Tag: Sermon

by Pastor Roy Esposito

2-5-23

I have been thinking a lot about the condition of my faith and the effectiveness of my prayers.  I have asked the Holy Spirit to help me in this area of service. 

I felt the Lord say that prayers of “Valor” were the ones that hold the power to do great exploits in His name and that I should pursue them. 

I considered David’s army and the elite force that was within it called the “Mighty Men of Valor.”

Valor [Desfinition]: having the strength of mind and Spirit to encounter danger with firmness and commitment to purpose.

Valor is the absence of indecision – even in the face of death.

David’s elite force had several things in common that identified them as the Mighty Men of Valor

1. They had a common purpose – to serve the king.
2. They could not be shaken from that purpose regardless of the humbleness of the task asked of them or the impossible odds against them.
3. They did whatever they needed to do no matter how long it took and never wavered while the challenge was still before them.

2 Samuel 23:8-12 – gives some examples of their exploits.

Shammah took on the humble assignment to defend a lentil patch and tenaciously defeated an overwhelming contingent of Philistines in the process.

Adino, who fought and killed 800 Philistines in battle single-handedly.

Eleazar, whose hand became frozen to his sword b/c the battle endured for so long.

These men – and others – possessed a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) called “long-suffering.” – which doesn’t mean “suffering for a long time.”

Mak-roth-u-mia – Fortitude – the ability to “hang with it.”

I felt there was an instruction here for today’s church and for me.

We also have the purpose to serve the King and the King’s people.

One of the most effective ways to serve God is through prayer.

Luke 18:1 – Jesus said that men “always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

James 5:16 – “…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.”

Fervent – passionate intensity

Today, it seems that even when we remember to pray, our prayers seem to lack the passionate intensity and “stick-to-it-ness” – the VALOR that’s necessary for total victory.

We live in an INSTANT society where everything must be quick, or we lose interest.

It’s like everyone is suffering from “Mass Attention Deficit Disorder.”

We seem to specialize in the gift (?) of “cutting corners” to get results.

It seems that our collective societal consciousness lacks the ability to “hang in there,” –  which is the spiritual fruit called “long-suffering.”

I’ve read about the African Cheetah. It can run up to 70 MPH to catch its prey but has a small heart and, therefore, has no endurance.

It must accomplish its purpose quickly, or it goes hungry.

Many times, we have used the “Cheetah Approach to prayer:

1. Speed through the prayer with little or no fervency and no passion.
2. Quick to have someone else pray.
3. Lose focus easily.

We seem to lack the “heart of endurance” for a sustained effort in prayer and falter before accomplishing what is needed.

Sometimes we use the “TNT Approach” – and try to Blow-Up the problem.

We pray harder, faster, and louder when what is really needed is more staying power and fervency.

More staying power or stamina can only come through possessing a “Bigger Heart” for prayer. (Jesus, enlarge my heart to pray as you did!)

George Muller – “The point is to never give up until the answer comes. I have been praying for 63 years and 8 months for one man’s conversion. He is not saved yet, but he will be. How can it be otherwise — I’m praying.”

His friend received Jesus just before his funeral!

Jesus’ prayer ministry is exemplified in the 3 hours He spent in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, which gave Him the strength to face the Cross.

Hebrews 5;7 – “…He offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death…”

1 Thessalonians 5:7 – “Pray without ceasing….” – so “easy does it” won’t do.

I think the reason we haven’t reached our spiritual potential is not for the lack of information regarding prayer nor the lack of opportunities and resources  – 

But for a lack of  “fortitude” – a failure of heart and spirit.

We go into defeat much too easily. We give up to easily and instead listen to the voices of doubt and unbelief and get discouraged and depressed when we don’t get INSTANT RESULTS.

OK – no condemnation implied here!

I spoke to a friend of nearly 50 yrs. this week.

We recounted our testimonies with each other. Remember the miracles God has personally done to deliver us from destruction. We remembered the before!

A fair question – Why does God require our persistence in prayer?

Is it that:

1. He requires a predetermined amount of prayer to answer.
   Are Redemption points involved?   S & H green stamps?
2. We must talk Him into things as lawyers present legal arguments to a judge.
3. Is God waiting for us to just say the right words before He decides to answer us?
4. Do we earn rewards of His favor through hard work?

Say it with me:    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Luke 11:8 – What about the guy who goes to his friend’s house late at night for bread and just keeps bugging him until he gets up and gives in? Doesn’t this parable teach us about persistence? Just keep bugging Him until He relents.

No! We don’t persist against God.

To persist is to ask boldly and shamelessly because of our intimacy with God.

1 Timothy 1:7_(NIV) – ”For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”

Hebrews 4:16 – We can come before the throne of grace BOLDLY and without a sense of shame or unworthiness because we are sons and daughters of God and are “accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

There’s a key to understanding the prayer of persistence:

Luke 11:13 – “If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

The Prayer of Persistence is not about nagging the Father for specific things – but asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in our times of need. And to ASK BOLDLY out of an intimate relationship with God.

Sometimes, it’s true that God uses the waiting period to teach us things.

But if that were the only reason, why not just pray ONCE and then wait?

One reason for the delay in getting prayers answered is “divine timing.”

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

But again – wouldn’t praying just once and then waiting suffice?

Why did  Elijah have to pray 7X for the rain to come down?
(1 Kings 18:41-19:8)

Why did Daniel have to pray for 21 days before the angel broke through with his answer? (Daniel 10:10-19)

Consider this: I believe that our prayers do more than motivate the Father’s heart.  I believe that prayers of faith have “Substance.”

Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I believe that when we pray, the “substance of faith” is released…

With each prayer, more of that substance is released in the form of the power needed for that which we are praying to come to pass.

Power Released by:

1. Praying in the Holy Spirit
2. Speaking the Word of God as a declaration and proclamation of the TRUTH
3. Prophetic Command – Matt 17:20 -” Say to this mountain….”
4. Laying on of hands  – Mark 16:18 “…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

We also need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us visualize the “Throne of Grace” differently so it’s not seen as outside and apart from us.

God has made His throne in our HEARTS – we are the temple of the Holy Spirit

We are the NAOS of God – The “Holy of Holies” – The “Sacred Place.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

John 7:38 – “He who believes in Me, as the scripture says, ‘ From his innermost being (Koi -lia) shall flow rivers of living water.”

Koilia – the womb – speaks of reproduction and “birthing new life.”

Revelation 22:1-2 – “The River of Life” – the Spirit of God – flowing from the Throne of God – through Jesus, to us and out into the world.

This is the purpose of the Church.

The Gospel’s promise of new life doesn’t echo from “out there” but through those willing to live it in valor and persist until His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

I came across a quote by Michael J. Fox this week that seemed appropriate given the Thanksgiving holiday: 

                  “With Gratitude, Optimism is Sustainable.”

I also came across another gem of wisdom this week:

               “Grace begets gratitude, which, in turn, widens our hearts toward greater goodness and love.” – Diana Butler Bass

Grace is at the core and is the key to a victorious life.

We are saved by Grace – and our lives are sustained through it.

We need moves of grace every day because although Jesus won the victory over the “old humanity,” 

      …we still have to ”work out our salvation in awe of God, our souls trembling in His presence.”  (Philippians 2:12). 

We must “stay awake” — (1 Peter 1:5) and  “keep our oil lamps full,” and remain watchful (Matthew 25:1-13)

We also have to be intentional about maintaining a grateful perspective because it’s easy to fall into complacency and forget that grace is a gift not to be taken for granted. 

Grace and Gratefulness help us to keep from becoming complacent as we are reminded that there still is an enemy to contend with,  an enemy that has weapons to hurt us.

Some are overt and violent – but some are more subtle and can go unnoticed.  

We must pay attention in order to get beyond responding to the “ fires’ the enemy sets as traps for us and refuse to let them become the things that construct our perspectives and drive our actions.

As we stay tuned in and God-focused, we’ll begin to realize that every morning we wake up is a privilege that offers us a chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to begin again. –  to be optimistic about our future  –  and to enjoy our life in the midst of the journey.

As a bonus, as we stay alert and focused, we’ll discern that some circumstances we find ourselves in are not always the enemies doing.

Some are actually the results of our thoughts and actions.

A grateful approach to life allows the truth to be known without guilt or self-loathing, judgment, or condemnation  – and repent if necessary.

Sometimes, God will allow certain circumstances to exist to help mature our Faith.

If faith is to mature, situations need to exist where faith alone can sustain us.

So, for that reason, God will allow times when we must trust in His integrity regardless of how dire things may seem to be.

Negative times – allow faith to arise >> which then appropriates the courage it takes to lock into God’s faithfulness.

Spiritual Maturity requires letting faith arise in the context of resistance.

It takes courage to do this. 

It makes sense, then, that one of our enemy’s prime objectives is to DIS-courage us.

If we’re not watchful, our courage will wane and cause unbelief and stagnancy in our spiritual growth.

Faith – is the catalyst that releases Grace.

Grace – is the supernatural power to gain the higher ground over the enemy and thus secure for ourselves our destiny as sons and daughters of God.

Gratitude – is a declaration of our trust in God’s plans and ways for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11)

When we engage with the world from a place of gratitude, we’re open to receiving the day excited with anticipation of the next part of God’s plan for us.

This approach to life is the difference between carrying the burden of trying to make something happen and allowing something to happen.

It’s the defining difference between effort and effortlessness.

Most spiritual disciplines through the ages have considered gratefulness to be the foundation of joy, contentment, and well-being in a person’s life.  Why? 

1. A person cannot exist in a place of FEAR and TRUE GRATITUDE at the same time.
2. Gratitude tunes us into the voice of the Holy Spirit, who is our connection with the Father.

Gratitude and Generosity are similar virtues but differ in that:

Gratitude is an internal characteristic, and generosity is an external expression of our sense of gratitude.

Gratitude is the way we FEEL   —   Generosity is how we Express that Feeling to the world.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 – Speaks of taking all thoughts captive, so they come in line with Christ’s thoughts. 

I like to think of “random thoughts” as Stagnant Energy. 

These negative thoughts render spiritual impotence and act as smoke screens of confusion in our minds that cause us to feel stuck in life.

Christ’s thoughts bring peace and hope and give life.  

The simple act of practicing gratitude disrupts negative thoughts and changes our mindset to see the world in a positive way.

Not only are we more attractive to others when we live in gratitude, but the most ordinary things can become extraordinary, creating a fuller, more beautiful expression of our life.

You probably have heard the saying, “Things don’t happen TO us; they happen FOR us.”

Gratitude will help us to see and believe that “All things DO work for the good for us because we love God, and are called according to His purpose and plan”  ( Rom 8:28)

Our mind’s new perspective is that the universe is aligning and working everything in our favor.

Old Mindset – Something “bad” happens to us; we let it affect us in a negative way.  We feel rejected, picked on, and defensive.  – Or worse!

New Mindset of Gratitude  – When something happens that others see as “bad,” we search for the grace which will allow us to become curious and interested in finding the positive thing God will bring out of the experience. 

It’s a much more exciting and hopeful way to live, right?

Ephesians 1;17-20_{(TPT, NKJ)} – “I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation….”

Acts 1:4-8 – Wait to receive.

To KNOW: – to see – perceive – to be conscious of

To have Knowledge of: – a recognition by Full Disclosure

To “Know” – (GRK) – “To gaze at something remarkable,” especially that of supernatural origin.

Paul prayed for the church to gain the ability to “gaze at the supernatural dimensions of God” with full discernment and discover for ourselves:

1. Hope for our lives – present and future.
2. Our inheritance as children of God.
3. The exceedingly great power of God that raised Christ from the dead.

Given to those who:

1. Hear the call.
2. Obey the call.
3. Wait for its fulfillment.

John 1 – Holy Spirit hovered the earth, imprinting God’s order over the chaos, and the natural laws of gravity, physics, chemistry, and energy came into being.

This energy caused the land, seas, animals, plants, and people to be formed, each creation in the place it belonged. There was PEACE, BALANCE, and Harmony on earth.

God gave man dominion over the earth. Sin entered as man imposed his will over the creation.

God’s remedy for restoration: HIMSELF in the form of man – JESUS.

The Holy Spirit sent once again to hover but not to form mater out of chaos but to imprint the potential for ORDER directly onto the souls of man through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:14 – The Spirit leads mature children.

John 3:5-6 – Baptized in Water and Spirit to enter the supernatural realm of God – HEAVEN.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 – “We ain’t seen nuttin’ yet.” – PR

Spirit of Revelation – Gives the ability to See, Hear, and Discover the Unseen Realm.

Spirit of Wisdom – Gives us the insight so we’ll KNOW what to do with what we’ve seen.

Proverbs 4:5-13 – Revelatory Wisdom is the principal thing, so SEEK it!

Proverb 8:26 – “I love those who love Me and those that seek me DILIGENTLY will find Me.”

Romans 8:26 – How to seek if you’re unsure. – PR

The Spirit of Revelation – releases SPECIFIC Knowledge to address specific issues at critical moments.

The Spirit of Wisdom – Guides us in the application of that knowledge.

Proverbs 29:18_(NKJ) – “Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint.”

“Casting off restraint” – Casting off balance and perfect order; reverting to chaos.

Proverbs 29:18_(P.R.T) “Without an intimate knowledge of God gained through experiencing His presence; the people will cast off order, balance, and harmony and devolve back into chaos.”

6-4-22

Pentecost — ”Wisdom Sunday”

Power (Greek) – Dunamis – Energy of great force; an EXPLOSION of power

Power to BECOME witnesses of Jesus. -When people see them – they’ll see Him.

Acts 1:4-5,8_(TPT) – “Stay and wait” for the promise of the Father.

Promise – an announcement of WHAT the promise is and the assurance that what was promised will be done.

Matthew 3:11 – Baptism of Water and of Fire

Fire – Purification

Acts 2:1-4_(TPT) “Sound AS a rushing wind…” – speaks of Jesus’ breath into His disciples.

“Pillar of Fire” – Represents the Presence of God and an imbuement of power.

“Tongues of Fire” – “It was as though each one received an overpowering personal flame of fire that would empower him and lead him through his life.”
– Brian Simmons

An Incomprehensible CALL and a PROMISE that the Call can be fulfilled through the imbuement of power through the Holy Spirit

“Stay and Wait” – Step away from our natural rhythm to synchronize with the Spirit’s rhythm.

Human Rationality – Left/Right sides of the human brain

Left  = Analytical

Right = Creative – Hears His voice

The church must set aside Rationalism to enable the Creative Flow to anoint our thought process and allow the INFINITE GOD to influence the FINITE.

1 Corinthians 1:27_(NKJ) – God has chosen the foolish (less rational) to shame the wise.

1 Corinthians 1:25_(Message) – Men’s wisdom can’t measure up to God’s weaknesses

God said, “I AM,” not “I Do.” 

What IS God? – 1 John 4:8 – ”God IS love.” – “God IS consistent.”

“God’s love remains unconditional, unlimited, and incredibly extravagant; it never relies on human faithfulness or unfaithfulness.” –PR

“The Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the inextinguishable FIRE that sets God’s love ablaze and is the only hope of our calling’s fulfillment.” –PR

LOVE is our Calling – LOVE is our true identity.

We were created from Love – of Love – and for Love

“Until the church awakens and embraces this truth, it will remain in the elementary grades of Christion Spiritual Transformation.” –PR

Romans 8:36-39_(TPT) – NOTHING can separate us from His love and its power once we accept this as the truth.

                                     The Ascension                                    5-29-22

– 2Cor 1:20 (TPT) “For all of God’s promises find their YES of fulfillment in Him. And as His Yes and our Amen ASCEND to God, we bring Him glory.”

– When God is Glorified, His power is Magnified. It is the power given to believers to overcome any obstacle that may arise.

– Message Bible – “It is a sure beginning to what God plans to complete.”

–PROMISE- [Grk] Espangelia  – Both the Promise itself and the assurance of that promise’s fulfillment

–  REMEMBER – RECORD  – REVIEW  – RECITE (aloud) and they will become the very fabric of your Being and the platform of your operations.

– Jesus Christ is both the Promise of God and the fulfillment of it.

– Phil 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you to will and to work, for His good pleasure.”

– It is God, Himself, whose power creates in us the desire to come to fulfill His Purpose for us.

– Rom 8:28 (NLT)  – “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

– Rom 8:29 (NLT) -” And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And He gave them right standing with Himself, and he PROMISED them his glory.”

– God has invited us into the holy community He shares with His Son and the Holy Spirit.

– Qualifiers: 

1. To LOVE as defined in 1Cor 13:4-7 {please read for clarity}

2. Say “YES” to His call. We are “called” to become MORE THAN WE ARE: A call to His Purpose.

– Eastertide: 5 celebrations that each underline a specific step in the process of “becoming’.

1. Lent – A sacrifice of SELF. Speaks of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert and the 3 temptations He faced and overcame. 

– These are common to humanity and must be faced and rejected:

a. Temptation to sieze Power – b. To base identity on Prestige – c. Gain status through Possessions.

2. Palm Sunday  Relates to the Passion with which Jesus embraced His purpose.

Passion Week – Week in between Palm and Resurrection Sundays.

Speaks of the need for daily expressions of purpose.

                  3. Resurrection Sunday – Speaks of the transformation of all creation

          4. Ascension  Day – Celebrates the final blow to satan’s power over the  

                               earth. It is the assurance of the promise’s fulfillment

          5. Pentecost – The giving of the power to become the New Creation            

                    through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit     

– *Interesting*  – Before Jesus ascended He took His disciples to the Mt. of Olives: The place first associated with His suffering and passion but now the place associated with His Glory.   

– It was a seminal moment of transition: From the passion of His suffering to the Glory of His resurrection.

– Within the process of Transformation there is Transition.  

– Ascension Day – is a reminder of Jesus’ total victory over evil.

– Remembrance – becomes a transitional factor as we move from sorrow, doubt, discouragement, and fear to joy, hope, and greater faith.  

–                       Three Important Theological Truths 

1. He ascended into heaven in bodily form – not just vapor – not just Spirit 

       Inference; He took humanity to the heavenly realm with Him

2. Assures us of joining  Him, The Father, and the Holy Spirit in Holy Communion and Community
3. Assurance of His continued mediation and intercession for us and giving us access to the ongoing flow of the Holy Spirit’s power.