WEBVTT 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:18.480 Descriptiousness last of those two hunger and thirst for an expensive. 00:00:20.239 --> 00:00:26.719 Those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are desperate, they will be filled. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:28.559 They will touch the crowd. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:30.079 They will touch the master. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:32.719 The master will speak to them and say both. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:36.479 Your faith has made you whole. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:42.399 At The Road, our vision is to raise up wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:46.799 For more information on the road, visit theroad.org. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:50.079 We hope you are encouraged by today's message. 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:53.920 Appreciate you coming out. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:56.719 We'd appreciate your prayer for Pastor Steve. 00:00:57.119 --> 00:00:59.280 About six o'clock this morning. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:05.519 Steve texted me to confirm I should speak today and that he had a fever. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:06.719 So let's just go ahead. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:10.799 I mean, we've been praying for Steve, but let's go ahead and pray for him now again as a body. 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:18.480 So, Lord, we lift up our pastor to you and we just thank you for a man of God, a man of integrity, a man who loves you and loves us. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:24.959 And Lord, we just agree together in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ that you will break that fever right now. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:32.400 Lord, that you will restore healing to his body, that you will restore strength in Jesus' name. 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:33.359 Amen. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:39.599 Well, Steve has been speaking on a series concerning the book of Revelation. 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:41.519 We've learned a lot of things. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:50.799 We do believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come again, but we believe before he comes, some amazing things are going to take place. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:57.680 So I don't know about you, but I think we live in the most exciting time in all of history. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:03.840 The scripture says that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:07.680 Could we agree that we're in an abundance of sin? 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:12.879 I don't mean you personally, of course, but in the world in general. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:15.120 We live in a broken world. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:22.960 And because we live in a broken world, and you can put that first slide up, I want to talk to you this morning about great things. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:26.719 I believe that we are going to experience great things. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:30.639 I also know from the scripture we're going to experience some hard things. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:37.039 But it's going to be an amazing mix, and the great things will outweigh the hard things. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:54.719 In 2 Timothy 3, verses 1 through 4, the Apostle Paul is writing to his young pastor friend, and he says, But understand this that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:03:21.520 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving God, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:24.080 Aren't you glad you came this morning? 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.840 That's the world we live in. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.960 We live in a very, very broken world. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:36.560 But again, where there's brokenness, there's hope. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:40.960 Where there's brokenness, there's healing. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:52.479 I believe that before the Lord Jesus Christ returns, we're going to see the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the greatest revival that has ever graced our planet. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:58.479 Acts 2, verses 16 through 21. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.199 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:08.080 And in the last days, how many here believe we're in the last days? 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:13.439 Now, for those of you that are as old as I am, we've been in the last days for about 60 years. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:18.399 But we're really in the last of the last days, right? 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:24.720 And so Joel is speaking to that, and he says, In the last days it shall be. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:36.639 God declares that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall see dreams. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:45.519 Even on my male servants and my female servants in those days, I will pour out my spirit, and they shall prophesy. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:05:03.680 And I will show wonders in the heavens, above the signs of the earth below, blood and fire, vapors of smoke, verse 20, the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day in verse 21. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:09.519 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:14.000 We get excited when people respond to the gospel here. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:25.120 We get excited when people raise their hands or they come forward and say, I want to become a wholehearted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, but you have seen nothing yet. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:29.519 We are going to see people saved by the tens of thousands. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:30.399 I believe that. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:31.199 Do you? 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:33.680 That's a good place for an amen. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:40.399 Do you believe that we're going to see a great ingathering before the Lord Jesus Christ returns? 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:43.120 Very good, very good. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:50.399 Let me read to you, just in case, especially for some of the visitors where they're thinking this guy has no credibility. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:53.279 Let me quote someone who does, David Wilkerson. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:56.240 Anyone old enough to remember David? 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:57.120 Yeah. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:59.120 All the old people raise their hands. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:00.160 Thank you. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:05.040 You can Google David Wilkerson if you want to find out who he is. 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:09.120 April the 11th, 1988. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.279 This is what he writes. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:19.519 The church is going to experience an undeserved outpouring of love, mercy, and kindness. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:27.839 It is going to come in a time of great affliction, with tempests raging, with anxiety on all sides. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:37.199 When society is being tossed about, God swears he is going to reveal himself in great kindness. 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:43.519 But with everlasting kindness, I will have mercy on you, says the Lord your Redeemer. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:52.800 My kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord that has mercy on you, Isaiah 58. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:55.759 Isaiah 54, 8 through 10. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:07:01.920 What God is saying to the church is this that his promises are true. 00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:03.839 His promises are true. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:05.360 And he is going to pour out his love. 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:12.879 And I like the way David Wilkerson phrases, he said, this is going to be an undeserved outpouring. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:15.439 It's an undeserved outpouring. 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:27.360 The scripture says that God does not deal with us as our sin deserves, and I'm very thankful for that personally, as a man who has been forgiven much. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:36.000 In order for this great outpouring to come, we have to prepare ourselves. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.199 We have to prepare ourselves. 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:49.439 In Matthew 9, there's a story of a woman who had a bleeding issue, a sickness, hemorrhaging, for a number of years. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:54.079 She's spent all of her money, she's gone to the doctors, the best doctors of her time. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:56.639 She has no money left. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:01.519 She's still dealing with the sickness in her body, and she's desperate. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:03.519 Now, here's the thing. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:11.920 Just so that you know my heart, I plan on being in the middle, I mean in the thick of what God's gonna do in the last days. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:16.800 I'm not gonna be up in the bleachers watching the players out on the field. 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.199 I will be on the field. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:21.279 I hope you're gonna be with me. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:26.160 But if you're going to be with me, then you have got to have the same kind of desperation. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:29.920 Let me read to you what the scripture says about her. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:39.279 And she said to herself, If I only touch his garment, I will be made well. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:47.200 Now understand that wherever Jesus went, I mean, you can't get within 50 feet of this man. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:50.399 He is so crowded on every side. 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:56.320 And so here is a desperate woman, and you have to understand also the culture of the day. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:09:03.679 You talked to your mother, you talked to your sister, you talked to your wife, but you didn't have a lot to do with other women. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:09.120 And here's a woman that is ceremonially unclean. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.320 She can't go to the house of the Lord. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:14.960 She's forbidden by Jewish law. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:19.600 In many respects, she is an outcast. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:23.759 But she is also desperate. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:35.039 And she says, if I can just push through, if I don't have to talk to him, I don't have to touch him, if I can just touch the hem of his garment. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:38.879 And so she's pushing her way through the crowd. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:46.240 She has a single vision, she has a single purpose, there is no doubt, there is no fear. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:49.919 She will touch his garment. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.320 And she pushes through. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:10.720 So if you plan on being with me on the field, you have got to have some desperation. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:19.279 You know, if you go to church here very long, you hear the term wholehearted disciple over and over again. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:23.120 Do you really understand what it means to be wholehearted? 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:27.840 Do you understand what it means to be desperate? 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.879 To be desperate? 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:40.879 To be willing to press through the bystanders, to be able to push your way through the crowd, determined that you will touch him. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:53.360 You see, if you're not, if you don't have that kind of desperation, you'll probably stay up on the stands and you'll be content to pay your tithes and offerings and let Steve be down on the field. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.360 Are you desperate? 00:10:55.919 --> 00:11:04.000 The scripture says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they will be filled. 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:10.559 Those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are desperate, they will be filled. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:17.679 They will press through the crowd, they will touch the Master, the Master will speak to them and say, Well done. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:20.879 Your faith has made you whole. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:38.559 In Ephesians 5, 15 through 18, the Apostle Paul says, Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:43.200 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:47.919 If this is the only thing that you remember today, please remember that statement. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:48.720 Okay? 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:53.440 Understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:57.360 Understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:00.399 What is the Father's will for you? 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:08.320 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.879 Be filled with the Spirit. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:19.279 Sometimes a picture is just, you know, a picture is worth what, a thousand words or something. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:22.879 So here's some Christians. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:24.879 Praise God. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:28.000 We've gone to the well and we've drunk. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.720 And we're really happy with what we have. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:38.720 And then there are other Christians that they go to a teleos retreat and they get filled up a little bit more. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.919 Oh yeah, that was a great retreat. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:43.360 Glad I went. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:51.039 And then there are some people who go on mission trips and they're there for a week or 10 days and they get filled up a little bit more and have a great experience. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:53.360 And it's like, wow, we met God. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:00.480 And then there are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and they keep coming before the Lord and pressing through the crowd. 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:04.320 And you know, you just can't get too much, right? 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:10.320 And then there are those who are just determined to have it all. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.000 They just want it all. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:19.919 They want to be filled up, filled up, filled up, filled up to overflowing. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:27.759 The woman who pressed through the crowd was a woman who was determined to be full. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:32.240 She wasn't satisfied with just a little bit. 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:39.200 That scripture about being filled up can be explained with two metaphors. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.200 The first one I just showed you. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:46.639 In the original language, it reads, be continuously filled. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.159 Continuously. 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:50.399 How many times have you heard a testimony? 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.360 I praise God. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:57.279 You know, when I was 14, I went to a youth camp 85 years ago and I experienced God. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:00.480 Well, what happened last week? 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:07.360 So many of the testimonies that we share are so incredibly dated. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.279 They're dated. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:14.320 But the cool thing about God is he is timeless. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:20.399 Anyone that presses through, anyone with determination, he will meet you. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:23.279 Even if you're kind of like Thomas. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:29.679 And the resurrection has taken place and he's appeared to all kinds of people, people that he knows, people that he trusts. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:33.600 Thomas, Thomas, the Lord, the Lord has risen from the dead. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.559 Wow. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.639 What have you been smoking? 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.320 I'm sorry. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.919 I can't believe it. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:47.279 I mean, I know you, I trust you, but I saw him laid in the grave. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:49.679 I can go to the grave. 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:52.960 I can show you what, Thomas, you don't understand. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:57.840 True to his promise, true to his word, on the third day, I will rise. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.279 Thomas, he's risen. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.039 I'm sorry, guys. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.600 I can't believe. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:06.639 I've got to be able to put my hand in his side. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:09.360 I've got to be able to put my finger in the wounds. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:11.360 And you know what I love about the Lord? 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.759 He will meet you wherever you are. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:19.440 If you're the woman with the issue of blood, with amazing desperation, he will meet you. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:26.399 If you're a guy like Thomas and it's like, you know, I want to believe, but I can't believe, oh Lord, please help my unbelief. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:27.200 Guess what? 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:30.399 He will appear to you and he will say, Come. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:34.240 Come, touch the wound. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:37.440 I want you to believe. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:43.440 And then that's a beautiful thing because it incorporates everybody that's here this morning. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:49.200 Whether you are desperate or whether you are doubting, God will meet you. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:52.159 And God will blow your mind. 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.600 Can we say that in church? 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.159 He will meet you. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.480 He will touch you. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.159 He will fill you up. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.480 He will fill you up. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.799 Continuously fill you up. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:09.840 That's why I love PBJ, prayer, Bible, and journal. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:17.600 Every morning when I sit down with my Bible and my journal, I experience the truth of His Word. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.600 I hear the voice of the Spirit. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:24.639 I capture it because I journal it and I give a responsive prayer. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:28.799 Every time I do PBJ, my cup is getting full. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.240 Every time. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:33.679 I hope you're doing PBJ as well. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:36.080 The announcement was free. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:40.399 2 Timothy 1, 6. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.480 I like this in the Amplified. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:52.159 Now Timothy is a young guy, and he's got some struggles because sometimes young people are not well received by older people. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.519 And so Paul is trying to encourage him. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:17:00.080 He says, Timothy, I don't want you to be intimidated by anybody. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:04.240 Instead of being intimidated, just simply determined to be an example in all things. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.279 And he gives quite a considerable list of what the all things are. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.759 But then he says this to Timothy. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:17.200 That is why I would remind you to stir up, rekindle the embers of fan into flame. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:28.240 Keep burning the gracious gift of God, the inner fire that is in you by means of the laying on of hands with those of the elders at your ordination. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:38.640 Paul is encouraging this young pastor not just to remember, but to stir up. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:42.240 So I want to just take a quick poll this morning. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:45.759 I won't ask you to stand, but I will ask you to raise your hand. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:53.200 If you have ever been used by the Lord in any way, would you just raise your hand? 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.960 Praise God. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.079 Take a look around. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.440 Look at all the hands. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:03.279 If you have been used of the Lord in the last month, would you please raise your hand? 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.480 Wow. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:09.359 If you have been used in the Lord in the last week, please raise your hand. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.519 If you want to be used of the Lord today, please raise your hand. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:17.200 Are you stirring it up? 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:23.119 Are you stirring it up or are you just waiting for a lightning bolt to strike you from heaven? 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.200 How do we stir it up? 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.079 Well, let's see. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.720 There's probably something in the scripture that speaks to that. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:33.680 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 8 through 11. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:37.759 It tells us what the gifts of the Spirit are. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:44.079 And when I speak of the gifts of the Spirit, I'm not talking about the great big bundle of 55. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.440 I'm talking about the 12. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.359 I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:56.240 I believe that He has never changed. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:01.759 I believe that the God who opened blind eyes opens blind eyes today. 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:06.960 I believe that the God who raises the dead raises the dead today. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:12.240 We support a missionary in China, a woman by the name of Kristen. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:26.640 And she is in Tibet, and there is a man who has a heart attack and dies, collapses onto the sidewalk right in front of her. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:32.319 She is a trained nurse, so she recognizes death when she sees it. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:34.799 She walks over, takes the pulse. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.319 There is no pulse. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:47.359 And a crowd is beginning to gather, and with unabashed faith, she just lays her hands on him and commands death to leave and life to come. 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:53.680 And after praying for a considerable amount of time, all of a sudden this man is standing up on his feet. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.400 And he's alive. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:01.599 And you can only imagine how the gospel went forth in that small community. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.519 Now, I don't know about you. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.400 Yeah, you can clap. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.039 It's good. 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.759 Yeah. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.559 Yeah. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.319 God is good all the time. 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:17.200 Have we progressed as a society where we will simply believe the word because somebody tells us and we don't need proof? 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:19.200 Have we progressed to that place? 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:23.920 Some of you are saying no, some of you are saying we don't know. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.799 I work with people every day. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:30.880 I can tell you this we haven't changed in a millennial. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:36.559 We have Thomases that have to touch, to see, to believe. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:45.680 We have non-believers who say, you know, if God would just show himself, I would believe. 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:50.640 So what better way for God to show himself than to move through the gifts of the Spirit? 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:55.680 We are a word and spirit church. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:00.240 We believe in the authentic the authority of Scripture. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:09.119 We believe that the Bible is the final word, final word concerning all matters of human thought, speech, and conduct. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.799 We believe that. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:15.039 We also believe that the Holy Spirit is alive, present. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:20.000 He is here among us, and he is not here as a casual spectator. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:25.519 He is here because he desires to manifest his presence. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:30.480 So those of you who are discouraged, those of you who are wondering, is this real? 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.680 Is it real? 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:35.839 You can walk out today saying, God is in your midst. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:44.720 So those of you who would like to be used today, stir up the gift. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:48.400 We have a mic, it's right here. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:52.559 Let me just walk it down to an appropriate position. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:57.519 Let me tell you how it works here, just in case you don't know. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:11.519 If you believe the God has given you a word, then what you do is you come over here, you talk to Pastor Steve when he's here, and you say, Pastor Steve, I believe God has given me a word for the church. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:13.599 He will judge it on the spot. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.519 Does it fit? 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.640 Where does it fit? 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:19.119 Is it for you or is it for the congregation? 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.839 And he will give you permission to speak. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:33.519 Now, over the course of the last several months, we've had several words of knowledge where people have been healed because they responded to a word of knowledge. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:47.039 I remember when uh Pastor Steve's wife stood over here at a table and gave a little illustration, she said, this is a prophetic word from the Holy Spirit, and we received it as that. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:50.240 We are a word and spirit church. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:54.720 So I want to encourage you, stir up the gift. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.319 Stir it up. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:06.160 If you haven't been used of the Lord in a congregational setting like this, I want to encourage you, pray and say, Lord, here am I. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:08.000 Here am I, send me. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.759 Give me ears to hear. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:16.240 Impress your word upon my heart for the edification of the body. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:19.599 1 Corinthians 14, 1, pursue love. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:24.799 Earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.599 That's in the New Testament. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.599 I have it here on my Bible. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:34.960 I am not a pagan, I'm not a heathen. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:37.599 I own a Bible with paper in it. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.519 I do, I want you to know that. 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:42.319 This is just easier to preach from. 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:55.200 So, with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:59.599 Why would you want to stir up this gift? 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.839 Why would you want to do that? 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:10.319 Because you have a desire, you have a love for the people that you commune with, and you want to see them encouraged and built up and strengthened in their faith. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.319 That's why you stir up the gift. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:17.839 It's not so that you can be known as the person with the gift. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:23.359 It's so that the gift can manifest and minister to the body of Christ. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:28.480 We need to get into the river of God. 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:32.960 Ezekiel 47, verse 9. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:37.599 It says, everything will live where the river goes. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:40.319 Everything will live where the river goes. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:54.720 I want that river to flow through this place, to flow out of this place, into our community, past our community, into the state, past the state, into the nation, past the nation, into the world. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:57.279 I want that river to flow. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.599 Do you want that river to flow? 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:08.160 Are you willing to get out of the bleachers and onto the field and be a part of what God wants to do in these last days? 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:11.920 Will you be a part of the good things that He wants to do? 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.920 We have pre-service prayer. 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.680 We meet at 8 o'clock. 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.839 Service starts at 9 o'clock. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:22.480 We would love for you to join us. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:30.720 The way I stir up the gift is I'm here at 8 o'clock in the morning and I'm praying, Lord, use me. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:35.039 Is it okay to be selfish that way? 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:45.359 Is it okay to say, Lord, I love these people so much, if there's any way that you can flow through me to them, here I am, I'm available. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:48.880 I pray that in faith. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:53.039 And then sometimes I struggle, is this you or me? 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:55.359 Just to be transparent. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.240 Been serving the Lord since 1969. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:00.799 I've never gotten past, is this you or this me? 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:04.400 I still, what can I say? 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.240 What can I say? 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:11.920 So in the book of Ezekiel, verse 47, I'm just going to read a few highlights. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:16.559 The prophet of God is being led, and he sees a river. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:28.160 In verse 3, going eastward with a measuring line in my hand, the man measured a thousand cubits and he left me, and he led me through the water, and the water was ankle deep. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:31.119 Now, I believe this scripture is historic. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:41.519 When we look at the revivals that have come across the world, which there have been many, I think the early revivals were just ankle deep. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:46.319 They were real, they were powerful, but they were just ankle deep. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:56.559 Not to minimize the move of God, but then he goes on, and again he measured, and he led me through the water, and this time it was knee deep. 00:26:57.119 --> 00:27:03.279 And it seems that with every sovereign move of the Holy Spirit, it's just a little bit more intense. 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.880 Have you seen that? 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.640 It's just more intense. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:12.480 And he goes on and he measures again, and this time it's waist deep. 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:18.240 I think the last great revival that swept across the world was a waist deep revival. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.920 It was powerful. 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.680 It was powerful. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.799 But I think there's a last day revival coming. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.839 It was deep enough to swim in. 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:33.039 I think God in the last days is going to do good things. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:41.039 And there's going to be a river flowing from heaven, and it's going to be so deep that we can actually get in and swim. 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:49.119 I don't know about you, but ankle deep just doesn't satisfy me. 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.119 You know. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.839 Knee deep is okay. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:56.400 I mean, at least you can, you know, splash it a little up. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:28:00.160 Waist deep is better, but you know, I'm a water baby. 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.680 I love water. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.559 I want to get in and swim. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:08.400 I am hungry for the things of God. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:11.200 I am thirsty for the things of God. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:14.480 I am desperate for the things of God. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:21.759 I am going to purposely, personally say, Lord, stir up the gift. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:24.079 Any gift, I don't care. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:31.119 Whatever gift it is that will minister to the need in the moment, that's the one I want to be used in. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.960 I don't claim any gift. 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:36.799 I claim the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.559 That's what I claim. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:42.160 You've been listening to The Road. 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:45.039 We hope you have been blessed by today's message. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:48.880 To connect with us further, visit theroad.org. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:52.880 If you are walking through a difficult time, we want to pray for you. 00:28:53.119 --> 00:29:00.160 Go to theroad.org, click on the ministries tab, and go to our prayer page to send us your prayer request. 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:02.319 Thank you for tuning in today. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:06.000 Be sure to listen to the next edition of The Road.