Mission Talks

The following talks were given to the men in residence at the Macon Rescue Mission in Macon, Georgia during chapel services.

Love, the Sum of the Law

Content of Message (October 21, 2006): The role of love as the summation of the entire Law of God, and as an expression of Yahweh’s nature, is explored. Personal illustrations are given to illustrate how always choosing a path of love is a fulfillment of Yahweh’s will for all men.

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The Hope of Glory

Content of Message (October 23, 2006): The Scriptures state that “for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” Many saints have no understanding, or a very flawed understanding of what awaits them in the resurrection, yet Yahshua and the apostles had much to say about this topic. The importance of understanding correctly future matters is revealed as this understanding is linked to a willingness to take up one’s cross, to turn away from the fleeting pleasures of this world, in anticipation of glorious things to come.

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Grumblers Need Not Apply

Content of Message (October 28, 2006): The Scriptures reveal that Yahweh deliberately orders our steps to bring us to places where our flesh is provoked, not getting what it wants, in order that He might test us, to reveal what is in our hearts. The Israelites in the Wilderness are looked at as a classic example of those who failed to enter into the promises of God due to a complaining spirit.

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Learning Warfare

Content of Message (October 30, 2006): The first message of a multi-part series on spiritual warfare. The history of Israel going in to possess the Land of Promise is looked at as a type and shadow of Christians taking possession of the land of their flesh. Yahshua said, “The Kingdom of God is within you,” and in this land of our flesh are enemies, giants, strongholds, and fortified cities that must all be brought into subjection to Yahweh that He might reign in us.

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Possessing the Land

Content of Message (November 3, 2006): The second message of a multi-part series on spiritual warfare. Even as Joshua led the Israelites in to possess the land of promise, so Christians are led by the captain of their salvation, Yahshua (English-Joshua), to take possession of the land of the flesh which they inhabit. Parallels between Joshua and Yahshua are reviewed, and the method for driving the enemies out of our land is set forth.

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The Overcomer

Content of Message (December 2006): The Scriptures reveal that there are distinctions made between Christians. The highest tier are called the Overcomers. The criteria that separates the overcomer from other Christians are looked at, as well as the special rewards reserved for them. The saints are exhorted to press on toward the high calling of the overcomer.

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The Nuts and Bolts of the Gospel

Content of Message (December 16, 2006): Many messages of the birth of Christ are heard during the month of December, yet many hearing these messages cannot define how the Nativity benefits them. In what way are the captives loosed, the blind given sight, and the downtrodden set free? How does the life of Christ loose men from their captivity to sin? What really transpired, and how it effects men and women today is explored.

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Holidays, or Holy Daze

Content of Message (December 2006): The apostle Paul prophesied that in the last days men would turn aside to myths and fables and would not endure sound doctrine. The church’s replacement of the seven Holy Days of Yahweh outlined in Leviticus 23 with holidays that are filled with pagan elements is one evidence to the fact that we are living in the last days. There is much sound doctrine, much spiritual understanding, to be found in the symbols and practices of Yahweh’s feast days, but the church has rejected them while preferring that which is vain and empty.

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Faith and Hearing

Content of Message (November 2006): The speaker’s personal testimony is used to show that the pattern of faith revealed in Abraham’s life is still applicable to those who would be the friend of God today. The principle of hearing God’s voice and obeying is shown to be very practical, and at times it leads to great trials.

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Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Content of Message (December 30, 2006): The Scriptures record the first question that man asked God was, “Am I my brother’s keeper.” The entire remainder of the Bible reveals Yahweh’s answer to man’s question. Those who would be found pleasing to God are exhorted to seek the well-being of others, even those who have treated them poorly.

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A Message for the End Times (Compassion’s Silver Lining)

Content of Message (January 6, 2007): I would that every child of God would hear and heed this message. The hour is late. A time of great distress is coming to the nations. Yahweh’s path of preparation to survive in desperate days is disclosed. If there is a single message that applies to the year 2007, I believe this is it.

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You Must Be Born Again!

Content of Message (January 20, 2007): This message given to the men in chapel at a local rescue mission reveals that there are two types of men in this earth. There are natural men born of the first Adam, being body and soul. There are also spiritual men who have undergone a second birth, a spiritual birth, and they are body, soul and spirit. The changes that occur in this second birth are detailed, and the natural parable of the caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly is used as an illustration.

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The True and False Gospel

Content of Message (February 3, 2007): The gospel message presented in the majority of churches today bears no resemblance to the gospel proclaimed by Christ and His apostles. These two are set in contrast to one another, and the methods God uses to free us from the bondage of sin, and a captivity to selfishness are proclaimed. This is a challenging message for those who have ears to hear.

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God Will Not Be Mocked!

Content of Message (February 10, 2007): The apostle Paul said, “Behold now the kindness and the severity of God” (Romans 11:22). Much of the church today wants to behold only the kindness of God, failing to understand that holiness is perfected in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1). The saints are reminded that God will not be mocked. They will reap what they sow. Mere confession does not satisfy God, but He requires holiness in thought and action.

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Joseph and Jesus: Patterns of Promotion

Content of Message (February 24, 2007): Amazing parallels are seen between the lives of Joseph the son of Jacob, and Jesus the Son of God. Both men followed a path of glory to humility to even greater glory. In their lives a pattern is revealed for all those sons whom God has called to rule and reign with Christ in ages to come. Yahweh’s pathway to promotion must be embraced if we would not lose the crown He has determined for us.

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Going on to Maturity

Content of Message (March 24, 2007): The Scriptures remain veiled, their dark sayings and mysteries hidden, due to spiritual immaturity. When many believers should be eating meat, they are only able to receive milk. The believer is urged to move onto maturity, and the things that will keep them perpetually immature are revealed.

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Discipline or Judgment!

Content of Message (March 31, 2007): Pain and sorrow and suffering are intrinsic parts of this present creation. Many spend their lives seeking to avoid them, not knowing that all must pass through what the book of Revelation describes as “the first things.” We have the opportunity to willingly submit to suffering now in this age, and in doing so we will know abundant grace, comfort and mercy from our Savior, His Spirit, and our Father in Heaven. We will also receive unspeakable reward. We can also resist those things the Father would lead us through, and in doing so we will only postpone that which is unavoidable. In so doing we will also forfeit the abundant grace that would have been ours, and we will be disqualified for the rewards given to the overcomer. Numerous types and parables in Scripture are looked at to reveal the truth that we must either submit to discipline as sons, or we will receive judgment as the enemies of God.

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Journeying with God

Content of Message (April 14, 2007): God desires to lead all who are willing on a journey where He is the guide. He will choose for us the paths we are to take, and if we follow in obedient trust He will take us on a journey uniquely suited to each individual to produce His character and to bring us into the ranks of the overcomers. The lives of the patriarchs, the Israelites under Moses and Aaron, Jesus and Paul are all looked at as examples for our own lives. There is a simplicity to God’s plan for us to follow Him as a Shepherd leads forth His flock. The challenge is to die to our own plans, will and desires that we might surrender to His leadership.

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What is a Christian?

Content of Message (April 28, 2007): Is being a Christian a matter of professing certain beliefs, or is it defined by adopting moral behavior? Is a Christian merely someone who believes in the Bible, or who holds specific beliefs about Jesus Christ? The Bible reveals that none of these things truly define a Christian, for any Biblical definition must include a radical change of being, even a new creation arising. The apostle Paul provides a test of true Christianity, and he exhorts professing believers to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith.

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Judgment is Coming!

Content of Message (May 12, 2007): The Earth is already entering into a time of birth pangs which must precede the appearing of Yahshua and the manifestation of mature sons after His image. Fires in Georgia and Florida, the largest Supernova ever observed in the heavens, a named tropical storm appearing three weeks before the official start of the Hurricane season; these and many more events are prophetic signs that foretell of things coming quickly upon the Earth. The disciples asked Yahshua what would be the sign of His return and He declared there would be “signs in Sun and Moon and stars and upon the earth.” The signs are being given now, though few are observing them.

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Qualified or Disqualified

Content of Message (May 19, 2007): God has prepared an inheritance for His sons and daughters that includes both great reward and great callings as priests and kings in the ages to come. This present life is designed to prepare men and women to bear the power and authority of the next age. A warning is given lest the saints fail to submit to Yahweh’s great preparatory work, for even as Saul was disqualified and his throne and crown given to one who had a heart after God, so too can the saints have their crowns taken away and given to another who is more worthy. The children of God are exhorted to walk in the understanding that every step of their life is ordered by God to prepare them for future service in His kingdom.

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The Myths of Heaven

Content of Message (May 26, 2007): Part II of a series begun with the message “Qualified or Disqualified.” This message examines current myths regarding the future of the saints in heaven and reveals that much of what is accepted in this hour as truth is actually doctrines of demons. When the ages to come, and the great differences in reward, glory, authority and callings that will be the portion of the children of God, are correctly understood, the saints receive motivation to accept the cost of discipleship now, and to follow the Lamb wherever He would lead them. The tragedy of living careless lives of ease, comfort and pleasure becomes evident when current myths are dispelled by truth.

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The Point of No Return

Content of Message (June 23, 2007): The Scriptures reveal that there is a point at which God will cease striving with man over the sin in his life. Many sincere men and women have wondered whether they have crossed this point, and have been given over to a reprobate mind. This message looks at the limits Yahweh places upon His striving with mankind against sin, and answers the questions of believers who are troubled with the thought that God may have already given them over to their sin.

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The Pit of Despair

Content of Message (July 13, 2007): A recent CNN news article reported that anti-depressants are now the most prescribed medications in America with 118 million prescriptions written in 2005. A physician commenting on this fact stated that Doctors are now medicating unhappiness. The Scripture has been fulfilled “God gave them the desire of their heart, but sent leanness to their soul” (Psalms 106:15). The path back to inner peace and fulfillment is revealed.

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Slavery to Sonship

Content of Message (July 26, 2007): For a season Yahweh has allowed slaves to dwell in His house (slaves to sin), but Yahshua declared that “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever” (John 8:35). There is no future in the Kingdom of God for slaves. Mankind must make the transition from slavery to sonship. Yahshua said it was for this purpose that He came, “For if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” The path to sonship is revealed in Yahshua’s discourse with Nicodemus.

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The Parable of the Serpents

Content of Message (August 4, 2007): The Scriptures speak of Moses fashioning a bronze serpent on a pole for the healing of the people after they had been bitten by serpents.  We look beyond the historical story to understand the spiritual message contained in this event. The spiritual application is much more relevant to the saints today than many have realized.

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The Christian’s Speech, Perfect and Powerful

Content of Message (September 29, 2007): God’s goal for the speech of a Christian is that it be both pure and powerful. Some of the key stumbling blocks in attaining to Yahweh’s desire are examined. The necessity of knowing His ways is revealed in order that we would not enter into complaint, and thereby sin with our lips, when Yahweh brings us to a trial.

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Life in the Spirit

Content of Message (October 27, 2007): There is a great divide between a religious devotion to Christ and life in the Spirit. The former is marked by teachings about God and His Son, while the latter is focused upon a vital relationship to God through His Son. Hearing God’s voice and responding in faith and obedience is the mark of the true saint. Examples are given from Scripture and from the speakers own life of the supernatural nature of real Christianity.

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In Christ

Content of Message (November 11, 2007): Understanding what it means to be “In Christ” is vital to all who would walk as overcomers “in Christ.” Experiencing freedom from bondage to sin, and knowing a practical walk of righteousness are only realized as one apprehends the truth of their unity with Yahshua.

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Are You Where You Need to Be?

Content of Message (February 10, 2008): It has always been the will of Yahweh that His children follow Him wherever He would lead them. As the day of the Lord’s return approaches it will become even more vital that His children are at all times exactly where He desires them to be, doing precisely what He has called them to do. David’s life, and his great failure in committing adultery with Bathsheba, and murdering her husband, are revealed to be directly linked to his failure to be where God wanted him to be at that time.

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We Are What We Eat

Content of Message (February 28, 2008): The tremendous effect of diet upon the natural body is viewed as a parable of the impact those things we feed our soul has upon the inner man. Many Christians find that they have no power to overcome sin, but wonder why. The answer for multitudes is revealed in this challenging message.

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Provoke Unto Jealousy

Content of Message (March 10, 2008): Many examples of God walking with the speaker in intimate communication, and in miraculous provision are given with the intent of provoking the men at the Macon Rescue Mission to jealously desire the same fellowship with God. An inspiring message.

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A New Creature

Content of Message (March 27, 2008): This was my last message given to the men and women during chapel service at the Macon Rescue Mission. I did not know before I got up to speak, what my topic would be. The Spirit directed, however, and He had me proclaim the message of salvation with an emphasis on becoming a new creature as we are born again of the Spirit of Christ. Afterwards I considered that I would be leaving that weekend to go camping for a couple weeks to seek God’s face, and I would be camping near Calloway Gardens where I planned on visiting their world class butterfly exhibit. This made the message of being a new creation very appropriate for my last message.

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