Sunday Morning Worship Service

I will let you move to your seats we do greet you in the precious name of Jesus so glad to have every one of you worshiping with us here this Sunday morning here at First Apostolic Church once again I welcome all of our guests welcome those who are joining us on all the social media platforms thank you for being in service with us I hope you feel the same presence of the Holy Ghost that we feel here today and I join with the voices of those who have gone before me as well given a special personal welcome to part of my family the gardeners and the gardeners honored to have you all worshiping with us and have you here with us and we do say welcome to every guest if I can't call you by name I do want you to know that we appreciate you worshiping with us and are thankful to have you here at First Apostolic church today well I want to get to the word of the Lord and I would preface my introductory remarks and my text by saying thank you Bishop for doing the work of a bishop and ministering to us and uh I didn't know Bishop was going to do that but he didn't know what I was going to preach so if you find any Harmony there say thank you Lord I said if you don't find any Harmony there say thank you Lord but if you do find Harmony there say really thank you Lord you're trying to get something across to me I want to call your attention this Sunday morning to the book of First Corinthians the sixth chapter and we're going to read a few verses First Corinthians 6 we're going to begin reading at verse number seven now therefore there is utterly a fault among you now understand Paul's addressing the Corinthians the Corinthian Church he said there's a fault among you because you go to law one with another why do you not rather take wrong why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded nay you do wrong and defraud that and that your brethren there's conflict among you you're wrong in each other you're defrauding each other no ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God be not deceived neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind or thieves nor Covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit kingdom of God for a few moments I would give you this title from a message today a special message for special people special message for special people let's pray savior I Love You Lord I'm so grateful to be in your house and I thank you for your Mighty presence that we felt for the praise team that has lifted us high in praise for the choir of the musicians and Lord for the saints of God who are so Faithfully here giving of their praise and worship before you now God I pray that you would let your word sink into our hearts let us receive let us act and react on all you have for us in the name of Jesus we pray amen and our text Paul is rebuking a bit and reminding the Corinthians for settling disagreements and having disagrees agreements that are so divisive that they're going to Civil Authorities to settle their disagreements if you read more of this chapter you'll see that he's encouraging them to find common ground and settle their differences in a manner that Christians should and he's reminding them that they should have spiritual relationships for settling grievances and that that should be foremost in their mind and he's identifying a situation that's happening in the church well I'm going to make a little confession before you I've confessed it before but I'm going to confess again and tell you something that I've had to pray about for myself I've mentioned it from the pulpit before but I guess I confess again I've had to pray for my own attitude towards special people special people have frustrated me in the past and I hope you won't think of me as being too small as I confess about special people and them bothering me for I guess I should give you a definition of what I'm talking about when I address special people and it might be better for me rather than giving you some definition to tell you some of those that for at least my purpose I would Define as the actions of special people special people when the highway department is doing road work and they narrow the traffic to one lane with cones and barrels and signage the special people are the people who pass all the orange traffic barrels and Cones they pass everyone else even in the media and if they have to and crowd to the front of the line because they are special go ahead you can put special around that the turn signals on their vehicles last longer because they rarely use them because they're special there's no need everyone should yield to them because they're special their horns usually are worn out however on their vehicle because they use them all the time to remind folks get out of my way cause I'm special they always have reserves barking because they're special now it may be labeled no parking or fire lane our reserved parking or even pastor's Park Inner Bishop's parking or loading zone but they have the right to park anywhere even in handicapped parking because they're special they even have the privilege of taking up two places if they need to Heaven Help they should never have to park between the lines they can straddle them or go Crossways because they're special now I know I'm the only person ever had a problem with this had to pray about those folks and they're the same ones who are allowed to take more than 10 items through the express line at the grocery store because they are oh when they stay in a hotel they do not have to return the luggage carts to the lobby in the hotels after they've used them they just leave them by the hallway in the door where they moved in because they're special special people blow their grass in the street when they mow nobody's running yet but I'm feeling some Kindred Spirits in the house that maybe you've had to pray too they should never have to wait in line because their situation their convenience and their issues are simply more important than anyone else's because they're special and special people when they have children become special parents and they have special children if their children compete in athletics their children should always start and play most of the time other than any other Athlete on the team because they are special special their children do not have to attend practice nor ever receive coaching or instruction because they know it all because they're special people know all the rules better than the officials of the referees they can see more from the stands than the Umpire and there is a conspiracy against any team they root for to lose because everybody's out to get them because their space respect oh and their children when they go to school do not have to do homework meet deadlines nor be on time for school or for that matter even follow any attendance policies because after all they should automatically make Straight A's and get perfect attendance because there's special people are usually very territorial if they have a job assigned it doesn't matter if the job gets done just so they get credit for any accomplishments that are made because there's special people have great ideas for others to implement they use terms like what somebody needs to do what you ought to do I've got the great idea now you implement it and do all the work make it happen and let me clue you in there are special employees there are special musicians there are special teachers they're special Saints and yes there are special preachers as well special teachers are rigid and unyielding with their students but rarely meet their professional deadlines for grades and reports their classes are always late yet they keep the closest eye on student absences and authorities because they're special special musicians who expect Perfection and excellent from fellow musicians yet show up to practice unprepared and allow their moods and attitudes to affect what they present to God musically and of course they never have to pray because they're special see I've had to pray about this but the Bible says Watch and Pray I've been watching too yes there will be special Saints special Saints who expect Perfection from everybody else around them yes they watch others they gossip they tattle they show Discord yet desire recognition while resistance to resistant to accountability and instruction because they're special so I guess special people are the ones who can talk in church and don't have to listen vision and they hang out in the law because they don't need to hear preaching and worship because they're special okay and oh yes there are special preachers special preachers don't have to study or fast or pray or live what they preach they feel they don't have to do anything that they tell others to do because they're special had to pray about special people because I begin to realize that the world is full of special people but Pastor isn't so wrong to be special or self-centered well in our text there was a term used of those that couldn't or would not be inheriting the kingdom of God one of the terms used was a reviler reviler is someone who speaks abusively or contemptuously to or of another person or thing special people have sharp tongues know how to get folks told and know that know how to get involved in conflict and arguments is it so wrong to be self-centered Proverbs 26 12 said since thou a man wise in his own conceit there is more hope of a fool than of him the Bible uses the term conceit excessively proud of oneself vain Philippians said this let nothing be done through Strife or vain Glory but in lowliness of mine Let each esteem the other better than themselves look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus Paul compared selfishness to empty conceit by using the terms that are translated from vanity or in other words arrogance it refers to an overly high opinion of oneself selfishness then is akin to narcissism James said it this way in James 3 16 for where envying and strife is there is confusion in every evil word the NIV reads this way for where you have envy and selfish ambition there you find disorder and every evil practice the Bible uses conceit revilers and as selfish or strife-filled attitude to describe what it's like to feel that you're special Proverbs 15 18 said a wrathful man stirth up Strife or self-ambition but he that is slow to anger a piece of strife and finally Romans said it this way in Romans 12 3 for I say through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly according as God has dealt to every man The Measure of Faith foreign individual that wasn't so spiritual but they wanted to prophesy over somebody else and get them told at the same time they said thus saith the Lord thou thinkest that thou art a Humdinger but thus saith the Lord thou are not a humdinger not sure what a Humdinger is but don't sound too good does it the Bible I begin realizing as a thought about special people is filled with special people Samson was a special person Samson had taken Nazarite vows and God gave Samson victories but before too long Samson became all about Samson Samson became one who became careless and Cavalier with his Nazarite vows he was not to touch a dead thing but even in Victory Samson would take the Jawbone of an ass and find Victory as he slew his enemies and he thought because he had taken Nazarite vows and God had given him a victory even though he had violated them that everything was okay and if you'll recall when Samson began dabbling with Delilah he didn't immediately revealed to her his weakness that in his Nazarite vow his hair was not to be cut but he first begin getting close to it he walked closer to the edge behind me was with fresh wheat and then he said play it or weave my hair he got closer until he revealed his the secrets of his weakness you see he thought he was special but it would have eventually cost him his vision and his life David thought he was special David referred to as the man after God's Own Heart yet in second Samuel 11 1 it says and it came to pass after that the year was expired at the time when kings go forth to battle the David sent joab his servant with him in All Israel and they destroyed the children of Ammon and besieged Rabbi but David tarried still at Jerusalem David should have been going to battle but he decided oh I can send others in my place and I'm going to tear it in Jerusalem he became a special person I'm such a special king I don't have to do what other kings do I'll send others and he carried at Jerusalem and when he tear it at Jerusalem the Bible says in verse 2 and it came to pass at it an evening tide that David arose from off his off his bed and walked upon the roof of the King's house and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself and the woman was very beautiful to look upon Temptation would have never tempted David had David been where he was supposed to be but David because he thought he was special and didn't have to do what other kings do when kings go forth to battle he carried behind he opened himself up to temptation he would eventually yield to the sin of lust adultery lying deceit and even murder all because he thought he was special Peter thought he was special that just had the Lord's Supper as we refer to it they just had the first communion the Bible says in Matthew 26 30 they sung of him they were shutting things down they sung him and they went out to the Mount of Olives and Jesus said unto them all ye shall be offended because of me this night for it is written I will Smite the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered brought but after I am risen again I will go before you in Galilee Peter answered and said unto him Bishop what did you read earlier great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them but Peter answered and said unto him though amen shall be offended because of thee yet well I never be offended you better look out you think you're special you think you're a special dude you've got a special relationship you better hear me if we aren't careful we can think we're special Christians that we can't be offended we're unoffendable so we don't have to stay close to the Lord let me tell you Peter was walking with him and when Jesus began to warn him he disputed with Jesus Jesus finally told him down in verse 34. verily I say unto thee that this night before the Crow doubt shall deny me thrush can you imagine Peter said to him though I should die with thee yet will I not deny thee likewise also said all the disciples he wasn't in it alone Peter was just the most vocal but you see the chapter does not even change you stay in Matthew 26. when things came down Peter drew a sword attacked the high priest servant cut his ear off and Jesus told him to put away the sword I truly believe when Jesus told Peter to put away the sword Peter got offended right then did you not realize I was trying to defend you here you're making me look bad I got a sword Jesus said if you live by the sword you don't see the big picture if you live by the sword you'll die by the sword you're not seeing the big picture I just told you you're gonna get offended and I've got a feeling that's when it happened for then Peter began to follow from afar off and before long when things went down and Jesus was arrested and they started trying him and all of the troubles started instead of Peter being one that would stand up the prophecy was fulfilled the flock was scattered he would find himself near the palace and a damsel came up in verse 69 and said thou also was with Jesus of Galilee and he denied it said I know not what you're talking about I don't know what you're saying and he got up went to the porch another maid saw him and said unto them that were there this fellow also was also with Jesus of death and again he denied with an oath he said I swear I don't know him and after a while came unto him they that stood by and said to Peter surely thou also aren't one of them for they thy speech betrayeth thee then begin he took curse and to swear saying I know not the man and immediately the cockroach and Peter remembered the words of Jesus which were said in him before the Crow Thou shalt deny me Thrice and he went out and wept bitterly Peter was likely offended because Jesus had rebuked him for his attack with the sword so now let me Zoom back and tell you why I've had to rethink and had to pray about some things I just finally came to the realization that all of us at one time or another including McCool think we're special I've given you all the attributes of special people and we've condemned them and none of you might have said amen and ran around the building but you were hoping the police would catch some of those folks when they were passing you in traffic too so I come to tell you I realize we all at one time or another think we're special in fact we even of the apostolic faith if we aren't careful we've got the revelation of the truth the apostolic message and we can stop living by faith because we think we've got it all figured out we can think it's all right to compromise the tenets of the faith and try to look for a path of least resistance prayerfully let me tell you I realize that we all feel like we're special at one time or another because that's in a sin nature in man it's in the sin nature to be egocentric self-serving self-aggrandizing and narcissistic put in common language I apologize again to Sister Russell but all of us at one time or another become spiritual carrots for Romans 3 23 said for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God first Corinthians from our text as he gave that laundry list of terrible things including revilers and adulterers you know what he went on to say in verse 6 or verse 11 of chapter 6 for such were some of you confess battles with myself not to be a special person at times not to have pity parties myself let me tell you we've all done it we've all thought that we deserve something special and such were some of you I got good news ye are washed but ye are Sanctified and you are Justified how in the name of the Lord Jesus let me tell you the name of the Lord Jesus will change your direction he'll change your nature he'll change your attitude you stop worrying about you and you start worrying about a lost world oh God help me to quit worrying so much about myself and my self-will and my self-desires and let me reach a lost world you see you can go from being special to being chosen for First Peter 2 9 said that ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation A peculiar people we're an odd branch that ye should show forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light listen I want to be a praiser I want to be a worshiper it's not about me it's about him it's not about what I can accomplish but through Christ who we can reach and take this marvelous message to them he said which in times past we're not a people but are now the people of God I'm not going to be special people I want to be the people of God whatever Walk of Life I'm in whatever I do no matter where I am if I'm an employer or an employee if I'm a college student if I'm an athlete whatever I do let me glorify God in everything that I do which in time past we're not people but now the people of God let everybody know whatever I'm doing that's a people of God that's not a special person that's a chosen person praise team I know you don't have a song that'll go with all of this this is a special message make your way up and pray here's how to be chosen instead of special for it went on to say after he said you're a chosen generation of royal priesthood a holy people a holy nation of peculiar people it goes on verse 11 says dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims now he's already said we're going to be peculiar in this world Holy Ghost filled Spirit-filled people of God you're going to be different from this world you're going to be strangers to a lot of stuff that's going on you're going to be pilgrims you're on a journey we're not home yet he said abstain from fleshly lusts you know why because fleshly less war against the soul there's a war going on when we give in to our flesh and we start thinking everything's about us we're giving in to worldly lust that causes a war to go on having your conversation honest among the Gentiles if we are the chosen of God in this world we have the responsibility of having conversation that is above the world in integrity and honesty I'll preacher you can't get by In This World if you don't tell a few stories if you don't lie just a little bit I've got news for you the people of God must need to be most successful because you can depend on their word their honesty and their integrity having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evildoers that they may by your good works which they Shall Behold glorify the god in the day of visitation our examples should be so strong our integrity should be of a representation that we're not special we're chosen boy and here's where it's going to get really tough for us I'm not a bit worried about anybody running we probably won't have any collisions in the aisles right now man I gotta read this this is in the Bible submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake you mean I've got to obey the law whether it be to the king as Supreme or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for punishment of evildoers and for the praise of them that do well you know what the Deep hidden meeting you want some philosophical interpretation of this passage it means you're supposed to obey the rules when wasn't that spiritual in that revelation God's people ought to be those who obey the rules we're not special we're chosen for so is the will of God the will of God is for his people to be obedient people that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free and not using your Liberty for a cloak of maliciousness but as Servants of God stand with me you'll think I'm quitting not using your Liberty for a cloak of maliciousness Bears repeating had a fellow one time he was about to get his vehicle repossessed and it wasn't because he didn't have the money he'd been too dilatory to pay it's it's about to get his vehicle repossessed and he actually had the nerve to say well I understand I'm about to lose my vehicle for the cause of Christ no not for the cause of God's because you didn't make make you pain four so is the will of God that with well doing ye may put the silence the ignorance of foolish men who are foolish men the Bible says the fool that said his heart there is no God Our Testimony ought to testify to the doubters to the atheists and the agnostic that living for God with honesty and integrity holy ghost-filled people ought to be an example to a world that does not even believe in God that that's the best life there is to live that's a witness you can have [Music] I don't want to be spent today I want to be chosen so I do bring us to a close [Music] by saying this chosen people live by faith we walk by faith not by sight Hebrews said it this way in Hebrews 11. one now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of Things Not Seen four buy-in speaking of Faith the elders obtained good report our ancestors those who we follow from the scripture they obtain good reports not because they were perfect for you see Peter would repent from his denying and would someday present the keys to the kingdom David would be restored from the horrible sins that he had committed and David find himself helping Solomon build a temple David would be the man after God's Own Heart You See four byeth the elders obtained a good report through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear verse 36 here's some folks that we need to pattern ourselves after it doesn't sound too encouraging at first but we have a responsibility to be chosen verse 36 says in others have Trials of cruel mockings and scourges yay moreover bonds and imprisonment they were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were slain with the sword they wondered about in sheepskin and goat skin being destitute Afflicted and tormented of whom the world was not worthy they didn't just blow their grass in the street they cut them in half or sport they were sawing asunder they were destitute they were Afflicted and tormented they had to wander in the desert in the mountains and dens and caves through the Earth but all these obtained a good report through faith receive not the promise this was a different dispensation the Holy Ghost hadn't even Fallen yet but here's what he says God provided some better things for us that they without us should not be made perfect I have a responsibility with more privilege of a Christ that died on the cross for my sins I have the responsibility to be chosen today I don't want to be special I want to be chosen I wonder if there's anybody else in the house that feels like me they'll say God I want to be chosen I want to be found Chosen and faithful I want to be a part of that royal priesthood if you do I encourage you to step out of your seat make your way around this Altar and say God I want to be chosen of you let me keep my eyes off of others but let me be the witness for you that I can be I can be I will be I've been Blood Bought and Jesus name would you come right now