Saturday, October 7, 2017

It’s Coming Back

"It’s coming back!!"

2 Kings 6:1-7
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.



I don't know what it is that you have lost but God wants you to know you can get it back

"It’s coming back!!"

Who am I talking to tonight? I know you're here, (like that Young prophet in our text you’ve lost something valuable and necessary.
I want to prophesy to somebody tonight. (It's coming back.)
Somebody needs to prophesy to themselves it's coming back.
You may be in a similar situation to the young prophet in our text. You’ve lost something and from all the evidence it's gone.
You look but you can't see.
It is out of sight.

There's something you need to know:
just because you can't see something does not mean its not there.

(It may be lost from your sight, you may not be able to touch it, you may not be able to hear it or feel it. But that doesn't mean it's gone!)


Our scripture text brings to mind the prodigal son, (Like the axehead that fell into a Water hole) The prodigal son fell into a hole. (A pig pen) we don't know how long he was gone, but we do know how low he went. He went to the bottom, like this axe head did.
Then he came to himself.

The father couldn't see his son, like this axe head, he was out of sight, he was on his way home before his father could see him.
In an unseen place something happened. (He got up from the bottom of the pig pen and headed home.)

And I need to prophesy to some moms and dads who have prodigals that are living in the pig pen.
Don't quit praying, don't give up, something is happening, you can't see it, but something is happening. They may be at the bottom of the pit, as low as low can go. But something is happening right there.

This young prophet couldn't see it but down at the bottom of that water hole something miraculous was happening, an iron axe head was lifting up, it was getting up.
Just like the prodigal son, I will arise and go home.
And then the axe head started swimming, it started coming toward an expectant young prophet.
The prodigal started coming toward an expectant father. We know that's true because he saw him a far off.
That means he was praying, praying is watching, that means he was expecting.
I don't know what it is that is lost to you today. I don't know what is out of sight in your life. I don't know what it is that is missing from your life.
But the Lord told me to prophesy to you and tell you, it's coming back. You've got to expect it, like the prodigal sons Father Expected.
Look for it every day, Prepare for it.
The father already had a calf being fattened for the sons homecoming.
He already had a ring ready for his finger, shoes ready for his feet, and a robe ready for his back.

When you expect something you make preparations for it.
Like the mom and dad to be, in their expectations they buy clothes, they make the nursery, they make preparations.

What are you expecting? What are you praying about?
Prayer gives you the right to expect an answer.
The axe head swim within reach of the young prophet, but he still had to reach out his hand and take it.
The hand of faith must reach out and take it.
Faith is the substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen.
Faith has actions, one of the greatest manifestations of faith is to praise God before the manifestation of the blessing.

Anybody can praise God after the victory that's not faith.
Faith looks up walls and mountains that are still standing and says, 
I'm praising God for the walls falling.
I'm praising God for the mountains being removed.
I'm praising God for my healing, there's pain in my body but his words says by his stripes you are healed so I'm praising him for healing me.
I'm praising him for the breakthrough in my finances, I'm in a bind right now, but the Word says my God shall supply all your needs, So I'm going to praise Him.
I'm going to praise him for my prodigal coming home.
I'm going to praise him for fighting my battles.
I'm going to put out the hand of faith, I'm going to praise him like I already have it.
I praise him for a new anointing.
For restoring joy in my life.
I praise him for new doors.
I praise him for a new dream.
I'm praising for a new beginning.
I praise in because my fire is coming back.
My passion is coming back.
My desire is coming back.

It's coming back, it's on the way, Its not far away, (It's within reach now.)
I remember where I lost it, I refuse to go on without it, I don’t want an imitation, ( I want the real thing.)

Faith must reach out for it. Faith must bring it in.

I believe something is happening in the body of Christ today, I believe there is an awakening taking place.
Just Like that axe head, and like that prodigal son, the church has also sunk very low, but like the young prophet who lost his power when he lost the axe head, We lost our power.
But its coming back.

That's what I came to tell you. I came to prophesy. 
It's coming back.
The church is coming to herself. (She's waking up.) She's coming back to the father's house.
She's coming back to holiness, she's coming back to the cross and the blood, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Somebody right now you're on the verge of your miracle. (It's within reach.)
Now is not the time to give up.
Now is not the time to start murmuring and complaining.
Now is not the time to doubt God and His promises.
Now is not the time to drop back.

NOW is the time to break out in praise, now is the time for faith to express itself.
Now is the time to put out the hand of faith and take it.
It's coming back.
Somebody needs to put your faith in action tonight, and praise God like you already have it.
Praise him like the walls of already fallen.
Praise him like your body is already healed.
Praise him like your dream has already come true.
Praise him like your prodigals have already been restored.
Praise him like your marriage is already been healed.
Praise him like you've already been promoted.
Praise him like you're already walking in a new anointing.
Praise him like you've already been delivered.
Praise him like the doctor just said, there's not a trace of cancer in your body.
Somebody said it doesn't make sense to praise him for what I can see.
You're right; it’s not sense, its faith.

Faith operates in the unseen, that's what faith does, that's how faith operates (faith reaches out into the unseen and takes hold of the promise of God and says thank you I believe it's coming back.)

"FEELING THE SILENCE OF GOD"

"FEELING THE SILENCE OF GOD"

Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death

Psalms 28:1.Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2.Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.


I am not sure about all of you, but I know that there have been some times in my life where I have cried out to God … asking Him for some kind of answer … and NOTHING!

NO response! NO answer! Just absolutely NOTHING!

SILENCE!!!

I have, at times, felt so let down … so hurt that I have prayed similar prayers to what David prayed in the verses we read!

I have cried, “God, where are you?”

Do you know what I heard? Nothing!!! 

Tell story of brother passing away

I was crushed … my faith was shaken … that was one time I felt the SILENCE OF GOD!!!

Best friend Joe passing away
I hear the deafening sound of THE SILENCE OF GOD … CRUSHED AGAIN!

I asked God, “WHY?” And do you know what I heard … “SILENCE.”

Other experiences....One door closing and waiting for another to open......*****daughter being molested by her grandfather*****

In April … I walked into a packed Funeral for my granddaughter.......that was one of the saddest days of my life … I'm a preacher who should have had the answers … only heard the SILENCE OF GOD … I could not offer hope, because I NEEDED HOPE AND HEALING!!!


I thank God that I have had prayers that where answered over my many years of serving God … many of them I have been HUGE answers!

But, alongside those immediate answered prayers are many other prayers which "didn’t get past the ceiling."

DID ALL THE PRAYERS OF THE GODLY MEN IN THE BIBLE GET ANSWERED?

Moses begged God to let him lead his people into the Promised Land. Moses died on Nebo’s peak, his request refused.

Paul prayed three times for the removal of that "thorn in the flesh." Instead, he was compelled to make the best of it for the rest of his life … God did not answer!

Even Jesus himself in the garden cried out for release from the cross. Instead he had to suffer the pain of it.

Young person, there are going to be times in your devotional/prayer life where you hear God’s voice, but there will also be times when you feel the SILENCE OF GOD!!!

I want to share with you some simple thoughts on the SILENCE OF GOD!

1. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … KNOW
THAT HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING TO YOU

John 9:31 says that “he is ready to listen to those who worship him and do his will.”

Psalm 34:15 reads, “The Lord watches over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”

Psalm 66:19 declares, “But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer!”

Have you ever wondered if God listens to your prayers?

Have you sometimes felt like it’s a waste of time, that the heavens are closed to your petitions?


Despite how you feel or what you might think, please be assured that God is listening.

He may be SILENT, but He is always listening!!!

2. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … DON’T ALWAYS BLAME YOURSELF FOR HIS SEEMING SILENCE

Friend, I have seen a lot of people beat themselves up … feeling like God has rejected them because they do not hear the VOICE of God!

Look into the life of David … the man “after God’s very heart” … he was always begging God to answer.

Psalm 4:1 … “Answer me, O God …”

Psalm 69:17 reads, “Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble.”

Psalm 13:1-3 says, “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!”

David was a man after the heart of God, but he even felt the SILENCE OF GOD!

But it did not mean that David had abandoned the Lord … it did not mean that David failed God!

Young person, when you feel the SILENCE OF GOD … do not beat yourself up … do not let the enemy lie to you and say that you are a wicked person … “You are God’s chosen person … He loves you!”

3. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … NEVER FORGET THAT HIS ANSWER IS USUALLY FOUND IN HIS WRITTEN WORD

The Bible contains the answer to every area of your life … it is the fix all to life’s problems!

There are so many times in the life that we crave the SUPERNATURAL RESPONSES to our prayers … yes, they will come … but most often God responds to us through His Word!

John 1 teaches us that “The Word became human, and lived here on earth among us” (1:14).

That means … that IN Jesus are the answers! And where is Jesus revealed? IN The Word!

When is seems as though you are faced with THE SILENCE OF GOD … read the Word and you may just discover THE ANSWER!

Hebrews 1:1-2 reads, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son …”

God’s Son is The Word (John 1:1) … and if this is true, then God speaks to us through The Word!

4. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … HOLD ON
TO WHAT HE HAS ALREADY SAID

But this time … something was different … I WAS DIFFERENT!!!

Because God has already spoken to through HIS WORD … and this was the WORD God has given to you … “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

You see, I could not understand in my own mind what was going on, but I HEARD GOD SHOUT TO ME IN HIS WORD!!!

I held on to that … I was going to TRUST IN God no matter what …

Young person, when God speaks to you, HOLD ON to it … never forget the Word of God … because there will be other times when you do not hear Him … and in HIS SILENCE … you must have something to HOLD ON TO!!!

5. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … HANG IN THERE BECAUSE GOD HAS THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

Jeremiah 29:11 teaches us that God has plans for our lives!

Psalm 102:17 reads, “The Lord listens to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.”

Many times we are asking God for things that we were never meant to have … things that are not a part of His perfect plan for our lives!

In those times, young person, IN HIS SILENCE … wait … because God has a great plan!!!


"Young mans story of moms cancer"
Then there are times, when you are faced with a HUGE problem … like I was in May of 1995 … when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and had to have immediate surgery … the day she told me I FELT THE SILENCE OF GOD … my mom went through the 6 hour surgery … 2 hours in recovery … 3 weeks in the hospital because of an infection … and was scheduled for radiation and chemotherapy!

I was crushed again! Feeling like God had abandoned my mom … who was never perfect … but who was always faithful and there!
The Church was praying … my family and friends were praying!

The SILENCE OF GOD was interrupted by the WORD OF GOD!

Matthew 8:8 … “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.”

To the amazement of the doctors … NO CHEMO … NO RADIATION!

MY MOTHER WAS HEALED!!!

What was God’s plan for my mom’s cancer? That many doctors and nurses would hear about Jesus Christ and know that there is a GOD THAT ANSWERS!!!

When you feel like God is SILENT … wait … He does have the right plan!!!

CONCLUSION
There are going to be times when you are faced with the SILENCE OF GOD!

Young person, hang in there … hold on … because God is there!!!

JUST BECAUSE GOD IS SILENT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE DOES NOT LISTEN!!!





"Prayer is the means by which men communicate with God. Revelation is the means by which God communicates with men."
Marion G. Romney



"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process."

Thomas Edison response to a reporter who asked how it felt to fail 2000 times before successfully inventing the light bulb.

"WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE"

"WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE"


Psalms 85:1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.


Israel had walked in Revival victory, but notice in vs. 8...not turn
again to folly... Definition of folly; the state of being foolish or the lack
of good sense. Revival is renewing our Walk, our Worship, and our Work.
It's effective but also elusive. At one time Israel had the refreshing of
His presence, the realness of His power and the reassurance of His
promises. But now turned to folly! David knew what it was to walk in
Revival fires, but he also knew rebuke, reproof and remorse.
2 Samuel 11 and 12...... His mistakes where he tarried behind when he should have
been in battle.... 2 Sam.11:1...he lingered with his looking on a bathing
beauty....2 Sam.11:2... and he lost control in his lust and sinned. 
2 Sam.11:4...But he knew what it was like to rejoice over battles won, in
bringing back the Ark and in blessings in general...but now it has fled
and he cries out to God!


WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE......

1. BECAUSE WE WANT STIRRINGS WITHOUT 
   CHANGE....only want it to work inside the Church
 A. Being a reservoir without being a river....but 
     something that's holding in and not putting out is     
     Dead Sea !
 B.We want the benefits of His blessings but not be       
     a blessing to others.
 1. No charitable spirit.
 2. No giving of ourselves.
 C.We want shouting and sing with joy bells ringing      
     without personal involvement.....Spectators not 
     Partakers.


2. BECAUSE WE WANT SOUND DOCTRINE  
    WITHOUT COMPLIANCE.....(without doing the command or request) 
     WE........
 A. Want it told like it is, but live like it isn't
 B. Want it straight on Salvation.....but not give it all 
      in our witness
 C. Want it settled about separation, but live like the 
      world


3. BECAUSE WE WANT SERMONS TO SHOUT  
    ABOUT BUT NOT TO CHALLENGE US......
 A. No challenge to Give.....Our Silver.....that's          
     Tithes and Offerings.
 B. No challenge to Grow.....In Our Service at the 
      House Of God.
 C. No challenge to Go...... In Search for others .....  
      Warning....Winning.


4. BECAUSE WE WANT THE SAVIOUR TO 
    BLESS WITHOUT US  KEEPING HIS 
    COMMANDMENTS.....
 A. To Love one another..... Gal. 5:13-14
 B. To Learn through Study.....2 Tim. 2:15
 C. To Leave the world and gather at church.....    
      Heb. 10:25


 5. BECAUSE WE WANT SATISFYING 
     EXPERIENCES WITHOUT COMMITMENT.....
 A. Committed Hands to Work in the Vineyard.
 B. Committed Hearts to Worship in Victory.
 C. Committed Home to live the Way of Christ....a 
      vital part.

 We don't have lasting Revival because We won't 
 deny Self ! And
 Jesus said, in Luke 14:33 - " So likewise,  
 whosoever he be of you that
 forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my

 disciple." 

Monday, June 26, 2017

*Be The Kind Of Church That People Need....Not What People Want*

 

Many churches mission is to be the kind of church that appeals to everyone. That is an impossible task! I also believe it to be an unholy task. In order for us to be the church that everyone wants or is looking for....we would have to compromise our principles......condone sinful practices.... and change God’s plan. Jesus did not commission the church to be everything to everybody....but he said..........Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

It should not be the mission of the church to entertain....but to evangelize....and to edify. 

Our purpose should not be that we exist to meet everyone’s wants....but be a church that everyone needs. 

Acts 2:41-47 

3 FIRES

In 51 days, Peter visited 3 fires that were to transform his life and make him the man God wanted him to be. 
God wants us to visit those 3 fires too!

1. THE FIRE OF PURGING (Luke 22:54-62) 
Before this fire, Peter was trying to hold onto both this world and God’s kingdom. After this fire (purging), he let go of this world. It caused the death of the old Peter and the beginning of the new Peter. 

2. FIRE OF OBEDIENCE (John 21:15-17)
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, Feed my sheep. 
Jesus repeated 3 times *Feed my sheep* 
We are to be obedient in feeding His sheep!! 

3. FIRE OF EMPOWERING (Luke 24:49)
(Acts 1:8) (Acts 2:1-4)
It’s good to be purged from the world. It’s good to be dedicated and be obedient to the work of the the Lord. But there is something more....you need to be filled (empowered) with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit which is evidenced by speaking with other tongues.

Are you prepared to go through the fire? 

Bro. Kenneth Stewart