Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 20 Issue 22 September 19th, 2010
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing....I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Our prayer and our belief is that God, our God, is going to do a new thing in and through the ministry of The Gathering Place.
We believe that God will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. In the late 80’s before we had ever been in Osoyoos, we heard a prophetic word of this area we now live in - a revival would break out - a revival that would sweep this nation—and it would begin here in Osoyoos. Let it be so!
My family’s work ethic is described in the following scriptures: Colossians 3:23, I Corinthians 10:31, 14:40 “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men; do all to the glory of God” and “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Pastor Casey and I along with our families are committed to help each of you reach your God Potential.
We believe that leadership’s role is to “cause the people to inherit the land”. Joshua 1:6
Leadership should never drive the flock, they must lead by example. God have mercy if we forget this!
Three things are needed in order for us to be effective in Osoyoos:
· an ability to understand God’s directive in prayer
· a willingness to work
· a sensitivity to timing
Isaiah 58:12 “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
1. Our directive in light of Isaiah 58:12
· to loose the bands of wickedness
· to undo the heavy burdens
· to let the oppressed go free
· to break every yoke
· to reach out to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul
· to build the old waste places
· to raise up the foundations of many generations
· to be called ‘The repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in’
2. Our individual ministry according to II Corinthians 5:18-19
· to have the ministry of reconciliation
“God, has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
The ministry of reconciliation is: to bring back to friendship after enstrangement, back in harmony.
3. Our attitude in light of Nehemiah 4:6
· To have a mind to work
And Nehemiah 4:17-18 “Every one with one of his hands involved in the work, and the other hand holding a weapon, and so we builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”
I have for many years believed that God was going to raise up a new ministry - not from the pulpit, but from the pew!
Believe it or not, every Christian has a vital part to play in God’s plan for mankind.
I Peter 4:10 “As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.”
Unfortunately, many of God’s children think that God can’t use them in a mighty way. They are often heard saying, “I know Jesus can use others...but He could never really use me”.
Unless you are fully yielded to God, you are useless in His Kingdom!
It is not your ability but
your availability God looks for!
Folks, this may not be too deep or too profound... But the Work of the Lord is just that - it’s a lot of work!
We speak of the anointing, but the anointing is a direct result of our willing obedience.
The back bone of the church is ordinary people simply obeying.
Romans 12:6-8 “Having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, or ministry, or teaching, or encouragement or giving.”
· If your gift is prophecy...then prophesy
· If your gift is ministry...then minister
· If your gift is teaching...then teach
· If your gift is encouragement...then encourage
· If your gift is giving...then give
Are you willing to do anything God asks of you? Really?
It may simply be your “yes” to His call that He looks for today. Your calling may not be fulfilled for several years. God may have a few things to build into your life before He can release you any further. God raises up people as He sees they are ready....not before.
God not only can use you, He is waiting to use you.
Folks, as the pastoral leadership of The Gathering Place:
· We promise that we will never take a survey to see what topics you want us to avoid in our sermons.
· We promise not to fall into the rut of trying to accommodate you, so you'll come to church.
However,
· We do promise to preach the unadulterated Word of God because the only way this world will ever be impacted is through a sin-exposing word that reveals the heart.
The world needs to hear pure, Holy Ghost truth that cuts to the quick and answers the cry of the doubting heart.
Our modern humankind cries out, “I have power and influence. I have all the material possessions I could want. Yet I have no peace. I have questions and I need answers to them. All you people who claim to speak for God - intellectuals, cultists, even people of the cloth - if you can't answer the cry of my heart, then you have no right to exist. You have no purpose. You are useless to this society.”
· We promise to stay “Salty”.
For as the scriptures have said in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his taste, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
As Christians, we are either thermometers or thermostats. I want to be a thermostat. I want, if it is at all possible, to turn up the heat so to speak.
My main ambition of late is to be on the devils most wanted list.
Consider this sad thought….if Jesus had preached the same message that a lot ministers preach today, He never would have been crucified.
Of Finney’s ministry, Leonard Ravenhill said this. “Finney never made an altar call within the first twenty eight nights of preaching.
Most of our evangelists today don’t have twenty eight sermons. Twenty eight nights in a row and he never made an altar call.
He didn’t preach the love of God. He didn’t say “you’re a sinner, God loves you.” He said “God is angry with the wicked every day” Psalm 7:11 which the Word of God says.
· He didn’t preach grace, he preached Law.
· He didn’t preach love, he preached judgment.
· He didn’t preach heaven, he preached hell.
· He didn’t say “you’re a wonderful person” he said “you’re a rebel”.
But, he got results.
64% of the people who came to God through D. L. Moody have backsliden.
But 72% of those who were convert through Finney’s ministry have stood the test of time because he knew how to attack the human will, not just the emotions.
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