Pastor's Apreciation Day Address

God bless you as you listen.
Read Exodus 17 for text.
Click link below for video.
Pastor's Appreciation Day Sermon by Nerina

GOD’S BLOOD COVENANT WITH US!

The Bible is in two major divisions called testaments or covenants. The word testament is a translation of the Greek “diatheke” which was a translation of the Hebrew word “Berith” which means covenant. The covenant is not much understood today having been watered down in meaning. However in the Biblical times recorded covenants were binding contracts made by two parties sealed in blood and remained in effect until both parties were dead. Covenants were made based on strengths and weaknesses and not things in common. The shedding of blood was always a most important factor in ratification of the covenant!

GENERAL ORDER OF THE COVENANTS

In a covenant there was an exchange of strengths and weaknesses between the parties. They would:

1. Exchange coats, symbols of authority meaning all I have is yours and all yours is mine.

2. Exchange weapons signifying a giving of strength. Your enemies were now mine and my enemies were yours. I stand with you even to death!

3. Exchange names making the parties one forever. One family and one name!

4. Make promises that would be kept by both parties forever.

5. Pronounce curses if the covenant is broken

6. Walk through a pathway of blood made by splitting animals and drawing the halves apart

7. Together eat a covenant meal of bread and wine.

GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM!

Genesis 15:1-21 KJV After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.  2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?  3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.  4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.  5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.  6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.  7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.  8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?  9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.  10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.  11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.  12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.  13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.  15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.  16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.  17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.  18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:  19  The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,  20  And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,  21  And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

YAHWEH ALONE walked the covenant path of blood, the red carpet of blood!. Abraham and his household were commanded to perform circumcision, thus shedding blood. The circumcision was a reminder of the powerful covenant Yahweh made with Abraham, Isaac and Israel but soon degenerated into mere form and ritual and superior pride.

YAHWEH remained faithful to His covenant and brought Israel out of Egypt by the blood of the Passover. The covenant sheds light on the reason David addressed Goliath as an uncircumcised Philistine! 1 Samuel 17:26 KJV And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

David was very much aware of the power of the covenant!

Man of course broke the covenant, but God in His mercy allowed man to sacrifice an animal as substitute promising a new covenant that will be superior to the old!

Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  32  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  34  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 8:8-13 KJV For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.  12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

THEN JESUS CAME AND GOD RATIFIED THE NEW COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD!

Matthew 26:26-28 KJV And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

When we partake of communion we are reminding ourselves of the covenant Yahweh made with us! This is why communion is important. This is why communion needs to be understood. This is why we cannot afford to treat it lightly!

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 KJV 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.  27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Ephesians 2:1-22 KJV  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Galatians 3:7-17 KJV Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Through the covenant of Yashua’s Blood we are all privileged to enter into the promises of Yahweh to Abraham! We are no more strangers but citizens of the Kingdom!

As a result of this new covenant we have

1. An exchange of names. We now bear the name of Yashua. We are His family!

2. An exchange of weapons. We have the WHOLE armor of God!

3. An exchange of clothing. We are clothed in His righteousness and His authority.

4. Redemption from the curse of the law.

5. Freedom in Christ and through Christ.

We need to examine the Bible which is the covenant record drawn up for us by YAHWEH. We need to see and understand what His Blood has done for us. We need to come to God in faith believing and holding fast to His promises. He will NOT break His promises neither go back on His word. His Word was ratified by nothing less but the precious BLOOD of JESUS! Even the curse has been done away through the Blood of Jesus.

Romans 1:16-17 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 12:22-29 KJV But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  29 For our God is a consuming fire.

REFOCUSING!

Many times we become blindsided. We are caught without warning. We've been exposed to the unexpected ugliness of humanity which we did not care to see. We have uncertainty, doubts and fears. Many times we have wavered and slowed down and come to a standstill. We have looked around in uncertainty and wondered if we made the right choice, if we should continue on this course.

 But this is not a physical warfare. This is spiritual warfare and we shall NOT allow the enemy to destroy what God has given to us! Regardless if the brethren are involved, we need to recognize that they are not the enemy. We need to locate the real enemy, our common enemy, and direct our fire power in that direction. Most importantly we need to refocus our attention on the God of our salvation and lift up our eyes to Him from whom our help comes

Luke 15:11-23 KJV And he said, A certain man had two sons:  12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.  15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.  17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

REFOCUSING OUR MINDS!

If there were any person who was horribly blindsided it was Daniel and his three friends. Young teenagers ripped from all that they held dear and all that was familiar they were thrust rudely and violently into a nightmare of idolatry, sorcery, debauchery and deception. How could they survive? What could they do to cope? Here the words of their stand as recorded in the Holy Scriptures: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8 KJV

So often we get caught up in the policies of the enemy who very subtly pulls the wool over our eyes, and only allow us to see that which he wants us to see. We then think that this is what we want and are irresistibly drawn to the wrong object, person, ideology or philosophy.   We need to look into the Word and see clearly what God says. The popular trend of the day is most of the time not what God wills. It may be easy to fall in with the crowd and float along with the tides of popular opinion. Men and women of God will however consider the Words of God and base their decisions on such! It is very easy to sell one’s soul for a bowl of soup when hunger is staring you in the face. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.  Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV

Luke 15:17-23 KJV 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

REFOCUSING OUR SIGHT!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV

The Greek word for looking is only found here in the Bible. It means not just a looking to, but a turning away from, every other object and item of attraction, distraction and obstruction.

Hear the Word concerning Moses: By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:24-27 KJV

Moses made a deliberate decision based on what he saw. He saw beyond the natural. He saw beyond the present. He saw beyond the earthly. He balanced them against with the reproaches of Christ, made his choice and never turned back!

REFOCUSING OUR STEPS!

Many times we have wavered and slowed down and come to a standstill. We have looked around in uncertainty and wondered if we made the right choice, if we should continue on this course.  Paul gives us his mindset and determination in the following words:

Philippians 3:7-16 KJV But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Luke 15:20-21 KJV

So Jesus comes to me smiles and says, "Come meet my Father!"

I say, "I cannot. He will reject me because of my sin(s). I cannot come into His presence of holiness as I am"

He smiles again and says, “No, He will not, He will accept you, if you follow me and come through the Way I lead you!"

So I believe Him and trust Him as I follow Him in wonder and amazement through a pathway of Blood...a door that only He knows, that only He could have made, a private access, strait and narrow, exclusively trodden by those who trust and believe Him. I am awed as I stand in the Father's presence, as the Father reaches out in delight to me, greeting me, “My child! Welcome! And then I become aware that I am clothed in a magnificent robe of Divine Royalty, Holiness White made so by the Red Blood of the Divine Pathway I just trod. I am aware of a clean, freshness I never had before...and it happened because of the Blood of Christ!

The Kinsman-Redeemer has stood by me and drew me to Himself. As his brother and child He brought me to the Father, His Father and now my Father through the shedding of His Blood. The symphony of heavenly love plays out through the life of Christ which is endless with no beginning and no ending...so His life is the Eternal Symphony played in the redeemed lives of the believers. It flows and gurgles in delighted splendor washing away all evil and dirtiness leaving a set of people who forever sings His praises. Loves splashes from Calvary sealing the Covenant. Each drop is presented before the throne of the Father who delights in them because of His Son, sealed with His kiss of sacrificial love

REMEMBER NOW…!

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:17-25 KJV

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Revelation 3:3 KJV

Many times we come up against things in our Christian walk that are in direct opposition to our progress both in our personal lives and our fellowship life in the church.

We have to remember that the enemy does not like us and would love to see us crushed into the dust. We have to realize that he will use any one and anything to disarm and neutralize us and the church. He also knows that a most effective way to destroy a church is to turn the members against each other and he’s an expert in doing this in so many ways! A whisper here, an angry thought there, a slander somewhere else all delicately sprinkled with a liberal dose of lies. He’s a master at this and he’s an expert in your personal weaknesses, knowing exactly which buttons to push, which dial to turn, which lever to pull…even more than you do and at the same time making it seem as though you are smart in doing so on your very own!

A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. A church divided is heading for disaster. This happens when members forget who they are and whose they are. This happens when members forget who they serve and who they represent. This happens when members in an effort to hurt another member end up hurting the very Christ for who they are named. We can become blind to everything but our own agenda. We can become caught up in a selfish war in which we become subtly manipulated by the enemy as either willing or unwilling puppets in the hands of the satanic servants of the devil. Men and women who have no real love for the work of the Lord, and who like the woman in Solomon's days, is willing to have the child cut in half because she had no love for it.

1. WE ARE HURTING AND WE NEED TO HEAL. 

We will not receive healing by standing, loitering around in the reception area. We need to get into the room where the healer is. We need to move pass the outer court with it's natural lighting, pass the cadre of priests tending the artificial light of the lampstand and right into the throne room of His grace and mercy where we can bask in the healing light of the awesome Shekinah 

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 6:37 KJV All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

John 5:39-40 KJV Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

  

2. WE NEED TO REFOCUS!

Many times we become blindsided. We are caught without warning. We've been exposed to the unexpected ugliness of humanity that we did not care to see. We have uncertainty, doubts and fears. But this is not a physical warfare. This is spirit warfare and we shall NOT allow the enemy to destroy what God has given to us! Regardless if brethren are involved, we need to recognize that they are not the enemy. We need to locate the real enemy and direct our fire power in that direction. More importantly we need to refocus our attention on the God of our salvation and lift up our eyes to Him from whom our help comes.

Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A striking incident in II Chronicles illustrates this. 

2 Chronicles 20:1-12 KJV 1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.  2  Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.  3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.  5  And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,  6  And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?  7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?  8  And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,  9  If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.  10  And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;  11  Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.  12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON THEE.

Jehoshaphat did what we now need to do. He took his eyes off the threatening armies and lifted them up to Yahweh! He specifically stated: BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON THEE!!! We know the result! They found their song to Yahweh!

2 Chronicles 20:13-24 KJV 13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.  14  Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;  15  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.  16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  17  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.  18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.  19  And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.  20  And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.  21  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.  22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.  23  For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.  24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

 Paul and Silas knew exactly where to focus. They were the original Jailhouse Rockers!

Acts 16:23-26 KJV And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

We may enjoy the unique experience of walking on water but we will certainly have a very sinking feeling in our experience if we allow our focus and attention to become distracted by the ugly circumstances and situations around us!

  

3. WE NEED TO RESUME WORSHIP

Every child of God, and each church, has its own unique song for He has given us all a new song. It may be slightly different in notes but it will all harmonize in a perfect chorus and symphony of glory to God and we all have this new song to sing. We need to be careful not to lose our song. 

The Bible says He has put a new song in my mouth:

Psalms 40:1-3 KJV To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 

Psalms 96:1-4 KJV O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.  2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.  3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.  4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

And as we just noted Paul and Silas never lost their song and determined to sing at midnight when most would count it a lost cause. We know the result of that Rock Concert!

Acts 16:23-26 KJV And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

  

We need to find that song again and sing it. We need to receive our new songs from YAHWEH!

 Psalms 149:1-9 KJV Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.  2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.  4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.  5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;  7  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;  8  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;  9  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.