate the things he is doing on Capitol Hill 20:54 and I love seeing his beautiful wife and children 20:57 and I picture of what an African-American family 21:00 should like in the midst of poverty 21:02 and negative stereotypes on TV and radio. 21:05 It makes me proud to see them, 21:07 but I'd be a dummy if I think that every thing he does 21:10 is going to make my life a whole lot better. 21:13 As a matter of fact, my president is Jesus Christ. 21:16 My commander in chief is God Himself. 21:19 And I'm going to talk to Him and depend on Him 21:22 to make my life better, 21:23 because God says "I've come that they might have life 21:26 and have it more abundantly." 21:28 That's healthcare reform. 21:29 He said, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken, 21:32 nor his seed begging bread." 21:33 That's financial reform. 21:35 He said, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal 21:38 but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds." 21:41 That's gun law reform. 21:43 He said, "In my father's house there are many mansions, 21:45 I've gone to prepare a place for you." 21:47 And that's the answer to the mortgage crisis 21:50 that we have here on earth. 21:51 As a matter of fact, my God gives me coverage 21:54 and all the coverage I need. 21:56 He says, "Lo, I'm with you always, 21:58 I will never leave you nor for sake you." 22:01 As a matter of fact, I remember, 22:02 some of you might remember 22:04 there was an old Verizon wireless commercial. 22:07 And in this commercial the gangster told the man 22:10 to meet him in an alley 22:12 and he says make sure you come by yourself. 22:15 And so the next day the man met the-- 22:17 man in the alley and they were talking 22:19 and as they were conversing, 22:21 the gangster looks over his shoulder and say, 22:23 I thought I told you to come here by yourself. 22:26 The man said what do you mean? I did come here by myself. 22:29 Then the gangster looks back, he says, 22:31 well, who are all them people that are behind you. 22:34 The man look back and said oh, that's my network, 22:36 they go with me wherever I'm. 22:38 And so I'm going to bless you real quick. 22:40 When you're connected to God, you have a network 22:43 that follows you wherever you go. 22:45 You're never by yourself. God is always with you. 22:48 As a matter of fact, the coverage that God gives me, 22:50 I don't need to change it, I don't need to upgrade it, 22:52 I don't need to rearrange it. 22:54 3G coverage is enough for me, 22:56 because 3G coverage stands for God the Father, God the Son, 23:00 and God the Holy Ghost. 23:01 I'm always covered, no matter where I am. 23:04 And so here we understand that we need to be with God 23:08 because God will never drop a core. 23:11 As a matter of act, when I call and connect, 23:12 He will accept and He will answer my call 23:15 every time I need Him. 23:16 You see, don't go to the wrong people 23:19 to get the right healing, 23:20 because most times it's the folk that you think 23:22 that are going to bless you, 23:23 would be the same ones that turn around and curse you. 23:26 The same folk that you talk to 23:27 be the same ones that talk about you. 23:29 The same ones that lend money to 23:31 be the same ones that are stealing money from you. 23:36 And so the father goes to the wrong people 23:38 for the right healing. 23:39 But in all honesty I'm not mad at the father. 23:42 As a matter of fact, I'd have probably done the same thing 23:45 because the father's thinking in this text 23:47 is saying that since you roll with Jesus Christ, 23:51 since you hang up with Jesus Christ, 23:53 then obviously you should be able to do something for me. 23:56 You're in His circle 23:58 and that means that some of His goodness 24:00 must be rubbing off on you. 24:02 But if truth be told, we should all be able to approach 24:06 the leaders in our church 24:07 or people in our church with our problems. 24:10 But there is something wrong when God is in the first place 24:13 and a last person that you talk to. 24:16 And so the father brought his son to Jesus 24:18 and the disciples but they could not do a blessed thing. 24:21 And Jesus is taken back by all the commotion. 24:24 "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? 24:28 How long shall I suffer you? Bring the boy to me." 24:32 And let me tell you something. 24:33 This isn't Jesus smiling 24:36 and jokingly patting His disciples on the back. 24:39 No, how long do I have to put up with this 24:42 is a picture of a frustrated Jesus wondering how many times 24:47 must I go over the same things with you. 24:50 After all when you read in Mark 3:15, 24:54 the word says that after Jesus called them, 24:56 He gave them power to heal sicknesses 24:59 and to cast out demons. 25:00 Mark 6:7 says, "And he called onto him 25:04 the twelve and began to send them forth two by two, 25:07 and gave them power over unclean spirits." 25:10 Mark 6:12, 13, "And they went out, 25:13 and preached that men should repent. 25:15 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil 25:19 many that were sick, and healed them." 25:21 But now all of the sudden in Chapter 9 25:24 they are weak and aren't able to heal this young man. 25:28 They have disconnected themselves from the source, 25:31 and as a result they have lost power, 25:33 they are in the midst of a power failure. 25:36 They have no power, 25:38 they lack being connected to God 25:40 and their actions testify of the fact 25:43 that there is no spiritual strength in their body. 25:46 And you ask what frustrates God. 25:48 It must be frustrating when God equips us 25:51 with gifts to bless others 25:53 and we selfishly use them for ourselves. 25:55 It must frustrate God when we use our intellectual acuity 26:00 and motivation for the advancement in this world, 26:03 but never thought about doing something 26:05 inside of our very own churches. 26:07 We can sing secular songs, 26:09 but we won't sing psalms unto God. 26:11 We can write poetry, 26:13 but we never want to write anything for God. 26:15 And here God blesses us in so many ways 26:18 to help the church, 26:19 but yet still we just want to make things 26:22 better for ourselves, 26:23 because you do know 26:24 there are two classes of people in this world. 26:27 The first class of people only makes-- 26:29 only wants to make the world better for themselves, 26:32 but the second class of people 26:34 will make the world better for others. 26:36 And I pray to God that we fall into the later part, 26:39 that we're not here, simply trying to collect houses 26:42 and property, and land and money 26:44 to put in our bank accounts, but everything that we do 26:48 should be able and should be willing 26:50 to help other people have a good life just like we are. 26:55 And so I love Jesus 26:57 and now He took care of the situation. 26:59 Check out our holy hero, our sovereign savior, 27:01 the HNIC had Nazarene in charge, 27:04 Jesus Christ says bring the boy to me. 27:07 Now Jesus could have done two things. 27:08 He could have simply stood there 27:09 and rebuked everybody that was there, 27:11 looking at the big problem or deal with the problem 27:14 that's right in front of our face. 27:16 Jesus says right now, I'm going to deal with the disciples, 27:19 not now, I'm not going to deal with disciples, 27:21 but I'm going to deal with the boy in front of me. 27:23 Jesus said we'll deal with this when we get back home. 27:26 Now, I don't know about you, 27:27 but I remember when growing up, 27:29 my mother would say I'm going to deal with you 27:31 when we get back home whenever I got in trouble. 27:34 Now, if I had an option, 27:35 I would take deal with me right now 27:37 in front of everybody than deal with me back home, 27:40 because I knew back home 27:41 wasn't going to be as good as what was-- 27:43 could be going to be as good or as nice 27:46 as what could have happened in front of everybody, 27:48 because she was going to wallow 27:49 and wail and do all sort of things, 27:51 but I'll leave that undisclosed for right now. 27:54 Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus, say amen. 27:56 But Jesus says, I'm going to deal 27:57 with the disciples later on. 27:59 And so when He says, bring the boy to Me, 28:02 it is an understanding that if you parents have a child 28:05 that is being reckless, that a child is not living 28:08 according to the way that they should be living. 28:11 Bring the child to Jesus Christ. 28:13 If you have a son or a daughter that is outside of the church 28:16 and they are not inside of the church 28:18 or maybe they are inside the church, 28:20 but mentally they are outside of the church, 28:23 bring that child to Jesus Christ. 28:25 Bring him to God, 28:26 because God is going to ask you questions about this thing. 28:30 And when Jesus asks you, 28:31 how long has the boy been like this? 28:34 Don't lie to him, but tell the truth. 28:36 Say, you know, what God, 28:37 I could have been a better parent, 28:39 but I was more concerned with pleasing myself 28:42 than taking a interest in them. 28:44 Tell them you know what, I used to go and hang out 28:46 and do bad things and instead of loving on them, 28:49 I rejected them and that's the reason why they are today. 28:52 Just tell God the truth 28:54 because after all, God knows and sees all things. 28:58 There is nothing you can do that surprises God. 29:01 Amen. 29:03 There is nothing that catches the Holy Trinity off guard. 29:06 You are not the first person to commit that sin. 29:09 You are not the first person 29:10 to do that thing that you've done. 29:12 God has seen everything that is underneath the sun. 29:15 And so God is saying, why don't you just talk to Me 29:19 and let Me deal with the situation. 29:21 And in verse 22, as He brings the boy to Jesus, 29:25 the demon begins to show off 29:27 and the father says this is what happens, 29:30 they cast him into the fire, 29:31 into the waters and destroys him. 29:33 If thou can do anything have compassion and help us. 29:37 You see pause right there. 29:38 There are some of us in here today 29:40 that wish we had a father like that. 29:42 There are some of us watching on a television screen 29:45 that wish we had a father like that. 29:47 A father who would have walked us to Jesus Christ 29:50 instead of walking out of our lives. 29:52 A father who would have prayed for us 29:54 instead of preying on us, P-R-E-Y. 29:57 A father who could have just been a father, 30:00 not buying me fancy and wonderful things, 30:02 but just could have been inside the home. 30:04 Love my mother, love me and my brothers and sisters, 30:08 because what we have in America today 30:10 is a fathering problem. 30:12 Fathers have become absent in their children's lives. 30:16 And this is a beautiful picture of a father doing 30:19 what he is supposed to do of bringing his son 30:22 to God for healing. 30:24 And so then the father says, 30:25 if you can show compassion on us and help us, 30:29 it would be a wonderful thing. 30:31 I love it, because the father realizes 30:33 that his son's problem is my problem as well. 30:37 You see, he says have compassion on us and help us. 30:41 And so if my child is failing classes, 30:44 then obviously I've got a problem 30:46 that I need to deal with. 30:47 If my child is lively loosely, then that's my problem as well. 30:50 If my child is smoking and drinking, 30:53 then I must understand that that's my problem is too. 30:56 As a matter of fact 30:57 not only the children that are in my vicinity, 31:00 but what happens in this world is my problem as well. 31:03 You see, society is built on this, 31:05 that if it doesn't happen to me directly, 31:08 then I don't have anything to do with it. 31:10 Jesus said, as much as you have done onto the least of these, 31:13 you have also done it onto me. 31:16 Therefore Michael Brown 31:17 in Ferguson, Missouri is my problem. 31:21 The children crossing the border undocumented 31:23 is my problem as well. 31:25 The Ebola virus that has taken over so many people, 31:28 it's my problem. 31:30 Israel's unfair occupation of Palestinian land 31:33 that did not belong to them in the first place 31:35 is my problem as well. 31:37 All the things that are going on in this world 31:39 is my problem because if I can help somebody 31:42 along life's narrow way, 31:44 then my living would not be in vain. 31:47 I cannot be isolated and ostracize myself 31:50 from the problems that are happening in this world. 31:54 And the father says, if thou canst do anything, 31:58 you see there are no ifs 31:59 when it comes to the mighty power of God. 32:01 Jesus says, "All things are possible." 32:04 Now on to him that is exceedingly abundantly 32:07 above all that can do that we can think or imagine. 32:11 The word says, now on to him. 32:13 I guess you probably don't know who him is, 32:15 because if you know who him was, 32:17 then you would be here shouting, 32:18 because him that can part any sea that you need to cross. 32:21 Him that can calm a rage in ocean. 32:24 Him that can open doors that man shuts. 32:26 Him that can move mountains out of no way. 32:29 Him that can raise the dead from the grave. 32:31 As a matter of fact, Him that can speak it 32:33 and that cannot exist. 32:34 Well, I'm going to testify it right now 32:36 because Him that woke me up this morning. 32:39 Him that started me on my way. 32:41 Him that healed my body when I was sick. 32:43 Him that put money in my pocket. 32:45 Him that put food on my table 32:47 is able to do what exceedingly and abundantly 32:51 above all that we can think because we serve a mighty God. 32:55 We serve a God that demons tremble at His name 32:58 that He can do all things. 33:00 All things that we can think or imagine, 33:03 because what God is saying, 33:04 what Jesus is saying to this father 33:07 is that that boy is a loan to you, 33:09 he is a gift from Me. 33:10 And he is really my child, I created him. 33:13 And since I created him, I kept him along for this life, 33:17 and even though the devil has been trying to kill him, 33:19 he's still My son. 33:21 And although he is beyond your control, 33:23 he still has to listen to Me, 33:24 because he should have been dead, 33:26 but he is here right now 33:27 because I've been preserving him 33:29 and protecting him, 33:30 because I know what he is made of 33:32 because I created him. 33:34 You see, there was a story on the news 33:36 and the story on the news is going to trip you out 33:38 when I tell it to you. 33:39 There was a girl on the news who had got shot in the head 33:43 but she did not die. 33:44 What do you mean? 33:45 She was shot in the head and she did not die. 33:48 She is not brain-dead. 33:49 She is well and she gave the report on the news. 33:52 When they found out why she didn't die 33:55 and why she isn't brain-dead, the girl testified 33:58 that the weave in her hair saved her life. 34:01 Now, you probably asking me, what is a weave? 34:03 A weave is hair that you buy to add on 34:07 to what you don't have 34:08 to make it look like you got more than you already got. 34:11 You see, some women when they don't have a lot of hair, 34:14 they go to the beauty supplier store 34:15 and they buy what's called the weave 34:17 and they stitch it inside their hair 34:19 to make it look they have a whole lot of hair. 34:22 And so when the people did the examination on her, 34:25 they realized that the bullet got stuck inside of the weave 34:29 and it did not penetrate inside of her head. 34:32 And as I sat there and I listened 34:33 to that story on the news, 34:35 I realized that a weave is just hair 34:38 but it's what the stitching that goes underneath the hair 34:41 that you can't see that holds it together. 34:44 And so the bullet was caught inside of hair. 34:46 I'm going to bless you real quick, 34:48 because what you don't understand is 34:50 what you can't see outside of me 34:52 but it's what's inside of me that keeps me together. 34:55 It's what underneath the layer of my skin 34:58 that holds me together when things are going bad. 35:00 It's the weave that God puts in me, 35:03 that sows into me, 35:04 how I'm faithfully and wonderfully made 35:07 that allows me to be alive 35:08 even when the devil is trying to attack me. 35:11 I guess you can say that God we serve is unbelievable 35:14 because He continues to weave things 35:16 in a ways unimaginable that we can think or imagine. 35:20 And so why is this boy still alive? 35:22 Because I'm valuable to God. I'm somebody. 35:25 I'm significant to God. 35:27 I'm cherished by God. 35:28 I'm the apple of His eye. 35:30 I might not be valuable to other people, 35:32 but I'm still worth something to God, 35:34 because I'm stamped with the Imago Dei 35:36 and even if you push me down, 35:38 tear me down or talk about me, God is going to lift me up, 35:42 put me back together and keep me alive. 35:44 That's why you're here today 35:46 and that's why the boy is still alive 35:48 and God says, I can do it, but only if you believe. 35:52 You see, the strength of our healing 35:54 comes in the power to believe that God can do it. 35:57 The father then cries out, I believe but help my unbelief. 36:01 And this is the honest cry of the father 36:04 and honest cry of most of us, 36:06 because most of us say, God, I believe you can do it 36:09 but there's a part of me that's having trouble 36:12 believing that You will do it for me. 36:14 I've seen You open doors for other people. 36:16 I've seen You give people strength to overcome. 36:18 I mean, all the signs around me keep telling me 36:21 that if I come to You and I walk out of here, 36:23 I'm still going to be the same person that I was. 36:26 I believe that by getting baptized, 36:28 I will be a better person, 36:29 but my unbelief says that 36:31 I'm going to be back to the same thing I was before. 36:34 And so if anything 36:36 the father probably have some validation to his cry, 36:39 because after all he came to the followers of Jesus 36:42 and the followers were probably 36:43 a direct reflection of Jesus' leadership. 36:46 I mean, if your men can't do it, 36:49 then it's probably safe to say 36:50 that Jesus, you can't do it either. 36:53 I came to the church for prayer and for a little help, 36:57 but no one was able to assist me with what I needed, 37:00 therefore Pastor Kowlessar, 37:02 maybe you don't have what I'm looking for 37:05 and I might as well go somewhere else. 37:07 You see there was a time in our society 37:09 when the church was the main place 37:11 for all of our social ills. 37:13 People would flock to the church 37:14 for guidance, advice and political activism. 37:17 But things have changed drastically. 37:19 Now, the church is the last place people turn to, 37:22 because folks have lost faith 37:24 that anything that can't be done, 37:26 can't be done inside of a church. 37:29 You see, the church it has become dormant and docile 37:32 as the world turns. 37:33 And folks the same, I believe in God 37:35 but I have a trouble believing 37:37 that God lives inside of this creaky, 37:40 judgmental and blind place 37:42 that does not see the things 37:44 that are happening in this world. 37:45 You see, the text this morning 37:47 should send chills up every pastor, 37:50 up to spine of every pastor, elder, deacon, usher, member 37:55 and officer of the local and level church, 37:57 all the way up to the jurist DC. 37:59 You see, I need to ask my question. 38:02 Do I like the power of God in me 38:04 that produces doubt and fear in those that are in me. 38:08 The text is clearly an indictment on the disciples, 38:11 but it's also an indictment on the people of God. 38:13 They are deaf and they are mute, 38:15 they are weak and powerless and they cannot do. 38:18 Can it be, someway somehow 38:20 that people are not following us 38:23 because the leadership in the church 38:25 is not as strong as it should be. 38:27 Can it be that I'm asking God's people 38:30 to do things that I'm not doing myself. 38:32 Can it be that my prayer life is so weak, 38:35 that's why when I pray for people, nothing happens. 38:39 Can it be that our churches are so weak, 38:42 because we're so engrossed and so busy, 38:45 we're doing everything else than seeking God. 38:47 Because you do know somebody told me 38:49 what busy stands for. 38:50 Busy stands for being under Satan's yoke. 38:53 And as long as I can keep you busy, 38:55 working and busy, 38:57 taking care of this and taking care of that, 38:59 you'll have no time for prayer, 39:00 you'll have no time for devotion, 39:02 you'll have no time to study, 39:04 you'll only have time to say a quick prayer when you wake up 39:07 and maybe, just maybe you'll be able to say 39:10 a quick prayer before you fall asleep. 39:13 And so the church is powerless, 39:15 because we have no connection with God. 39:17 The church is powerless 39:18 because obviously there is nothing wrong with God, 39:20 but we need to ask ourselves, 39:21 is there something wrong with each of us. 39:25 That we need to seek the throne of God more, 39:27 because what makes today different 39:29 than what was happening in the Bible. 39:31 What makes today any different? What makes us different? 39:33 Are you telling me that the disciples were born 39:36 with something extra that I was not born with? 39:38 Are you telling me 39:39 that these men were mightier in power that I don't have it? 39:42 Then that would be a good excuse, 39:44 but that's absolutely not the excuse. 39:46 The excuse is today is that we are not engrossed 39:50 in the word of God as much as we should, 39:53 because this devil has made us believe 39:55 in this capitalistic society 39:57 that we must gain more and grasp more of this world 40:01 to make sure that we're happy here. 40:05 When this world is not our home. 40:06 And so as people are dying outside of these four walls, 40:09 we can't do a blessed thing, 40:11 because they have come to us for help. 40:13 But we cannot help them, 40:15 because we have no spiritual power. 40:17 We've plugged out from the source. 40:19 But I love the text, 40:20 because the text rewinds us that but God still has a plan. 40:24 You see, God still has a plan. 40:26 God listen to that problem. 40:28 And he didn't hear his words, 40:30 but he paid attention to his heart. 40:32 And his heart said even though there is doubt in your mind, 40:35 I'm still going to make my request known. 40:37 I don't care how bad you think things are right now, 40:40 make your request known onto God. 40:42 And the father did a little prayer, 40:44 but it made a big difference. 40:46 And even though the disciples couldn't do anything, 40:48 God say, you know what, I'm not like those disciples, 40:50 those are my students. 40:52 I'm still training them, I still love them 40:54 and I'm still going to use them, 40:55 but right now come to me. 40:57 And his little prayer says, 40:58 God, I believe but help my unbelief. 41:01 And I love that little prayer, 41:03 because it made a big difference. 41:04 Let me tell you something. 41:06 When you pray and you talk to God, 41:08 you don't need to catch of superlatives, 41:10 you don't need big nouns, 41:11 and you don't need big predicates and subjects, 41:14 it doesn't matter if it's the predicate, 41:16 come before the subject or the syntax, 41:18 you just talk to God how you know 41:21 how to talk to Him. 41:22 You don't have to talk to God in King James language. 41:25 You don't have to say, O, Lord, cometh downeth and heareth me 41:28 because I need thee to fall uponeth me 41:31 and open up a door for me. 41:33 No, you speak to God the way you know how to speak to God. 41:37 As a matter of fact, a man was praying in a church in England 41:40 and his English was terrible and it was broken. 41:43 I mean, it was bad. 41:45 The guy could not speak proper English 41:47 and he had the audacity to stand up 41:50 in front of the church and start praying. 41:52 And as he did his prayer, right after he said men. 41:56 A woman came out from the congregation 41:58 and she said that was awful, that was terrible. 42:01 Who would ever allow you to stand up 42:04 and speak and to pray like that? 42:06 Please don't ever do that again. 42:08 The man looked over at the lady and he said, 42:10 excuse me miss, but I wasn't talking to you, 42:13 I was talking to God. 42:14 You see, what you got to understand 42:16 is that when you pray, 42:17 you're not talking to me, 42:18 you're not talking to your neighbor, 42:20 you're not talking to anybody outside, 42:22 you're talking to God who sits on the throne. 42:24 And so however, wherever, and how you speak, 42:28 that's how you ought to talk to God, 42:30 because the Bible tells us that 42:31 "Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, 42:34 for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, 42:37 but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 42:41 with groanings which cannot be uttered." 42:44 I love it because the spirit transforms 42:46 our prayers into what it's supposed to be. 42:49 And so that as the story picks up and goes on, 42:51 God then speaks to the demon, not to the boy. 42:53 Listen to me. 42:55 He speaks to the demon and not to the boy. 42:57 Why because Jesus realizes 42:59 that there is something more of them, 43:02 more of him inside of them. 43:04 As a matter of fact there were times 43:05 when you have more than you inside of you 43:08 that makes you act like you should not be acting. 43:12 There is more in you that should not be inside of you. 43:15 And so that's why sometimes you want to fight, 43:17 sometimes you get depressed 43:19 and sometimes things mess you up, 43:21 because you got more in you than just you. 43:23 And so when Jesus speaks to the demon, 43:26 He says to the demon, 43:27 you got to go, get about of here, 43:29 get the step in, hit the road jack, 43:31 and don't you come back, 43:32 no more, no more, no more, no more. 43:34 And the demon had to leave the boy. 43:37 And the crowd said the boy is dead, the boy is dead. 43:40 Somebody said call the coroner, there's going to be 43:42 a lot of slow singing and flower bringing. 43:45 But Jesus said, there will be no funeral today, 43:47 because nobody is dead, this boy is alive. 43:50 As a matter of act, I brought back to life his daddy as well, 43:53 because they were willing to fight. 43:55 You see, what may look like its dead 43:57 is only something for God to resurrect this problem, 44:00 because all things work together 44:02 to good to them that are called according to his purpose, 44:05 to them that are called by the Lord. 44:07 And so Jesus finish dealing with the father 44:10 and He focuses on His disciples. 44:12 He asked them, why could we do that? 44:14 The disciples are questioning, 44:16 Jesus, how comes that we couldn't do what you did. 44:19 How come we couldn't? 44:20 The plea of the man cast the demons out. 44:22 Jesus says this kind can only come out 44:25 by only through prayer. 44:27 You see, the father prayed to me, 44:29 spoke to me and I answered his prayer. 44:32 He says you can't do anything unless you're praying, 44:35 you can't do spiritual things 44:38 unless you have spiritual strength. 44:40 Before you were trying to do it on you own strength, 44:42 but now you need the Holy Ghost power 44:45 that only comes through prayer. 44:47 You need something much bigger and stronger, 44:49 not only working outside of you, 44:51 but you need it inside of you as well. 44:54 Because often times we wonder why we're so weak 44:57 when it comes to temptations or prayers on behalf of others 45:01 but it's because we're not praying and training 45:04 and preparing ourselves to what God has in store for us. 45:08 You see, prayer is a beautiful thing 45:10 that we don't take advantage of it, 45:12 as much as we should. 45:13 As a matter of fact E.M. Bounds once said in his book 45:16 that if saints knew how strong prayer was, 45:19 then we would use it more often. 45:21 But because we don't use it often, 45:23 we don't understand how powerful it is. 45:25 Well, last night I told you that I'm a fan of Shakespeare 45:28 and Shakespeare says 45:29 there were sermons in things and good in stones. 45:32 As a matter of fact, there were sermons in stones 45:34 and good in everything. 45:35 And one of the things that you would discover about me 45:38 is that I'm a big football fan. 45:40 Yes, I love sports, I like to watch football, 45:42 pray for me that I'm working progress, 45:45 but I like to watch football and I like to love it-- 45:47 I like it the season has begun. 45:49 But if you notice anything about football, 45:51 there is something valuable 45:53 that we can learn from the game. 45:55 As a matter of fact there is a play 45:57 called the quarterback kneel. 45:59 And when you see the quarterback kneel, 46:01 that simply means that the quarterback 46:03 is surrendering the play, 46:05 because he does not want to go and do something. 46:08 The quarterback is surrendering by taking a knee 46:11 and he is giving up the play, 46:13 so that he does not have to do anything. 46:16 You see, when you kneel down before God, 46:19 you're surrendering and saying, 46:21 God, I don't want to take care of the situation, 46:23 I want You to deal with it for me right now. 46:27 That's what the quarterback kneel does. 46:29 But if you notice something else 46:31 about the game of football, 46:32 the offensive linemen and the defensive linemen 46:35 kneel down as well. 46:37 As a matter of fact, they kneel down 46:39 whenever the play is about to begin. 46:41 I was listening to a interview by Jason Pierre-Paul, 46:44 and they were asking him about his football stance. 46:48 And Jason Pierre-Paul says that he kneels down 46:51 because it gives him more strength. 46:53 As a matter of fact he says that the reason why we kneel 46:56 and the lower that we get, 46:58 is because when we get up off our knees, 47:00 it gives a strength to push, 47:02 the other person that's in front of us 47:04 back away from us. 47:06 He says as a matter of fact I look at the person 47:08 on the other end of the team, on the other team as the enemy 47:12 and I'm trying to protect what's over here. 47:15 So he says I kneel down 47:17 because while it gives me strength 47:19 and the longer I'm on my knees is the stronger I'm 47:23 when I get up to go and do what I need to do. 47:26 You see, what you got to understand 47:28 is that when you kneel down before God 47:30 it gives you strength, 47:31 so that when you get up and you've got to fight 47:34 against this world, instead of the world coming on you, 47:37 you got strength to push the world back. 47:39 You got strength to push the enemy back. 47:42 And so I love that because kneeling says, 47:44 I'm surrendering to God 47:46 but kneeling also gives me strength. 47:48 And when I lift my hands, 47:50 God is always there to take care of the situation. 47:54 My daughter Caitlyn who is three years old, 47:56 but when she was younger, 47:58 when she was about two years old, 47:59 she would fall down and she would hurt herself. 48:02 And she would run to daddy and start crying. 48:05 But this was before she could start speaking. 48:08 And Caitlyn would run with her hands up 48:10 and she would stand in front of me. 48:13 And as I'm her father, 48:14 I'm looking at Caitlyn and I see the tears in her eyes 48:18 and I realized that she has fallen. 48:20 And even though Caitlyn cannot speak, 48:22 but by Caitlyn raising her hands, 48:25 and by looking at me with her tears, 48:27 she is telling me, daddy, I have fallen down 48:30 and daddy, I want you to pick me up 48:32 because right now on this ground 48:34 is not a good place for me to be. 48:36 But if you pick me up and pull me closer to you, 48:39 I'll be at a better place than I was before. 48:42 And so saints, friends, Christians, 48:45 you got to understand this valuable point 48:47 that sometimes when you fall down on the ground. 48:50 If you run to your heavenly Father, 48:52 put your arms up in the air, your God who is in heaven 48:56 will pick you up into heavenly places 48:58 and say, lo, I love you 49:00 even though you're down on the ground 49:02 and you would hurt yourself, 49:03 I'm going to love you and hold on you next to me, 49:06 because that's what the power of prayer is, 49:09 and that's my word to somebody in here today. 49:12 Start kneeling if you want more strength. 49:14 Start bending before God, 49:16 if you want to see people walk out of your life. 49:18 You better start surrendering 49:20 and start letting God take control, 49:22 because that's what prayer does. 49:24 Prayer says, God, I'm giving up the fight 49:27 so that You could jump inside the ring. 49:29 Prayer says, God, 49:30 I'm letting go over these things, 49:32 because You got to take care of this problem, 49:34 it's too big for me to handle. 49:35 Start praying more, 49:37 not the same old prayer that you use everyday, 49:39 but start calling on God's name 49:41 and watch Him show up, and show up, 49:43 and do something in your life. 49:45 Start crying out God's name 49:47 and I believe that God will help your unbelief. 49:50 I believe that God will help you get through these things. 49:52 I know that the God we serve 49:55 is a very present help in the time of trouble. 49:57 I know that the God we serve is just waiting 50:00 and willing to jump down from heaven 50:03 and to take care of everything. 50:04 And He is trying to tell you, stop fighting my battles, 50:07 because you know you're gonna lose. 50:09 But let me step in the ring 50:11 and let me take care of the situation, 50:13 because I'm God and I sit on the throne 50:15 and I work all things out. 50:17 And so if you feel like you are dead, 50:19 God can bring you back to life. 50:21 If you got a child who is dead, 50:23 God can bring them back to life, 50:25 because with God, all things are possible. 50:28 And there are no ifs with God, 50:29 there is only what we call confidence in knowing 50:33 that He is faithful to do just what He said He would do. 50:37 Don't give up on God, 50:38 because He will never ever give up on you. 50:43 And that's the power of prayer. 50:45 And when you pray, God opens doors. 50:49 That when you just come to Jesus 50:51 with your heart in your hand, 50:53 instead of trying to act 50:54 like you are the strongest person in the world. 50:57 And you just say, God, I'm bleeding, 50:59 I'm hurting underneath this armor. 51:01 I'm damaged. 51:03 I've got pain inside of me that I live with everyday. 51:08 And Lord, I just want to be a better person, 51:11 not for Your but for those that are around me as well. 51:14 I want to be able to see 51:16 not only my family inside this church, 51:20 make it into the kingdom, 51:21 but I got family back home from the country 51:24 that I came from that are not in church. 51:26 I got family outside of this church 51:29 that I work with everyday. 51:31 I got family that I drive by everyday neighbors, 51:35 who need to see the power of God, 51:38 manifested in me, 51:40 so that I may not get the glory, 51:42 so that You can get all the glory. 51:45 Friends, there are dead boys and girls 51:48 that we probably know, 51:50 that the devil has them, 51:52 foaming, gnashing, and hurting themselves. 51:56 It may not be literally like that, 51:58 but you look at their behavior, they are hurting themselves. 52:01 They're going from relationship to relationship. 52:04 They're trying to medicate their misery 52:06 by doing all the things that's wrong. 52:08 They're picking up drugs. They're picking up alcohol. 52:11 They're picking up all the bad things. 52:13 They say one in three girls inside of the church 52:18 has been abused in some way, shape, form or fashion. 52:22 They're hurt people inside of our churches. 52:25 And it's our job to take them to Jesus Christ. 52:29 It's our job to find them. 52:31 It's our job to go to the places 52:33 that we ordinarily would not go to. 52:36 And to just have a conversation with them, 52:39 and to tell them God loves them, 52:41 because let's be honest, 52:43 all of us weren't Christians all our lives. 52:46 Somebody brought us to Jesus Christ. 52:48 Somebody introduced the track to us. 52:50 Somebody brought a Bible study to us. 52:52 You see, some of us were privileged 52:54 to have inherited Adventism in Jesus Christ, 52:57 because we grew up in homes 52:59 where parents that were loving, parents that prayed with us 53:02 and parents that had worship with us. 53:04 But some of us did not. 53:06 Some of us came into this, because somebody invited us. 53:11 And God expects us to do 53:13 the same thing for somebody else as well. 53:15 God expects each of us, 53:17 expects each of us to use the power 53:20 He has given us to bring them to Jesus Christ. 53:23 And so my prayer to you this morning, 53:26 my prayer to those that are listening, 53:28 my prayers to everyone, 53:30 is that we can use what we have, 53:32 the resources and the blessings, 53:33 the times that we live in, 53:35 the disciples would have longed to live in these days. 53:37 We can send the message out, 53:39 put it on the computer and in less than 30 seconds 53:42 it will be all around the world, 53:44 that's why, I praise God for 3ABN. 53:46 I praise God for Dare to Dream Network. 53:48 I praise God for this vision, 53:50 because it going places that we cannot go, 53:52 but there are still places that we need to make sure 53:56 we penetrate right here in America. 54:02 Right here next door. 54:05 Right here up the street, that there are houses, 54:08 there are people that are dead 54:10 that need to meet the savior that has healed you. 54:13 So pray with me. 54:14 God Almighty, we thank You so much 54:17 that a little prayer can make a big difference. 54:20 And it wasn't fancy words, it wasn't full of, 54:24 full of big syntax-- large syntax 54:28 or whatever it may be or verb, noun, conjugation. 54:31 It was just simple. 54:32 And Father, I believe will help my unbelief. 54:36 Do what for me what I know You can do. 54:39 But remove this doubt that's inside of my heart. 54:42 Father, with simple prayers 54:44 like when Peter was sinking on water 54:46 and he said, Jesus save me. 54:49 And you answered that prayer 54:50 and saved him from the sinking waters. 54:52 And so God today, 54:54 we know that we're lacking spiritually in so many areas. 54:58 We see ourselves in these disciples, 55:00 because we lack that power that we need, 55:03 that holy boldness to confidently 55:06 go into this world of darkness and to bring light into it. 55:09 Help us Lord not to be ashamed of You 55:11 or not to be scared or afraid, 55:14 but to speak life into people who are dead, 55:17 to hold their hand just as You held this boy, 55:19 to risk being called unclean, to risk Lord, 55:22 whatever it may be, 55:24 all for the sake of seeing our uncles come to Jesus, 55:29 our fathers come to Jesus, 55:31 our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, and our friends 55:35 to know that You're a loving God, 55:38 who can save from the uttermost, 55:40 all the way down to the guttermost. 55:42 And so God Almighty, I thank You 55:43 for hearing this prayer. 55:45 Bless, Lord, those that feel like they're dead 55:47 that You can bring them back to life. 55:49 Bless those parents Lord who are trying to do 55:51 everything that they can 55:52 for their children that are out there 55:54 living a crazy and wild life. 55:56 Please bring them back as the seed has been planted. 55:58 And I pray, Lord, that it will sprout. 56:00 And I thank You God for everything, 56:02 and this we pray in Your name, Jesus Christ. 56:04 Amen and amen. 56:11 Amen and amen. 56:12 Thank you, Pastor Kowlessar Praise the Lord. 56:15 We appreciate your ministry. 56:16 We'd like to encourage everyone to pray for his ministry. 56:19 Pastor Kowlessar, another passionate message, 56:22 helping us to understand that we need to wake up, 56:25 and fathers need to be fathers, 56:26 mothers need to be mothers in Christ. 56:29 Pastor Kowlessar, you have one more message. 56:30 Yes. 56:31 And that is entitled 56:32 "Don't Hate The Player, Hate The Game." 56:34 Can you give us a little glimpse 56:36 of what that will be? 56:37 Absolutely, We're gonna be looking at the story of Jesus 56:40 who was with His disciples 56:42 and as they were picking grain in the fields 56:45 and talking about the Sabbath 56:47 and talking about the games that the Pharisees were playing 56:50 and how they were trying to entangle Jesus 56:52 in a sick little game, but Jesus turned it around 56:55 and He made it meaningful for everybody. 56:57 Amen, amen. Praise the Lord. 56:59 I hope you have heard in this message an appeal. 57:02 An appeal that we need to live our lives like Jesus Christ. 57:06 An appeal for fathers to be fathers, 57:08 take their children to Jesus Christ, 57:10 mothers take your children to Jesus Christ. 57:13 We thank you for being with us during this hour. 57:16 We have another message in this series 57:18 and we hope you do not miss it. 57:19 And we praise the Lord for Dare to Dream 57:21 that has taken this message to God's people in this world. |
Revised 2015-05-06