How have you responded to the Gospel?

How have you responded to the Gospel?

Luke 19: 1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

I want to notice in this how that when Jesus came, conviction also came.

8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Zacchaeus began to repent at the appearance of Jesus.

I would like to say at the beginning that in order for Salvation to come you must first realize that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness…… this only comes from the Saviour!

And so conviction came to Zacchaeus when Jesus arrived.

Zacchaeus did well in that He repented.

9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Your eternal destiny is between you and God my friend, and if you are unsaved then realize that this is another precious opportunity to be saved.

Luke 3: 6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Acts 2: 21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 1: 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Romans 5: 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Romans 10: 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 Timothy 2: 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Titus 2: 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

2 Peter 3: 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Gospel call has went out loud and clear from country to country, from town to town, from house to house, and from pulpit to church pew.

The Lord has made it possible for all to be saved, none left without opportunity.

I have watched as people have passed up opportunity time and time again.

How do you respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

2 Corinthians 4: 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1: 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

I feel for Pastors because it’s not an easy thing to preach week after week and see people constantly rejecting Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

One of the greatest preachers this world has ever had was the Apostle Paul.

I see in this man’s preaching that there was no ear tickling going on.

Paul preached the Gospel without compromise.

I want to look at a few people that he preached to and their reaction to the Gospel:

The Jews:

Acts 22: 22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

The Jews wanted him dead

Felix:

Acts 24: 24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Look at what Paul was preaching in verse 25 (righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come)

Felix trembled and wanted Paul to go…..he said “when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee”

Festus:

Acts 26: 22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

Festus thought Paul was mad….

Notice that Paul said that the Crucifixion was not done in a corner!

Neither is this Gospel hid in a corner!

Neither is this Bible, God’s Holy Word hid in a corner!

2 Timothy 2: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Agrippa:

Acts 26: 28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.


How about you?

Does this Gospel that we preach make you angry?

Hey, Felix, are you still awaiting that convenient day? Do you think that you will get saved at your own convenience?

Hey Festus, do you really think were crazy, do you really think we are mad, you call us Jesus fanatics and rightfully so, but I am wondering what are you crazy about?

I am wondering oh king Agrippa if you realize that being almost saved is still entirely lost!

I am glad that I am not almost a Jones, I am a Jones….. but more so I am glad that I know I am a child of God and on my way to Heaven!

Woman with an issue of Blood

Mark 5: 24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

The Woman had lost faith in all else and placed all faith in Jesus!

This brings me to an interesting question….

How much faith does it take to be saved?

Some people might say… just put a little trust in Jesus

I believe in 100% faith
100% Trust
100% Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ

The young rich ruler went away sorrowful because he could not continue trusting in his riches plus trust in Jesus.

I believe in a total sell-out to the Lord!

Let go of the reigns of your life and give them to Jesus!

Philippians 2: 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I believe that He is a more sure foundation than the ground I am standing upon right now!

Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

2 Corinthians 6: 2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Hebrews 4:14Seeing 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.15For 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. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Proverbs 14: 12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Romans 3:10&23

Romans 5:8,9

Romans 6: 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10: 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Voice of God

The Voice of God

Psalm 29: 1 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

There are some questions I hope we can answer in this, such as……

How do we know that we have heard God’s Voice?

How do we hear His Voice?

Do you personally recognize His Voice?

First of all I want to look at one verse especially out of our text:

8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.


I want you to picture this world as it really is (a wilderness)….

The winds and the sea obey Him…..

Matthew 8: 26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

The Lord speaks and the very winds and sea obey, He shakes them and His Voice is heard in many mighty ways…..

I read a poll taken in our country not so long ago that most people in our country don’t think that God had anything at all to do with the hurricanes last year on the Gulf Coast,….

Most of your insurance agents have better sense than that when they call it an “Act of God”.

We ought to acknowledge this as an “Act of God” and my friend there is absolutely NOTHING you can do to stop it!!!!!

He can shake this wilderness anytime He wants to and no amount of our effort can stop it at all.

At any given time that God wants to He can speak and the wind and sea will obey…… by the way they do not have their own will like God has given mankind.

He speaks and the wind and sea obey, it’s that simple.

Does people hear His Voice in this? Some do, some don’t.

Not only does his Voice speak and make the storms appear but He also speaks and calms the wind and sea.

I have always been amazed at storms, to hear the thunder and see the flames of lightening divided in the sky, and to feel the static from the lightning, and feel the thunder rumble the earth below my feet.

These storms remind me of God’s mighty power, and to know that it is merely a very small part of His majesty shown unto us.

I am not saying that we should go outside and listen for God’s Voice in the wind, but I do however think that we need to give God the Glory for it is due His Name….. the scripture is speaking here of the Power wrapped up in the Voice of the Lord.

Speaking of the Power wrapped up in His Voice let’s look at the very beginning:

Genesis 1: 3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

20And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.


24And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

I have never heard of anyone who could create the smallest bit of anything by speaking with their voice, but yet God spoke and everything that we see with our eyes and much more was created in just six days!

Understanding now the Power of His Voice let’s see who hears His Voice….

I personally believe that every person on the face of this earth has felt the effects of His Voice.

I know that I heard His Voice for many years calling out to me and compelling me to be part of His sheepfold.

I believe that God Voice is heard by all, but only recognized and regarded by a few.

God’s Voice is heard but most reject the call.

Proverbs 1: 20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

I believe that God speaks to all with a call from the Holy Spirit to come unto Him and be saved.

God speaks through the calm, sweet Voice of His Holy Spirit.

God’s Voice thru His Holy Spirit

Romans 8: 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8: 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

1 Corinthians 2: 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 14: 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16: 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

So you see God does speak unto us thru His Spirit.

Don’t label me as a modern day Pentecostal, but we need to realize what it means to really be led of His Spirit.

We must listen to Him and take heed to His every call…. If we are not listening then how can we know what He is leading us to do in a certain decision, or how to perform a certain task that He is wanting us to do?

How can you know for sure about that new job, or buying that new house, or going to college, or taking on another ministry in the church.

How does a man know he has been called to preach?

How can a preacher know for sure what sermon to bring without the Holy Spirit?

How can a song leader know for sure what song to sing for the moment?

When we ignore the Holy Spirit we are ignoring the very Voice of God.

If we will please God then we must follow, and listen to, and obey His Spirit!!!

God’s Voice thru His Son, Jesus

Hebrews 1: 1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Matthew 17: 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

There are many things that our Lord Jesus Christ has spoken in His Word, many Words of comfort, and many Words rebuking evil.

We have received instruction from every thing that He spoke, but what about now?

Can we still hear Him?

John 10: 1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

I am sure that when the Voice of Jesus began to speak here on this earth that the wilderness of men’s hearts was shaken, in fact still today reading these Words that He spoke shakes the wilderness of my own soul.

The devil would have like to have stopped His Voice.

I believe that when His time come to go to the old rugged cross that all Heaven and all the evil angles of Hell were aware of the moment.

On the Cross He spoke:

Luke 23:44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

The devil and all his fallen angles must have thought this was victory for them, in their ignorance they must have thought that the Voice was finally stopped, and the mouth of God was shut.

John 20: 11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

God’s Children know His Voice!

John 10: 1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

I know the Voice of my Saviour!

I recognize when He speaks to me through His Spirit!

Some people who call themselves Christian would not know God’s Voice when He speaks because they are not really Christian at all.

All true Christians have heard from the Voice of God!

John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Do you hear God’s Voice thru His Son?

John 1: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.


God’s Voice in His Word (scripture)

Job 22: 22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

Our source for knowing how to live is found in His Word, yes the BIBLE ...... where all of life's questions are answered.


God speaks thru “God called” preachers

Titus 1: 1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

1 Corinthians 1: 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1: 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Let’s look at John the Baptist:

Matthew 3: 1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The wilderness around John the Baptist was truly shaken up by preaching repentance!

I want us to notice something special here:

John was the voice of one crying in the wilderness.

Also John was preaching “Prepare ye the way of the Lord”

We know that John was preparing people for the ministry of Jesus Christ, Who John looked to and said “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Now we know that a preacher is no different than anybody else in the sense that we are all sinners and stand in need of the Saviour!

However a truly God-called preacher has a very important responsibility on his hands…… He is to be the voice of one crying out in this wilderness!

I stand in awe sometimes of the great task that preachers in our day have.

A preacher is only the voice of one, but God has called him to be a voice for Him.

We are to be crying out in this wilderness, and if this is not a wilderness then I don’t know what you would call it!

As John the Baptist prepared people for the ministry of Jesus on this earth, preachers today are to be compelling all to prepare themselves for He is coming back again!

When I begin to think that the same Spirit that empowered John the Baptist, Paul, Peter, and the others is the same exact Spirit that is empowering me I am greatly humbled and at the same time excited that God has called me to be the voice of one crying out in the wilderness of this world!

We Hear God’s Voice thru His Son (The Word)

We hear God’s Voice thru His Holy Spirit

We hear God’s Voice in God-called preaching

If you are not hearing God’s Voice then what’s wrong?

With all this in mind, are you now heeding to God and what he wants YOU to do?

If you say “I don’t know what He wants me to do” then I believe it is time that you begin listening to Him.

This takes giving Him your undivided attention, and making Him priority in your life.

By the way, If you think that God is speaking to you about something, remember His Voice will always line up with His Word!

Sin In The Camp

Joshua 7: 1But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
6And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. 7And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! 8O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! 9For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
10And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. 14In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man. 15And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.


We see here because of this one man’s sin, others had to die.

What did Achan do that was so bad?

Joshua 6: 16And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
17And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Achan took the accursed thing.

5And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
6And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. 7And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! 8O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! 9For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
10And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

I noticed here that when one member sinned it affected Israel.

I would like us to look at this and relate it to our own local church.

I often wonder why we don’t see more souls saved than we do.

Could it be because we don’t keep ourselves close to God?

Along with members out of fellowship with God is that they bring sin in the camp, or in our case “sin in the Church”

I believe it would do us a world of good to take a look at our own life and search for sin, better yet just to be still and listen to God as He reveals it to us.

I wonder, how many Achans we have in the midst of us.

I am in no manner saying that we should start looking for bad in people, but I am saying that I believe it would do us good to search our own life and bring the sin to the alter, and leave it there!

I have searched for reasons why it seems that people will not move forward, and the more I search I see that sin is the reason.

I believe that there is people right in the midst of the local body that God would use if they would repent.

I just wonder, Have you taken of the accursed thing?

Since we seem to have a problem determining what sin really is, we need to look at God’s Word and find the answer.

So we will name a few sins to help remind us what they are.

Galatians 5: 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We could look at each one of these and spend hours explaining them.

I would like to comment and say that when I became a child of God, I was given a wonderful gift called “spiritual discernment”

That is that God shows me through his Holy Spirit what is right and what is wrong, all I have to do is just obey!

There are a few sins that I believe trouble our churches today, and I would like to mention them in particular:

Uncleanness:

Genesis 35: 1And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. 2Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 3And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

How many have dirty garments today?

Are you willing to put away the strange gods?

Let me ask you a Question Adults…..

Will you push away the TV, will you give up the Country Music?

Teenager, how about you, will you give up your secular rock music to get closer to God?

These are sin-addictions that you have in your life that need to be taken care of.

If it is not an addiction then make a vow to go one week without any of it and see if you can follow thru.

And after that week is over just go ahead and continue fighting the addiction and let it go completely so that our Church can be closer to God.

We should follow Christ, not the crowd!

James 1: 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Jude 1: 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

2 Corinthians 5: 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Fornication: (becoming intimate with someone before you are married to them)

1 Corinthians 6: 12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

I am glad to see all people come to church, but I know that this is a problem when we have church members living in this lifestyle and especially when they just keep sugarcoating their sin.


If the shoe fits then it’s time to come clean!

Corrupt communication:

Ephesians 4: 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

I just wonder how many Achans are among us.

Let me just say that when you just “say what you think”, that is without thinking about what you are about to say you might be hurting your church…. And to some I do believe that is their intention.

By the way there are those who like to gossip, and before long that is exactly what they will be known for!

Romans 5: 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6: 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

How does God feel about this sin problem?

Jonah brought sin on the boat and God sent a storm, Jonah was cast off, and the wind stopped!

How about Achan?
Joshua 7: 15And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.

Could the Lord withhold certain blessings from our Church because of one person’s sin?

My Dad has told me all my life that you can be as close to the Lord as you want to be, I have found that to be true.

You say “that is not scripture” …. It actually goes like this:

James 4: 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.


Luke 22: 39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Colossians 2: 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Hebrews 1: 1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

He died alone so you and I would not have to die alone!

He nailed our sin to the cross!

Because of what He did for us, it is our reasonable service to shun evil from our life:

Romans 12: 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Why would we desire to go back to the bondage as the Israelites desired to do?

Exodus 16: 3And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

I never want to see that bondage again!

1 John 2: 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Romans 13: 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.