What Only God Can Give

Well, praise the Lord, everybody. God bless you for standing. You may be seated this morning. Wow, didn't that worship team do a fabulous job? Yeah, that's right — give them a hand. Yeah, honor where honor is due. I want to go quickly to the word of the Lord. And I don't want to offend you if that's your protocol to stand; you're welcome to do that. But I'm going to read a couple of verses of Scripture, and then I'm going to be in a little slower gear this morning. So, if you'll open your Bibles to John 14 — I'll read one verse there — then 2 Peter chapter 1.

While you're locating that: it is a delight for my wife and I to be back in Alabama. We love so much the friendships that we feel here, the camaraderie we felt when we came for the first time two years ago. It's hard to believe it's been two years, but that's two years ago, and you were so gracious and kind. And Brother Davidson — wow, what a fabulous sermon. I want to say publicly what I said this morning: that I wish I had our 250, 260 students here to hear that message last night. Wasn't that fabulous? The apostle says, if a trumpet doesn't make a certain sound, how can the people be called to war? We were called to war last night, and we're built for victory. Amen. Thank you, Sister Davidson, for your kindness. And of course, we love the Roberts; they're so kind to us and generous, and you allowed me to have a little scheduling thing to spend a little time with my family. I appreciate you very much. I owe you. Oh my — let's dive into the word of the Lord.

John 14:26. Jesus says: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things" — and then Jesus says — "and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." What I want you to note there is, Jesus is saying: "I give you the promise of inspiration. When I ascend in my human form, I'm going to send back the Comforter — which is Christ in us, the hope of glory. That same Spirit is going to bring back supernaturally everything that I have said unto you." So I just want to go on record this morning and say: the Bible is not a haphazard arrangement of Jesus's greatest hits by His disciples. It is, in fact, inspired word of God. Every single word that's recorded was said. That's why the apostle Peter, in 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 21, says: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Now, what that means is: the Bible is inspired. Now, Brother Killmon, those are fundamental verses — why are you starting with that? Because I want to talk a little bit today on what only God can give. Turn to your neighbor and say, "What only God can give."

I'm going to go to Matthew chapter 5, to that great thing we call the Sermon on the Mount. And it's where the greatest sermon — arguably, even by secular estimations — was ever preached by the greatest preacher in the world. Turn to your neighbor and say, "It's Jesus." And I want to mine that for encouragement and inspiration. And if there is a life in the Spirit, if there is a victory that God wants to give, if there is another layer of what the Lord wants to get me into — His glory — I don't know about you: I'm not everything I want to be, but thank God I'm not what I used to be. And He saved me. We cleaned up pretty good this morning — but I don't want to slip into preaching too much — but we look good. But how many of you know He saved me? "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning." You can trust His intention. And if there is a victory, if there is something I need to embrace to step into that next layer of victory, I want the Lord to speak to me. Pastor, I want the preacher — Bishop, I want him to preach the word. Get me into that invitation that comes by the preached word of God. Turn to your neighbor and say, "He's going to try to behave." Never works. I'm going to try to be good, Bobby. I heard it.

Let me lay some foundation. It's Bible study; let me lay some foundation. The Bible in Matthew is interesting: it's called "the kingdom of heaven" only thirty-three times, and that phrase is used only in the book of Matthew. And there's this question about what does that mean: is it about Israel and the millennium, or is it for us today? Well, I want to go on record to say that when you look at it in Matthew chapter 19, verse 23, and Mark chapter 10, verse 23, it shows that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are, in fact, the same thing. Matthew uses "the kingdom of God" five times and "God" fifty times, so he's not trying to delineate two things — a separate thing for the millennium. Now, Brother Killmon, that seems a little esoteric; that seems a little theological; it seems like something you should talk about in the Bible college. But the problem is, Brother Roberts, people try to limit the opportunity of what God wants to do in their life now. I'm going to try to behave. Now, what that means, Brother Roberts, is our denominational friends — because they don't have life in the Spirit and don't see the promises of Jesus actualized in their life — look for a reason to explain why they're not walking in victory. I'm going to tell you: the promises of God are yea and amen. It's not a supply issue. You've got to go by the upper room. Turn to your neighbor and say, "He's crazy."

And here's what happened: people begin to ask this question when you look at Jesus's incredible statements: "Is this really possible?" they say. And it seems like they're making excuses for Jesus's unfulfilled promises in their lives. [It] comes basically from two attacks. I've got to hurry today. The first one is what I've already addressed, which I would call liberal attacks, in the form of pseudo-intellectualism that tries to dismantle the Bible and claim that it's not, in fact, inspired — or maybe it's the same [in] ideas, but the fudging of the details. And all of that is unbiblical views of inspiration. Jesus said, "I will give you supernatural recall." That's the same thing that the apostle Peter said about the Old Testament. It's not rhetorical criticism, the arranging of the author giving you their best persuasive arguments. I want to go on record and say it is the word of God. And every promise of God — I'm going to say it again — is yea and amen. You can look at the promise in the book and say, "God, I realize my weakness." That's a good day, because His strength is made perfect in your weakness. When you say, "I can't do this," you open yourself up to the possibility of what only God can give.

So I remember I was talking to Brother Bernard. We were in [OEE?] meetings, and he was talking about writing his dissertation with a director over in Africa. I hope this isn't getting him in trouble; he told it kind of publicly, so I'm assuming it's okay. And he was working on his dissertation. He said, "Yeah, Brother Killmon, I kind of went to a place like you did, where they were attacking the Bible every day." He said, "My advisor thought that Paul wrote all those epistles in the New Testament to take control of the churches." I'm like, "Wow, that's pretty interesting." And what they attempt to do is to undermine your faith — through historical criticism, or source criticism, or form criticism, or redaction criticism. And I know you don't have to understand all what that is; all I'm saying is, they're liberal arguments that's saying this is man-made, not God-made. And I'm just going to say it one more time: that is an attack of the enemy to undermine your faith. I get it that you don't have it in your life yet because you haven't accepted lordship. But if you accept lordship, He will lead you and guide you into all truth.

But there's a second type of attack. That's not my primary task today. But let me give you the second type of primary attack: I would call it religious attacks, or a form of religious reduction. It's where people teach things like the Reformed tradition, that we're totally depraved, and that we cannot respond to God in a positive way — the Spirit has to get on the inside of us and do it for us. I will go say it another way: it is non-Pentecostal approaches to trying to live life in the Spirit. You cannot serve God in your flesh. Jesus was not kidding in John 3: you must be born again of water and Spirit. You can't see — you can't enter — the kingdom of God. But you ready? If you enter the kingdom of God, you'll get what only God can give. And so when people say, "We obey the teaching?" — they tend to say, "This is not for the church." Or, if it is for the church, it's impossible, or impossible to do perfectly. That's fascinating, because in the very same sermon, in Matthew chapter 5, verse 48, Jesus says: "Be ye therefore perfect" — turn to your neighbor and say, "Be perfect" — "even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Now, what does that mean? Don't divorce this statement from the entire context of the Sermon on the Mount. There is life in the Spirit. There is victory, and victory, and victory. There is glory; we go from glory to glory; we go from faith to faith. When they walk into our churches, they cannot afford religious reductionism. If there is a life in the Spirit, say, "Preacher, preach me into victory. Give me what God wants in my life." And you've got to ignore Jesus's own statements to get to that conclusion. These are commands for kingdom followers. It's the real potential, the real opportunity of life in the Spirit.

My wife and I were at a little place in Indianapolis called Flapjack's. I didn't get like this on purpose. We were sitting there — I had a young man reach out to me and said, "I have somebody I would like you to talk to about God." "Brother Killmon" — I'm like, that's like saying "sic 'em" to a dog. Happy to be there. And so I sat down, my wife and I, and she was a young lady; she was in her twenties, and very bright, very, very sharp. And she said, "I am in line to be the next manager of the new business that opens up. When they open up a new chain, I'm going to be over that business." She said, "But from the time that I was five to about seventeen years old — certain things — I know there's not very many small children here; I'll be as guarded as I can — certain things happened to me in my home, certain types of abuse. And she said, "It has arrested my ability to have a relationship with a man. I just can't do it. I've tried; I've broken down; and I can't trust." And we began to talk, and I said, "Well, I understand, and I understand past scars." And I said, "But the Bible's clear — Acts 2:38: repent and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of sins. Not the remission of your sins — for the remission of sins." And that means sins that you've committed, and sins that have been committed against you. God is into a whole sanctification. He can bring healing as well as [deal with] the things that you've committed. I'm telling you, my God can do all things. And I began to talk to her about life in the Spirit, and what you need to do is come and let God baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fill you, and begin to start that process. And she said to me, "You are the first preacher I've ever talked to that told me these things." I'm going to tell you, that's the problem — you'll forgive me — with the phenomenal world: they're trying to serve God in the flesh, what you're trying to do with counseling. I'm not against good counseling, biblical counseling. I'm just telling you: you've got to give what only God can give.

Rich young ruler walks up to Jesus, and [the] Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing thou lackest." I was thinking of that last night, Bishop, when you were preaching. One thing thou lackest. [He's] got this issue of money: "Go sell and give what you have to the poor; come, follow me." It's discipleship language. I think it's interesting, because it strikes me that there could be a book of the Bible named after that young man, if he didn't let that one thing stop him. And Jesus — he walks away sorrowful, because he had great wealth and riches. And the problem is not having money; the problem is if money has you. And the disciples look around and say, "Man, this guy's the top of the pecking order. He's got the pedigree; he's got the money; he's got the influence; he's kept all the commandments since his youth. It makes sense that he would be the one that could be saved." And they turn and they say to Jesus, "If he can't be saved, how can anybody be saved?" And Jesus says in Mark 10:27: "Jesus looking upon them saith, 'With men, it is impossible.'" Now, we need a full stop right there. You need to get fully convinced: with men, it is impossible. It is impossible to serve God in your flesh. It is impossible to change your life. But I've got good news for you: "But not with God: for with God, all things are possible." The answer that God poured out on the day of Pentecost is still the answer for the world's dilemma. You must be born again of water and Spirit, and you can have what only God can give. I'm going to try to calm down. Turn to your neighbor and say, "He's going to try."

The theme of this powerful sermon — Matthew 5, 6, and 7 — is about the kingdom and the true citizens of the kingdom. And what happened in Jesus's day is, most had reduced their obedience to external conformity only. And the Sermon on the Plain is not the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Plain is on a plain; that's not a mount. And it's not a useless repeat. The Sermon on the Plain mostly deals with externals. The Sermon on the Mount goes further. And Jesus's challenge to the Pharisees is not that you're a legalist that's doing all of these things; He's saying you're not going far enough. He says: because you conform your outward conduct, your externals — but I want your heart. And that's why our righteousness, according to our Lord, must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, because God's after our heart. I've got good news for you today: if you're having a problem forgiving, it's okay — the Lord can help you with your heart. Not only will you treat people correctly, He can change your heart. Because you can conform conduct and not the heart, but you cannot conform the heart without it affecting conduct. So don't tell me what I must do; tell me what I get to do. Don't tell me what I have to do; show me what I can do now, with life in the Spirit.

So this content of Jesus's sermon is commands and requirements after becoming a citizen of the kingdom. And we have to admit some things. Number one: we cannot earn salvation. You cannot obey your way to heaven. That's justification. But you can disobey your way to hell — to quote Brother Mullins — and that's [without] sanctification. Now, what does that mean? It means that, number two, past sin and present sin, when we come to Jesus, is forgiven when we repent. Number three: it means now, according to Hebrews 6:1, we are to go on to perfection. Brother Killmon, what are you saying? Nobody's perfect. Quit saying unbiblical things. Turn to your neighbor and say, "Whoa." I know what we mean by that. But let me quote two people. My dean of theology, Talmadge French, used to say that in the struggling and the striving is where we're accounted perfect. Brother Mooney used to say, "When you have nothing left to repent of, you are — you ready? — perfect. You're exactly where God wants you to be." Now, what I get out of a two-year-old is not what I get out of a thirty-year-old. You ready? But I'm going to go from faith to faith. And as loving parents — I watch that boy grow, and I watch him embrace; he's learning to walk today; he's learning to talk today; he's running today. You ready? Now he's a young man that's a youth pastor in Illinois. Why? Because the stages of development are the intention of growth. God's got intention in your future. God's got a purpose and a path. You've got to continue to live a life of faith. And Jesus says you can revoke your citizenship. That's why we have to understand the warning: people are cast out of the kingdom. First of all, not all enter. Second of all, people are cast out — all due respect to our once-saved-always-saved friends. And thirdly, Acts 2:36 says it this way: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified" — everybody say "both" — both Lord and Christ. And that's what He has to be. People want a Savior; they just don't always want a Lord. Old-timers said, "He's Lord of all, or not at all." You ready? He's both Lord and Christ, or He's neither. That's why Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" Now, why are you saying that, Brother Killmon? Because if you're not careful — if you reject lordship — you can undermine the opportunity of the good work of God in your life. And the only way we can have that is to the degree that we walk in faith and obey. So our good friends, while they mean well, when they give us redefinitions of the Sermon on the Mount, those are what I'm just going to call simply evasions — or what Paul calls the doctrine of devils. Well, you came early; I think I might as well make it interesting. The doctrine of devils.

Philippians chapter 2, Paul says in verse 12: "Wherefore, 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." Turn to your neighbor and say, "Work it out." It's your responsibility. It's my responsibility to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. But you ready? The good news is, my will is never alone. Because if I'm willing, God is willing. Paul says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." If you will bring your need to the Lord, and you'll submit it to His lordship, He will give you what only He can give. So what we have to understand is: what Jesus is preaching is revelation of an opportunity. It's the revelation of an invitation. It's where the law is fulfilled and traditions are exposed as weak and not enough. And the mission statement of the requirements of the kingdom are named as our potential of life in the Spirit. I'm telling you, I'm glad I'm in a church where they told me — God has made me a better man, and a better husband, and a better father, than I could ever be on my own. I don't deserve that lady right there, Brother Barber. I don't deserve that boy over in Illinois — but you preached to him. I walked up to CCS, and you've got all those kids in that room, and they're speaking in tongues. Why? Because we believe God can give us more in our family, in our marriage, than we could engineer on our own. It's the opportunity to live life in the Spirit under the new reign. Jesus's purpose is good.

Now let's see — I'm watching the clock. Honey, wave me down. I'm going to go to Matthew chapter 5, first verse: "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying—" Now, there are people that will try to say, "Well, if it is for the church, Brother Roberts, it's got to be like the leadership class, because it's just His disciples." Now, the problem with that is the context. Matthew chapter 4, verse 25, says that there followed Him great multitudes of people. And when you look at Matthew chapter 7, at the end of this great sermon, it says, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished." So Jesus is healing, and His fame is spreading, and people are being attracted to Him. And the point I'm making this morning is: this is not a private session for leadership. This is not separate requirements for leadership. It's for everyone who wants to come into the kingdom. Holiness of conduct and heart is for all disciples.

[The] Bible says, "And when he was set" — that's like in the synagogue; the teachers would sit. Now imagine how long I'd go if I was sitting and you were standing. Like the prophets of old, Brother Roberts. And the Bible says, "He opened his mouth." It's not merely [that] He said [something]. Barclay says of this little phrase, it has a double significance: it's used of solemn, grave, dignified utterance — like someone making an official pronouncement or proclamation. It's used when people really open their hearts and pour out their minds. It is used, he says, of the most intimate teaching, where there is no barrier. He wanted to share His heart with all of His true disciples. Brother Barber, you know what this is like? It's like times with Brother Mooney, where he just opened up one-on-one and began to share things with me. Or like now with my pastor, Josh Carson, where we're sharing hearts about needs in the movement, and there's moments where you realize, "Wow, this is a person being vulnerable." Can I tell you that Jesus, in this sermon, is showing you His heart? There is a victory. There is a power of life in the Spirit. There is something that He wants to give us, if we will hear the heart of our Lord.

He says in verse 3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Now, I'm not going to throw too much Greek at you, but a little bit. The language is interesting, because it's emphatic in the Greek. It could be interpreted this way: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs — and no one else's — is the kingdom of heaven." That Greek word makarioi, for "blessed," is from a Hebrew word, ashre, and it's the theological language of the Old Testament. I'm going to pick on some translations. Don't you ever say, "Bad Bobby." But, Brother Roberts, you pick up a translation that says "happy" — just set that one aside. Pick up a translation that at least knows biblical covenant language. God is obligating Himself: there is blessing and cursing. God is saying, "I'm communicating to you that I'm obligating Myself," in the theological language of the Old Testament. And it's like — why not "hap"? Because hap comes from an Anglo-Saxon word, and God never promised happiness; He said that you would be blessed. Because hap comes from that Anglo-Saxon word, which means chance; it means happenstance. It's insecure and temporary and circumstantial. But can I help you? I want to encourage you: covenant obedience brings covenant blessing. The God that says, "If you will obey," promises He will supply. There is a victory that only God can give. There is a blessing despite your circumstance. The victory that God wants to give you is where He can trust you in any scenario, in any pressure, in any moment, and you can be the same. Prove it, Brother Killmon? Thank you for asking. This is the promise: that there is a circumstance that we can get in, in life in the Spirit, that nothing can touch. And it's a dual-sided blessing. First of all, things change in you — that's the blessing of being a new creature: old things are passed away, and behold, all things are become new. But then, secondly, there's a dual side of that blessing, where you receive from the change in you. And that's where God blesses you sometimes — but sometimes the blessing comes from others, because you're not the same person you were. And God is saying, sometimes in marriages, "If I could just get one person to give Me their obedience, I could begin to use their obedience in this circumstance to bring My blessing." You ready? To give what only I can give. Can you just commit your obedience to your Lord?

I understand — maybe you were raised differently — but "a soft answer turneth away wrath," and grievous words stir up anger. How do you handle anger? I want the blessing of the Lord. I don't want the past; I want the future. The blessing is that you can bring your life into line with God's purposes. That means, first of all, you can't ask blessings in sin. And you can't celebrate or shout over sin. I remember I was a young youth pastor; we were at a youth rally, and there's a young man over there, and he's kind of boogalooing a little bit — good Brother Arnold — and he's getting after it over there. But, Bishop, just like you said, [it] didn't feel right. I was like, something's off about it. And I'm kind of eyeballing it, and this wonderful elder leans over to me and he says, "Son, you know what's going on over there?" Now, he wasn't asking for my opinion; he was ready to impart something. So know your place. I said, "No, sir, Bishop, I don't know." He said, "He's trying to shout over sin." Yeah — he doesn't need to rejoice; he needs to repent. Yeah, sometimes you shout for victories — I get it, and Jericho can fall — but sometimes you need to repent and get in alignment with blessing. Sometimes you need to say, "My issue is surrender. My issue is repentance. When I accept lordship, I will get what only He can give."

So who is actually blessed? The Bible said, "Blessed are the poor" — Jesus said — "in spirit." That Greek word is a strong ptōchos. It is beggarly. It means a lack of pride or arrogance. It's used of people that were destitute. We're not talking about having to miss a meal, or eat McDonald's because you can't afford Ruth's Chris. We're talking about people that would sit outside the gate of the city, or the gate of the temple, and they would crouch down, and they would cover — put their hand over their eyes — and they would hold out their hand. And I don't know if you have this in Alabama; in Indiana — we have, in Indianapolis particularly, we have panhandlers. And the guy I want to give the money to is the guy that's the most honest. He has a sign that says, "Why lie? I need a beer." I just want to throw the money out, Brother Harrelson. I know I shouldn't; I don't — but I want to, just for the honesty. It's not talking about that type of thing. It's about people that are covering their eyes: "I'm not trying to manipulate you; I'm not trying to control you. Is there anything that you can do?" And it's about the poor in spirit. It's not [about] the poor [only] — thank God we don't have to all become Benedictine monks and take a vow of poverty. But the poor in spirit; the poor in attitude; the one that says, "I have come here to ask for help, Jesus, and I realize I don't deserve anything." I'm going to tell you: what will bless you is when you stay humble, and realize every good gift was not an origin in Bobby Killmon — it's because the Lord was gracious and gave me everything that I need. I'm just asking God, "Is there anything You can do? I've come into the house of the Lord with a need [this] morning, God — and is there anything that You can do?" Jesus says, "I promise you, I have come to bless that kind of spirit." It'll keep us in our place. It'll keep us from feeling entitled. It'll keep us in mind. He won't — you ready? It will protect you. You won't worry if anyone remembers your name. You won't care about recognition. You will be set free from manipulation. God is going to work a victory on the inside of you. If nobody recognizes you, you can still be faithful. Why? Because everything I do, I'm doing as unto the Lord. I don't care if I get the solo, or if I have to vacuum the church — I'm just glad to be in the kingdom. But not only will that change help you; you will receive from the change in you.

2 Samuel 22:36 — David said, "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: You've saved me." But then he goes on to say, "And thy gentleness hath made me great." Why did men flock to David before he had a crown? Why were men attracted to David? Because there was another type of king that was manipulative and controlling, but David was a man after God's own heart, and he stayed humble, and he served those that were underneath him, and that service was attractive. I'm just going to tell you how revival will come: it's if we're poor in spirit. If they walk in and they don't look like us; if they walk in and are addicted; if they walk in and they don't act like us — we just say, "Hey, I understand, and we're all just beggars telling other beggars where to find the bread. You can come; you're welcome here." Why? Because there's no big I's and little you's. Anyone is welcome. You contrast that biblically: scorners are not poor in spirit. Proverbs 3:34: "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly." How many of you want grace? Then you've got to become low. James 4:6: "He giveth more grace." How many of you want more grace? "Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud" — I don't want God to resist me — "but he giveth grace unto the humble." God, I want to stay in my place. I want to stay small. I want to keep the right attitude. Why? Because grace keeps flowing through that type of spirit.

Like the — I've got to be careful, because this could get around; Brother [Harrelson?], some people know who it is. That man meant well. [A] man walked into the Indiana campgrounds, and there were some teenagers behind [the counter] serving some food, and he just kind of stood up there. He [was a] little full of himself, and he kind of just looked at these girls, just eyeballing them. Well, they're teenagers; they're not impressed. And they just kind of looked back. And he said, "Do you know who I am?" One of the teenagers — now, it wasn't right; I'm not endorsing it; I'm just saying, what you put out, you get. Okay? That means, if your spirit is wrong, don't be surprised when teenagers, who have the greatest hypocrite detector, don't get on board very quickly. That little girl looked back and said, "No — do you know who I am?" Not impressed. You're not going to gain influence with people with that type of attitude. And God gives us the processes of life. Why? Because His will is to give us circumstances — because He loves us — to take things out of us that will rob us of the revival, and the victory, and the power of the Spirit, of life in the Spirit, that we need. We've got to walk in and see our nothingness before God, and just say, "God, we're just here again this morning asking: is there anything You can do? You see the revival that needs to happen in our churches, God — is there anything that You can do?" And I promise you: "Blessed" — blessed, God says — "are the poor in spirit, for theirs, and theirs alone [is the kingdom of heaven]." Why? Because they walk in, and they don't see attitude; they see welcome.

What poor in spirit is not is Revelation 3:17: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" — you quoted it last night, Bishop — "and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and [blind, and] naked." I just have to go on record and say: this attitude is not just for entrance into the kingdom. We have to stay poor in spirit. Why? Because as we grow in God, He will begin to add and establish and multiply things in our life, and that comes with temptations to start thinking of ourselves bigger than we should. Jesus was meek and lowly. And I have to ask: what am I promoting, and what am I becoming, and what is happening in terms of lifting up, even in promotion? I have to be careful. Why? Because we owe all to Him. I have to ask: how big do you see yourself, individually or corporately? I have to remember that IBC is small. I have to remember that, Brother Barber, because without the touch of God, we couldn't even have the building. The miracle is the building that God [built]. Everything we have — IBC is small without God. Calvary Christian School, the largest probably Christian — Apostolic Christian school I know of — it's small. Why? Because without Him, we are nothing. Calvary Tabernacle is small. Why? Because we are small in ourselves, but we have Him. And because we have Him, we have blessings we don't deserve, provision we don't deserve, vision we could not engineer ourselves. God will bless you. That's the substance of change: He will allow that blessing to be returned to you because of the change in your relationships.

Matthew 5:4: "Blessed are they that mourn, for they" — turn to your neighbor and say, "No one else" — "for they shall be comforted." What does that word mean, Brother Killmon — "mourn"? What does it mean? It's a Greek word. It's used in [1] Corinthians chapter 5, where a man is sleeping with his mother-in-law in the church. And they haven't corrected it; they've instead found a way to include him as a brother and feel like he's okay. So toleration isn't good, either individually or corporately. And Paul says, "You should not [have] rejoiced; you should have mourned." And the Greek word means to mourn for the dead. He is spiritually dead; you should have mourned for him. And that means broken and contrite. It's not mourning the loss of wrong; it's mourning the loss of the good and the right. And that means: mourn for what God mourns for. If you want to be changed, mourn. If you're wrestling with something in your life, and you know God is breaking my life — it's breaking the victory; it's breaking what I know You want — you ready? Mourn for that. Because if you mourn for what God mourns for — if you long for what God longs for — He promises to bring change.

[There was] a young man [who] texted me, and he said, "Would you be able to do a Bible study with me?" And I said, "Yeah, yeah — you can try not to act too excited." "Oh, yeah, I think I'll find the time." You know, he's like, "Yeah, I think I can do that." And he just texted me back, and he said, "I want to know Jesus. I'm so lost. And I don't want to sin anymore. I want to walk the right path." And I thought to myself, "If his heart is in the right place — if this text he sends me is indicative of his heart — I don't have to worry about that Bible study." Why? Because God promises: if you mourn for what He mourns for, you're going to be comforted. You ready? When you say, "God, I need You; I've got this brokenness in my marriage; I've got this brokenness in my home" — I've got good news for you: if you mourn for it, God promises — if you mourn for what He mourns for — He is going to comfort; He's going to bring change. That's why, in 2 Corinthians chapter 2, verses 6 through 8, it looks like the same man that was being tolerated has been lovingly confronted, and now healing can begin, and he's forgiven and restored to the church.

Brother Barber, I remember telling Brother Mooney, "I need to speak with you; I've got to share something awful." [It was one of] the most terrible things that I had to share, that I had knowledge of. And I watched him in McDonald's as he just kind of relaxed. And he saw, I guess, the shocked expression on my face, and he said, "Well, Brother Killmon, you can see I'm relaxed." And I said, "Yeah." He said, "Well — now confrontation can happen, and confession and healing can begin." See, that's the beautiful thing about the Lord: when you come with your weakness, He's not going to be shocked. He already knows. And when you begin to mourn and say, "I want this out, Jesus," He promises to come. I'm trying not to slip into preaching. I don't care what your issue is in your life: if you will learn to mourn for the right things, God promises that He will comfort. And I've got to be a little strong here: what mourning is not is a cover-up. What mourning is not is, let's pretend it's not happening. What mourning is not is expecting God to do what He requires us to do [for] Himself. Proverbs 28:13: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Godly sorrow works repentance. Where there is sorrow for sin, there's hope for forgiveness, and hope for real restoration. It's the cry of Ezekiel on the wall: He told him, "I'm going to give you watchmen on the wall, and they're going to never cease to cry." Thank God for pulpits that are not silenced. Thank you, Bishop, for that sermon again. Thank you for saying we need to make sure the word is strong. Why? Because the call of repentance — the call to mourn for the right things — creates things in the lives of individuals that they need for victory.

Matthew 5:5 — I've got to land. "Blessed are the meek: for they" — turn to your neighbor and say, "No one else" — "for they shall inherit the earth." Meek means mild-tempered. [It] was used of animals tamed for work — because until that animal is tamed, they're a danger to themselves and everyone around them. But if they can be tamed, their strength and their potential can be tied to something higher than their own desires. What are you saying, Brother Killmon? It's like telling men, "Do you know what your strength is for?" God made you strong. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control. What meekness is not is a disposition of passiveness, being weak of temper[ament], or yielding always. What meek is, is not impressed with self; mild; humble; not proud. It's strength under control. Albert Barnes says of this word: "It's a heart too great to be moved by little insults." You meek? Jesus was called all sorts of things. Get off Facebook. A heart too great to be moved by little insults. If you're going to do anything for God, you're going to have insults. It looks upon those that offer them with pity. "He that is constantly ruffled, that suffers from every little insult or injury to throw him off his guard and to raise a storm of passion within, is at the mercy of every mortal that chooses to disturb him." You know what meekness will do? It'll keep you strong in every situation. Like a good friend, Brother Harrelson — if a man says, "I'm going to destroy you" — now, the problem with that statement is, our good friend Wayne Naylor has no political ambition; he's just trying to serve God. Do you see how freeing that is? Just stay meek. Do you have to defend yourself? Or can you just say, "I can let the Lord defend me. If I will do what He's called me to do and be faithful, over time God will always vindicate the meek." Why? They will — they and they alone [inherit the earth]. Because people are not impressed with ego. How do we stay meek? You didn't even know I was going here, Bishop. Laodicea needed eye salve; they needed to see; they needed to remember that God has given us everything. We deserve nothing; we are worthy of nothing. And knowing this allows nothing to crush us.

That's why Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:16 that if you want to be a bishop, that's a good thing, but they can't be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. You ready? That strength is not built into him yet. You've got to wait until he can deal with insults with meekness. "They shall inherit the earth." Not forcibly acquire. Not manipulate through political savvy. Can I help you this morning? Don't fight for perceived rights. Be set free to enjoy God's gifts. Your mind and your heart are free and safe, and people can't push your buttons, because Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." God is going to build strength on the inside of you. Not spineless or ineffective. But that word was used of animals, medicines, and wind — because animals that are not tamed are a danger; medicine too strong kills; and wind too strong destroys. But when God gets your power and strength under control, you can believe what Paul says in Romans 12:21: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." [That] means you're selfless, not self-assertive. Why? Because your power and strength [are] under control.

If they'll come and play, it'll put pressure on me to land. I wanted to get to twelve verses. Can I give you verse 6? "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they" — turn to your neighbor and say it again — "and no one else — they shall be filled." Now, if you come to my house — I know, Brother Barber, you've been a benefit of my wife's cooking; she can hurt you, be careful. Brother Hurlburt has too. Bishop — if she makes you that applesauce-butterscotch cake — strawberry cake — you're willing. If you say, "I want a piece of cake," that's like the genitive of a part, the partitive genitive in the Greek. These words "hunger and thirst" are not in the genitive of a part; it's rare in the Greek — it's in the accusative. And it would be like saying, "I want the whole cake." And Jesus is saying: "Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after the all of righteousness, for they, and they alone, shall be filled."

Stand with me today. Blessing — it's in the future passive. One more thing on the Greek: future passive. You will receive it from Him. There is a victory only God can give. And He promises that if you will obey — if you'll just come to Him and say, "Lord, [I'm] tired of trying to do this in my strength alone. If there is a victory, help me to be meek. Help me to be merciful, God" — because only the merciful obtain mercy. I don't have time to deal with it all this morning. But: how lowly do you see yourself? Are you poor in spirit? That'll help your marriage. Do you mourn? Do you repent of sin, and call others to mourn, so that they can find God's healing through confession and repentance? And if you understand that there really is a reign of God, and that the Lord wants victory, it'll create meekness, which is strength under godly control — verse 5. If you continue to hunger and thirst after the all of righteousness, there is a fulfillment of godliness promised — verse 6. That will create merciful people in verse 7, who have pure motives in verse 8, that will make peace by living right in verse 9. And then any pressure, any persecution, any external issue cannot move you — verse 10, just like the prophets of God in the Old Testament — verse 11 and 12. This is the blessed life. Pursue it.

Would you, with me, confess today: "God, I want everything You have. If there really are things that only You can give, God, I want it in my life. Thank You for saving me, God, but I want life in the Spirit. I want to walk in the Spirit, so I don't fulfill the lust of the flesh. God, I want to bless my marriage. I want to bless my home. I want to bless my church. I want to bless my city. I want to bless my world. God, create in me the victory that will equip me to be change. They could see, and we could receive, the revival." Would you ask that today? Lord, we thank You for Your goodness. Your promises are sure; they are yea and amen. There is nothing You promise, Lord, that we cannot have. We ask for it today. Get down deep in our heart, God. I don't want my conduct to be the only thing You have, God; I want You to have my heart. I want to really love people. I want to do the right thing for the right reason, so that I can be who You're calling me to be. In Jesus' name we pray. We give You thanks. Hallelujah. There is a call right now. Amen. The Bible says Noah was perfect in his generation. The word there — [tamim?] — means he wanted everything that God had for him in his age of living. He wanted everything, everything, everything, everything, everything. God, I want it all. Hallelujah.