Affections

oh what a day in which we live somebody shout Amen can I say it again oh what a day in which we live somebody say man what a time to be alive to be dealing with the things of our day huh oh what a day in which we live the political atmosphere today is so volatile the economical environment where we are finding our self is so unsecured medical surroundings in which we find ourselves it's unknown how things are going to turn out a global pandemic that has affected all nations there are questions there are confused people walking around there are concerns oh what a day in which we live the news outlets with 24 hours in a day they'll cover everything every argument every side of an agreement or disagreement why because there are ideas and options and opinions in all of us oh what a day in which we live every single one of us have access to as much or as little information as we desire brother Gibson mentioned earlier in his class about turning off stuff and and disconnecting and finding that quiet space how many enjoy the quiet moments in life Oh for the quiet moments in life now throughout all of history of man believe it or not there have been similar surroundings in the history books you can find one generation or a particular culture rising up against another one why because they were looking for a better life they they they wanted a different lifestyle maybe warmer climate or cooler climate they needed more water or they needed more building materials so on and on history reveals to us that individuals coming together as countries and nations and and tribes and whatever it is there is always in the heart of humanity a search for something else for something more oh what a day in which we live today expectations are very high there are uncertainties that rule the day what will happen next it's a question that's on many minds today security or peace of mind is what we all want although once it is received we don't know what to do with it some folk are never satisfied with what they have so they look at what others have and they want that it's an endless circle of life's possessions and life's desires as we sit here right now in this air-conditioned room right now there are unsettled conflicts in our city our nation and even our world they are pressing against unresolved desires to change not sure what the change needs to be but something has to give way for something else to transpire y'all stay with pastor for a moment if only we could possess sufficient space for everything but as a people we cannot contain the the good we cannot contain the evil so in a constant search for the better the more the different the cheaper the more expensive the pretty the ugly the bad were always on the prowl in search of it yet we never truly are satisfied when we find it as pastor in this culture I will tell you that the times are very interesting the influences of the world they are now being seen in the church and the influences of the church are now being witnessed in the world as we are all in search for balance there remains a struggle here what I'm saying it's a miracle to see such disconnected discontented and and and so upset the people of our world as if nothing will appease their thirst for those who work hard and apply themselves it is what they achieve it is something that they desire so they give themselves to it on the other hand there are those that are in search of the easy way in life with no real sacrifices nor difficult choices and the path is very clear for them they just simply do nothing the path of least resistance if you will no real hard labor there's just an answer it'll just come if you sit back and simply wait now realize in our world in in 20 that there are choices and decisions that are being made that perhaps we feel like or past or way out of our control as individuals well I've come today as pastor to ring a bell if I could and sound an alarm guess what it's always been that way notice in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter number 1 verse number 1 here how this reads the words of the preacher the son of David King in Jerusalem vanity of vanities saith the preacher vanity of vanities all is vanity look at your neighbor and say all is vanity what prophet has a man of all his labour which he taketh Under the Sun one generation passeth away and another generation cometh but the earth abideth forever the son also arises and the son goeth down and hast this to the place where he arose the first 6 the wind goeth toward the South turneth about to the north it were lit about continually and the wind returneth again according to his circuits all the rivers run into the sea yet the sea is not full under the place from whence the rivers come hither they return again all things are full of labor man cannot utter it the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear field with hearing I feel my help coming the thing that has been it is that shall it which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done and there is no new thing under the Sun here what the preacher here is saying in Ecclesiastes the wise guy the why the smart man if you will things come and things go but never satisfied are the humans who live on earth there always in search for something they're always looking for something new but the fact is there is no new thing under the Sun because as the generations come and go it happens again and again as the Sun comes up and goes down the wind blows as it does the rain falls it goes up the Seas never fool those things are continuously constantly moving and then you and I show up in our short lifespan and we try to change everything only to find out very soon like a vapor we're gone you can spend three-and-a-half years building a building putting it together over the fine within seconds it lands on the ground you thought you had it but it simply moves out of the way so here we are 2020 oh what a day in which we live so what do we do in this hour as the world around us is shifting and shuttering how do we as people of the faith live in this environment of constant movement what is the answer how do we present the answer to a world that's constantly in motion is there a way to give Jesus to the world around us and for them to receive him stay with me notice something hmm at the end of an incredible journey in the life of the man Jesus the Bible gives us very explicit details of the birth the life the death or resurrection of Jesus Christ somebody say man his connection with men and women is paramount he tied himself he connected himself to those who were around him he looked into their eyes he knew their loneliness he saw their hurts their past defeats he understood their pain and why they held their hearts in such a timid manner why because he loved them he came here with love he understood love was an answer in all of what had happened while he walked in shoe leather was about his love for humanity I challenge you and I to be christ-like and to understand that humanity looked in the eyes of the Creator in the man Jesus Christ and we saw that point as humans that nothing else matters but him let's look at the word a little deeper John wrote it like this in his Gospel John 3:16 for God so loved the world come on that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life you know the word God loves of the world he gave His Son Jesus lived in the environment of the confus of the searching we know that through history and we can see in the account of the Gospels that he died in a world that was in a horrible condition but something then happened it was no accident it was no oops it wasn't I don't know what happened but it was all part of the plan of God from the creation of everything around us and then we come to a celebration that you can find in the Old Testament stay with me it's called the feast of weeks feast after the harvest a required fees that would bring the Jews together and God would minister to them and God would receive their altars and their sacrifices it was established by God to the Levites a Levitical law that if they would come to him with fruits they would come to him with sacrifices if they would come to him they had the ability within themselves to walk into the presence of Jehovah God and the see Shekinah glory descend onto a place where he would abide and commune with humanity here what I'm saying today this was all a step so that God could know his people and his people could know him it was read just a few moments ago and when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one Accord in one place it's in Acts chapter 2 and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind it's in Acts chapter 2 filled all the house where they were sitting and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a fire it's in Acts chapter 2 sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance understand this was the actual fulfillment of the prophetic God spirit feels humanity now ah now something's gonna be different there's gonna be help there's gonna be a comfort there's gonna be a support system there's gonna be power there's gonna be Authority there's gonna be strength in humanity God pays his spirit in people so that they were here this they were able to walk in a spiritual mindset an influence that would guide them in the tough times in their life when the questions come there is hope and the power of the name of Jesus through the spirit of an Almighty God so now the church has it's supernatural feeling from God's hand the church begins to meet in places and cities talking about in the book of Acts here the drawing of the attraction of the hearts and minds of those who came in contact with the spirit the multitudes came turned into congregants who continue to follow the teaching of the Apostles churches were established ministries were started taking care of the fatherless taking care of the widows helping those in need supporting the hurting and the weak all under the watchful eye of ministry that God placed into existence at that point they began to understand where we are now it is Peter and the other followers of Jesus who took what was given to them and imparted it to other followers Paul he's another one of the educated and experienced who wrote letters to the churches and the people in an effort to train them and to guide them in this path that they find themselves on in the Bible in which you and I read there are letters of instruction that are given to a new convert to an old convert to one who's been in the church a hundred years to one who's brand new why because there had to be instruction given to the church at that point repent of sins be baptized in the name of Jesus that remits those sins receive the gift of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God gives you the ability to evidence you'll be transformed you'll speak in other tongues something supernatural will happen to you but take notice the teachings of that day and how they apply to us today how they affect how we do things today the Bible is the Word of God and it still guides us in 2020 how many know that's true it's not a book to be tossed about with no reference but to be read and to be understood to be desired and thirsted after an hungered for the author will give you understanding of his intent and his desire when you read the word and when you allow his spirit to give illuminance to you in the day in which we are living right now my friend I want to share a couple of insights with you in the midst of what is happening in our world there is still revelant relevance for the Church of the Living God there are still an ability for us as the church to connect with a holy God there is still a connection and a relationship between the church and God what we've got to be careful of though for him though is how the world begins to infiltrate the church Paul wrote a letter to a new church it was called the the letter to the Colossians as in other instances he would specific we address issues the situation unfolded and so it would need attention and so Paul would step in notice in Colossians chapter 3 verse number one listen to this if he then me risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God set your affection on things above not on things on the earth for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory notice what the writer says seek the things that are above set your affections an affection is an emotional connection of the mind and desire of a person in the Jewish Bible it translates to simply be the focus of your mind your thoughts and how you think look to the heavenly things not the simple ways that humans understand them but if you will set your affections on things above listen you'll truly understand that love in the eyes of the world means something very different than the eyes of the spiritual Paul is instructing the church at that point you need to connect with the heavenlies your mind better be set on things above set your affections to the things that are up there that come from God why because if you set your affections on things of this world you'll be sorely disappointed you'll run around fists in the air trying to grab a hold of it but if you'll set your mind your focus your intent on the things of God you need to know that the God of heaven will meet you where you are Colossians 3 and 5 how do I do it you mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and business with which is idolatry for which things is a sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience mortify to put to death the earthly part of your nature hmm Paul instructs the church to set their affections on things above but then he tells them you gotta kill off those things that are trying to destroy you you need to mortify those things of the flesh and you need to do that understanding that your flesh nature is always at a war with your spirit nature Colossians 3 and 12 put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another forgiving one another If any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also 2 he verse 14 and above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness and let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body and be thankful let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord and whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him listen to me church as the Church of the Living God in this generation and in this culture we have got to have mercy for the Lost we cannot get caught up in the same influences and emotions that our world around us is getting caught up in here what I'm saying I'm addressing some things right now do not allow the attitudes and the spirit of the day to persuade you into making arise in a harsh decision that is going to cause your flesh to glory but rather you do what you do in love as unto the Lord that's under standing up I've got a mortar fire I've gotta put this down although we might anger me and I might be frustrated about it I cannot take it out on somebody else I simply need to get in the house of God and worship and love Hill and magnify and exalt him and lift him up higher and higher and higher on this Pentecost Sunday 2020 I am encouraging every single one of us to follow biblical instructions the spiritual outpouring on that day Pentecost Acts chapter two Pentecost that same outpouring on that day is exactly where our affections are mindful thoughts of the Spirit of God need to be today we have got to mortify the desires of the flesh and we need to pray for the world that is around us get yourself in a place where God can speak to you and instruct you about his plan somebody listen to pastor for a moment I'm gonna reach for you I realize there's a whole lot of questions out there and I know beyond the shadow of a doubt there are things transpiring in our city and cities around the globe that's driving some of us bananas we just think we ought to stand up roll up our sleeves and go fight on the street some of us even want to go out in the street and declare the name of Jesus Christ and we got no more power than a man on the moon because you're not praying up and stayin up because you have it more to find yourself instead you're going out there with fleshly desires hear me but I am convinced by the word of the Lord God and by the experience of the Holy Ghost that if you're walking the spirit God can lead you down death row and that's the end of it all for the Lorenzo he can snatch you up out of that place and he can put you in a place of revival and a move of God some of us want a revival what we wanted in our condition what would it be like for some of us more to find the flash and say Karla however you want it you want my living room to be a prayer room God let it happen you want my job to be a place of revival let it happen set your affections on the things of the Spirit come on brother Doron give them some false hope get yourself in a place where God could speak to you so many of us are so human aren't we turn to your neighbor and ask him are you human did they answer because as humans we have the answer well we ought to just and there or if they just newing know so there and all the while the flesh is eating it up because the flesh knows how to fight the flesh but I will be very honest and transparent with you there's a whole lot of battles that I have fought and I never smelled the dust of the ground I never smelt the Gunpowder nor smelled the blood of the enemy as he lay bleeding around me I simply felt the sweat on my body laying on the floor in a prayer meeting saying god there's something going on there's something transpiring I'm not sure that I truly comprehend it but Lord I've got my wife and my children they're living in this world and there's such questions and confusion it's so easy to get distracted and to become disgruntled and therefore begin to take to the fleshly desires instead of the spiritual desires but I gotta let you know something friend something you know what I'm talking about there have been times in your prayer life when the Spirit of the Lord said come up closer come up higher go a little deeper come on to me come on to me come on to me and they said of stopping short with a now I lay me down you got up crawl out bad went late on the floor somewhere in your office or in the kitchen or wherever and you just begin to talk to God and somehow do it all your mouth was shut and the heavens opened and the spirit or some of y'all think I'm weird telling this but some of you know exactly what I'm talking about and the Spirit of God begin to speak to you and begin to reveal things to you and you begin to realize I need to mortify this I gotta get this out of the way why because there's a God in heaven that's still on the throne this plan is still in motion he's still moving forward there's still revival in our generation there is still an outpouring in the latter days I'm believing you to be greater than the former in the latter rain together why because the scripture says it since your affections on the heavenlies and I'm I'm telling you stand with me if you would the last couple of days just been beautiful outside eighty degrees low humidity in some places yeah like my living room I don't know what it was outside it was nice and I sit in the quiet in my chair I don't have to yell at God sometimes I do but just being in the quiet Lord you know what's going on so and so or such and such now I'll be honest with you the last couple of weeks I'll spend extra time praying for my 24 year old cuz I don't know but God you know the same way my parents had the letting us go I'm learning how to do that and my wife thinks she's smart when she says what you gonna do I said I'll be fine I'm just trying to be the dad but I've prayed extra hard for that I don't mind telling you I'm afraid extra hard for my son and my daughter-in-law God you know where they are you know what temptations they face you know the stumbling blocks they face but God surely they can follow the spirit they can learn the breathing of the anointing of God and they can move like oil as it flows through them and then I begin to pray for my family and her family and some of y'all I begin to speak your name Lord I have no idea why they're doing such stupid things but God I pray through their dumb choices and decisions that you would somehow get to them and tell them it is all about sin if you're not able to hear the voice of God in the spirit of God in this day to day life you need to know that repentance of sins opens a door under the heavenlies y'all pray with me right now Jesus forgive me of sins that I have come on y'all pray your own prayer Jesus I'm sorry if I have grieved you in any way I am so sorry please forgive me please wash me please renew me let me hunger for the things of God more than the things of the flesh search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting come on this repentance time right now everybody Lord I'm so sorry come on pray that prayer Lord forgive me wash me once again in the fountain come on that's right make it a heartfelt prayer lord I need cleansed right now lord I need cleansed right now come on walk into his presence let forgiveness work let mercy and grace right now be applied to you let it work right now in the name of Jesus come on somebody it's been a while since you've repented of that mess you're living in come on let God come in right now and forgive you and wash you baptism in the name of Jesus if you have yet to be baptized in Jesus name you need to do that if you have been baptized in Jesus name you need to get back under the spout where the glory is Lord I get under your name what I get back under your name somehow Lord I've wandered out from under your name somehow Lord I've quit pleading your name over my family in my life come on Lord I get back under your name I plead the name of Jesus I plead the blood of Jesus I plead the power the Holy Spirit in my life over my children over my home I rebuke the enemy come on in the name of Jesus pray that prayer come on Jesus I plead your blood I plead the name over my life right now lord I need you come on and if you have yet to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost evidence speaking in tongues letting that spiritual man be be born into this world come on you need to walk into that if it's been a while since you spoke in tongues you need to find an altar and repent one more time turn back to the master and allow his name to spring something up within you and stir up something in you this altar is open right now on this Pentecost someday we need to set our affections towards the things of God come on it's prayer time put in your mind the desires in the heart of God let the word of the Lord may begin to establish heavenly things in your life come on my child some of you are so far from prayer reading it back into the mood of prayer understanding when you talk to the master answers will come when you talk to Jesus and his word will lie come on this altars open why don't you come and spend some time in prayer why don't you come and spend some time talking to Jesus that's right come on it's room it's forgiveness in the name of the Lord its power in the name of Jesus it's hope in the power of the cross of Calvary come on this world is not your home you're just passing through it don't be distracted and discouraged by the things of this world but walk after the spirit come on hunger for the spiritual things thirst for the spiritual things set your affections on him that's right that's right that's right that's right come on walk into his presence Lord I am hungry for you O God I am thirsty come on you wanna pray it's prayer time come on we'll pray with you come on we'll believe with you in the name of Jesus that's right come on we'll pray with you oh there's hope in Jesus there is hope in Jesus come on there is power in the name of Jesus there is authority in the name of Jesus I tried in the name of Jesus set your affections on him your thoughts your mind your desires your intent I came into your Jesus I want to love you I want to turn it I want to be found Lord doing your will come on that try this altars open come on this altars open some of you need to run to this halter and then the power of the Holy Ghost will work in your life I lose I believe in you Jesus I believe in you Jesus I trust you I trusted I praise your name Oh hallelujah hallelujah there some in here right now you need your desperate in need for God I want you to come to this altar area come on close come on close you you want us to pray with you we're gonna believe come on you might have a physical and emotional a financial you know what's going on in your life I want to give you an opportunity today let us help you let us pray with you how about would you come are there others come on just come up here and fill in this altar area hallelujah you know how desperate you are you know how thirsty you are you know how hungry you are you know that if God doesn't do it you don't know how it's gonna get done come on in here come on up close you already know that if an answer comes it's gonna be because the Spirit of the Lord is working come on give you another couple seconds you know there's others out here that desperately need a word from God for some reason your flesh is holding you back for some reason your flesh is pulling at you come on if your carnally minded your flesh is gonna have a hold of you but if you're spiritually minded the Spirit of God can work in your life come on now if you would if you feel comfortable I want you to lift your hand we're gonna pray for those who have come up here come on I want you to pray as if you're the one standing here you know what's going on Jesus Jesus Jesus spirit of the Living God you know what's happening Lord you know what's going on Jesus we lose faith in this place right now confidence in the name of Jesus right now truth in the name of Jesus right now yes Jesus yes Lord we need your anointing right now Jesus we need your glory right now Jesus Lord God we need a spiritual move right now Jesus come on I try let faith grow yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah halleluja halleluja come on you know this old song what you're singing every hour I need Thee bless me now I see I come which is it's an old song if you know it would you sing it lift your voice lift your voice Oh I mean spinner I see of all singing with a loud voice everybody by me every I need the my savior yeah alcoholic I come to you lord I come to you I need you Jesus I need you Jesus Lord I thank you today for your spirit I thank you for the church I thank you for the family today Lord we set our affections on things above it's Pentecost Sunday Lord the experience is real and every day Lord which used to walk in the spirit I pray for every individual I pray for every whole for every life that's represent in this room right now let your glory move in their homes and in their lives and the quiet this week Lord I pray the spirit would speak loudly to them less on their jobs bless in their health bless in their finances bless Lord and their blessing others Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus I Love You Lord somebody say in Jesus name want to church to understand in light of everything that's happening in our world there's just terrible things going on that maybe we cannot explain but if we'll set our affections on the things above the Spirit will calm us come on it'll calm the city down it'll calm the enemy will stand and scratch their head and say what in the world is this church doing