You Need Memorials
by Kevin Allen
July 28, 2020 · Centerpointe Apostolic Church (Murfreesboro, TN)
Kind: sermon
Scripture: Joshua 4:1-7, Mark 6, Mark 6:44, Mark 6:52, Genesis 28, Genesis 28:16-17, Joshua 3, 1 Samuel 7, 1 Samuel 7:9

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/kevin-allen--you-need-memorials
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

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You know I just can't help I don't understand what all's going on right now. So much fluctuation it seems as though common sense has flown out the window things do not make sense to me I'm not going to make. This political at all because I don't believe the pulpit is a place for politics it's not pope it's a place to preach the word of. God because it's the word of God that changes lives I'm only going to say this. And then I mean only this simply what I say is what I mean. I don't understand the pulling down of memorials it doesn't make sense we cannot erase the past no matter what. We choose to do the past is the past it's there history records it. We can read it and hopefully we read what took place and we make a decision to be better. But to tear down the memorials doesn't make sense because my title for my sermon. Today is this you need memorials and I hope over the next few minutes with the anointing of.

God here this makes sense Joshua chapter 4 I'm going to read seven verses of scripture for us. Today and I know in my spirit that God desires to move the background of the story is the children of Israel are once. Again standing on the edge of the promised land what God has said belonged to them they're back here. Again we read these words in chapter four verse number one it says and it came to pass. When all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan that the Lord spoke to Joshua saying take for yourselves twelve men from the people one. Man from every tribe and command them saying take for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan from the place where. Your priests feet stood firm you shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place. You lodged tonight and Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel one man from every tribe.

And Joshua said to them cross over before the ark of the Lord your. God in the midst of the Jordan and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder according to the number of tribes of. The children of Israel that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come saying what do these stones mean. To you then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the. Lord when it crossed over the Jordan the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever you need memorials. You need memorials Jesus I turn this over to you now. Let your will be done in this service I commit myself to you to be led by your spirit. God anoint us to receive your word which is already anointed in Jesus name. We pray and amen. It's important for you to have memorials in your life it's essential that you have memories.

We must have the ability to recall past events the ability to bring back what has happened in our lives in the past. We must never forget some things for there are some things you cannot afford to forget. And to do so you do so at your own peril the price that was paid for those events is far too high a price paid. For you to forget walk away and no longer remember that it happened it is paramount for us to preserve memories of the past. So that they may fortify us in our present moment the word memorial here the hebrew word that is translated in Joshua 4 literally means to. Be mindful or to think or to think something about what took place and. If there is something we need to do more of in our lives we need to be more mindful of what. God has done for us we need to bring it back to remembrance if there's ever been a time to.

Remember the present is a time for us to remember the goodness and the mercies of. God in our life memorials can and should help us with our present problems. And our troubles the role of memorials in our lives shows us how much influence we're actually going to give them. And it's important that you allow those memories to have influence in your life. When we face disappointments when we come up against struggles when life doesn't go according to plan. We go back and we embrace God and his promises for us and we. Remember what he has done in the past and it gives us faith for the present troubles that we're going through in our lives memorials are. A means of aiding and helping us and preserving something that is very essential. And is very vital to our survival memorials preserve some of the past experiences or the events. So that it can help us in our present circumstances where we are memories. And memorials can help us focus at times even refocus on what really matters in life.

Because life has a funny way of distracting us and understanding this is very essential to our survival. God intended for you and I to celebrate the past we. See this as he is establishing a feast in the scriptures time and time. Again he he did this so that the children of Israel would. Remember the goodness and the faithfulness of their God if you think about the feasts that were in the old testament the seven feasts there the. Passover the unleavened bread the firstfruits Pentecost trumpets day of atonement and tabernacles each one of these feasts were meant for them to. Remember what God had done among them not to forget that he was faithful not to forget that. He was a deliverer not to forget that he was a provider not to forget that. He was a present help in a time of trouble not to ever forget. So on an annual basis God required of them to have a feast not. So they get together and have a party not so they would enjoy each other's company in the food that was there yes that all was.

Well and good but that was not the point if that's the only reason. You did it you missed the point of the feast the point of the feast was to remind. You that he's a good God he's always good and he's faithful you need memorials in your life. God is good it was the underlying message I was trying to get across this past Wednesday night in my sermon. When I look back over the last six plus years of my life it seems to have been kind of a whirlwind for six plus years. I've been your pastor and God has brought us through. So much that first year under my leadership God gave us such a tremendous revival of souls coming in an influx of people into the church. As if he was signifying that his blessing was upon what took place it was a great time. We were experiencing such an overwhelming force and presence in every service we conducted we've seen backsliders come home we've seen new converts come into the.

Church and we continue to pack out that old sanctuary building over there to the point. We didn't know how we could survive and then we started the building process. And for many of us in the room that seemed like an eternity it took forever for us to get where. We are we faced a lot of challenges along the way we went through a building uh a capital stewardship campaign that. God led us through we went through a pastoral transition through revival breaking ground facing battles with the city facing battles with finances facing battles with. The city facing battles with supplies facing battles with the city did I mention. We fought the city it didn't seem like we were ever going to get things worked out things are always moving backwards. And forwards and I would come up and try to throw out a possible timeline. And when we might move into this building and be a part of this uh great accomplishment that. God was doing with us and it seemed like every time I announced a date it was the worst thing.

I could do in fact I got to where I would even say when it was I'd just say. I think we're going to get there at some point in the near future. Because I got tired of having to retract my words. But God was good to us I would have scripted a different method for our progress. But God chose the plan and he executed what he knew we needed and in the middle of all that. I remember there was a time where God whispered in my ear you know me. Now in a different way you would have not have known me before because. God does that he he takes us through stuff in our life. So that we learn to be more dependent on him he he shows himself to us in different ways no. I would not have picked it I wish it could have been done in 18 months like. They told us it was going to be but God had a different plan.

God had something else in mind that he wanted to do and now I have. And you have a memorial we remember the faithfulness of God we. Remember the first service in this building we remember those that God has already filled with his spirit here. And the miracles that he's already performed in this place we have that to go back to. And say God did provide God was good to us God did show up. When the time was right you see God knew that we would need a crystal crystal clear reminder of his goodness. And his provision our past victories can be a help in our present uncertainty. We need memorials in our lives so we can pause in the confusion of a moment. And remember the place where God intervened in our life we. Remember and we remember when when we do this we gain strength and it gives us the ability. And the possibility to move forward in our life God did not bring us to a place to abandon us.

He didn't bring us to a place to let us fail and fall down. And not have victory in our life for us to lose strength and simply fall away no. God still has a plan and a purpose for my life and for your life no matter what we're going through no matter the failures no. Matter the times we've fallen away it doesn't matter those things God still has a plan. And a purpose and we need to go back and. Remember the times when God showed up in our life and he was faithful. And he kept his word and he performed exactly what he said would do. We have to have memorials you want to know the truth I've realized in my time of living for. God that sometimes just showing up as a victory sometimes just making it into the sanctuary one more time is a victory sometimes just getting down. On my knees one more time and praying is a victory hey if the devil had his way.

He would have killed you a long time ago but here you are some of. You barely got in the room today some of you are going through hell right now in your life. But you're here I want to tell you it's victorious that you're here it's victorious that. You made it to those that are listening online it's victorious that you turned it on one more time devil. You thought you had me down you thought I was going to give up. You thought I was going to walk away I may not be where I need to be. But I'm still standing I still made it into the house of God one more time oh. I know I'm not everything I ought to be but I'm still here I'm still here it's proof one more time that he's faithful he's faithful. He's faithful he's faithful he's faithful our God is good our God is always good our. God is faithful and he's good he's always faithful and good having a history of experiences is critical in your spiritual life.

Because memorials speak of God's involvement it lets us know he was there he was a part of what. We were doing it reminds me that I'm not alone and I'm not forgotten. He stands with me the word remember is used 148 times in the Bible 32 times the word memorial was used. And the Bible is filled with countless Numbers of time when he said forget not why. Because it's important that you remember he's a good God because there's going to come a moment in your life where you're going to get hit. And you're going to get hit hard and that's the time you need to. Remember he's good what are you saying pastor kevin I'm talking about when you're flat on your back. When the enemy has seemingly knocked you out if you still have a little bit of conscious left there. Remember God is good God is good if everything seems to be burning down all around. You you're still there God is good when it seems like divorce is inevitable.

But it seems like the financial is going to be a collapse in your life. When it seems like the doctor has nothing but bad news for you he's still good he's still good how can. You say that pastor kevin because as long as you're drawing breath there's hope as long as. You have an opportunity even if it's just barely raising your hand there's a chance for. God to do a work in your life he's a faithful God. But sometimes you've got to go back to the memorial and. Remember when he was faithful oh we got to be careful because sometimes we easily forget sometimes. We miss out on some things in our life the past experiences and the lessons learned. We need them because they can be applied in the present moment as God commanded us to forget not. Because forgetting can be a tragedy to forget the mercies of the past is to forfeit the faith needed in the present. You have to pay attention to what's going on we.

See this exact thing taking place in Mark chapter 6. Mark 6 is an interesting chapter a lot going on there. But towards the end of the chapter we see something that we've all that have been around church any time I've heard the the stories about. The miraculous feeding of the five thousand with the loaves and fishes this is what's going on the disciples are witnessing firsthand. God performing another miracle in their life God demonstrating himself Jesus showing that he can be a provider that. He can be a supplier that he is he has ever-ready present help in your life there was a situation that was too big for man. To handle yet God stepped in in the moment and took over and as they're watching this it all took place. And this divine provision of the morning is there but go with me to Mark chapter 6 verse 44. the word of. God says this now those who had eaten the loaves were about 5 000 men all right we're at the conclusion of this portion.

We get the total count God had done it and there was 5 000 men that were fed there first 45 immediately is anybody confused with. This word that means it wasn't five minutes later it wasn't an hour later okay there was uh there was just a miracle that took place. Are you with me they witnessed a miracle a mighty miracle and as soon as? They were done head counting immediately Jesus said get in the boat go across the way I'll meet. You over there anybody confused what took place miracle in the morning get in the boat I'll meet. You on the other side is everybody on board with that guess what the word says. He made us I was getting the boat go before him to the other side of bethesda. And he sent the multitudes away right after the miracle they get in the boat. We know how the story goes if you read the rest of the chapter there's a storm that rises that's what happens isn't it everything's going.

Good everything's going grand everything was just the way it is I got my belly full of fish. And bread and I'm feeling okay I'm in a boat we're going out for a little little sunset cruise. But as they're making their way across the sea a storm comes up there's no mention of the storm before. They left there's there's nothing given that says and it was already a little bit turbulent before. They got in the boat we have no reason to think they had had any reason to doubt. They were not going to make it to the other side they're on the on the on the very tail end of a miracle. And they get in a boat and they get out in the sea and. Then life brings them a storm the actual wording there says that when Jesus looks out. He sees that they are tolling they are wrong they're doing their best they're just trying to keep it pointed in one direction. And they're giving it everything and they can't make heads or tails of where they're even at.

And then Jesus decides to start walking out on the water because I love it. When he shows up in my storm but go on and read what it says. They see him coming but they don't recognize who it is they think it's a ghost. And he would have passed them by but they begin to cry out now I'm having a hard time with this. Because it said they do a head count they get in the boat and. Jesus says go to the other side I would think if ever there was a moment terry freeman I'd have confidence I'm going to get there. Because Jesus said I'll meet you over there well if he said he's going to meet me over there he's not a liar. I just watched him divide up a few fish sticks and some croissants and fed 5 000 people I'm feeling pretty confident. If he says I'm going to bethesda I'm going to make it over there. But somewhere along the way they lost sight of the miracle most of us know that Mark has his account of what took place in the.

Scriptures because he was interviewing Peter Peter as he's recounting this story is trying to come up with some reason. And some excuse as to why they were less than what they should have been in this. And I've read this I don't know how many times I've read this and. I miss this pastor mike but there's a nugget look at it right here there's an explanation Peter gives the explanation over why. They misunderstood where they were in verse number 52 of Mark 6 for they had not understood about the loaves why are. We talking about bread when they're dying in a boat because because Peter understood at that point. We were supposed to remember the memorial of the miracle and had I had faith enough to know that. He did that he's going to get his suit of bethesda on the other side it doesn't matter what storm. I face it doesn't matter how much the wind blows it doesn't matter how much the boat rocks back.

And forth Jesus said we're going to the other side then we're going to go to the other side how do. You know that Peter I seen him divide the fish in the loaves you got to have memorials in your life. You have to have memorials in your life it's the memorials of the past that give. You the faith you need in the present memories bring strength that's why God instructed Joshua in the middle of everything that's going on. I want you to pick up 12 stones out of that river and I want. You to march them out on the other side and stack them up. So that when your kids come by and say what does this mean to. You you can tell them sit down son let me tell you what that means to me. You have to have it because trouble of the night can often cause us to forget the miracles in the morning does anyone here have a. Memorial in your life a place where you go to.

Remember what God has done for you where he met you where he showed up where. He had a delivering power in your life a place where you go to gain strength for the present trouble. And help in your life a place to remember and remind ourselves that God's plan trumps whatever chaos. I may be in right now he still has a plan for my life oh I'm in a storm oh things are raging stuff doesn't make. Sense right now I feel like I may be sinking. But God still has a plan and he was faithful in the past why would. I doubt his faithfulness in the future in Genesis 28 you can read an account of Jacob his later name was later changed to Israel he's. Left his father's house at this point under instruction and command from his father to go. And find a wife the blessings of his dad have already been placed upon him. And spoken over him and on the journey along the way the evening set in.

And nightfall came and he decided to make camp and sleep for a while as he's drifting off. He had a visitation from heaven he began to see an amazing visions of things that were to come angels descending. And ascending on a ladder going up and forth and God begins to speak of him. And when he awoke from this he says in Genesis 28 16 then Jacob awoke from his sleep. And said surely the Lord is in this place and I didn't know it. And he was afraid and said how awesome is this place this is none other than the house of. God this is the gate of heaven then Jacob arose in the morning and. He took the stone that he'd been sleeping on and he set it up as a pillar. And he poured all on top of it and he called the name of the place Bethel the house of. God why did he do that because he was making a memorial in his life.

I had an encounter with God right here he was smart enough to know there may come a time. When I want to revisit this and remember that God has already spoke some stuff over my life. I may face some difficulties there may be some times I'll even doubt what it is I'm supposed to do. So I'm going to make a memorial in my life. So I can go back and remember when God talked to me you got to have one of these moments in your life. You got to have a moment when God steps in and talks directly to. You I remember God dealing with me as a young man I wasn't really sure all that. God was trying to do I was filled with his spirit at 12 years old filled with the holy ghost february the 12th 1989. I remember the day well I remember a few years later as I was wrestling with what. God was trying to do in my life I didn't fully understand or comprehend.

I just knew it felt like he was just wrecking my insides I. Remember one evening my mom and dad's house mom was in the kitchen cooking. And we had brooklyn tabernacle choir playing on the home stereo I think mom. And dad only had one brooklyn tabernacle cd because it seemed to be the only one that played over. And over and over and over again but I remember this particular evening I was sitting there in the chair it's kind of this blue chair. We had it wasn't really a recliner but it anyway I was just in it. And the song was playing I was overwhelmed with the presence of God in this moment 14 year old just trying to figure out life. And I remember him coming and speaking to me in that moment I mean speaking to me. And he he spoke so directly to me in his words he said if. You will just trust me I will take care of you I. Remember it was it was so strong in that moment I was just tears just flowing off my face.

Because of what God was trying to do in that moment and then I was. So aware that he was there I didn't know what it all meant I just knew that. He was telling me just trust me and I'll take care of you I love to tell. You from that moment forward I've lived for God but that would not be the truth that would be a lot. I didn't make the best decisions in my early teenage years I drifted away from. God came back around 19 years old recommitted myself to God and acknowledged that. He had a call in my life I remember my first ministry assignment was in woodbury tennessee. And I remember being up there after just a few months feeling like I've missed the boat that messed up that. God I thought I knew what God wanted me to do. But this seemed to be so far away and God seemed to be. So far and I remember in that little nursery area they had there we went up not too long ago chastity.

I went to woodbury and we had a little storefront building that brother neal had there. And it's an antique store now and I remember walking in that store walking around. And I found the spot where God talked to me because I. Remember that moment when I was lamenting and pouring my heart out before God telling him. I don't know what I'm doing I don't know where I'm at I'm I feel like. I messed everything up I thought you'd call me in the ministry and this had a moment where I'm pouring my heart out. And God came down and spoke to me in that moment and reconfirmed my stuff why am. I telling you this because after those moments I don't know how many hundreds of times I've fallen. I don't know how many other times I feel like I've been a failure. And a mistake but I went back to those moments in my life when. I know God was speaking to me undeniably he was talking and telling me.

If you'll just trust me I'll take care of you if you'll just give me your life I'll I'll show. You things you can't imagine I'd love to tell you I've been a perfect person. I haven't been perfect I've experienced a whole lot of doubt and disappointment in my life especially even over the last six years where. I felt like throwing the towel in and saying God I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel like I'm messing everything up but I remember those moments when he spoke to me. And said I will do great things if you'll just trust me you got to have memorials in your life. And are opening passage in Joshua 4 Israel coming up to their land of promise that they've been longing for one major issue here is that. The river between them it's between them and their promise and it's not just any river it's the Jordan river chapter 3 tells us that it's. Overflowing from its banks because it's harvest season but God has something he wants to do it seemed as though it was impassable it seemed that.

The thing that they were supposed to get was there. But they didn't know how to get and make it happen and God gives the command to. Let the priest bear the ark and step into the river and as soon as their soul their shoes touch the radar river's water 20 some. 20 miles upstream uh that we get the indication from Joshua as he says the hand of. God stops the water and what's going on and they're able to march over to where. They need to be God gave them passage into their promise even when it seemed impossible. And impassable God made a way and I want to encourage someone in this room. Today that you need a visitation from God you need a moment when God intervenes on your behalf. When he just shows up and steps in because you're about to be overwhelmed or overrun by the circumstances you're in. You need a memorial in a memory when God showed up and prevented you from being destroyed in your life terry grew up in church.

She was on the Bible quiz team one of the best in the state even recognized nationally for her accomplishments. And her abilities she was mistreated by someone in the church she became hurt. And she let it get down deep in her heart and it led to bitterness. And bitterness turned to backsliding she started hanging out with the wrong friends ended up on the party scene ended up drinking using drugs one night. She was very inebriated became combative and very hard to deal with none of her party friends could stand to be around her. They all ended up leaving her at the party she decided it was time to go home on the way to her car. She ran into an older gentleman who asked if she was even able to make it home. She told him I don't know he said where do you live she said. I live in union city he said I'm going to union city why don't. You follow right behind me just stay close and I'll get you to union city once.

They reached union city the man stopped the car and asked her can you make it home from here terry crawled out of her car. When she looked up she seen the church that she had back slid from taken back for just a moment. She spun around to say something to the man and there was no man standing there. She realized in this moment that God had sent an angel to bring her back home. She had a moment where God intervened and stopped the path of what was trying to destroy her. Because God's plan for her life still needed to prevail the story gets better from there. She prays back through gets to where she needs to be gets on fire inviting everybody to church. She calls up her former drug dealer and invites him to come to service with her little did. She know that he was also a backslidden Apostolic young man he comes to service. God miraculously fills him with the holy ghost they get married sean and terry lewis pastor in fayetteville tennessee why.

Because God intervened on her behalf and stopped the river that was trying to drown her why. Because he had a plan for her life I called him up just to confirm the story. He began to tell me this was going on and they often revisit that memorial why. Because we gain strength in these moments you gotta have memorials in your life. You gotta have things that you go back and revisit when God showed up. And did a miraculous work in your life you need this kind of memorial do. You realize that in the moment when God set off the water there in in in Joshua chapter 4 as. They walked across there there was 40 years of failure and regret that was wiped away in that moment 40 years they'd wandered around. Because they couldn't make the decision to do what's right I can just. See brother moore some of them on the other side shouting and dancing and saying we're. Finally made it to the promised land it's been 40 years we've been talking about it.

And it all got washed away why because God showed up and performed a miracle ladies. And gentlemen you have to have memorials in your life you have to have them. You have to go back and revisit the times when God showed up you got to go revisit those moments wherever. You were at some of you had memorials in your life when you were at youth camp some of. You have memorials in your life when God showed up in different areas and different times. And different places don't you dare forget them the enemy's never going to remind. You of those things but I'm telling you it may be time for you to dredge up some of that old stuff that's been long gone. And go back and remember one more time what it was that God did in that moment why. Because those past miracles give you faith for the present circumstances you're in right now you've got to go back. And revisit those things it'll help you get through what you're struggling with in your life you're going to face things in this present hour.

And you're going to need a memorial to go back and. Remember the faithfulness of God why because God makes a way God makes a way. God always makes a way and you've got to have that it's it's more than just. You God told Joshua that your kids are going to come by and they're going to ask. You what what does this mean to you why because there needs to be another generation that knows the miracles that took place in your life. Then you know that what God has done he's faithful he's faithful bonita I know you're back there. And I think tim's in this back room right over here. But it's important to remember I remember over on spring street when tim's mom gail had her heart attack. And she was in that room and she said she knew when God's hand came down inside her chest. And performed a miracle why am I telling you that I know your family's had a lot of health crisis.

And a lot of stuff you suffered in but you. Remember every one of those memorials why you got grandbabies now you take them back. And listen let me tell you what God has done he's been faithful he's been faithful he's been faithful why. Because you need the reminder of how good God is in your life don't ever forget what. God has done for you don't ever let it be wiped away you're going to need that memorial you're going to need it more than. You realize in your life go back and remember when he was there time. And time again he's been faithful he's been faithful as I start to bring this to a close. Today I want to take us to one last story in 1st Samuel chapter 7. Israel had not lived the way. They should have lived the previous couple of chapters there they had actually decided to do things without. God and thought they could just march the ark of the covenant in the battle with them.

And God would provide them a victory but they end up losing the ark of the covenant the place where the very presence of. God was manifested above those of us in those scriptures know that when the philistines got it. They didn't have such good luck their God their statue dagon fell over a couple of times word of. God says they ended up with some hemorrhoids about you that just don't sound like good business right there I'd be wanting to get rid of. Whatever was causing the problem so they ended up sending it back the Bible's funny. They actually ended up making little statues of a hemorrhoid what is that and who's the guy that had to sculpt it. And what did he use for a model just things I think about when. I read scripture so they retake back the ark the prophet Samuel he gets right with him tell him. You need to turn from God and in chapter seven it says that they destroyed their idols.

And they drew in close to God and they were there and they're in the middle of repenting all right. Listen to the story they're in the middle of getting theirselves right with God the prophet is there. And he's going to make a sacrifice we see in verse number 9 of chapter 7. And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the. Lord then Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel and the Lord answered him. Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering the philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the philistines that day and. So confused them that they were overcome before Israel and the men of Israel went out the misfire. And pursued the philistines and drove them back as far as bethcar then Samuel took a stone. And set it up between mispa and shin and called its name ebenezer saying thus far the. Lord has helped us isn't it interesting when someone's ready to get their life back with.

God the enemy shows right up philistines didn't want anything to do with that. But then all of a sudden Israel turns and starts repenting they turn bishop. They want to get their life back together they want to get right with. God then all of a sudden the enemy decides hey let's go fight now while they're at the altar the enemy shows up. But God shows up and says no no you will not bother them at the altar. You will not bother my people at the altar they are drawn in close to me king James says that the thunder happened. And he and the Lord discomfited them not a word we use a lot. Now in today's he just discombobulated them they didn't know up from down they didn't know their feet from their head. They didn't know what was going on they didn't know what was going. So bad they end up turning and fighting each other why because God said you're not going to touch them while they're at the altar the.

Prophet sets up a stone anoints it why for a memorial for them to. Remember that when you go to the altar you don't have to worry and. You don't have to worry about the enemy and I'm telling this whole room right now. When you come to the altar you don't have to worry about the enemy. Because if you get your eyes on him he'll fight for you he'll sow confuse the enemy he'll. So discombobulate them that the enemy will fight the enemy and you are free to get right with. God you have to have memorials in your life you have to have them. God fights for you the safest place that you can be is at the altar of. God so as I end this I'm asking the question what do you need deliverance from. Because your deliverance is at the altar you don't have to worry about the enemy. When you come down here because God fights him you can come down here. And you can lay your burden down and you can do.

So with the freedom and the ability and the understanding that God stands behind. You and fights off every enemy that tries to come God defeats your enemy at the altar what do. You need to remember some of you have gotten yourself all worked up all out of sorts. And that's understandable given the state of affairs we're in right now. But I'm asking what do you need to remember what memorial do you need to go back. And revisit what moment in your life do you need to go back to. And say I remember when God showed up because the memorial of the past gives. You the faith in the present to fight so will you bow your heads with me as. I pray this prayer holy God I've delivered my soul today to your church. God I pray that you would bring back right now the memory in their mind. When you showed up in a miraculous way bring it back right now God in. Jesus name let them vividly remember where they were what you said how they felt.

So they can gain the strength to have faith in the moment they're in right now right now. God I pray this alter time Lord you stand guard and you allow your children to come lay their burdens down. So that they can restore their relationship back with you to fight another day in. Jesus name we pray this altar is open I think this would be a good day for. You to make a memorial maybe you need a memorial I told you in this service something special is going to happen. I believe somebody's going to make a memorial today you're going to. Remember this day and years to come the day you came down you poured out. And God met you in the altar.