January 1, 2023
Sermon Part 1: “Jesus Christ is for Every Crisis in the Human Experience.”
Introduction
Happy New Year everyone, especially to the Saints of God, duly elected by God to exercise authority (Exousia) over all of the works of the enemy, the devil, and nothing by any means shall hurt you. (John 1:12. Col. 3:12, I Thess.1:2-4 & Luke 10:19). You are indeed so very special to God and all of Heaven! Praise God, by the time your work is finished on earth, everyone in Heaven is going to know your name!
Let me ask a question of you: What is the difference between you—the born-again Christian—and the things of this world?
The answer is: “Every damned thing.” I am not at all trying to use profanity or a forward mouth, rather I am acknowledging what the Bible says about you!
For you are not of this world, and have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! (John 15:19 & Eph. 1:3) The blessings of God in you are greater and far superior than anything that has been tainted and corrupted in this world by the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden—Satan being the father and author of it all. You have the God-given ability to turn every “damned” thing, into a “blessed” thing—to take a corrupt thing, and make it once again a Christ thing!
This elongated Sermon Series is exactly what every born-again Christian needs as we launch into 2023—I’m calling it, “The Year of Miracles.” Since the day of Pentecost, through the Holy Ghost, the mighty miracle working Power of God has been available to those who would believe in the name of Jesus Christ and live for Him. However, in Christian Circles today, particularly in America, the vast majority of Churches, and Christians individually, have lost the key ingredient needed to work miracles.
In this Sermon Series we will talk extensively about this key ingredient lost to Christians—and make sure we get our “mojo” back and working! The Church, the body of Christ, especially Exousia Ministries, Inc. has a lot of work to accomplish for the Lord, before His imminent return to rapture the Church. May our labor with Jesus Christ in 2023, be a sweet smelling savor unto God our Father.
Giving Thanks To God in Christ Jesus for Our Eternal Testimony Stirs Up the Gift of God in You!
Before we get into Sermon-specifics, right now, lift up your holy hands toward heaven, and turn inwardly in your hearts, and thank God, not only that we are here and assembled together to see 2023, but more importantly, for our eternal testimony in Christ Jesus.
As often as you can, you ought to rehearse aspects of your eternal testimony in God in Christ Jesus, which will serve to stir-up the gift of God in you. The power of the Holy Ghost will be mighty in its working through you to operate in the nobility of God; to preach the gospel with boldness, and with confidence to do the works and greater works of Christ Jesus before all men in the earth. (II Tim. 1:6 & John 14:12)
So let’s begin by thanking God that through Jesus Christ, we have been made the sons of God. We are not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but we are born of God. (John 1:10-13)
Thank God, we have been chosen and ordained to fulfill the Will, Plan, and Purposes of God in the earth, for such a time as this. As the handiwork of God, led by the Holy Ghost, in 2023 and beyond, we are ready to go forth and walk in a new dimension of supernatural maturity, power, and wisdom of God to accomplish things never seen, nor heard of before in the earth! (I Cor. 2:9-12 & Eph. 2:10) This is all so God may be glorified through us!
Thank God, He has authored and established in our hearts the everlasting “Peace” of Jesus Christ. (John 14:27 & Rom. 14:17) This Peace we have of God surpasses all human intellect and understanding. This Peace in this midst of world-wide chaos causes us to be of good cheer, courageous, and more than conquerors in both, life and death. (John 16:33) Because we have Jesus' Peace, we sleep in ships on stormy seas, walk on bellowed and raging waters and then calm those same seas. We even have the audacity to sing praises and pray with God while being persecuted for His name sake, and turn the other cheek when scourged by brazen enemies.
Even more so, when our fellow beloved Saints of God pass away—make their transition on up to heaven—we don't sorrow as others do, because we have a hope (an expectation with exceedingly great joy) within us far beyond the graveyard. (I Thess. 4:13) We know and are assured that to be absent from this physical body is to be present with the Lord. (II Cor. 5:8)
As born-again Christians, when we consume our last gasp air on earth—we will never see, taste, nor experience death. (John 8:51) Oh, I wish somebody would thank God with me right now that we have everlasting life, and will be raised up at the last day by the power of the Holy Ghost!
Moreover, as born again Christians, no matter what this life may bring, we find ourselves forever affirming the writing of the Apostle Paul at Romans 8:38-39, as he wrote:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We Fear No Evil Spawned By Satan, as Tribulation Unfolds Crises in America and Around the World.
God abides within us, thus, we do not fear for the times that lie ahead. We are fully aware that due to the high-treasonous actions of Adam in the Garden of Eden, we live in a fallen and corrupted world filled with an enemy called, “Tribulation.” (John 16:33) Tribulation is the systematic and automatic unleashing of great troubles on humanity, which seeks to bring with it, heavy burdens, sorrows, and griefs.
Tribulation causes human beings to “feel” as though they are surrounded by "Pressure” on every side of human existence. The human psyche, emotions, and physical body are attacked with enormous Pressures. And, if you will, like hurricanes spawn tornadoes, tribulations spawn “Crises” one after another—days and seasons of intense difficulty, trouble, and danger on humans.
Umm, and haven’t you noticed literally on a daily basis in America, the crises we encounter have only grown more intense in severity. We have political crises, economic crises, budget crises, drug crises, crime and violence crises, abortion crises, youth crises, education crises, immigration crises, supply-chain crises, welfare crises, Covid-19 crises, crypto currency crises, climate and environmental crises, warmongering nations’ crises, and on and on we go.
In fact, CNN News recently reported polling results indicating that, "90 percent” of adults surveyed believe, "America is experiencing a mental health crisis. Well surprise, surprise; of course we have a mental health crisis in this country. America has turned its back on God! (Also, I wonder about Christians too.) Americans have taken prayer and devotionals out of their homes, prayer out of the schools, removed their children from Sunday school and Church, and instituted laws diametrically opposed to the Holy Bible—what did America think would happen in society?
America has allowed Satan to snatch the Holy Bible out of the hands of parents and their children and replaced it with cell phones and lap tops! In this age, 2-year old children know far more about watching video games on a cell phone, than they do about Jesus Christ!
Follow this, at I Corinthians 6:8-9, the Apostle Paul wrote the following admonishment to the Christians at Corinth:
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Americans have been deceived, by the father of lies Satan, into thinking they can practice, like a hobby, fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, lying, stealing, murder, abuse alcohol and drugs, as well as have riotous parties and more; and still live in health, peace, prosperity and tranquility. America thinks it can load up on good deeds during times of the year with charitable events of handing out food, clothing, and other necessities to people in need. But at the same time neglect God and His standards and commandments for living, and still enjoy peace, happiness and tranquility on Earth. That’s not going to happen!
Paul says that the people who practice the aforementioned iniquities cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is full of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 14:17) Instead of enjoying the provisions of the kingdom of God, Americans and people all around the world are inheritors of the kingdom of darkness—Satan’s place.
Tribulation is birthed from the kingdom of darkness, and brings forth fear and torment on humans, which begets more tribulation. The more mankind fears tribulation, the more mankind speaks it into existence; for “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and those that love it will bear its fruit. (Prov. 18:21) Americans love to speak of their fears—and what they are afraid of, and what they fear the most. Therefore, they eat the fruit of it.
Mental Instability Covers the People of America, and they Desperately Need Help from the Holy One, Jesus Christ!
National statistical data reported in the media vividly reflect the mental instability of the people of this country. For example, data show:
- Fifty percent of people 12 and older have used illicit drugs at least once.
- One out of every five high-school aged students have seriously contemplated committing suicide.
- Since 2000 there have been 700,000 drug overdose related deaths in the U.S.
- In 2020, more Americans died of gun-related injuries than any other year on record, and suicides accounted for more than half of gun deaths in that year.
- In 2020-2021, there were 93 incidents of school shootings with casualties at public and private schools, compared to only 23 in the 2000-2001 school year.
- The “Crime Clock,” which represents the annual ratio of crime to fixed time intervals, shows that “A violent crime was committed every 26.3 seconds. A murder occurred every 32.1 minutes, a rape every 3.8 minutes, a robbery every 2.0 minutes, and an aggravated assault every 38.5 seconds.”
- Finally, as of 2015, same sex marriage is now federally legal in all 50 states due to a Supreme Court ruling. Society now says if you oppose homosexuality and same sex marriage, you hold an “extreme view point.”
As Mankind walks opposite of the ways of God, tribulation will only wax worse on the human experience taking a monumental toll on the mental, physical, and moral health of Americans. God said, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me. (Is.26:3) God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind. (James 1: 13 & II Tim. 1:7) Tribulation leading to mental anguish is from the enemy the devil. And, here in America, multi-millions of people are hurting, broken, depressed and crying out for HELP—all because they are estranged from God!
No matter if you are a Christian or non-Christian, as long as we live in this world, tribulation will come, and we all will have our share of it. However, as we learned in our last Sermon Series, entitled: “Put Your All on the Altar of Sacrifice, And Leave It There,” (See, Sermons in Nov.27 through Dec. 18, 2022.) as born-again Christians, we glory in tribulations—we thrive in crises! Troubles, test, and trials come to make us strong. When crises come our way, we say to Satan—is that all you got? In the worst of times, we are at our best, because we know we have already overcome the world and all of its evil through Jesus Christ.
We can look back over our lives with a measuring stick, and sing the song, “Lord You Brought Me from a Mighty Long Way!” No matter the crisis we have come out of it stronger, wiser, and better! God is for us and nothing can stand against us! (Rom. 8:31) The Apostle John wrote at I John 5:4-5:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
As born-again Christians, we “own the secret to overcoming tribulation, including every crisis this world has to offer.” That is, our faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross! This is how we get the victory in every chaotic situation in life—through our belief in Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God. Jesus has overcome the troubles of the world for us. (John 16:33) In sickness, in poverty, in hardship, in persecution, whatever the struggle, we declare victory through the name of Jesus Christ, and we always win! (Rom. 8:37)
Moreover, the Bible tells us that while Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, God through Jesus’ suffering was reconciling the world to Himself. (II Cor. 5:18-19) Through Jesus Christ, the world and all that dwell therein was restored to God. To all persons who believe in Jesus Christ, God has given them the “Ministry of Reconciliation (restoration). No longer do human beings have to live in fear and torment of Satan and tribulation— for in Christ Jesus we have been given the power over all of the works of the enemy, through faith in His name. (Phil. 2:19) Satan had the power over death, but Jesus snatched the keys of death, hell, and the grave from the devil when He rose from the dead on the third-day. (Heb. 2:14 & Rev.1:18)
All “Power” and Authority in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus, and God has made us joint-heirs with Him. (Matt. 28:18-20 & Eph. 1:22) God has placed all things under the feet of Jesus Christ, and we are to use the power and authority of Jesus Christ, and see to it, that we make the works of the devil the Lord’s footstool.
Christ is the Answer to Every Crises in the Human Experience.
Emphatically I say to you, everything in the earth and that is to come belongs to born-again Christians, and we have the right and responsibility to kick tribulation and every crisis out of our lives, and the lives of other people! (I Cor. 3:21-23) The Anointing of Jesus Christ in you is the answer to every crisis! (Col. 1:27 & Acts 1:8) The Anointing in you is intended to make every crisis obey the name of Jesus Christ, and remove heavy burdens and destroy yokes off of the lives of every person. (Is.10:27) Glory be to God!
Saints of God, let me tell you what I hear the Lord saying to the Church in 2023. God is strategically placing and planting born-again Christians, such as yourselves, in the pathway of people that are in the midst of a crisis. I believe, God has pre-arranged divine connections for each of us to meet and minister to people who have lost hope, lost their way, or who are even at their wits-end—so we might tell them that, “HELP” is on the way. To tell them, “HELP IS JUST ONE PRAYER AWAY!”
Further, I hear the Lord saying when we meet people in crisis mode that “Jesus Christ is here right now to CRACK AND CRUSH EVERY CRISIS in their lives into pieces, and Give them His Peace!” My, my, my God told me to tell you for now on, every time we are confronted with a crisis in our lives, and especially in the lives of others, to look in your born-again hearts and see the crisis. Picture the crisis in middle of your hands with the left hand on top of the crisis, and right hand underneath.
Then, God says as you “see the crisis in between your hands, clap your hands together on the crisis.” In your spirit, watch the crisis crack, crunch, and crumble in your right hand. God said, “When you see the crisis crushed, blow the remains away!” And, then by the love God, see yourselves giving the sufferer of the crisis, your peace—the Peace of Christ. Your hands contain the blessing of God to remove every contaminated and condemned thing in this world!
This is the way God wants us to understand our authority over the crisis of people we will meet and minister to. Financial problems, sickness and disease, family dis-function, death, poverty, job loss, home loss, demon oppression whatever the crisis—God wants you to know that you have the power and authority to remove trouble and minister the healing Peace of Christ to them.
I know this all may sound crazy to human logic and reasoning of the carnal brain, but we are people of faith and not bound by the human experience. We don’t “manage crises,” as the people of the world attempt to do. We are people of faith and have been called to dominate and eliminate crises!
For consider that Joshua and the children of Israel. As they marched around Jericho, once a day for 6 days, then seven times on the 7th day, and on the 7th trip around—the the priests blew their trumpets and the people shouted as commanded by God. Then the walls of Jericho fell flat so that Israel walked right into and destroyed the city—taking with them the gold and silver to put in the treasury of the Lord! (Jos. 6:1-27) Is there is anything too hard for God? No, all things are possible to any person who believes in Jesus Christ, The Lord. (Mark 9:23)
Yes, literally I believe we can place a man’s crisis in our hands, clap them together and command the crisis to be removed and cast into the sea! God wants to show us how to do new things for His glory to be revealed more and more in us. (II Cor. 5:17) For what we can see in the spirit is the truth and eternal workings of God never seen nor heard of before. (II Cor. 4:18 & I Cor. 2:9-12)
You see, this is the mission of every born-again Christian. Jesus Christ on the night before His passion prayed to His Father God that all who would believe in Him and follow after Him, God would send forth to crush crises and deliver people from evil! Examine these parts of the Lord’s Prayer at John 17:15 and 18.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Glory be to God! Jesus prayed that in the same manner in which He was sent into the world, that we would be sent too. Jesus Christ was sent into the world to preach the gospel to everyone trapped in sundry CRISES! Luke 4:18-19 reads,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Jubilee—debt cancellation.)
Oh Saint of God, can you see that the Spirit of the Lord is working in you, and is upon you? Can you hear the voice of the Holy Ghost calling you to go out into the streets with the name of Jesus and preach the gospel, heal the broken hearted and set captives free? Can you see yourself ministering with hand on hip, and a smile on your face, decreeing to a person encumbered with financial debt that this is their day of jubilee—their debts are being cancelled today!
You are the carrier of the Spirit of the Lord, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is “Liberty!” (II Cor. 3:17) Wherever you are at home, work, school, the playground, grocery store—the Spirit of the Lord is present to bring liberty to the oppressed. God through Jesus Christ has authorized you to serve as His Minister of Reconciliation, (restoration) to exchange every man’s problem for the promises of God. Whatever the problem-causing-crisis, we are to exchange it with works of Christ Love and Peace! (Col. 3:17)
My, my, the people of the world who are in the midst of crisis, need to hear from you that they are just, “One Prayer” away from coming out of crisis mode. One call and cry-out to God for Help. Every human being is God’s most cherished creation, made in His image, and after His likeness. God desires to deliver each one of us out of our troubles; all He requires is that we call on Him with our whole heart. The Holy Scriptures give witness to this truth. For example:
Isaiah 35:4 reads,
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Isaiah 58:9 says,
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
So you see? This is all it takes to have the crisis cracked and crushed by the Lord—for the person in trouble to cry- out to God from their heart, “Lord save me!
Closing Thoughts for You!
As born-again Christians, our zeal for lost souls to be saved is a single quest. For the Bible says, the day will come when the heavens and this corrupted earth will pass away with great noise, burn, and melt with fervent heat. (II Peter 3:10-12) And, we look forward to the day when God, in Christ Jesus, will return and establish a new heaven and earth wherein there is nothing but love, peace, and righteousness. (II Pet. 3:13) Are you looking forward to that day?
So in the meantime my brothers and sisters in Christ, as Living Sacrifices unto God, with our whole-hearts, we embrace the mission work we have been sent to do in 2023 and beyond. In 2023—the year of the Miracle—we will crack and crush every crisis we encounter of people with Christ, the Lord.
We earnestly pray that the Lord would send laborers into His Vineyard (You and Me). We pray that the Lord would give us loving and compassionate ears to listen to the struggles of others and give us the grace-filled words to minister to those in crisis to help people understand they are just “One Prayer Away” from God turning their crisis into victory. May the Lord strengthen us and give us the resolve to compel every person and family to come into His House—the House of Prayer—where every need is met and exceeded to receive all the miracles Jesus Christ has in store for them. Amen to the preaching of the Word of God.
Please send your tithes and offerings in support of Exousia Ministries, Inc. to the PayPal link below. May God exponentially multiply your cheerful and hilarious giving to our Ministry and ever take you deeper into the knowledge of Himself.
http://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=H928GMBX3YG8S
Should the Lord tarry, see you next week!