Sunday Evening Worship Service

thank you co-workers The Miracle Worker is in this house right now hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah praise team stay where you are just a minute if ever if everybody would indulge me we are so blessed beyond measure here at First Apostolic Church some of the greatest talent that God has ever put in one assembly together amazing singing musicians technicians worship leaders praisers that's all of you and there's no way that I could ever try to match what's going on but that's not what we're here to do but sometimes you just kind of get these urges now I've got all of this is some of the most talented singers that you'll ever hear they can harmonize at anything I've got every one of them sweating right now wondering what I'm about to do all the technicians upstairs who we give the production to and we've got all these things planned out they're saying where is he going now but I I just felt an urge in my spirit just before service so I got to do what I got to do praise team if this sounds bad it's not your fault let me time and then if you feel like you can jump in like we used to jump rope just do it but there's an old song just been wearing me out because it makes me think of First Apostolic Church this is a church of Excellence it's a church of people that give everything they got to everything you do and we used to sing an old song that talked about effort and it went something like this it said will Lord I'm running trying to make a hundred ninety nine and a half won't do thank the Lord [Music] all right [Music] back in your testimony [Music] come out on the ocean [Music] in Jesus hey it will show me a drift away Jesus [Music] [Music] like ever [Music] yeah [Music] there's a storm moving in Jesus hey it will show me Drift Away [Music] [Applause] [Music] it will surely hallelujah thank you praise please thank you musicians oh thank you for letting me do a little old school just every once in a while aren't you glad to be in the house of the Lord on this Sunday night man it feels good in this house tonight thank you for being here I'm gonna let you move to your seats and I'm going to read one passage of scripture for my foundational text but I do want to give you a little bit of explanation I'd ask you to turn to Second Corinthians the fourth chapter second Corinthians the fourth chapter while you're finding that in your in the book or on your device whatever it is First Corinthians the fourth chapter let me again say thank you Pastor Whitley for what an encouraging message I'm glad that we serve a mighty God who still loves the broken thank you for ministering to us today thank you all of the Summit Group Leaders and all of those who are participating that's been on my mind this entire week and I guess that's why my mind starts drifting to uh thinking about songs of effort now that's just the attitude that I want us to have what you've always said your your aim and your goal is always to give a hundred percent in all that you do for the Lord because let me tell you there is a storm that's blowing in against the church and against the people of God you better be anchored in Jesus I said you better be anchored in Jesus Hallelujah I was studying this week and read through a passage of scripture I've read through many times but it reminded me frankly of a message that I preached and I really didn't know when I preached the message so I started going through my notes and database that I have at home the archive some of the studies I've done and I found a message that was dated eight years ago with the same title I'm going to use tonight well I may go in a little bit different direction I am going to use the same title and at least one foundational scripture so I want to read one verse to you tonight second Corinthians the fourth chapter I'll read one verse verse number one we read this therefore seeing we have this as we have received Mercy we faint not for just a few minutes tonight I would speak to you on this subject we have this ministry we have this ministry let's pray savior we're grateful for your Mighty presence that we have experienced tonight Lord I Thank You For The Marvelous praise that's gone up but Lord more importantly your blessings your power that we feel in this room right now Lord thank you for being here Lord thank you for overshadowing this place or let your word minister to us tonight let us be filled and fed from all it has for us the name of Jesus we pray amen and amen we have this ministry one of the most common questions that I have asked me as a minister by sincere devoted people is Pastor what is my place what is my call please hear me tonight for those who are devout those who are serious and dedicated to their walk with God they are looking for something to do in the kingdom of God devout honest-hearted sincere people young and not so young sometimes in a an attempt to find direction for Ministry feel that unless they relocate moved to some foreign land or some far-off exotic place whether at home or abroad they do not feel like they're able to fulfill the ministry that God's called me to do and please understand as a pastor I am 100 behind missions work missions America World missions and all of these sub titles of Outreach that all of those departments within our organizations have and within the Outreach of our church personally had we not had missions America Outreach had we not been a church planting Church there would not have been those who went out from First Apostolic Church to establish if they see Maryville to establish Eagle being Apostolic Church to establish the work that's in LaFollette on and on it goes so please know that this is not an attempt to be castle-minded we are kingdom-minded I still believe that God calls pastors he calls evangelists who go out from the church and Minister cause preachers and teachers who have diverse callings and Ministries that are specifically directed toward towards certain calls but speaking to the Corinthian Church the Apostle Paul made a statement he said therefore seeing we have this ministry he was speaking of the call to the Corinthians he wasn't telling them about other works he wasn't telling them about other outreaches at this point he was talking to them about a particular Ministry and I submit to you tonight that we as Saints of First Apostolic Church you the Believers that are in this house I want us to be thankful that God has given us this ministry I'm thankful to be a part of this ministry some of you have been here from the Inception from the tent meetings some of you have been here through the basement Church some of you have been here through 123 West Columbia some of you have been here through the beginnings of dislocation when we had Church on a concrete floor and we had one Wing built and we were just establishing Apostolic Christian School and Apostolic Kiddie Academy some of you have been here through many years but some of you God has brought you here recently and I want you to know God has given us all this ministry to work in God has given us a place to minister mildly to our community to those around us and to those specifically who he will call us to and equip us to minister to Ephesians 4 11 said it this way he gave some Apostles some prophets some evangelists some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ I've heard Bishop rightfully say some give by going I'm Amazed at some of our missionaries who have given their lives to go to foreign lands when I entertained so many of those who've come across this platform and told us how God is using them around the world I'm so amazed by the wonderful works that God has done through this assembly several years back I had the privilege of going and preaching the the eastern and Pacific Conference of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ for all of our missionaries and they had it in the Philippines and while I was there was an elderly gentleman that they brought to the front in one of the conferences there were several thousand Folks at this conference they brought him to the front his steps were a bit feeble but they said he was the oldest living Elder of the aljc ministry being in the Philippines and I got a chance to talk to him and the more I talked to him the more excited I got for Brother Carlos Grant have brought the apostolic message to him and I knew who Carlos Grant was because as a child I remembered Carlos Grant coming to First Apostolic church and First Apostolic church just as a a much smaller work than we are now raised funds to build a church in the Philippines and many many years later I got to see some of the fruits of something you did but you see some give of their lives like brother Grant did and others have by going but do you know what else Bishop has always said others go by giving time and time again you have given of your resources that that there may be special Works done oh just recently the the wonderful offering that was taken up for the ministry for brother fandell in South America in Argentina over eleven thousand dollars to minister you didn't go but you're giving with we have this ministry God has given us a Ministry and if we aren't careful sometimes we will get so zeroed in that we got to go here and we've got to go there sometimes God's called us to minister within the confines of an assembly and work together and pull our resources that the gospel can go around the world frankly I also remember might have been brother J Frank Wilson our credit to him credit it to him but one of the ministers used to say some were called and some were sent and some just got up and went you need to make sure you're calling is sure before you get Restless and leave because we have this ministry it is essential that we all understand that God has given us opportunities to minister in our community and in our in the kingdom of God First Corinthians 12 28 I didn't give this to you upstairs so it's my bed but it said in God it set some in the church has set some in the church first apostles secondarily prophets thirdly teachers after that Miracles then Gifts of healing then helps there is a Ministry of helps now this may not make anybody want to run tonight brother Whitley you said you had determined you weren't going to scream I may need to scream to get folks attention tonight I don't know but there are ministries of Health that will never see headlines that will never be advertised as a great conference speaker that will never be advertised as a singer at a Christian concert but they are ministering in the kingdom of God just as sure as anyone else does and if we aren't careful we will value one Ministry above the other when all the time God is saying I remember who was helping I remember who behind the scenes was helping and ministering I'm here to tell you we have this ministry there's something you can do there's something God has called you to do [Applause] he said Ministries or he's called he said some in the church for government and then it went on and said diverse these of tongues this is not always talking about someone being in the altar speaking with tongues as evidence of the Holy Ghost this is not necessarily talking about someone with the gift of tongues and interpretation let me tell you We Begin praying and God sent folks like the Perez is our way that spoke a new tongue that can minister in Pia and we can have saints because this is our ministry we have this ministry you better know when I was an El Salvador a couple of weeks ago I was thankful for diversity of tongues I was thankful to have Brother Joseph and Brother Juan there that they could interpret what this old East Tennessee boy was trying to say we have this ministry First Corinthians 1 3 said Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and so sothenas our brother unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are Sanctified in Christ called to be Saints there's a calling to be a saint Saints show up I said Saints show up and then when the Holy Ghost moved Saints show out let me say that again Saints show up and Saints know how to show out when the Holy Ghost moved we don't always have to go to a conference 600 miles away sometimes we just show up to church and show out a little bit because the Holy Ghost is here in this ministry it don't get headlines brother O'Brien you could have taken a nap this afternoon why were you doing he was over here teaching a bible study on Sunday afternoon that don't always get headlines but you're ministering we have this ministry Hallelujah I'm thankful that through the years First Apostolic church has ministered to Untold Thrones of people through missions but I've got news for you if we all went as missionaries there would be no home Church there would be no support for Missions some of you when you're working a job every day and you're paying tithe at First Apostolic church and you're giving offerings of abundance you know what you're doing you're Ministry you're ministering to this community and around the world you're ministering through missions work in our nation and around the world and you're ministering right here in your own community Ephesians 4. said there is one body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord One Faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all through all and in you all but notice but unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ nope hear me in this house if you aren't careful you can sinfully covet someone else's Ministry I said sinfully Kevin being covetous is a sin God may not have given you that call and may not have given you that opportunity that ability because you don't have enough of Grace to do that job you may see the headlines but you don't know how much grace it takes for some to do what they do God has diversities of calls in this ministry in fact in second Corinthians 4 our text I want to go through a narrative a little bit because it starts giving some requirements for having a Ministry understand when I say what I said about sinfully coveting someone else's Ministry there's a difference in ambition and covetousness we should all have an ambition to do more for God but the diversities of abilities that God has given us the experiences that we've had even before we got to know the Lord God can take those things and turn them to Ministry he can take the things don't forget the Apostle Paul man he was a Christian Hunter I mean he hunted down Christians he brought them bound to be tried for their faith you see when God got a hold of him and changed him the very abilities of intermingling and knowing the culture suddenly became his field of ministry some of the things that you've experienced before you knew Christ he may have been even looking at you then saying if you'll just turn your life over to me those things that you you did in the world I can take that and I can use that in the kingdom of God verse 2 of second Corinthians 4 7. but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking and craftiness or handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to Every Man's conscience in the sight of God we are not called to fool people into becoming Christians we are not called to create pet doctrines and deceitful doctrines that are self-aggrandizing and self-supporting this is about Christ it's about this ministry leading people to Christ verse 3 said for if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost there's a lost world we're trying to reach they're all around us yes I want to reach the world yes I want to reach the next city but I want to reach Knoxville I want to reach Pleasant Ridge Road I want to reach Merchants Road I want to reach Northwest Knoxville we have this Ministry [Applause] hear me Satan himself has postured himself as the God of this world secular humanism the idea that humanity is moral enough that it does not need God more minds are blinded than ever before we are living in a dark dark world Brother David Bernard said this and I quote the spirit of our age is post-modernism that there's no absolute truth and relativism no moral certainties we must have spiritual anchor points so that we don't move with the currents and the tithes of this culture there's a storm out on the ocean and it's moving this away if your soul is not Anchored In Jesus you're going to drift away you better hear this preacher tonight if you don't stay anchored in Jesus there's too many slick talking doctrines there's too many ideas of man that if you're not Anchored In Jesus Will drift you away from what you know is true Ephesians 4 14 said that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro carried away with every wind of Doctrine by the slide of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie and wait to deceit there's a lot of deceivers the God of this world is a deceiver and there's deception around us everywhere the lead stories of our news the headlines of our social media news outlets scream out the perverted agendas of special interest groups that would influence your children my children my grandchildren our young adults through Godless education and entertainment these voices have never been more aggressive than they are today many who once even took the Hippocratic Oath have vowed to the voices of those who demand the rights to murder and surgically and chemically alter the gender identity of children the very core of human existence is now being boldly attacked in the name of free thinking same-sex marriage is not just an oxymoron you can leave the oxy off of it and it still works Genesis still says so God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them look out preacher the Wolf police may show up look out preacher the politically correct crowd not going to agree with what you're saying we will be a diverse Church of all ethnicities but I'm here to tell you we will still be a church that cries out against sin and wrong in every situation Hallelujah [Applause] it would be hard for me not to comment but if you don't think the old book is true let me try to read you without comment and just read you what the book says Romans 1 22 says professing themselves to be wise they became fools and change the glory of the uncorruptable god into an image made like to corruptable man to birds and four-footed beasts and creepy things wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own Hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves I would comment man you're in bad shape when God gives you up who changeth the truth of God into a lie and worship and serve the creature more than the Creator who is blessed forever amen for this cause God gave them up undefiled affections for even their women to change the natural use into that which is against nature likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust one toward another men with men working that which is unseemingly receiving in themselves the recompense of their air which was me preacher preached love I am preaching love I love Sinners I hate sin I want to see a change take place we've got to exude love and care but we must call out Sin from the book [Applause] and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge I'm trying not to comment anybody that's got any sense can see what the book was prophesying a long time ago God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of Envy murder debate deceit malignity Whispers backbiters haters of God despiteful proud boasters inventor of evil thing disobedient to Parents Without understanding Covenant Breakers without natural affection implacable and merciful you know what that sounds like sound like a couple of strolls through Instagram sound like visiting Facebook sounds like everything that pops up when you go through Twitter it's all there who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commits such things are worthy of death never mistake this preacher is not preaching violence Against Humanity in any way but there is a spiritual death that many are dying there's a spiritual awareness of the soul that is being destroyed by the God of this world who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them don't you tell me you can't find something to do we have this ministry to minister to our community a preacher sin seems so great what knew method what new message what new plan can we come up with verse 5 of our text tells us what we need to do before we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your Servants of Jesus for Jesus sake we've got to keep preaching Jesus let me tell you this is not the mark McCool Ministry don't want my name on it this isn't Mark McCool's church this is God's Church we're going to preach Jesus to our community Jesus for our families Jesus in the city Jesus on the streets we've got to keep telling people about Jesus for God who commanded the light to shine out of Darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ it's not my talent it's not my ability it's not my accomplishments it's not that I would be lifted up but he said if I be lifted up above the earth I will draw all men unto me if we'll lift up Jesus there will be a drawing if folks find out this is about Jesus they'll be a drawing we have no brand to advertise it's about Jesus we're going to do everything we can with excellent I'm striving for 199 and a half won't do but as I do that it can't be about me it's got to be about him we have a collective Ministry how beautiful how beautiful we'll walk through today to see the summit groups oh blue McCool that's just people getting together and fellowshipping did you know servant Jesus is fun man I love coming to church I have fun when I shout want to dance and there are sacrifices that we make but let me tell you it's fun being with God's people some of them are playing golf and some of them are cooking some of them are walking and some of them are going to eat so much they wish I needed to walk oh you're not spiritual enough brother McCoo let me tell you this is who we are we have this ministry that's that's why we're looking for every opportunity yeah just because you're you're doing something that that we didn't speak with tongues for 15 minutes before we cooked I'll some of you think I've started blaspheming now it's fun serving the lord I like I like being with you people you're my someplace we show up a couple of times a week this is a lifestyle we have this ministry that's why we have epi epic Christian School an Apostolic Kiddie Academy that's why we have Sunday school and women's is free Mighty Men of muscle we'll get together and work every once in a while we'll work in between coffee breaks that's why we have audio teams and video teams and Usher team greeters team security teams Pia senior starting name and you can't get close Ministry can be enjoyable Romans 14 17 said for the kingdom God is Not meat and drink but righteous and peace and joy Joy it ought to be fun coming to church it ought to be fun being with God's people for he that and these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved to men and then he went on to say in the narrative of our text in verse 7 2 reiterate what Pastor Whitley so eloquently spoke today we have this treasure what treasure The Treasure of the Holy Ghost we have this treasure in Earthen vessels that means it's in flesh it's in US that the Excellency of the power may be of God and not of us it's not about our abilities Christ Living in this flesh we're troubled on every side yet not distressed we're perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed always bearing about in the body of the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body human frailties human weaknesses we are part of the human family but we still are in this world but not of this world verse 11 said for we which live are always delivered unto the death of Jesus for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh so then death worketh in us but life in you where flesh and blood we do not have glorified bodies yet we will still haven't have human conflict human failures and disappointments boy I hate to break this news to you did you know families fuss sometimes Families First I've heard that anyway but I've also been told that especially in police work one of the most dreaded calls there is is to deal with a domestic dispute in a family because family confess and fight amongst each other but if somebody else steps in tries to clean up they'll all turn on you preacher you said in the church should be full of fussing absolutely not but I'm going to tell you sometimes we're going to have disagreements I'm not giving anybody license to be a jerk okay Pastor didn't tell you you ought to fuss I'm saying sometimes we come up short in our human frailties and we lose our cool and we make mistakes but you know real blood family because we're in the same bloodline we're in the bloodline of Christ we don't go around holding grudges sticking our bottom lip out and getting offended everybody we get over things and we get in and work together in the kingdom of God yeah we're going to have differences sometime we're going to be at odds from now look if you've moved here recently and you thought you came to some Nirvana and some amazing look we're going to have issues sometimes but we're going to be Holy Ghost Field we're going to pray those things out there's a lot of things to be fixed if you get your hide back in the Altar and pray to you speak with terms that sound horrible get your kind self back into the alt but bring your hide with you you see we must not be devastated by the shortcomings of the flesh we should do our best and desire to live in the spirit and do all to be like Christ that we can we must live and always delivered life and then verse 13 said this in this narrative that we're studying we have this ministry we have the same Spirit of Faith according as it is written I believe therefore have I spoken we also believe therefore speak we have the courage to have convictions and speak up and speak out against sin without being offensive we do not attack people we do not go around boorish and bullish but I got a mouth on me I'm not ashamed to be called a Christian no shame to stand up for Christ and be counted among God's people knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and present us with you I would say it this way if you have the courage to have convictions these may not always go as you would like them to Joseph chose prison over immorality Daniel chose simple food over the king's dainties he then chose the Lion's Den over a prayerless life John the Baptist told Herod what he thought even though it meant prison and cost him his head do I have the courage to stand for my convictions today in the perverted perverse world that we're living in praise team musicians get ready second Corinthians 4 15. said for all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the Thanksgiving of many bound to the glory of God for which cause we faint not but through our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day please let me extend the invitation to anyone that's in this house I invite you to be a part of this ministry oh as I told you we are not castle-minded we are kingdom-minded I've given you this example before but for the one or two who hasn't heard it I would give you this example again and the difference in being castle-minded and kingdom-minded I've had opportunity as we've traveled overseas and visit other countries that there was a time in those countries that the castle was the ultimate dwelling place and the ultimate Center of the civilization while in Germany brother Krauss let us visit a series of castles one of the castles was supposedly as far as its appearance it was the castle that was used as the model in appearance for what we know as the Disney Castle when I was in Spain I saw several castles there when we were in Ireland we saw several castles there and there was something in particular that I noted about those castles they all had something in common they were amazingly built architecture they had walls around them they were well fortified some had the stereotypical moat around them others had high walls or were built up on top of mountain peaks that were very difficult to excess and just to look at them they were amazing to see but you know what they all had in common they were all uninhabited except for being a tourist attraction if we ever become castle-minded about First Apostolic Church in this ministry we will eventually become a monument to the Past nice building Ben did you see the towers did you see this did you but will become uninhabited but if we keep ourselves as kingdom-minded folks that we're trying to win the Lost around us we're going to reach far and wide we're going to reach around the world to our nation but we're also going to reach our community and we stay Kingdom Life then we can grow how do I be a part of this ministry that's real easy you just got to be born again now Nicodemus didn't understand that Jesus explained to him the Bible says that Nicodemus came to Jesus by night heard one preacher say that was the first Nick at night Nicodemus came to Jesus by night [Music] and he knew there was something different about Jesus he said you're a great teacher nobody can do what you do except you be sent from God and Jesus said verily I say unto you except a man be born again of Heaven Nicodemus said well how can that happen how can I be born how time to my mother's womb Jesus said except man be born of water and a spirit that which is born of flesh is flesh that which is born a spirit of spirit Marvel not that I said unto thee you must born again if you want to be a part of this ministry it's just simple as this you need to be born again I need to repent of your sins you need to be born of water [Music] baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission and born of spirit filled with the Holy Ghost that's why [Music] in acts when Peter preached the Bible tells us that they that gladly received the word were baptized [Music] if you'll receive the word tonight you can be a part of this ministry God has something for you to Judith in his kingdom [Music] but pastor [Music] I've got the big picture I'm still asking what is my Ministry well let me give you all the Insight that you need for right now Joshua identified his ministry Joshua said this way Joshua 24 15. and if it seemed evil unto you to serve the Lord choose you this day he you will serve you know the passage whether the gods which your father served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the amorites and whose land you dwell listen there's some Gods out there choose you this day who you're going to serve he said but as for me in my house we will serve the Lord let me tell you before you worry about any other Ministry to anybody else what's your house look like let me ask you what your house looked like he said as for me I got to get me right first [Music] and my house we will serve the Lord look Noah ministered by building a boat for a hundred years [Music] laughs oh but his ministry was his family his family was saved I want my family to be saved you want to start with your ministry look at your house look at you and then let God expand and extend your reach to do a work in the kingdom of God I wonder if there's anybody in the house tonight that would come forward saying God I want to be used of you let me Minister however you would have me to do so but whatever you'd call me to do Lord I want to be a part of this ministry if it helps if it's government whatever I can do I want to be a Healer maybe I can Minister and heal broken hearts by my testimony Whatever It Is God I want to minister for you in some way we have this ministry we have this Menace Give Myself Away [Music] [Applause] [Music] Give Myself Away [Music] [Music] with you Myself Away [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] my life [Applause] oh my dreams [Music] I Give Myself Away [Music] I give myself away so you can use [Music] I give myself away so you can eat would you lift your hand to love Jesus savior I thank you for whatever field you have put me in Lord let me never grow complacent Lord let me realize I'm ministering Lord I do not a job but I minister Lord I am not a volunteer I'm a Ministry Lord I pray that whatever you call me to do I never devalue it Lord I never denigrated Lord let me take whatever task you've called me to do and let me elevate it in your kingdom the may find you savior I praise you I honor you I worship you in the name of Jesus I pray amen and amen I'm in a house full of ministers go from this place Ministry to the kingdom wherever God has called you be here this Wednesday night as saints of God expecting a great time in the Lord for worshiping the word with Bishop McCool our classes will meet don't forget there's a few available sign ups still for our Summit groups greet everyone as your protocols make you comfortable you're dismissed in Jesus name