Transcript of a published sermon by Kenneth Carpenter, transcribed from YouTube. An attributed primary source — not Acts 2:38 Life doctrine text.
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Summary
Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.
God is in control: the decree and the fullness of time
- He read the text: there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child; and she brought forth her firstborn son and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Caesar Augustus was the most powerful man in the world, but no human is the most powerful person on this earth — God is, always has been and always will be in control; it was God's timing, not Caesar's idea: but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.
- The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; as the rivers of water, he turns it wherever he will — God moved upon the mind of the most powerful man in the world like pieces on a chessboard to get everyone back to the house of their lineage.
- Man can offer opportunities, but only a God opportunity is life-changing and fulfilling, and we find God's opportunities only when we read, study and hear the word of God preached.
Scriptures: Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4; Proverbs 21:1
Take it easy on the innkeeper: the climate he should have known
- They did not have hotels in that day; houses had a guest room for travelers, and every house was filled with people who had come to be taxed — the innkeeper was likely not cruel but simply uninformed of the opportunity God was giving, and when you understand it is God, you make room even when you don't have room.
- King David wanted to build God a house and was told he would not, being a man of war, but God gave him something back: your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you; your throne shall be established forever — a ruler coming out of David's own loins would rule forever, and that son of David should have been in everybody's mind.
- The genealogy of Jesus opens as the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, and Jesus is called the root and the offspring of David: the root, because he is divine; the offspring, because he is human.
- Had they kept studying their Bible, the climate of that day would have told them the seed of David was coming; he was born in a manger to prove he was human, and he left an empty tomb to prove he was God.
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16
Three witnesses at the door: lineage, Nazareth, Bethlehem
- Joseph said he was of the house and lineage of David; and he said he had come from Nazareth — and it is written that he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, he shall be called a Nazarene.
- And he was standing in Bethlehem, where David was born; and Bethlehem means house of bread, and Jesus said, I am the bread of life, the place where the bread is distributed.
- Surely they had read Micah chapter 5 and verse 2, when the prophet Micah prophesied: but you, Bethlehem, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
- Because they missed that opportunity, God told shepherds out in the field instead that there was born that day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord; and the absence of room in the inn foreshadows the rejection Jesus would face throughout his life, until finally the world said we have no room for you and crucified him.
Scriptures: Matthew 2:23; Micah 5:2
The last of the last days: make room
- We don't need a message about believing in ourselves; we need the word preached — that we can repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and be brand new creatures; 2,000 years ago Peter called his own day the last days, when God would pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, and we are living in the last of the last days.
- Asked when his coming and the end of the world would be, Jesus answered: as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man — they ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all; likewise as it was in the days of Lot — they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built — but the same day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
- He did not name the perversion as the problem — there is no sin and no bondage the blood cannot cover — the problem was that there was no time for him in their lives, and so no room for him; our culture has turned the holy day into a holiday, but today is the first day of the week, and there is no better way to start it than in the house of God with your family.
Scriptures: Luke 17:26-29
Wrong opportunities: Judas, and don't look back
- There are also wrong opportunities, and you will always find them when you run with the wrong people: from that time Judas sought opportunity to betray him — and he could not do it on his own; he had to go to the wrong crowd to get the wrong opportunity.
- The shortest sermon Jesus ever preached was three words: remember Lot's wife — she looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt; to everyone who has been brought out of sin: don't look back, whatever it costs; your answer is not behind you, it is in front of you — God told Moses, go forward, Red Sea or not.
- If they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to return; get the world on your mind and you will begin to see exits and call them opportunities — but there is no greater opportunity than the opportunity to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Scriptures: Matthew 26:16; Hebrews 11:15
Good opportunities, and don't waste this one
- As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith; God's people don't have to be organized or have a trumpet sounded from the pulpit to recognize an opportunity — when a brother in this congregation had a tree down, brothers went and took care of it, more than once, without being asked.
- He told of an 18-year-old girl who counted down the days to the National Youth Convention in her posts — five days, four days, three, two, one — and was killed in a car accident on the way; she never got there; that is why you do not waste this opportunity.
- Paul preached to King Agrippa until Agrippa was visibly moved and trembling and said, almost you persuade me to be a Christian — but almost in is always out, and almost right is always wrong.
- The sermon closed in altar ministry and three baptisms in the name of Jesus Christ — two on Wednesday night and three today, five souls that week — and the dismissal charge: make some room for God today; a phone call inviting somebody to church tonight could result in them hearing the gospel and being born again, and evangelist Kenny Carpenter would be preaching that night.
Scriptures: Galatians 6:10
Scripture index: Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4; Proverbs 21:1; 2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16; Matthew 2:23; Micah 5:2; Luke 17:26-29; Matthew 26:16; Hebrews 11:15; Galatians 6:10.
Transcript
well if you would remain standing with me and what a beautiful congregation this morning to Worship the Lord with you'd remain standing with me if You' go to the book of Luke chapter number two and we'll begin reading at verse number one is so good as um brother Ericson said today I I just repeat and Echo the words of our guests that are here and uh the people that have come to Worship the Lord it's always good to gather in the house of the Lord Brother Sullivan said something that triggered in me he said living in the Overflow do you know that that would be left up to interpretation what is your overflow now I know some people that have cheapened tith and offerings that their overflow is they're getting more back than what they're giving they're giving money and they're getting more money back but I stood there today and I thought you know that's really not my overflow I really wouldn't tell you that I want to live in the Overflow of the abundance of finances and I'm being truthful with you today today you may think I'm insane but I'm being truthful with you today but you know what my overflow is it's right here this morning with a house full of people overflowing to worship god with lives that are here today that God loves and they matter to him and they're going to be touched and they're going to be changed I'm telling you I'm living in the Overflow we baptized too Wednesday night got more to baptize today I'm living in the over this is my this is my overflow right here you want to see some more overflow when you leave today go over by the ball fields sir and you'll think a carpet company had a car wreck out here there's rolls of turf all over can I tell you something that's my overflow the work of God I'm so thankful today to be living in the right overflow and you know that's an overflow that the world didn't give it to you and the world cannot take it away from you aren't you glad to be living in the Overflow this morning thank you for standing let's read from the word of God Luke 2 and one and it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed and this taxing was made was first made when serenus was was governor of Syria and all went to be taxed everyone into his own City and Joseph also went up From Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and Lage of David to be Ted with Mary his espoused wife being great with child and so it was that when they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the in for a few moments today I want to minister on the subject missed opportunities missed opportunities father I love you this morning I thank you for strength in my body I thank you for vision in my mind I thank you for the unction to preach your word today Lord all the lives in this room matter to you Lord the those that are saved and unsaved God they all matter to you you're here to love them today you're here to wrap your arms around them and encourage them today Lord you're here to comfort you're here today to heal Lord for the next few moments walk the aisles of this church speak to every heart we'll give you praise and honor in Jesus wonderful name we all pray amen and amen give him a hand hand of Praise before you're seated would you would you give him a real hand of Praise don't don't miss the opportunity to praise him right now missed opportunities would you would you say my title with you with me today OPP missed opportunities the definition of the word opportunity is simple and I really love this definition it simply says a good chance for advancement or progress a good chance a good chance for advancement or progress now in a spiritual application and when it when it is connected to God it's not a chance it would be a good opportunity for advancement a good opportunity for Progress anybody in here today not ashamed don't have the pride but you'd wave your hand and say I need some opportunities in my life I need some opportunities in my life good I think I've got something to talk to you about today I've chosen for my text this morning the familiar event of the birth of Jesus Christ now I heard either it was brother Hammond or brother Nolan said this week and I thought it was so powerful they said uh he was born in a manger to prove he was human he left us an empty tomb to prove he was God and I'm so thankful that he was both God and man because he was man he can be our s he can be our sacrifice and because he is God he is our he is our he's Our Redeemer you see the story starts here in Luke 2 that in the days of Caesar Augustus they went out a decree had you been living a little over 2,000 years ago you would have you would understand with me today that Caesar Augustus is the most powerful man in the world he's the most powerful ruler R the most not one of not one of he is the most powerful man in all the world and so like it or not and probably most of them were like us they didn't like it they didn't like when there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed that means money that all the world should be taxed and that every person had to go back to their place of of birth and they had to connect with their Lage and there was where the taxing would take place but let me tell you something today there's no human on this earth that is the most powerful person on this Earth God is and will be always always has been and always will be God will be in control God will be in control you see it wasn't Caesar Augustus that it came into his mind it became God's timing oh yes God has a time for everything you see the Bible says in Galatians 4 and4 look at this with me in Galatians 4 and4 but when the fullness of time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman the timing got right the timing got right and like pieces on a chessboard God just begins to move things around he he begins to shift things around and so God who is in Ultimate control moves upon the most powerful man in the world Caesar Augustus and he puts into his mind for there to be a decree he puts into his mind that there was to be everyone going back to the house of their lineage while the Bible says in Proverbs 21 and verse number one it says the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord as rivers of water God he turneth it whether soever he will nobody at 6 00 Pennsylvania Avenue is in control God is in control no no leader male nor female no Parliament no Senate no Congress no power no warmongers nobody is in control I'm telling you God is in control he has a time he has a time he moved upon the mind of Caesar Augustus he moves upon this time you see God is a God that wants to give opportunity life gives us many opportunities as a matter of fact today we ought to feel a little double blessed we live in a country of opportunities we live in a country of opportunities now I'm want to tell you that life's opportunities are one thing but God's opportunity unities are lifechanging man can give you an opportunity but man cannot fulfill you man can offer us a country can offer us a form of government can offer us opportunities but there's no opportunity like a god opportunity because when God gives you an opportunity it's life changing is fulfilling you are content now we got to understand something we only can find God opportunities when we read study and hear the word of God preached what are we here to do today we're here to tell you of the king's opportunities for your life you don't know there's opportunities until you get in the word you don't know there's opportunities until you begin to hear the preaching of God's word you you don't know there's opportunities until you begin to study the word now I want us to take it easy this season on the inkeeper all right I want us to take it easy on him because we have painted the inkeeper up as a cruel person that had no mercy had no caring for this pregnant woman named Mary and there was no room for them in the end well the first thing we have to get our mind out of the 21st century and go back 2,000 years ago they didn't have Marriotts Hampton in holiday in express no when you built a house many people would build an extra room called you guessed it a guest room you built that room for travelers you built that room for if you walked out in your city street and there you saw a traveler coming in you could bring them into your guest room you could bring them and no doubt probably there was some kind of a payment or tip for the Gratitude but it wasn't like it was a hotel and an inkeeper it was just simply everyone's houses were filled with people were filled with people that had already come to Jerusalem to Bethlehem to pay their taxes and all of the rooms were filled but the way that Luke lays this out it's as if they had attempted to find a room they had attempted to find a room and what if just just by chance what if just by chance someone was just not willing to be in convenience and they turned away they turned away Mary Joseph from their house now just stay with me for a mo just just stay with me for a few moments do you realize that when you understand it's God when you don't have room you make room when it's God and you understand the scripture you understand that when you don't have the room you begin to look around and say hey let's make some room because even if this inconveniences us and is not so much comfortable to our flesh and what we want to do it may not be what my flesh wants to do but when I understand it's a god of opportunity you begin to make some room you begin to make some room you see I believe today I believe today that the inkeeper was not cruel I believe the inkeeper is a lot like people today they're uninformed simply uninformed simply uninformed of the opportunity that God is given now now just follow this with me now just follow this with me now you see in verse four of chapter 2 it says and Joseph also went up From Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea under the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the Lage of David now let me tell you the climate let me tell you the god climate that should have been and maybe a lot of people had forgotten about it but way back we're going 20 years ago now we're going even beyond that we're going back to the day of King David King David wanted to build God a house it was his desire to build God a dwelling place but we know that God told King David that you're not going to build me a house you're a man of war you're a man of blood you're not going to build me a house but he gave him something back and 2 Samuel 7:16 God says to David and thine house and and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee thy Throne shall be established forever now we're going to understand God said David you can't build me a house but I will give you a kingdom of the fruit of your loins coming out of you fleshly coming out of you will be a ruler that will set on the throne and he will rule forever he will be a ruler that will rule forever to the Jew that meant Claudius Caesar the god of Abraham Isaac and Jacob has given us a promise and This Promise is that a ruler is going to come and they would talk about him as being the son of David the son of David this should have been in everybody's mind this should have been that there is a descendant that's going to be born of the House of David of the lineage of David that is going to be that is going to be a rule well let's talk a little bit more about the lineage of David the lineage of David from which we the term the son of David would come the phrase seed of David refers to the lineage or descendants of King David who was a significant figure in the history of Israel in the Old Testament God made a a covenant with David promising that his descendants would rule over Israel Forever This Promise this this this promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who is often referred to as the seed of David in the New Testament one of the key passages that connects Jesus the lineage of David is found in the gospel of Matthew where the genealogy of Jesus is traced back to David in Matthew 1 And1 The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham this genealogy highlights the importance of Jesus Connection to the Royal line of David the the title seed the title seed of David emphasizes Jesus rightful claim to the throne of David and his fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament in Revelation 22:16 Jesus is referred to as the root and The Offspring of David how is Jesus the root he is divine how is he The Offspring he is human the climate of that day had they kept studying their Bible had they kept in tune with god Jehovah have they kept in tune with God does it matter how popular Caesar Augustus is doesn't matter how popular the world religions of Pharisees are there's coming a seed of David to be born who is a who is a ruler who is a ruler now should the inkeeper had saw the opportunity and said wait a minute that pregnant woman on the back of that donkey her husband is of the lineage of David they could have said wait a minute this could possibly this could possibly be the Messiah the Messiah could have been there and had they had that thought brother Namy they would have been exactly 100% right but because they were ignorant or because they maybe was negligent in the word of God when he said hey I'm of the House of David I'm here to pay my taxes I'm here to pay these taxes my wife is pregnant do you have room for us because they were either ignorant of the word of God or had been forgetful of the word of God they turned away an opportunity from their door I want to stop for a moment just bring it home I don't want to lose out on any opportunities that God has given me the old song says every promise in the book is mine every chapter every verse and every line I am trusting in his love divine mine every promise in the book is mine I don't want to stand here today with God's opportunities staring me in the face and preaching into my ears and walking out and not recognizing God wants to give us an opportunity this morning it was Sister Carol McGruder with sister Carol McGruder that would be diagnosed with cancer let me tell you she lived many years farther longer than what the doctors gave her but her husband Carol McGruder came home one day to find the most unusual thing his wife praying that wasn't unusual but what was unusual is Sister McGruder Priscilla McGruder put her Bible down on the floor and she took her shoes off and she said God I'm Standing on the Promises of your word can I tell tell you today it's not just a thought that he's a Healer He Is A Healer today it's just not maybe my it's not a wishing con it's not a wishing contest it's not a fourleaf clover it's not a rabbit's foot it is the Eternal Promises of God do you think God could put my life back together I don't think I know that he can do you think God can bring me out of this I don't think I know that he can I don't want to miss this opportunity why are you praising this morning because I don't want to miss an opportunity I don't want to miss an opportunity why brother ericon if that's not enough if that's not enough that Joseph said I'm of the House of David I'm of the lineage of David where have you come from today verse four where have you come from today I've come from a city named Nazareth I've come from Nazareth that this where you come from you come from Nazareth I come from Nazareth is that right well let's look at Matthew 2:23 and he came Matthew 2:23 and he came and dwelt in the city called Nazareth why'd you go dwell there for now I know this is after he's born but this was where he was from he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth why that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets he shall be called a Nazarene can I tell you it has always been God's plan brother Nolan oh yes to give us a wink in the scripture listen if me standing here telling you I'm of the lineage of David doesn't do something to you the missed opportunity now the says where you from I'm from Nazareth if he had known more of the word he could have known that David's Messiah was going going to be called a Nazarene but do you want more than that where am I currently lineage of David from Nazareth where am I currently where am I currently standing where have I come back to to pay my taxes verse four Joseph also went up From Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea under the House of David which is called Bethlehem which is called Bethlehem it's where David was born David King David was born in Bethlehem it is given in prophetic scripture that the seed of David will be born in Bethlehem is it any strange wonder God you're trying to talk to us that the name Bethlehem means House of Bread House of Bread Jesus said I am the bread of life I am the place where the bread is distributed but Mr inkeeper you lo you you missed it on the seat of David and you missed it on being called a Nazarene but surely you read Micah chap 5 and verse two when the prophet Micah when the prophet Micah prophesied and he said but thou Bethlehem Etha though thou be little among the thousands of Judah little cities in the among the thousands of Judah yet out of these shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel whose going forth haveth been from all from Everlasting can I tell you something today that had they been mindful of God's opportunity they would have recognized who that pregnant woman was pregnant with if had they been mindful the story would be totally turned around somebody would say I believe you're carrying the Messiah somebody would say I believe you're carrying him but because they missed that opportunity God had to tell Shepherds out in the field behold there's born unto you this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord God had to tell somebody else I don't know about you today but I can answer for Kenneth Ray Carpenter I want I don't want to miss God's opportunity I know God can use somebody else I know that God doesn't need me there's one million more of Mees that God could use but when God came by this boy's life I said to myself I am not going to miss the opportunity that God has for me oh do you realize how important there's no one in this building today that's not important to God hear me today there's no one in this building today that is not important to God there's no one in this building that God doesn't care about that God doesn't love and there's no one in this building that God has given up on today but please don't miss your opportunity excuse me for a moment I got to preach to that unseen congregation this morning because I feel an unction in the Holy Ghost there's no one watching me this morning by way of the live stream that God has given up on you he's not giving up on you he's not giving up on your family I don't care how crazy it is I don't care how chaotic it is I want you to know that God cares about you and right there in your living room you can begin to praise him and you can give your heart back to God I wish somebody helped me praise him this morning oh if somebody help me praise him right now come on if you're glad you got an opportunity let have that have breath you missed one you missed another you missed another and now and now it simply records that he was born in a manger because there was no room for him in the end could it be today sister Carpenter that the absence of room in the end is also foreshadows the rejection that Jesus would face throughout his life Pharisees had no room for him Sadducees had no room for him people in his day had no room for him he would face this all through his life until finally it would climax with the world saying we don't have room for you and you bother us that you keep showing up and so therefore we're just going to crucify you despite being the long awaited Messiah Jesus was not rejected Jesus was not received with PP and grander but rather in an humble and an unassuming manner fulfilling the Prophecies of the suffering servant of the old test he's got to be born in a manger because there's no room in the end he's got to be born in a manger because people don't recognize this why we got to keep preaching the word and I mean preaching the word this is not a self-help Club committee we're we're here today I'm not here to try to pep you up prop you up make you believe in yourself I I listen I don't have to have a sermon of believing in myself I know how rotten I am that's right I don't need a message to believe in me I need a message of repent to me that that's the message I need I I need I need something new to come into my life oh you're the champion I'm not the champion oh you've got destiny I've got damnation I'm telling you would somebody preach the book to me today somebody tell me I can be a new creature somebody tell me I can have a new beginning oh hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah somebody tell me I can be water baptized in the name of Jesus not to join a church but for the remission of my sin tell me I can be a brand new creature I wish somebody just shout and holler tell me I wish you'd shout and holler tell me oh somebody tell me somebody tell me today got to preach the word got to preach the word you see today can I tell you where we're at right now in Prophecy right now in Prophecy we're coming down to a One World Government right now in Prophecy we're coming down to the end of days we are living in the listen listen to me listen listen to you Pastor this morning please listen 2,000 years ago the Apostle Peter explain the baptism of the Holy Ghost and he said it this way and it shall come to pass in the last days I'll pour out my spirit upon All Flesh if Peter 2,000 years ago referred to it as the last days pray tell we are where are we living right now if 2,000 years ago was the last days let me stir you up today we are living in the last of the last days and if there's ever been a congregation that needs to make room for God and the things of God it better be us say why do y'all have church so much we're making room why do y'all stay so long we're making room why do y'all do why does your lives revolve around church we are making room Jesus Jesus would you tell us when is your coming and when is the end of the world tell us Jesus they said in the Bible tell us when your coming is and of the end of the world and in Luke 1:26 Jesus said I will tell you when my coming is and the end of the world Luke 17:26 and as it was in the days of Noah so shall also in the days of the son of man so shall it be also in the days of the son of man tell me about it what were they doing what should we look to culture to tell us you're coming they ate they drank they married wives they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroy them all likewise also as it was in the days of lot they did eat they drank they bought they sold they planted they build it but the same day that lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all oh come on Jesus tell us about the vile perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah tell us about the bile perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah he says I'm not going to tell you that because I can take care of any vile perversion there is no perversion that the blood cannot heal there is no perversion that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot deliver there's no bondage there's no hold on you there's no sin on you that the blood cannot cover but why did you not mention it because that's not the problem the problem is there was no time for me in their lives and if there's no time for me there's no room for me and therefore they'll die in their sin oh God I want to make room for you I'll date myself but I'd like to have some people that would be with me how many of you are old enough to remember Banks businesses clothes in early on Wednesday why mid week bible study that wasn't just to start that wasn't just the apostolics that was our culture we stopped businesses closed early on Wednesdays so that men could go home change their work clothes take their wives and their children and go to a house of work worship Sunday has now the holy day let me let me tell you something tomorrow Monday is not the first day of the week today's the first day of the week and there's no greater way to start the first day of the week but in the house of God it has been according to God it's God's opportunity to educate us it's God's opportunity to change us but our culture today has removed a holy day and made it a holiday it's a day off come on you get Sunday off you invite people to church you get Sunday off yeah but that's the day that my family stays together that's that's our that's our family day I get it I understand it but oh I would like to give you the opportunity there's no greater more quality time no more educational time more life changing time but to bring your family into the house of God with other believers it'll make a better husband out of you it'll make a better wife out of you it'll make better kids that you've got we'll learn how to interact he said you want me tell you what it's going to be like when I come again it's going to be like just like it was when I came the first time they didn't have any room for me in the end and they don't have any room for me now oh I I'm glad we're making room I'm glad could we make room for a 15 second praise right now could we we'll never get the 15 seconds back but what a great way to invest in the last 15 seconds Lord I love you Lord I Praise You Lord I magnify you Lord I glorify you God I praise you I praise you missed opportunities would you say my title again missed opportunities can I tell you there is not only missed opportunities there's wrong opportunities there wrong opportunities let me tell you this you will always find wrong opportunities when you run with the wrong people we say what's wrong with them well they're giving you the wrong opportunities let me give you an example Matthew chapter 26 verse 16 referring to a man named Judas and we all know how he ended and from the that time Judah sought opportunity to betray him but he could not betray him on his own could he he had to go to the wrong crowd to have the wrong opportunity can I tell you child of God today you may not have the spirit of Judas in you but do you have the spirit of Lot's wife think about it for a moment so oh no I would never sell him out oh I I would never sell Jesus oh no no I I I I I believe that today I don't believe that there's really if any Judah spirit's here in the house but I do believe there's the spirit of lot here what is the spirit of Lot's wife it's a shortest sermon Jesus would ever preach he simply said remember Lot's wife what's to remember about her she looked back she looked back and when she looked back she was turned into a pillar of salt I want to tell every adult in this room today I want to tell every person in this building today that's been brought out of sin that's been brought out of the Mary pit of sin every person that's been delivered from the world every person that has had the born begin experience come over your mind a new way of thinking a new way of talking a new way of acting a new way of living I want to speak to everyone of you today and say don't look back don't look back I don't care how tough it gets I don't care how much you think God disappoints you and God didn't answer you the way you wanted to be answered don't look back your answer is not behind you your answer is in front of you but but oh my my but but but you don't realize Pastor what I'm looking at are you looking at a Red Sea because God told Moses God told Moses go forward go forward are you kidding me God go forward that's what you're telling me to do God go forward go forward really do you see the Red Sea God what I see is not as God sees and God if he would sing a song he would say do you see what I see no I don't see what you see I have to believe in what you see God says go forward and if God says you've got a future I don't care what's happening you have a future you don't know what happened to me last week you have a future future you know what to happened to me a year ago you have a future I wish somebody help me praise him right now Hebrews 11:15 Hebrews 11:15 and TR TR if they had been mindful of that country from when they came out they might have had opportunity to return you get the world on your mind and it won't be long the devil will give you opportunity you get unhappy with God and his church you get unhappy discontented with God in the thing I'm preaching to you today you get unhappy and discontented with the things of God that God has given you and all of a sudden you begin to see opportunities exits you begin to see things and you're deceived because there is no greater opportunity than the opportunity to know the Lord Jesus Christ no greater opportunities there's wrong opportunities there's wrong wrong opportunities wrong people then there's good opportunities Galatians 6 and10 I like for our musicians and singers to come Galatians 6 and10 as we have therefore are you reading it with me as we have therefore what opport opportunity let us do good un all men especially them who are of the household faith can I tell you what God's people don't have to be organized to recognize opportunity there is nothing that Thrills this pastor's heart anymore you listen to me right now listen to me give you give me your attention there's nothing that pleases this pastor's heart anymore than to watch this body without some organized effort take care of one another they w't have to hear it from the pull pit preached if they find out if they find out a brother Kirby's got a tree down brother Kirby I believe I saw you come in this morning would you wave your hand at me if I saw you come in this there you are in the back thank you brother Kirby for using all your strength to come to the house of God and I won't call names but more than once it gets back to me brother Kirby had a tree down we took some brothers over or I went over whoever and they're not telling it in blow my trumpet look at me it just gets back you know why cause God you're setting on in on pews today in a congregation with people that don't have to have some organized effort and have some trumpet sounded at church they just saw an opportunity and they said I'm going to go over there and I'm going to do this and that and I use brother Kirby as one there is so many there is so so so many across this congregation that before it ever it sometimes even gets to my ears somebody in this church first lady you know what to be true somebody in this church has already reached out done this and that and ab andc you know why they live by Galatians 6 and10 they see an opportunity they see an opportunity to be blessed but let me come down to the end of my message today if you're here this morning number one you don't know the Lord you know of him but you don't know him you've never received Heaven's sweet gift of the Holy Ghost you've never been plunged beneath the Waters of baptism having the only saving name called over you you're here today I got to tell you something don't waste this opportunity don't waste this opportunity I'm not trying to put you on a fear trip but it's reality it was a little girl an 18y old girl putting on Facebook five days to NYC National youth convention five days to National youth convention four days sister Wilson four days to National youth convention three days to National youth convention two days to National youth convention one day it's the last post she made cuz when Mel Reinhardt got in her car to drive to Nashville on i71 there would be an accident and her life would be taken she never got down to its National youth convention you said oh you're you're you're just trying to work on my emotions I hope I do I hope I work on your emotions so much that in about 3 minutes you get up at out of that Pew and you say I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity I'm going I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity today I hope you get out of that Pew I hope this is the morning you're baptized I hope this is the morning you get the Holy Ghost you stand with me right now Paul Paul preaches Paul preaches to a man named he preaches to a man named a gria he preached a gria the king he preached to him he told his testimony but Agrippa had a friend named fesus and fesus saw a grippa being visibly moved fesa saw his friend a grip of the king being starting to tremble Paul was just preaching there's a judgment day coming I was knocked down on the road to Damascus Jes Jesus is alive Jesus is real and the grip is trembling and feser says Paul you're beside yourself you are not you're you're crazy Paul just like a demonic spirit is coming through the pews right now said he's trying to work on your emotion he just trying to mess with you come on 30 minutes and you'll be out of here you listen to me today a grandpa said Paul almost you persuade me to be a Christian let me tell you something almost in is always out almost right is always wrong there's not an all in God every prayer Warrior that loves Souls I want you to lift up your voice right noway pray there's trembling going on in this house right now there's trembling going on in this house right now please come right now you know who you are Jesus Christ has been dealing with you you know who you are this morning don't miss this opportunity the altar is open the altar is open come right now please come please come in Jesus name your soul depends upon it your soul depends upon it please come please let go of the back of that P tell the people beside you I got to get out I got to go to the altar I got to go I got to go I got to go make room for you to do whatever you are yes you oh God make God please come don't tell him no don't stand in your pebe come on it's a day to pray back through it's a day to pray back through it's a day to get things right today is the day of salvation now is the acceptable time this is my surrender this is my surrender here is your opportunity every down this is my surrender through to do whatever you want to whatever you want oh God oh God oh God oh God oh God that's it that's it that's it Pour Your Heart Out To God pour your heart out to God do whatever you pour your heart out to God I will make room for you I'll make room for you right now God I don't care what anybody thinks I don't care what anybody says I will make for you sh sh shake the sh TR shake up the ground shake up the ground of all my tradition Break Down The Walls High religion your your way is there your way is sing Shake Up the ground shake up the ground of all my tradition break down the all my I will I will make room for you Lord I will I will to do whatever you are whatever you want to you want to and I will make room for you making room to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want I will make room and I will make room for you Lord way to do whatever you want to do whatever you want to I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to take Shake of the ground shake up the ground of all my tradition break down the wall all My Religion he always sh ground sh ground your way is better your way is better better shake the ground shake up the ground of all my tradition break down the All My Religion your is better better shake the ground shake the ground every your better I will I will make through you to come and I wa Jesus to do whatever you want to do whatever you want across this place today come on let's not miss this opportunity we've got two Souls that are going to be baptized this morning and they're going to take advantage of this opportunity if there's anybody else that wants to be baptized if you just let somebody else next to you know the Lord is here come on as you lift your hands if you feel led why don't you pray for somebody next to you there's not one of us in this place today that are where we should be come on we can always grow we can always increase we can take a step and this is an opportunity today in the presence of the Lord to become who God would have us be come on with hands lifted with eyes closed could we not be distracted and could we just say God touch my mind today God touch my heart today God make me who you have me be as a father as a mother as a come on young people could you pour your heart out to him today Lord we want to be who you've called us to be Lord we'll make room for you to do whatever you want to do in our lives Lord whatever you want to do in my life today come on the presence of the Lord is here come on let him do whatever he wants to do to let him do whatever he wants to right now Lord I Surrender My Heart Lord I Surrender my mind come on altar workers would you help us come on there's needs in this house I wish there'd be nobody looking around would you find somebody to pray with for the next few moments oh Hallelujah come on you don't know what that person's going through I wish you'd pray with fery for a brother for a sister this morning come on this this is too good of an opportunity to just stand idly by and not be involved in what God's doing right now come on lives are being changed come on lives are being changed right now come on young person take advantage don't be distracted let the Lord touch you today in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus we ask you Lord shake up the ground all my tradition Break Down The Walls all my relig better better shake up the ground all my tradition break down the all my religion shake up the ground shake up the ground all my tradition break down the all my relig better better better sh the ground shake up the ground all my tradition break down the Ws All My Religion it's better it's better the sing our will I will make room for you to do whatever you want to do whatever you want to I make room I will make room for you to change be to do whatever you want whatever you want to whatever you want oh I will make room to you the way to do whatever you want to do whatever you want to Lord I will make room to you yes to do whatever you want to do whereever you want to here is where I down every every this is my surrender this is my surrender is where I lay this is my surrender I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to and I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to I will make room for you to do whatever you want to to do whatever you want to I will make for you to do whatever you to do whatever you here is where iay down every this is my surrender this is my surrender here is where I lay it down would you join me in prayer for this precious woman that has come to be baptized today Father I thank you for this precious lady that has come to be baptized she sees her opportunity through your word Lord he that believeth you said that he that believeth and his baptized shall be saved God today we understand that when she goes into this water she's walking into her grave and as she is submersed underneath the water her old life and every sin wrong she's ever committed by the blood that was shed at Calvary and by the name that will be be invoked over her will wipe away her path God she will rise to walk in newness of life God if she's not already received the gift of the Holy Ghost according to your word god fill her with the Holy Ghost this morning in Jesus Christ's name I pray amen sister Maggie upon confessing your faith obedience to the word of the Lord I do now indeed baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ and thank the Lord you've already received the gift of the Holy Ghost in Jesus name in Jesus name we pray Jes Jesus name walk in newness of life in Jesus name walk in newness of Life yeah yes God Walk in of Life Walk in of sh the ground shake up the ground all my tradition Down the Walls All My Religion your way is better your way is better oh let's give her and the Lord a hand right now welcome to the family let's pray again right now father in the name of Jesus thank you God for this young lady that's come Lord to obey your word Lord through last Sunday night as we stood in this Altar and discussed your word this precious young woman sees her need her opportunity to be baptized in your name to walk in fullness of Truth God lord if she's not already received the Holy Ghost baptize her with the Holy Ghost when she comes up out of the water Jesus name I pray sister Emily put profess your faith and obedience to the word the Lord I do now baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ for theion of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost do it Lord in Jesus name do it Lord in Jesus name do it Lord Do It Lord yes Lord yes Lord oh yes Lord the Holy Ghost fill her with the Holy Ghost with the Holy Ghost My Religion the Holy Ghost Holy Ghost Trak down could we give the Lord a great CL hand clap offering right now I ain't glad for two souls to go down in Jesus name got one more to go down in Jesus name name thank God thank God thank God thank God thank God thank you Lord for this precious young man let's just pray thank God for this precious young man that has come today to be obedient recognizing an opportunity to be baptized the Bible Way the Bible purpose God Lord help this young man to understand every sin he's ever committed by the blood and by the name that'll be invoked over him will remove all those sins and Empower him to walk in newness of Life father if he's not already received the Holy Ghost let him come up out of the water speaking in the Heavenly tongue as your spirit gives the ability Jesus name I pray this prayer amen Amen brother Abel profess your faith obedience to the word of the Lord I do now de baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in Jesus name yes yeah yeah yeah yeah walk out you walk oh yes walk out free if you walk in going to walk out if you walked in with it's going to be all right if you walked in you're going to walk out if you walked in he's going to feel your oh yeah just a mention of his just of his Aion of his everything change just Aion of his name just a menion of his name of his just Aion of his name just sub of his everything can change everything can change of this just Aion of this day just of his name everything CH you Lord right now his name is Jesus his name is Jesus his name is Jesus Jesus his name is Jesus and now let's lift our hands and our voices let's thank God for three precious Souls that went down in the only saving name oh yes thank God thank God thank God are we happy three Souls went down today two Wednesday night two Wednesday night three today that's five Souls baptize in Jesus name I want to ask you in dismissing you today I want to ask you would you make some room for God today would you make some room for God today do you realize a phone call to somebody inviting them back to church tonight or inviting them to come to church tonight a phone call inviting them to come to church tonight could possibly result in them coming to church tonight which could possibly result in them hearing the gospel which could result in them being born again could you make some room for that today could you make could you make some room could you make some room for that today and let me give you and I want you to come anyway I'm going to tell you who's going to be preaching tonight but I want you come anyway but evangelist Kenny Carpenter is going to be with us tonight and uh he's going to be preaching very Evangelistic we going to be preaching but listen it's a day we need to start telling our family members get right get ready and if you're choosing right now to go to sleep you picked a fine time to go to sleep right now the Lord's coming back I love every last one of you let's be in the prayer room at 5:30 tonight God bless you dismissed
Scripture references as spoken: Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4; Proverbs 21:1; 2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1; Revelation 22:16; Matthew 2:23; Micah 5:2; Luke 17:26-29; Matthew 26:16; Hebrews 11:15; Galatians 6:10.